Book Review : Transforming Heartache into H.O.P.E

 

'Transforming Heartache into H.O.P.E' by Tarrent-Arthur Henry

I think, we all need to have open conversations about mental health within our community, and the ideas expressed here, applies to all. The book begins by introducing  H.O.P.E., which stands for Help, Offer Support, Provide Education, and Encourage. Emphasizing the significance of raising awareness about mental health and getting those suffering the help they need, the book lists the initiatives taken by the black church. The impact, this programme had on the community as a whole is also analyzed. Steps are suggested that will augur a holistic improvement in the  mental health standards, like better awareness, easy access to help, and a ready acceptance. 

The book tries to provide practical advice and tips, and to ignite free conversations on such issues.

I think the book has won, as the concise lists and a quiz at the end of each heading re-validates.

Human Society, Again

While writing on the propensity, we humans seem to have for making errors, I have suggested, errors give us another reason to keep ourselves occupied.
I find, one great philosopher, Descartes, have discussed this topic at length, in his book 'Selections from the Principles of Philosophy'. "The chief cause of our errors is to be found in the prejudices of our childhood. The second cause of our errors is that we cannot forget these prejudices. The third cause is, that we become fatigued by attending to those objects which are not present to the senses; and that we are thus accustomed to judge these, not from present perception but from preconceived opinion. The fourth source of our errors is, we attach our thoughts to words which do not express them with accuracy".
I now want to correct myself as well as Descartes. In both the cases, 'error' is not at all an appropriate term. Since we humans have a propensity to look for, or sense, more than whatever can be seen, we tend to go on discovering more and more attributes, including a few hidden ones. Some of these could even be leading to contradictions. Then make something like an intelligent guess. So, it is better to say, we humans seem to have a propensity for making guesses.
Of course, sooner or later, many such 'guesses' turn out to be of good help, and we appropriate all of this into our signature style of living. In fact, what we celebrate as our intellectual wealth is nothing else, but an accumulated version of it. Now, it is keeping us fully occupied. Also, 'error', 'prejudice', and 'preconceived notion', denote guesses that turned out to be inappropriate, or has the potential to be so.
In fact, once we appreciate it as a guess, such things are quite easy and clear. Childhood 'guesses' can remain as one, as long as we feel like relishing the same. And, we will naturally forget the same, when it is no more of good use. This takes care of error originating from both the first and the second causes.
I think, the third cause won't go away like that. On many instances, we found such guesses turning out to be real, and also of good use to us. Those ones have now acquired a substantive shape as our edifice of knowledge, the one supporting our existence. The ones that did not do so also remain, as substantive as the other ones. These are doing better, becoming another, perhaps stronger, edifice, one of spirit. There has to be a reason for this. I think, we acquired it when there was nothing much available for our senses to appreciate. We were also in the dark, having no clear idea as to what is supporting our existence, as it was during the days before the industrial revolution. Spirit came to fill that gap, and we accorded for it, the highest status. As time go by, the gap is getting filled by other means. But, since we accord the highest status for everything old or ancient, we continue to hold things like spirit in high esteem, even when we can find ample stuff of the present days to impress us. And, it is not difficult to reach this conclusion, this particular edifice is making it difficult to turn our attention fully to the present.
The fourth cause is also, a substantive one. Here, the difficulty is not that we do not express our thoughts with accuracy. We express it using words that can take many meanings, any of which could fit the context. Thereafter, we mistake the original thought as the one conveyed by the meaning chosen by us. Not only that whatever thought was conveyed gets lost in the process, but also whatever would have been our current priorities, usurp that position.
But, once we term it as a guess, it could easily fit the context. We all know, what to do with a guess. At any time, it will as unique as our thoughts are, and there will be no room for confusing between thoughts and meanings. A guess will follow a desired path, either to add to our knowledge, or to rest together with its equivalents of the spiritual edifice, in due course of time. Now, as nothing is there to go awry, gone will be the maxim, 'to err is human'. Which will then make, a violent human society, a thing of the past.

Book Review: How To Make Top Shelf Profits in the Bar Business

How To Make Top Shelf Profits in the Bar Business by Chris Schneider

This book is thorough guide to profitably and comfortably letting people make merry. At the outset, author proves the soundness of his suggestion, as one coming from a respected, trend-setting bar owner in the Central Indiana area.

There are 75 lessons in this 8 part book. Part I covers the essentials of a bar, where he spells out what a bar isn't, what it is, who all to keep happy, etc. Next part is about the nuts and bolts of a bar, which looks at the space, its utilization, its appearance, and the tricks to keep it well oiled. Mixing, cocktails, and other lessons of 'guestkeeping' comes next, followed by a thorough insight into providing a good food service and a menu that sells. A part is dedicated to the most difficult part - discipline, for customers as well as employees. Next comes the most important part of a bar - marketing it. And the last part deals with what goes for all good scenes - behind-the-scene activities.

This is a complete list of dos and don'ts. The first one itself will ring a bell. Always stay sober in the bar. And the last one is all important. How to deal with the landlord.

Plenty of such advices and imaginative suggestions are there, and I also found, each one is logically concluded with fitting justifications. An excellent book, indeed.

Book Review: A History of the United States for Newcomers

 A History of the United States for Newcomers, by Aaditya Sengupta Dhar

This is a book in six parts. In part one, origins, it narrates the prehistoric period, the colonial era, and the days of the American revolution. Next part, independence, begins with the confederation period and traces the time through Jeffersonian era till the Jacksonian one. Civil war and reconstruction form the next part, which is followed by an insight into the civil war and its after-effects. Then comes Part IV, where begins the period of the fastest growth. Next part chronicles the world wars and the great depression. Part VI onwards, we are into familiar turf. Civil rights, cold war, and our brush with the modern days. The book concludes with a literary tableau of the current times.

Well, that is not all. I found plenty of information that anyone would like to have in one's fingertips, presented tastefully in various appendices to this book.

This is a good read. Dry historical facts are presented in a lively and enjoyable manner. A human touch is there everywhere, and this is one of the best books on American history.

Book Review: "The Teens Guide..."

 The Teens' Guide to Saving the World, by Aaditya Segupta Dhar, is a collection of stories of many teens who did something for the turbulent world around them. In this book, they all stand tall, whether as poverty pulverizers, wellbeing warriors, equality enthusiasts, or sustainability superstars. Each tale is an epic in itself, bringing another worthy hero to our midst.

Take the story of José Quisocala, his passion for finance, and his efforts to bring children out of poverty and becoming the youngest person on the planet to open his own bank. Or of Joshua’s Heart Foundation, an organization founded by a teen to help those less privileged than him. 

Such inspiring stories make one thing clear. The world may look messed up, but redemption is not far away. Climate change, environmental degradation, growing inequality, or a dearth of opportunities, teenagers shall be there to roll up their sleeves.

This is a fantastic read of well-structured and easily flowing prose. I find it difficult to accept that it didn't come from an expert source. The book also gives us a lot of hope, the persistence and determination shown by the teenage heroes, both in addressing these issues and in formulating corrective actions are without parallel.

Book Review: The Green Real Deal

In the Green Real Deal - American Energy, National Security, and a Better Plan for the Environment, Bill Herrington explores a canvas that holds Russia, China, and the energy policy we need to power the world. It is trying to lay a path for Americans to debate about climate change and a realistic energy policy for the United States. It is a three part book suggesting alternatives to "the worldwide depression seen while answering the issue of emissions".

Part 1 is a romantic description of the challenges felt by oil industry, as well as those of nuclear power. How environmental issues tend to add complexities, sometimes leading to terrorism. Next part looks at the influence played by American Indians on the whole gamut of oil exploration and transport. Part 3 is about a balanced energy plan, while examining critically, different energy sources.

I liked the book. It gave a new line of thought to ponder both for a better energy strategy and about a framework to tackle future threats from other nations. Everywhere, the book projects an optimistic note to 'enable America to continue to be a light and hope' for years to come.

Book Review: TO A HIGH COURT

TO A HIGH COURT-Five Bold Law Students Challenge Corporate Greed and Change the Law, by NEIL THOMAS PROTO

This book tells the whole story of United States of America v. Students Challenging Regulatory Agency Procedures. How, in September 1971, at the George Washington University Law School, George Biondi, John Larouche, Kenneth Perlman, Peter Ressler, and the author, formed Student’s Challenging Regulatory Agency Procedures, with the ac­ronym: SCRAP. Now we know, here rose the ideas of environmental protection, sparked by these law students and their visionary zeal.

The book narrates the existing lack of interest in these things, exemplified by a court' observation that the transportation industry should be called upon to support the control of pollution created by another industry. It also discusses appealingly, the personal lives of SCRAP’s mem­bers, and their romantic interests as well as philosophical beliefs. The resourcefulness, determination, and audacity shown by these ones at the prime of their youth and idealism, also come alive in these pages. The comments and thoughts noted by the judges, how each sought to understand the controversy, throws ample light on the whole issue.

This is a thrilling chronicle of battle scenes inside and outside courtrooms, powerful law firms, rail roads, and environmental armies. An index adds to its value as a reference. And in the end, SCRAP comes out as gold.

An Overhaul is the Need of the Hour, and a Fresh Lifestyle is the Only One Thenceforth

 

In each of my hubs, I have been examining a well understood part of human or human society to show, how it could differ a lot from whatever is transpired by the generally accepted explanation about it. I concede, widely accepted norms are formed naturally, and, if those are at variance with whatever it should be, what options are there before us? I thought of examining this issue to see, whether there is a way out.

An Issue from the Past

I would like to begin with a significant question, which also is, I think, interesting to most people, the most. Why is human society stuck to a path of self-destruction? It seems they invent things, and then they invent that what was invented can lead to their doom. Or they derive medications, and then they learn that those are doing more harm than good.

And it is true everywhere, whether it is about life, the social plane of life, the material plane of life, and things without life. Being an intelligent one, their reaction should have been to study and analyze this imbroglio and to come up with a remedy.

The Answer to The Issue

Instead, they are always busy with abstract questions. See, such are the questions to ask, either when one is unaware, or when one would like to reach an answer, one is looking for. And they continue to play with abstract questions that can be answered by various facets of this imbroglio. Yes, such questions would have originated out of the earliest answers to the above-mentioned imbroglio, scientific temper being something yet to be known.  And, having no wherewithal to probe further, they hoarded all of those, which, over time became what we now term as our unfathomable part.

What did the Answer Do

So, we need to address the unfathomable part of the human quite well, to make the rest, live well. Are we doing so? I think, no. Instead, we are celebrating with abandon, whatever comes out of it. As a result, not even a random glance with a critical look, like the one from Newton that caught an apple, ever fell on it. No wonder, all is not well with us. Before it is too late, we need to think of doing something about it.

The Issue, Presently

Now, things are different. We engage in many fascinating developments, and, at least some of which should have been making us address such questions. Somehow, instead of doing it, we just redefine all those abstract entities, till those questions make some sense, or appear relevant, in the new, altered, scenario. So, the questions happily remain as questions, just enough to rationalize a violent and self-destructive society. For example, if the current ambiance is one of political activity, those questions could be appearing as anomalies in public order, discipline, or patriotism; if it is one of income, profit, loss, or productivity, and if it is one of values, honesty, integrity, or vices. So, even when we find an error, it is not something concrete!

In this, we have been successful to a great extent, though we are only giving some abstract meanings to those unknowns. As a result, though we feel better informed and enlightened, the danger is still there. And we are overlooking it, taking pride in the commotion as nothing else but the true signature of human race. What can we do now to neutralize?

Issue was there, All Along!

Throughout history, such a danger was always in our mind, more so, for the leaders of the society. Can’t we see, a mere look at our history can show that utmost importance was always given to questions in this regard. For example, Plato mentions in his allegory of the caves that what people see is only a shadow, and the real things and persons are always in hiding.

What have we been doing about it?

Yes, there is nobody who doesn’t say that human way of life needs urgent correction. I too, am in full agreement, just as our forefathers would have been.

Have a glance at our history. There is no one who did not attain greatness, after suggesting a remedial measure for this. And, there is no one who did not propose a remedy for the same, having attained greatness. So, since the earliest of times, someone has been engaged in correcting our society. In spite of all these efforts, the issues persist.

Issue was Overshadowed

I agree, we classify and name the issues that are found, imaginatively. Perhaps it would have been helping us maintain whatever peace and harmony that existed so far. But, as a result, every persisting issue shall be appearing to one as a new one. And, since we already reached a conclusion that human race is a violent one, we feel it is normal to  have a good collection of issues at all times. So, we quietly let all those fresh issues intimidate us. As a result, persistence of such issues do not get the attention it deserves.

Issue ‘Overcomes’ the Remedy!

But, look. We are taking great efforts to identify and locate the issues that affect us. And we are leaving no stone unturned in formulating and applying effective remedies to all of those. We are also according the highest status to those of us who spend their time and effort in finding answers, naming them as holy men, saints, or other leaders of great worth.

Still, these persist, and our society remains as unruly as before. Why? Why should human society be so? More so, since, in all other areas, be it of lifeless objects, or living ones other than ourselves, each remedy we adopt, delivers a result. Otherwise, we institute a different method of application, or come up with a new one. Effectively, every such encounter re-validates our position as intelligent beings.

But, in this particular case, either our remedy is wrong or unsuitable, or we are applying it improperly. Also, no other form of life is facing an issue like this, and, each of those is able to find necessary solutions to problems that arise. Effectively, every encounter from the social angle undermines our position as intelligent beings.  

Wrong Style of Remedy?

Think of remedy. Each of us is constantly bombarded by a stream of remedial measures, be it from the political bosses, theological stalwarts, literary greats, or those embracing other areas like science. It looks highly unlikely that all those remedial measures will simultaneously turn incorrect.

Now, take our style of application of remedy. One thing immediately strikes me. Though each remedy may be far different from the other one, all of those are applied in the same manner. This is quite unlike it is in all other areas, including that of inanimate objects. It seems, we are applying a good remedy wrongly.

Human Style of Remedy

What emerges from the above is that we need to analyze the whole gamut of remedy, especially that of its application, with a fresh mind. Is it the same, when we deal with inanimate objects, and those with life? Is it OK to have the same for humans and non-humans? Also, should it be the same, whatever be the issue?

I think, our current idea about these things is that it is the same. Also, same was our idea, so far. Which can be summarized broadly as a process having three independent steps. Namely, identification, analysis, and conclusion.

Identification occurs, whenever we acknowledge the presence of something amiss. This could happen as a result of our own search or investigation, or as an offshoot of some other activity, like a better appreciation of reality.

The next part, analysis, is an activity that strictly does not have an end. And it is amenable to any extent, one’s personal priorities being the sole determining factor. In fact, no one really likes to analyze, though everyone likes to take feed from the outcome of an analysis that aligns with one’s priorities. Such priorities, though are not very clearly understood by any, can be appreciated as a combination of one’s expected conclusion as well as the current temperament. Thus, effectively, it is the last part, conclusion, that determines the direction and flow of analysis, and not vice versa.

The last part, conclusion, though indicates to an end, is something that is alive. And available at a call, at all times. This is so because, for all, conclusion will be pointing to certain activities of living one’s life. Man being an altruistic animal, there may be many occasions that call for dissertations involving things that are not directly related to life, like the ultimate aim. At such times, each one will take as a conclusion, whatever is contextually acceptable. Thus, there is a need for a firm understanding of conclusion, and it is always the one that is acceptable to most people that finally triumphs. And, conclusion will have an influence over what one shall see, and what will happen later to it. So, conclusion is the one that have a significant say on the ideas we germinate, nurture, or maintain.

What Wrong (Good) does Remedy do?

From what is discussed above, a remedy is strongly linked to our expectations, and has no connection with the cause of the ailment. But, it does its job, at least in some cases, and works fairly well. Why?

An automatic control system helps to maintain status quo by compensating for the error or the difference between the expected value and the actual value of signals of interest. Whereas, human nature modulates itself to accommodate the possible changes or errors caused by every idea that hampers one’s journey to the chosen conclusion. Because of this reason, we do not notice any error anywhere, whether of identification, analysis, or conclusion. But, since we were forced to accommodate something, we sense something amiss. Our sense falls on the obvious or the most relevant one contextually, like a cartoon, which, at best, can be termed a virtual cause. See, we have been going strong with this kind of social control for long, where, some of us celebrate, and some denounce, virtual causes.

Or, wherever we find a difficulty to accommodate, we have been finding a virtual cause. And, after we get over the difficulty, since we do nothing particularly to remove the cause, it gets into a collection of human-specific abstractions. Thus, unknowing to us, every virtual cause gets metamorphosed into a highly valued abstraction. Now, quite a lot of such abstractions are doing rounds, making it impossible to locate an actual issue, respond, and live peacefully. And, it is bound to become even more difficult, as time goes by.

In short, instead of following blindly, things and animals, we need to devise a new way to administer remedy and its application, as far as human is concerned.

This is a strong reason for an immediate correction, like overhauling our life.

What Next?

Suppose we overhaul our life and make a pristine beginning. Will it be enough?

I think, no. Look, the beginnings of human race after the big bang also would have been something comparable. But, from there, we managed to reach the present condition, on our own. Therefore, it stands to reason to think that in a matter of time we will be back to where we are now. Do we overhaul again, then?

It is time to answer another question. What necessitated this overhaul? Obviously, our lifestyle. Or, more accurately, the cascading effect of the significant components of whatever style of living, each of us follow. Like, certain behavioral quirks, diet, or other particularities that creep in to our lifestyle that we routinely find inappropriate some time later. Why does it happen so?

The Real Culprit

Obviously, because of our adherence to an utterly inappropriate lifestyle. Why? We are yet to devise a unique lifestyle for ourselves. So far, we have been resorting to an age old technique, beg, borrow, or steal, and arriving at a via-media. Perhaps, since every new one, we managed to obtain, was considerably better than the existing, we gleefully overlooked its disadvantages. Which, of course we learn after many a generation, and then we resort the same technique once again.

If human life does not flow smoothly, it is only a result of such a lackadaisical approach to the most significant feature of life, the lifestyle.

What Can we Do?

To begin with, let us see, what should be the lifestyle, as far as human is concerned? As one can see, unlike other forms of life who follows a lifestyle that support its life, each human adopts a lifestyle and, structures one’s life to support the same. And, whenever there is a change in circumstances, as much as possible, life gets altered to continue with the same lifestyle. The altered life must be taking a great hit, in many of those instances. So, if we are looking for a smooth life, lifestyle should be amenable easily to changes. Or, our lifestyle should be shaping itself to facilitate a good flow of life for all forms of life, and the planet that houses all of those. (Note, at least currently, our style of living does not gel with that of the rest of life. No wonder, it is a tumultuous life.)

This is where, science should come in. I had mentioned elsewhere, we are following a geocentric lifestyle in a heliocentric world. We need to make a break. Let us derive the optimum lifestyle, or a combination of a few, which should, at any juncture, shape itself to become a style that is most conducive to human life, the life of all others, and the planet that houses all of those.

Book Review: A Pizza The Action

Having enjoyed 'Hamburger Dreams' by the same author, with great expectations, I opened 'A Pizza the Action' by Christopher Carosa. The book didn't disappoint me, the first lesson itself is an amusing one. How the boys volunteer to eat all the unfresh ones to make the pizza shop look fresh. After a few, more important lessons, the narrative shifts to the character traits, one needs to develop. Namely, personal values, community values, and business values needed to create a successful business that lasts through generations.
It feels like I am resonating with many of the suggestions to chart success in one's venture, like, evoking sympathy and being cool to face it all. I agree too, business is a tough world filled with tough guys playing a lot of tough games. The book devotes a good chapter for packaging the many and varied techniques of selling, including a significant part of commerce that doesn’t involve money. Who won't agree, in both, a winning proposition is more important than a smiling personality.
This is also a collection of fond reminiscences. A loving grandfather, an adorable grandmother, players in his boyhood, and their  memories, come alive in this book.

Book Review: THE RESILIENCE ROADMAP

THE RESILIENCE ROADMAP - The 7 Guideposts for Charting Your Course in a Chaotic World, by Mark Blac, is a detailed action plan for facing challenges in life. Resilience is most critical, the book says, a skill that make us not only survive life’s challenges, but also thrive through them. Like, how, the trials of infancy and childhood served to prepare the author well for what would happen in adolescence and adulthood. 

This is also a guide to becoming more resilient. Seven simple, though not easy steps hide the principles and strategies that will help one thrive in the face of whatever adversity, one may meet. Attributes that leads to resilience, like adaptation, acceptance, and commitment are examined. So also, the ones that can make resilience stay, like focus, action, patience, and perseverance.

I enjoyed the book. This is almost a mathematical analysis of resilience and its factors, while helping us build our capacity to handle whatever may come our way. This book has all the tools, one will need to handle everything that may ever happen. Practical and insightful suggestions and subtly placed anecdotes make this book a treasure to have and a pleasure to read.

Book Review: The Future of the Impossible

The Future of the Impossible: the Physics and Ethics of Time Travel by Dannelle Shugart examines time travel, in dimensions of travel (physics), time, and ethics. In chapter 1, we are given a good insight into the physics of it, special and general theories of relativity, black holes, worm holes, and other esoteric objects of science, paving the way. Next comes, what can be called a better depiction of reality, by quantum physics. Like how, many versions of the same time traveler can exist, with no catastrophic violation of the laws of physics. The discussion now moves to other boundaries, where we meet questions that test the ethics of time travel. Like, is it ethical to traverse a black hole into another universe?

The book then concludes with a firm reply that most forms of time travel are no more detrimental than other methods of travel.

This is an enjoyable read, it poured light on many paradoxes of philosophy and physics.

Book Review - The Speed of Air

The Speed of Air-The Story of Willard Custer and His Channel Wing Aircraft, by Joel C. Custer and Robert J. Englar, tells the story of mechanic/inventor Willard R. Custer. How, one who was neither an 'aerodynamicist' nor an aircraft designer, developed and successfully flew a new and very novel aircraft concept. That is, force an airflow over a stationary wing to create lift, and it can takeoff or land vertically. Once airborne, it can fly like any other plane. But, there was no commercial success, government scientists, evaluators, and commercial aircraft builders/operators declaring it too unconventional to succeed. What follows is the history of these obstacles.
The initial chapters tells about first aircraft he built, which looked like, and was named, bumblebee. How he lost out when the patent application was examined side by side the one from Sikrosky. And his prolonged struggles with different patent offices and judges.
The book chronicles a large number of demonstrations of a full-size aircraft, lifted by air pressure from a complete standstill, and achieve the slowest speed ever flown by a fixed-wing airplane. Of course, at least a few suspecting some sort of subterfuge.
The narration is thrilling, I used to have a peek at the next page, well before I could complete the current one. It is also factual, the book gives a chronological review of all that took place. Also with sympathy, and Custer comes out as one with unyielding perseverance. There is also hope for further research. Possible drawbacks or shortcomings of the present design are analyzed in this book. I would have enjoyed thoroughly, if a few diagrams or engineering drawings were there to illustrate this revolutionary idea.
 

A New Look at Teaching

 Teaching is an activity, the 'elders' of all forms of life do. And, one can comfortably say, no difficulties have ever been observed in teaching the arts, each of those is a master of. But, it is a big challenge, as far as humans go, if the proliferation of teaching aids be taken as an indication. We humans are taking no note of this, saying, all species of life (except human!) have nothing much to teach. And we have no problem in accepting happily, the rather incongruous conclusion that a superior species, who possess greater capacity to learn, will need a lot of teaching. Why is it that we have to teach a lot. Is there no other way?

Let us see, how do we teach, presently?

We decide, what one should learn, how, when, etc. (Or we choose someone to decide things like these)

Then we formulate a plan to have it done in an appropriate manner. Like, choosing a suitable time to teach, deciding who will teach, what, and how. Now, almost all choices in this regard are more or less the same as that of the earliest of times, except for timely variation of the same.

As time went by, much changed.  We have been adapting ourselves to those changes, as and when they occur. (Of course, patting ourselves for instituting the change!)

Are we teaching optimally? I do not think so. In fact, wherever we can afford, we are still living in a geocentric universe. So, unless it is impossible, we continue with the old.

Once again, look at the way we confront the issue of teaching. It seems, we have not at all deviated from whatever was the earliest style of teaching, we have been following. The salient features of which, perhaps was a good fit for the society, then. People would not have been having a good idea about the outward show of things, and almost nothing about its internal make up. They could overcome such a shortcoming by resorting to large collections of abstractions. Accordingly, a style of teaching would have evolved that mainly consisted of making the wards able to identify and describe the abstract concepts and ideas of whatever is chosen to learn. At a much later stage, or perhaps as necessary or convenient, they would have been familiarizing with all those, in actual use. Now, we are sticking to the same style, even though, we have a totally different idea about things and ideas. We are more familiar with real things and functional ideas than the abstract equivalents, unlike the past.

If we use the same style of teaching, as one can easily see, those at the receiving end of a lesson are not likely to be, naturally ready to pick up the lesson. All those concepts and other abstract ideas will be totally new to them, and also of little relevance to the chosen area of study. We are very much aware of it, and we realize the need to have different styles of teaching for various subjects. Now, rather than examining the aptness of teaching in this age old style, we go on a spree to invent and fabricate different mechanisms or aids to turn this mode of teaching into an interesting and fruitful activity. Yes, we think, we have been succeeding in this. So, as centuries go by, and, perhaps with some changes in hardware, we continue to remain with the same style of teaching.  

Should it be so? Are we as successful as what we would have been, had our style of teaching been keeping with the times? (Logically, human race, everywhere, would have been keeping with the times. But, their propensity to abstract, did the damage. In doing so, they could easily redefine the hardware in their life to absorb much of the changes without making a hardware change. As a consequence, none of them realize the mismatch that existed between the nature of reality and their appreciation of it. That is why, though even from the days of the early Greece, much of reality is appreciated well enough, human race had a long wait to industrial revolution, to reap its benefits.)

What am I getting at? We can learn one thing from our experience of teaching the young. Abstraction is of great help, especially to make things that are otherwise unclear, clear. And, it can explain the proliferation of abstract musings in whatever literary gems of the past, we happen to uncover. Quite understandably, the thinkers of the past, just like everybody else of those days, were unclear about almost everything. But, now, the situation is different. We are clouding the atmosphere of knowledge, when we abstract. Keeping this in mind, we can arrive at a new pattern of teaching, where, all that is abstract is kept for the last.

Learning can now take place, as I proposed 

One More Look at our Future

Human history is, in fact, a running commentary of our journey. So far, it was with a forward momentum. Now, with computer joining us, that is poised for a change.

What will happen to our forward momentum? Will we be able to program a computer to produce its results with one?

Or, will it be an entirely new path, the human race of the future is going to paint? Will the cascading effect, of all that our foray into modern technology does, play its part?

Stare at the white dot on the woman's nose on the left for 15 seconds, then look to the right of the image at the blank space. You should see a flicker of the full-colour photo of the woman.

 

What will happen then?

Thinking, another Rethink

Think of human race. Unlike others, today, compared to early days, they are living in better comfort. This, thanks to, the rather undisciplined exercise of mental faculties by our forefathers. For, it resulted in a burgeoning society with a forward outlook, who constantly conceptualized, searched, found, practiced, and established, very many new ideas and thoughts. In fact, what is making a good life is nothing but the cascading effect of all these. And, if the flow of fresh ideas get disturbed, our good life too, shall come to a halt.

How did it all begin?

Our forefathers, for no rhyme or reason, continued to extol and celebrate all that was new. And were quietly living with whatever inconveniences, like the Red Flag rule, it caused.

But now, when I think of our future, things are not the same.

Presently, we give a lot of credence to objective, disciplined, approach to things, and mould ourselves in to be in line with these, while discouraging forcefully and reprimanding, all those who deviate. We are also finding more and more ways of defining ourselves as just another form of life, where, discipline is an integral part. For example, lately I have been reading about the grand success, we have achieved in transplanting animal organs and parts to human bodies.

But, one area that is remaining solely human is language. We use it mainly for two purposes. One, to communicate whatever we want to. And two, to originate whatever we want to communicate, an activity generally termed reflection. Presently, one and the same language is meeting both the needs. Towards this, we add or formulate new words or phrases or other such elements, if possible, by borrowing from other languages.

Over time, mainly owing to the technological revolution, very many innovative gadgets have been newly introduced, extending the reach and desirability of a language, especially for communication. As a result, now, there is large scale involvement of the whole of human race in all aspects of communication, leaving nothing much for enjoying the other features of a language.

Due to this, reflection is taking a back seat, and even there, it is constantly under threat from AI. Here, words or expressions that does not evoke a sensible image, meaning, or any parameter that cannot make a link with something in existence, stands to be removed from the vocabulary. ( Unless it attracts or kindles a fresh thought, instantly!) As time go by, much of the words of such a genre shall be getting removed from dictionaries itself. Thus, in a not so distant future, reflection may even stop to exist as a human attribute.

In my hub, ‘A True Unity in Diversity’, I proposed bifurcating language, and all our activities that go along with it, into two separate paths, namely, communication and reflection. We can then resort to using tongues for communication and a language for reflection.

If we do not do so, what will happen?

Firstly, let us see what is happening now. Language change, the phenomenon that results in permanent alterations to the elements and features of its use, is constantly taking place. We collate all those and issue corrections and additions at various times. We further dictate modifications that reflect our current priorities.

However, such changes, like addition of new words or deletion of a few, are focused on the use of language for better communication, while exploiting the avenues opened by technology that is always on the move. Slowly, natural, individual human processes like contemplation or reflection will fade away, specific, irreplaceable elements of those activities being taken over by AI.

Why is that none of us has taken note of such a possibility? I think, so far, those activities were keeping us engrossed, or rather we chose to engage in such things, while we were on the look out for answers to random questions. Now that we are heavily discouraging all that do not align with our current priorities, such questions itself shall come to a halt.

What will happen then?

How to Be At Ease, Think at Ease

There is nothing wrong with human society, except that it is not a calm one.

If human is a thinking animal, and if one is not at ease, 'thinking' should be the first suspect. I think, we looked everywhere else, perhaps from time immemorial. For, since long, all religions, philosophies, or nowadays governments, have been busy, instituting additions and alterations to those features of the society that look relevant. Yes, a few of those result also in manipulating the way we think, and there are some instances of success, like introduction of a new system of governance. But, we are yet to arrive at a happy state, as far as violence go. I think we have always been off the mark.

If there is something wrong with 'thinking', knowledge, its result, should be hiding a clue. So, let us think about knowledge.

Knowledge is a product, as well as a side effect, of all that we do while we are busy with activities like viewing, listening, learning, creating, appreciating, or altering, things around us. Examining critically, I think, it can be broadly classified into two.

One, which is always within the constraints of relationships or laws or something else that is logically consistent, or that do not lead to unanswered questions. Here, of course, one can make or subscribe to changes, but, only within such constraints. These changes might be adding new laws or relationships or other abstractions, or altering the existing ones. Mathematics is the best way to express and manipulate such constraints. In simple terms, mathematics is nothing but an expression of certain features of interest, of such entities. Where, features are shown by the relationship between the LHS and the RHS of a unique symbol, when we change only one side at a time. And the unique symbol reflecting our current aims or priorities. The same also stands good, as far as any statement that can make sense.

However, assimilating the matter of interest, or what we call as acquiring knowledge, do pose a challenge. Things, even though are logically conclusive, may be asking for certain measures of simplification or other kinds of manipulation that could be taxing the brain.

Two, which is not constrained by mathematical relationships or laws, and remains so, while adding new laws or relationships or other abstractions to support or justify whatever. We however treat this also as logically consistent. And here, to make it logically sustainable, we quietly redefine mathematics as well as logic at every juncture.

I think this was not our original approach, the one we entertained since time immemorial. The desire for logical consistency is something that occurred to us later, after we experienced a little, the world around us. The earliest of our ancestors wouldn't have been facing such constraints. In fact, their approach also can be projected as a relationship between the LHS and the RHS of a unique symbol. But here, both the LHS and the RHS stand to change simultaneously, and that too at the will and pleasure of the narrator.

Naturally, here, assimilating knowledge is not at all a challenge, except where we do not happen to submit to the idea put up by the narrator.

In one instance, knowledge includes all that falls in a large multitude of classifications, like science and some parts of arts, fiction, philosophy, etc., which lie as part of the former. Here, not only that everything falls within the purview of something mathematical, but also those do not do so are not taken into consideration. In the other instance, where, it has all that lie as part of the latter, like most parts of philosophy, its variants like spirituality, fiction, and some parts of science, arts, etc., nothing can be made to satisfy a mathematical law or logic. Also, here, the more, it deviates from such kind of a connection, the greater, the value we accord to it.

When we use the word knowledge in both the above instances, we are clouding whatever we happen to learn. Meaning conveyed by the word knowledge becomes rather inconsistent, being closely linked to the current disposition of the narrator, whether it is towards the former case, or aligning with the latter one. Consequently, there will be a gap between what we say, and what others think or assimilate from it. Each such gap then acts as a spark, raising many questions and other transactions that eventually add something human specific. Now, rather than wondering about the unending supply of new and different (human specific) features, we celebrate each of those, making such questions remain happily unanswered. And the seal of knowledge, in this domain, acts as a shield for those unanswered ones.

As a result, our expectations and inferences do not gel with the reality, unless we introduce abstract terms or ideas that can make it do so. Naturally, now, we hold all those terms and ideas at the highest pedestal. But, since we forget that such abstract terms are of volatile nature, being valid and active only for a particular instant, we have our society, a hotbed of transactions, its outcome, and a whole lot of repercussions, both desirable and otherwise. (Had we realized this long back and took corrective measures, we would have been living in a serene society now.) Since we do not hold or control a repository exclusively for entities that result, the outcome is absorbed by knowledge itself. This routinely introduces new ideas or conventions that grab our attention in full, and, though look dignified, does not convey much. In this manner, it continued for long, and now, we have come to compound it further. How? By 'rationalizing' the situation by terming the human, an imponderable one.

It is not difficult to wriggle out. We only need to redefine knowledge into two separate entities. One relating to the former, and another one dealing with the latter. To avoid possible confusion, I think, better is to introduce two new words, one for the former case or material stream, and another one for the latter or all that is not material stream. As one can make out, in such a scenario, what we get and what we expect shall more or less be in sync, for all our transactions, and in both the above classifications.

We are certain to hold both these words at high esteem. Naturally, the activity that leads to each shall also be named uniquely. And if one is not at ease, the relevant instance of 'thinking' would become the suspect, and since there is no likelihood of a mix-up, our society shall be a calm one for ever.