Group Dynamics...

i had a long discussion in the afternoon about how a group of people with similar objectives affect every individual in the group; either dragging each other down or inspiring each other to new heights. i was just wondering whether this is a very 'Indian' phenomenon. i'm reminded of this very popular anecdote which probably every primary school teacher uses atleast once every year. A crate full of Indian crabs and a crate full of crabs of other nationalities (as if crabs know where they're from) were placed next to each other in a restaurant. The Indian crate was uncovered while the other one was shut tight. A curious diner asked why so. The chef replied, 'If a crab tries to escape by climbing to the top of the crate, usually the other crabs in the crate do not react. However, if the crabs are Indian, they pull the adventurous crab down. So why put a lid?'
Two things come out quite obviously: One, the 'other' crabs seem quite individualistic and independent. Two, Indian crabs are highly dependent on their society. So again i have a few questions. Is it that this anecdote is told in every country, just replacing the 'Indian' with 'Russian' or 'American' or 'Senegalese'? Assuming the anecdote is basically correct, why just Indians? Is it because of a society that places such importance on conforming to the standard? Is it because making it big in this country is next to impossible (although the situation is changing)? Is it because all our epic heroes are called 'Maryada Purshottam' only when they bow down to society? Is it because going against the flow is considered more heinous a crime than doing what is right?
And why is this painted only in the negative light? What if that one crab who tries to escape drags his unwilling colleagues out too? Or is that just impossible to expect here??

More about Cartoons...

i found this damn funny blog. Again, its got cartoons of Muhammad. Don't be alarmed. This shouldn't start a riot. Maybe because this Muhammad is shown as a nice guy. When you make a nice guy Muhammad no one cares whether he's a cartoon or not. Similarly, when you show Jesus had a kid, people protest. Take some of the seriousness out of religion. i think thats when it would make much more sense.

http://muhammadandme.blogspot.com/

Haiku...

To celebrate one of my greatest victories, a haiku:

Not a single mosquito lives
Working in peace is now possible.

17 mosquitoes. All dead. With just 2 weapons. My hands.

Shiv Sena...

They did it again! The Shiv Sena has risen back from its ashes! Doing what it does best! Tell them to stay in power for one year and solve the state's problems peacefully... naaah. Breaking people's legs like furniture (and vice versa), street fighting, molesting women, tearing their clothes... YES!! THAT's our job. They choose to call themselves Shivaji's army. And they believe in bringing in Hindavi Swaraj which was Shivaji's pet concept. Molesting women must have been a part of the manifesto then. In a few days time, Bal Thackeray will put in the papers an article praising his 'brave warriors' who repelled Western customs successfully. Brave warriors who beat up 70 yr old women and little children with whips and hockey sticks. All this for a Valentine's Day celebration which wasn't even meant to be a Valentine's Day celebration. And to make a complete mockery of their own 'anti-western' ideals, they made off with all the foreign liquor at the party.
The Shiv Sena is in shambles. All the roadside ruffians who are members of the party have realised that other parties can provide similar opportunities for breaking limbs and other parts of the human body with official backing. All the Shiv Sena is trying to do is what businesses do all the time: raise their profile. But how long can this continue? Bal Thackeray lost his fangs when Narayan Rane left. He lost his claws when Raj Thackeray left. This tiger's on the endangered list just like his jungle namesake. And let's hope any attempt at Mumbai's Project Tiger is unsuccessful.

Valentine's Day Massacre...

IF i SEE/HEAR/SMELL THE FOLLOWING THINGS AROUND THE SAME TIME NEXT YEAR i WILL PICK THE NEAREST OBJECT THAT CAN DAMAGE AND FLAIL IT AROUND WILDLY UNTIL SOMEONE GETS HURT:

1) Celine Dion's 'My heart will go on'
2) Balloons in heart shape, flowers in heart shape, sand in heart shape, food in heart shape, &%^$* in heart shape...
3) Romantic movies on television peppered with stars revealing their love lives
4) RJ's going crazy all over the radio with the 'spirit of Valentine's'.
5) Couples making out behind the tackboards near the TT table without caring that people can see 'cause its Valentine's Day'... yes i'm talking about people in our college... atleast they could stop the squeals and the giggles...
6) More than 25 couples on any of Mumbai's promenades
7) Compilations of 100 year old songs titled 'I Love You', 'Love You Forever', 'Love You Always', 'Love of My Life'...
8) The Shiv Sena burning cards, shops, people anything even remotely related to Valentine's Day.

Celebrate love. But make sure you celebrate with YOUR loved one. Everyone doesn't need to know you're with somebody...