Suicide. An act which according to many religions is direct one way ticket to hell. This is a topic which comes up many times in numerous conversations. People have contradicting views on suicide. Are the people who kill themselves cowards or are the greatest models of unrivaled bravery?
Death is undoubtedly the number one fear. Every human being at one point of time is scared of death. So, are these suicidees(a coined term for convenience) really so courageous that they conquer the number one human fear? This question is truly bewildering. Personally, it does not matter whether these suicidees are plain rats or heroes of the world. For me they are nothing but murderers, Weapons Of Mass Destruction who for their own personal ends have ended the existence of millions gazillions of souls.
WMD's!!!You must think I have gone crazy. But there is truth in this in the deepest most profound sense which we know but never realize.
Let me put it in a sentence and elaborate on it later "When you kill yourself, in essence you have destroyed the existence of more than 1000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 raised to the same number of souls"
Now you must think "Where in the heck did this freak come to this conclusion?". I shall of course answer this. It may be convincing if you change your idea of existence to cover a broader spectrum.
Let me begin with the beginning of life on earth, yes, life on earth. Have you considered what precision, what perfection it must have taken for life to prosper on our tiny planet earth. For the big bang to take place, for the solar system to form, for the earth to be just at the right distance, for some supernovas to take place, for stars to shine, for no other cosmic disturbances, for a comet as big as mars to come hit the earth at the correct time and give rise to the moon, for a number of meteorites, heavenly bodies to collide and bring several life sustaining chemicals, for the core, mantle and crust to be formed, for the first cyanobacteria to be formed. The probability is unimaginable!!!
Now, the story does not stop here. Now its time to move from small to big. For the cyanobacteria to be exist it took the right carbon compounds, the right amino acids, the rite chemicals. Then, these cyanobacteria evolves, slowly steadily, into more complex organisms. For the formation of such complex organisms, proteins are formed. To form the right proteins it is a game of probability in epic proportions. Let me give an example, to produce one essential proteins it is required to have a chain of 1055 amino acids in just the right link up. In other words, you have to get all 7 on a slot machine having 1055 screens to win a gamble of one protein! Now, you require several such proteins in the process of evolution. Even if one such protein gone berserk would endanger our very existence, since proteins essentially give DNA. One mistake and we may end up having one too many legs! Now, all said and done, first human is born. You must think "Phew! Thats over with!". But you are gravely mistaken. Here comes another set of mishaps. Not as exponentially huge as the previous two epics, but enough to add some 5-10 "zero's" in the probability figures. The probability of your existence is still meek, your ancestors were lucky enough not to be killed by the harsh conditions over the next 15000-20000 years. Thats more than 400 generations. The right mate, the right genetic make up, the right environmental conditions over the next 400 plus generations finally gave rise to a wonderful, beautiful baby-YOU!
I do not know what force, what divine presence gave rise to such a probability and finally gave me, you, all of us living a chance to exist, to breathe, to live. We have been chosen over more than millions trillions gazillions suitable candidates who could have been in our place. But, fate had other plans and we were allowed to pass through the gateway of life.
Now, coming back, all these suicidees when they kill themselves not only take their own life but have taken away the chance of so many souls who could have been in their place, who could have done something better, who were not given the chance to exist. Is this not injustice? Is this not mass murder of hopes, dreams, aspirations, souls as a whole. Is this not a hellish act, condemning so many for the need of one?
It is not only suicide that I condemn. I also feel people who waste their life away slowly killing themselves over time are in a way the "little" suicidees. For, they are wasting away the gift of life. A gift so precious that we could not possibly perceive. It is beyond our purview of prescience. It is truly the most wonderful, beautiful, astounding and the least understood phenomenon-LIFE!!!
One more thing that the suicidees and the "little" suicidees do is devastate their loved ones. Many of who spent the rest of their of life in despair taking away their purpose of life. Destroying all their hopes and dreams. Some of these people are so disheartened that they are nothing but empty shells. Now, the suicidees have condemned the destiny of even more humans and the souls connected to these humans.
So, all you suicides when you think of killing yourselves, remember how many people you are, though not literally, killing. Its as if you are a walking talking hydrogen bomb set loose in the spirit world. With its aftershocks reverberating in the real world on your loved ones. You are literally on a killing spree. You think "I am not hurting anyone else!". Think again.
Just to give you an idea how rampant the suicidees have become, let me give the statistics of 2004 by WHO-Almost 1 Million people kill themselves every year, almost double the number of people who die by homicide(500,000) and almost four times the number that die by war(230,000).
So does it really matter if these suicidees are brave or cowards? Does this question really hold any importance considering the havoc they cause? Is this even mildly relevant?
Its unto us to decide whether we want to bring purpose to our life or destroy it and obliterate 999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999 raised to 1000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 souls in the process. Its a responsibility that is part of gift of life. Lets respect that and live happily.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
A Word On Individualism
Individuals. The word itself brings a sense of uniqueness. Something different. Something special. One. It singles out.
Who truly can be called an individualist? One who creates something new? One who brings new ideas? One who influences many? One who lives on his own terms? Or one who is a true and pure form of ego.
I would be lying if I say that I, in one brilliant moment, decided to write about a topic such as this. No. I got this idea when I was reading a book. Some of you must have read the book. Its The Fountainhead-Ayn Rand. The book is a war between an individual, a heroic soul, a creator versus the collective society of second handers. I shall continue to use the word used by the author as it truly sums up the character of the collective society.
Second handers, the people who live solely for the society. In true sense, a selfless soul. You may say "Why? Being selfless is a great virtue!". Yes, in its essence it does good for the general humanity. But in doing so, the individuals are being ground to dust. From the dawn of time, take Prometheus for example who brought fire from the gods and gave it to humans. What became of him? Tied down to a rock with his liver on a silver platter for the birds. Apart from ancient greek mythology, take any great scientist, intellectual, artist, individual. They have always been persecuted by the great society. Disdained, hated, belittled, pushed. Whether it be Newton, Aristotle, Plato anyone who has shown the desire to be different, to be above the masses, to excel, to reach the heights that others cant even perceive, they have been shunned by the collectives, the second handers.
I have pondered on this subject for some time. Not much. But definitely enough to give my own views. Who are these second handers I've been writing about? Let me give a clear picture. They are the people you meet everyday, the mediocre, the average, the people who live by what others perceive. Your Tom, Dick and Harry. They lay importance on their stature, outlook, position in the society. They do what is expected of them. I may be one. You. Or anyone. The masses as a whole. Do not be under the delusion that this would exclude kings, dictators, power hungry mongrels. They are the worst of all. For their entity is based on the people. Without the peoples attention they would be nothing. In sense the masses, society, the general public form the collective soul of second handers.
Why would these second handers hurt the individualist? These people who are trying to improve the world through their talents? For this first let me explain about individuals. They are the true and only form of self. They respect themselves beyond anyone else. They worship their work, their talent, their mind, their souls, which is theirs only. No man can think for the other. No one can eat for another. No one can sell their soul in place of another. They believe in themselves above anything. Some of you may call this nothing short of arrogance. But, what you must try to understand is that such people do not care what you may think. For them you are nothing but a part of the wall. I am a stone. The worlds a stage and they are the only players. There is no one else. We are all equivalents to stone, tree, soil, anything, but objects of their interest. They worship their work, their passion, their soul. They work to perfection, a perfection that is their perfection, not ours. They wont rest until they reach their standard of perfection. What you, I or anyone say or do is inconsequential to them.
Now, coming back. Why would the masses hurt these heroes? These people who bring creativity to the world? I could think of only one answer: Fear. Fear of change, fear of a different way of life, fear of the exaltation the creator would experience when he would complete his conquest. They do not want to accept novelty. They wont. The society tries to break such individuals. Many a time they succeed. But, you can break the person but not his soul, his soul is his work. Eventually the society accepts the work. It takes the gift. Its a never ending war. And only the brave survive.
The individuals who are the true and pure form of ego. Ego, the strong feeling of oneself. There is no one other than themselves. They live for themselves and themselves alone. The second handers, the true but not pure form of selflessness. These altruists who live based on the perception of the masses. So contradictory, I've delineated the hero, the stereotypical selfless soul as an egotistical maniac and the masses, the one usually considered the true form of selfishness as a selfless altruistic soul as the villain. The individuals here suffer, the masses bring the suffering. I do not know how many of you would agree to this point. But a true individual would bear all the pain in the world to see his work erected in this world. It'll be a tribute to himself, his mind, his talent, his soul. For which he can sacrifice anything.
In the end, for a true individual, it does not matter what the society does or says. He has his work and his mind and he'll work to his end. So, does it really matter Who here is the villain, who the hero?Who the evil and who the good? Does it matter whether the collective souls bring suffering to the individuals? Does it matter why? All we know is as long as such individuals are born, the world will always see a new dawn, a novelty which pushes men to move forward, a world where freedom is truly understood and respected.
Who truly can be called an individualist? One who creates something new? One who brings new ideas? One who influences many? One who lives on his own terms? Or one who is a true and pure form of ego.
I would be lying if I say that I, in one brilliant moment, decided to write about a topic such as this. No. I got this idea when I was reading a book. Some of you must have read the book. Its The Fountainhead-Ayn Rand. The book is a war between an individual, a heroic soul, a creator versus the collective society of second handers. I shall continue to use the word used by the author as it truly sums up the character of the collective society.
Second handers, the people who live solely for the society. In true sense, a selfless soul. You may say "Why? Being selfless is a great virtue!". Yes, in its essence it does good for the general humanity. But in doing so, the individuals are being ground to dust. From the dawn of time, take Prometheus for example who brought fire from the gods and gave it to humans. What became of him? Tied down to a rock with his liver on a silver platter for the birds. Apart from ancient greek mythology, take any great scientist, intellectual, artist, individual. They have always been persecuted by the great society. Disdained, hated, belittled, pushed. Whether it be Newton, Aristotle, Plato anyone who has shown the desire to be different, to be above the masses, to excel, to reach the heights that others cant even perceive, they have been shunned by the collectives, the second handers.
I have pondered on this subject for some time. Not much. But definitely enough to give my own views. Who are these second handers I've been writing about? Let me give a clear picture. They are the people you meet everyday, the mediocre, the average, the people who live by what others perceive. Your Tom, Dick and Harry. They lay importance on their stature, outlook, position in the society. They do what is expected of them. I may be one. You. Or anyone. The masses as a whole. Do not be under the delusion that this would exclude kings, dictators, power hungry mongrels. They are the worst of all. For their entity is based on the people. Without the peoples attention they would be nothing. In sense the masses, society, the general public form the collective soul of second handers.
Why would these second handers hurt the individualist? These people who are trying to improve the world through their talents? For this first let me explain about individuals. They are the true and only form of self. They respect themselves beyond anyone else. They worship their work, their talent, their mind, their souls, which is theirs only. No man can think for the other. No one can eat for another. No one can sell their soul in place of another. They believe in themselves above anything. Some of you may call this nothing short of arrogance. But, what you must try to understand is that such people do not care what you may think. For them you are nothing but a part of the wall. I am a stone. The worlds a stage and they are the only players. There is no one else. We are all equivalents to stone, tree, soil, anything, but objects of their interest. They worship their work, their passion, their soul. They work to perfection, a perfection that is their perfection, not ours. They wont rest until they reach their standard of perfection. What you, I or anyone say or do is inconsequential to them.
Now, coming back. Why would the masses hurt these heroes? These people who bring creativity to the world? I could think of only one answer: Fear. Fear of change, fear of a different way of life, fear of the exaltation the creator would experience when he would complete his conquest. They do not want to accept novelty. They wont. The society tries to break such individuals. Many a time they succeed. But, you can break the person but not his soul, his soul is his work. Eventually the society accepts the work. It takes the gift. Its a never ending war. And only the brave survive.
The individuals who are the true and pure form of ego. Ego, the strong feeling of oneself. There is no one other than themselves. They live for themselves and themselves alone. The second handers, the true but not pure form of selflessness. These altruists who live based on the perception of the masses. So contradictory, I've delineated the hero, the stereotypical selfless soul as an egotistical maniac and the masses, the one usually considered the true form of selfishness as a selfless altruistic soul as the villain. The individuals here suffer, the masses bring the suffering. I do not know how many of you would agree to this point. But a true individual would bear all the pain in the world to see his work erected in this world. It'll be a tribute to himself, his mind, his talent, his soul. For which he can sacrifice anything.
In the end, for a true individual, it does not matter what the society does or says. He has his work and his mind and he'll work to his end. So, does it really matter Who here is the villain, who the hero?Who the evil and who the good? Does it matter whether the collective souls bring suffering to the individuals? Does it matter why? All we know is as long as such individuals are born, the world will always see a new dawn, a novelty which pushes men to move forward, a world where freedom is truly understood and respected.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Fancy A Read
This is I guess a first proper blog I've written. Now, I had to first understand what is blogging. The dictionary defines blog as " To write entries in, add material to, or maintain a web log"
So, I guess I've started blogging.
I dont know who is going to read this and who is not. All I know is I felt like writing so I did. This is how I do most things, I feel like doing something and walla, I do it. No Reason. No Purpose. I dont want to like most people, "voice my opinion", nor is my purpose "to present my views", all I want to do is write. And what better platform than the world wide web?
But, since every written work must have a purpose even if the author himself does not have a purpose, I must from time to time "express my views, ideas and opinions". But I urge everyone to still consider my first few blogs as a mere free fall into unchartered territory. Maybe over time I might get structure and purpose. But it is not now.
Now, I shall surely write something tomorrow. I guess I'll first write about some obscure topic. For the benefit of people I know and for those whom I could not keep in touch, I'll later write about my past few months when I disappeared.
Till then,
Take Control And Rock On
So, I guess I've started blogging.
I dont know who is going to read this and who is not. All I know is I felt like writing so I did. This is how I do most things, I feel like doing something and walla, I do it. No Reason. No Purpose. I dont want to like most people, "voice my opinion", nor is my purpose "to present my views", all I want to do is write. And what better platform than the world wide web?
But, since every written work must have a purpose even if the author himself does not have a purpose, I must from time to time "express my views, ideas and opinions". But I urge everyone to still consider my first few blogs as a mere free fall into unchartered territory. Maybe over time I might get structure and purpose. But it is not now.
Now, I shall surely write something tomorrow. I guess I'll first write about some obscure topic. For the benefit of people I know and for those whom I could not keep in touch, I'll later write about my past few months when I disappeared.
Till then,
Take Control And Rock On
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)