Grey Matters

We all have a failry good idea of what's right and wrong. Lies and truth. Cheating and fair-play. Injustice and justice. These are all concrete examples where we can easily pick out what is right and what is wrong. Of course, there will be some individuals who may challenge the societal norms by reversing right with wrong and wrong with right but overall, barring these exceptional cases we can say with ease that we all know right from wrong in most situations.

Then there are the shady areas. The not so distinct areas where right and wrong have conveniently mingled and given us a hybrid progeny known popularly as the "grey area". And the lines seem to fade away and the concepts of right and wrong are written over each other to reveal a palimpsest, thereby making it harder for us to base make a decision. When treading through such an area one has to be very careful as one can not side with what's right and what's wrong because there is no right and wrong anymore. One MUST exercise judiciousness in such locales.

So what to do? Which option shall we go for? They may all seem right and none may seem wrong. Flip side: they may all seem wrong and none may seem right. Confusion and utter chaos ensue in the mind. The best thing I would suggest in such a case is to opt for the most practical option but trying to at the same time to make a right choice too.

Let me illustrate with an example. Say a beggar comes to you with the usual request for charity. Now we enter the grey area. It is not binding upon us to pay him to relieve him of his woes but at the same time if we don't then we feel morally responsible. If we don't pay him it's not as if we are benefiting him in fact some people say we are harming him more by robbing him of his initiative. Others say we must give him the money to help him alleviate his troubles upto a point thereafter from where he will work his way up. Both arguments are sound but are they both correct? Are they both wrong? It's really hard to say. So what is the best way out of this dilemma. We can all come up with different ways to approach this problem and solve it in the best possible way. Some will just dish out the money others won't. Some will give the money but not before parting with some advice and empowering words to help them uplift their spirits. Some will help them get some way for them to start work. Whatever is the way I feel there must be some sound reasoning and judgement to base their decision which have a positive effect overall. If you think giving money will have a positive effect and believe in that then go for it. If you believe not giving any money will be more helpful then opt for that. If you believe giving advice is more beneficial then that is your "dao". Your mantra maybe helping them find work but whatever make sure it is based on an honest conviction to your basic ideals of right and wrong !

Politics

Politics maybe a very dirty game and many would attest to that, but if you do not indulge in politics how will you be able to affect change anywhere? Most people believe that politics is only played out at the state level but look around you and you will notice that politics is everywhere. You read of it in the dailies true, but you see it in the office, at school, on the bus (let’s not forget the segregation acts that were in place during the mid of the last century in the US, those only came about because the government allowed so), whilst driving all around you, you will notice that a lot has to do directly with politics. I was of the opinion at one stage to never indulge in politics, since I felt that politics is by nature a dirty game. I was very wrong because every action that involved me and others there would be some sort of planning going about and that is what politics is about; planning and executing a plan in order to obtain some power. As a university student I noticed it first, and very blatantly that too, during some of the meetings I attended and some of the ballots that were held. My feelings were of utter disgust and contempt to learn that there was more than just a mere student organization leadership position at stake. Those feelings made me detest the conniving nature of men and just drew me away from getting involved in any sort of organization for some time to come.

A few years later, whilst still in college, I thought it was time for me to try and make a difference. After all I had some experience as college student and naturally wanted my successors to benefit if there was something I could offer. At that point my opinion towards politics had also changed, I felt that by letting the “dirty” managers a free reign I was more or less letting them do their job and there was no one to question them and Edmund Burke quite succinctly said, “It is necessary for the good man to do nothing for evil to triumph.” Since I was a novice in this area of responsibility I thought it would be best to indulge into something non-political in nature and an organization that tries to offer the best for its constituents, one that tries to cater to essential and important needs like the welfare of students or along those lines.

What I am trying to hint at is really that we all should try to take a more active role in politics and try to affect some change. Sitting on our behinds and acting like arm-chair theorists and providing solutions is not going to bring about some change. There is no change without some sort of effort. The reason for me relating my experiences here is to illustrate at how wrong my misconception was for not indulging into something like this earlier. I truly felt remorse for not having done so because I could have learnt so much and not only that I would have been able to bring about some change too. Another belief that I came to formulate was that if you are not going to do anything, or have done anything in the past, about a situation then you should not bother criticizing, since that really makes one question your motives if you are sincere enough or not in that particular cause. The right to criticize should be given to those who actually do something about or try to bring about some change. Those who want to just sit and be heard I think it would be best to take them to a TV studio and have the “audience”, “applaud” them whenever they make a point. So let’s get moving folks!

Myths and Mythbusters

A myth must be understood in the context of why it was first dispelled, to that end we will notice that most myths have an underlying theme or subject that is highlighted usually or at times must be “dug up” by the reader. Themes range from being subservient to gods or the kings to even discussing human behavior. The Greeks are well known for their rich mythological history and that is a good starting point to understand most myths. It is important that a myth usually discuss several themes but there is one theme that stands out the most and that was the purpose for creating it in the first place. Also it must be noted that such tales are widely popular and this goes to show that it held universal appeal in trying to imbue such traits in the people. Whenever, reading a myth you must take into account the history of those times, and certain factors that are directly dealt with in the story itself for without that context the real meaning is lost for instance try reading the story of Troy without appreciating the nature of the two sides and how things were dictated back then and you will be left with a very loose fabric. You can think of a myth as a sort of propaganda trying to advance one society by giving them a sense of unity and purpose. Every myth has a conflict in it and that is necessary to rally support for that one cause be it advancing a kingdom, or avenging a defeat; the myth was used to these ends to boost morale and self-esteem of the people. One can only appreciate them by delving into them.