living on the crossroads

The three great fallacies of communication

2020-01-14T07:27:00.001+02:00

Communication is an interesting area to be working in and one that almost everyone claims expertise in. In Bangladesh, more so than perhaps in other countries, communication is often mistaken as the correct sequencing of individual words to convey an approximate sentiment.

Given that a good sentence is so often misconstrued as good communication, there are bound to be experts everywhere; add in a few choice “buzz words” or pepper on some high thought jargon, and you have the icing on the cake. It’s really that easy… or is it?

Below is my list of the three great fallacies of communication from my experience:

I speak so, I communicate

It is all too common to believe that all those who can speak can also communicate effectively. While communicating is as easy as talking clearly, communicating an official stand or representing an organization or brand requires a little more finesse.

For effective communication, there is a need for preparation. Most times it is practice that makes communication seem candid, honest, and definitive. Communication is effective only if it is precise and purposeful.

I tell stories so, I communicate

While it is always good to appear knowledgable, it is never a good thing to communicate too much. Or too little.

Coming back to practising, preparation helps ensure that what needs to be said is said while eliminating fluff -- information that may be good to know but actually detracts from the main message.

Even staying on the message could go wrong unless the content or scope of the message has been defined to the target audience. An audience’s appetite for information is as important to understand as the depth of the details provided.

Audiences automatically place trust on whoever speaks but that trust can just as easily retract if the content seems like fluff or is imprecise on the takeaway for the listener -- an easy trap to fall into without the proper preparation or predefined core intent of the communication exercise.

A bored or overwhelmed audience is as good as an empty purpose.

I enunciate so, I communicate

An ability to enunciate or speak clearly does not necessarily equate to effective communication unless there is a self-containing core message. Grammar never ensures content.

It is essential for effective communication that the ideas shared has the very substance to convey what is intended and not just verbiage lost in fluidity, flair, and candour.

Language and its proper usage is an added value when there is a clear focus on the main message.

This is of course not to discount clear enunciation or grammar, which are both important in communication, but rather that without a defined, understood intent it could all too easily become beautifully orchestrated fluff.

Fallacies aside, in all effective communication, choice of words to define a problem or solution or achievement or failure is absolutely key to effective communication.

Words matter, for example, there is a gulf of a difference between “announcing” and “dis-closing” -- either of which is a precise communication exercise but with different purpose and intent. It matters enough to not second guess.

Cruel to be kind

2017-09-04T08:40:00.001+02:00

Looking up to the sky as the clouds overcast

Like a winter blanket;

But cooling rather than warming those caught underneath.

No rhyme nor rhythm yet translucent in intent.

A dark and foreboding omen of relief and revenge,

Yet disarming those below with a welcomed cold breeze;

As if laying bare like an open book,

Lamenting that it is only cruel to be kind.

… or is it being kind to be cruel

The truth lies in the immediate aftermath.

Looking down at the ground as the shadow looms

Like a god presence;

But disarming rather than a shield those who believe.

Not prey nor predator yet clandestine in execution.

A dark and foreboding silhouette of warmth and depression;

Yet sinister in careless, unbeknownst underfoot,

As if crushing down like a unrepentant cliff face,

Lamenting that it is only cruel to be kind.

… or is it being kind to be cruel

The truth lies in the immediate aftermath.

Looking to the left as the darkness engulfs

Like an eclipse glass;

But sinister rather than promiscuous abandon.

No restitution nor relapse yet formidable in promise.

A dark and foreboding embrace of love and dementia,

Yet soothing with a sense of fervid excitement;

As if recounting flash bulb moments of what-ifs,

Lamenting that it is only cruel to be kind.

… or is it being kind to be cruel

The truth lies in the immediate aftermath.

Looking to the right as the cleansed air wafts forth

Like a ghostly waif;

But soothing rather than chilling the bone.

No luck nor derision yet pregnant with potential.

A dark and foreboding breath of cleanliness and contempt,

Yet cooling with the promise of ritual cleansing;

As if shaving away years of dog tiredness,

Lamenting that it is only cruel to be kind.

… or is it being kind to be cruel

The truth lies in the immediate aftermath.

Memories from this life lived

2016-05-07T07:57:00.000+02:00

Memories drive nostalgic sepia scorched warm feelings

What ‘was,’ ne’er remembered to completion;

What ‘can,’ succumbs to love and tempered tones

Of events that hone on euphoria for sake of misunderstanding.

When was what was…

Is subdued in the smoky haze of battered experience,

Can hurt be felt across the horizons

Of far gotten conclusions that were wisps at best?

Summer rain, distant thunder

Heat shimmering in the after pour,

Images in mirages of retrospection

And the desire to read in it what the heart contends.

The cold fingers of time,

Make do with the feeble restitution;

Flimsy against the neglect of moving on

To warmer meadows and story book endings

Sepia is the colour of wishes

Unfulfilled perhaps but not remembered so harshly

For memories of the good lived are never to

Scar but heal in troubled times

Portend to the misty morn

As time runs short of perfection

And the life we live draw to a quiet

Curtain fall and a savoury last breathe

Memories within the soul

Give way to the final good riddance

As life that we knew it

Surrenders to the sepia tones of another.

Money matters most foul

2015-07-26T18:43:00.000+02:00

Case in point is my relation with my superior better half (as opposed to just my better half) who is much more particular about things financial against my 'throw money at it' brand of problem solving.

Now, one thing that must be said is my creative accounting style allows me to maul timeframes and payment cycles in my head much more easily than people who are more systematic in their approach to balancing the chequebook – logic takes time to comprehend in that it requires a clear minded approach and a clear line of sight to chronology. Creative accounting and quick assessment, on the other hand, have an almost wicked means of solving itself.

The case I mention about my wife is that she is very particular with paying the bills from her own funds with the expressed expectation that the funds will be replenished by me as quickly as it exited her own account. Given my affinity to dilly and dally, coupled with my innate nature to willy-wally, my chequebook is slow in coming out. This is not so much as a reflex to not pay my dues as much as it is an indication of my, often, nonchalant and relaxed temperament (to say nothing about my sincere, but lax, intent that my debts are as good as paid... eventually).
Each month my beautiful wife picks on her finance and duly ensures that my obligations are honoured. And each month, she is on my case to extract said amount to fill up the corresponding void in her bank account. In more cases than not, my cheques would eventually be submitted almost two weeks from first request (it should be stated that subsequent requests drop in etiquette in direct relation to the rise in urgency over this same period). However, my debts do get paid off, but rarely without riling up the poor missus!

Money matters most foul, particularly because often when I find that I cannot seem to convince the missus that my debt to her has been paid, my knee-jerk reaction is to just offer to pay again rather than spend another minute juggling the numbers or having to explain myself again.

This way however I lose financially but console myself that I am ahead. After all, at least I can die a man who can rest assured that his debt has been honoured (even if it is in some instances twice over; although this is definitely not a chronic occurrence – if it has happened even once!).

I find that when it comes to wrapping my brain around a complex series of numbers and dates, surprisingly my patience can run short; especially once I have satisfactorily (to myself at least) come to an acceptable resolution to the elusive puzzle. Almost like my brain will release the frail train of thought unless it is grasped and agreed by all and sundry immediately.

Where is my pat on the back, I say? Thankfully, I am so convinced of my brilliance with my wispy numerical juggling that I am easy to discard any notion of possible ill-conception. It's best to not discuss money or be in a position of debt to people most personal and close.

Such pride (arrogance?) does not always play favourably with the missus though. One does hope that she comes around sooner rather than later (one can always hope).

When is it okay to like zombies?

2013-06-10T17:47:00.000+02:00

Life sets up interesting challenges when you have a child. Life is a bit more interesting for me because I have two... one of each flavour, so there are no lessons learnt earlier to fall back on since they like different things.

I got a call from my son this afternoon asking that he wanted to make a book with some photos he looked up on the internet. He said it was book of monsters (obviously he would since he just turned nine), he told me that he had all the pages ready and all I had to do was print the images for him on separate pages and staple them together.

I promised him I would when I got home.

It was when I got home that he presented me with my first glimpse of images. The first was a ghost... a really silly black & white mirror trick image circa early 19-somethings (fine), the second was of a werewolf (kind of gory, very gothic and an artist's rendition... fine). The third was of a sexy vixenish teen vampire with a come-hither look, sharp incisors and blood lust mouth, circa Twilight vamp (a deep breath but fine, boys will be boys, right?).

Then it got a bit more interesting and a tad bit disturbing...

His next image choice was that of a mummy, not your typical cartoon mummy or cheesy horror film attempt, no this one was gory with menacing glowing eyes, peeling bandages and revealing femur bones – not the sort of image you'd associate with an innocent pre-ten boy. A shudder but, hey, okay... ish. It was the next one that broke me to ask myself “when is it okay to like zombies?”

This image was graphic in a dog-eat-dog sort of way. Shudder, shudder. Yikes, and this was the image that my little boy preferred. I quickly glanced at the other images he could have selected... frankly not one appealed to me because I guess you can't make a zombie cute like you can other monster staples.

I mean other monsters can be kind of cool or cute. A little batty Dracula, a big bolt dolt Frankenstein, shaking in jeans and college jersey werewolf, a hip-shaking mummy, even a teen-idol ghoul... but ever see a zombie pull a cutie pie look?

I told him that I would not like to print the pictures as they were a bit too gory and unsavoury for my tastes. Naturally I was speaking gibberish to his ears so he asked me “why?” I told him i'd print the pictures when he was bit older as I didn't think he should have these pictures in any form since they were creepy... besides they might give his sister nightmares (I did not mention what it might do to me and that it was giving me nightmares already thinking that he has spent time selecting these gory images).

Little boys are great when they are so little. What he did next reminded me that my little boy was really still the little boy I know and love.

He turned to me and said “okay, but you have to print me a big picture of Iron man,” and as gone. Just like that.

A little phantom that one... ;-)

Managing the time to time manage

2013-06-09T17:38:00.000+02:00

Given enough time, I have seen that I can make the hours stretch into nothingness and successfully, to my utter dismay, have absolutely nothing to show for it (or is that just the point?). When I look at my last blog post, I am shocked that my last entry was in October last year and not in March this year as I would have myself believe.

I mean what sort of blogger am I that days pass through into weeks and into literally months! All I can say is while my one true fan hasn't complained I have probably lost a couple more 'regulars' thanks to my lethargy(?). I imagine I shouldn't label it 'lethargy' as the months have been anything but. Perhaps the word to coin in this instance is 'selected lethargy' or more like it 'selethargy.'

Which makes me to wonder, how is it that so many people manage to get so much done in the span of the same 24 hours that I get? Or am I imagining things? Simple problems have simple solutions usually and the answer could be that more gets done mainly because while the same number of projects may be initiated, much fewer were being concluded in my case. But that's not right either, considering the number of tasks that are concurrently run and completed. I would venture to guess that the real reason is that or I have a more varied area of operations.

Despite the revelation, I was also probably not managing my time as well as I should. I was allowing my day-to-day work eat into whatever else I also wanted to do – because of poor time management. Now in my defence I honestly believe that my poor time management was not solely my doing. Naturally that is the easiest excuse to make, but honestly I realised that my time was mine but not mine alone... particularly from those on the job with me.

These days more and more I find that my time is occupied by deliverables that depend on my fellow inmates at the asylum that we euphemistically call 'the workplace' (although Arkham would fit the bill as well). Much to my changrin I find that whether it be supervisor or supervisee, we were not on the same clock or the same lifestyle priorities.

To some the job and its execution are the 'be all and end all' in existence – not that I could blame them much considering that in Dhaka it's better to work late and swiftly get home as opposed to fighting traffic earlier through rush hour and extended rush hour only to reach home to a spell of load shedding (if lucky)!

What is a man to do? Like all simple questions, the eventual answer is terribly simple - get off the trying to work under the same clock and call a day a day, regardless of where it finds everyone else. My intent is now to leave when my work is done and not wait any longer. In a digitally connected world home is just an extension of the office if required (although it's best not to make a habit of making it so).

An early arrival home means more time for the family, and when that is done more time to get on with what I find important. Populating this blog for example or hammering away at the keyboard on my unfinished (and losing battle against if I'm not careful) novel perhaps. There are opportunities in making the time to make the most of opportunities.

Having said that; having arrived at this new revelation, this belated epiphany I am a changed man.

At least for this evening. And even if it's not worth so much, at least it's a start in the right direction!

Which way is up, again?

2012-10-11T11:53:00.000+02:00

One can study the political climate in Bangladesh until one is blue in the face and not arrive at an answer as to what kind of democracy we practice.

In 20 years of democracy the nation has been brought closer and closer to its knees. Given the current trend and that no respite seems imminent one wonders what kind of a nation we will celebrate in 2021 when Bangladesh turns 50.

Corruption has been ingrained into the very fabric of the nation's psyche – so much so that even the youth engaged in good jobs in the private sector providing good pay are indulging in corrupt practices. It's like no matter how much they make, making some more 'under the table' can only make life more fulfilling.

When I and my contemporaries were in our twenties – which was about that many years ago – I believe we all put in an honest days work. We were not paid as much as we would have wanted probably but there was honesty and dignity in what we did and how we did it.

Boys and girls of the same age in 2012 can't seem to be paid enough to warrant keeping their noses clean or feel loyalty to the company they represent. I don't really blame these young people as the whole country seems swamped by people who benefit by practicing outside a moral code.

The mantra to living in this country has become 'morality is for the weak.' Suddenly in Bangladesh it would seem that in light of what's going on around them, there are fewer and fewer people opting for right way to the top – whether it is cutting in line wherever there is a queue, running a red light, taking a right turn from the left most lane, being faithful to consort or company, getting a driver's license, voter ID or passport, or ahead in the game – everyone is looking for the short cut and the quick fix.

This behaviour is becoming contagious and infecting the way we live in this country or run it – everyone is seeking the path to undue rewards.

Sadly someone has to eventually pay; or something has to eventually give. Honest citizens, however rarefied they seem in the milieu, are paying for it the most. These honest citizens can't cut in and are so left behind. Far from earning the respect that would normally be bestowed upon them had they lived in a blooming country, these people are be ridiculed for their 'cheap moral code,' in what is a slow-rotting one.

As I see it, Bangladesh is a dying country and everywhere one looks is moral decay and stupefying decadence; what's more the top politicians are leading from the front and their cronies are trying to bring in the rear.

One has only to look at the news to understand that things are going to be much worse. A minister who allegedly resigned on accusation of corruption against him was reinstated without portfolio the next day, and even when the same allegations have surfaced again he now flatout denies it... yet no heads have rolled. A substantial amount of money has been given out by a single national bank in what are guaranteed bad loans made in full knowledge that the borrowers have no intention of returning the money... yet no heads have rolled. A major infrastructure project could be scrapped because the main donor has detected corruption in the government and its advisers... yet no heads have rolled. A minority community has been attacked and rather than getting to the bottom of it the incident has been milked for cheap political mudslinging... yet no heads have rolled.

And despite all these public cases, the Prime Minister of the country negates ANY corruption in ANY sector of her government, and that too in a world forum... which explains why no heads have rolled.

We have a leader of the government who suffers the ostrich syndrome and does not see or condone as fact any allegations against her or her government as anything beyond an opposition ploy and thus easily dismissible as a conspiracy to malign her government's achievements.

Twenty years vacillating between the frying pan and the fire, the voters should be more aware that nothing good can or will come out of the present stalemate of Awami League of Sheikh Hasina or Bangladesh Nationalist Party of Khaleda Zia – two circumstantial second (third?) grade politicians whose time in the limelight should now (rather than later) be up for the sake of national survival.

Question of the hour is how much longer can the country sustain this battering or do we all succumb to unbridled and unashamed greed to get sucked into what is eventually a one-way street to our nation's destruction albeit paved with the proverbial gold for the select few.

Perhaps things will change and there will be a major shift in how this country has been run. One can only hope in the absence of complete despair. Given the current leadership at the helm of the two major parties and the quality of the leadership around them, there appears little silver lining around the ominous clouds. Couple that with the moral degradation and ill-guided resourcefulness of the up and coming generation, the only hope worth pining for is a sea change.

Looking back at the fragile history of this nation of ours where hope has run supreme but has usually found itself crushed against the hard rock of reality, it is increasing difficult to continue to believe in a brighter future.

I am beginning to wonder whether we are actually kidding ourselves to believe that the glass is half-full when we should resign to the fact that it has actually always been half-empty.

Is there anybody really out there?

A morbid death story

2012-10-03T06:24:00.000+02:00

Death is a certain eventuality... but there are things called 'good' deaths where the recently departed passes on with his family around or perhaps peacefully in sleep.

Then there are 'bad' deaths such as in accidents, conflict, and animal attacks, to name just three. Naturally most people would like to die a 'good' death, but it must be said that those who deliberately live on the edge have the cards stacked against them.

While not necessarily a morbid person – I would rate my morbid curiosity as less than or equal to (certainly never more than) a normal psychologically balanced person's – I noted news of 'bad' deaths time and again; sadly 'good' deaths rarely make it into the papers or the online public domain.

While living in South Africa, I came across news of deaths or news of near deaths in shark attacks, pit bull attacks, rhino attacks, lion or cheetah attacks, attacks by crazed bull elephants, hippopotamus and crocodiles. Basically news of deaths because someone was caught at the wrong place at the wrong time.

I have read about fatalities through industrial and civil accidents, deaths in shootings, death in beatings, death for profit, even death for political expediency. I have read countless novels where people face or cheat death in the hands of sinister, faceless organisations, hired mercenaries, government spies, and what not.

Of the many possible ways to die I can't imagine (or rather don't want to imagine) having to debate my mortality against a wild animal – no matter the size. Two words describe the source of my primal fear - “wild” and “animal.” I'd rather not be associated with any thing remotely affiliated to those two words.

Imagine my chagrin when I read that a 70-year old Oregon farmer was eaten by his hogs! This horror took place when the aforementioned farmer went to feed his hogs and didn't come back for several hours. He was discovered, or more appropriately his dentures were discovered, in the hog pen when a family member went out to investigate.

According to the report “further investigation of the enclosure revealed that the hogs, which each weighed about 700 pounds, had nearly completely eaten the farmer, although some body parts were strewn about the enclosure.”

It is speculated that either the aged farmer had a cardiac episode and fell into the pen or was in the pen and was knocked down by one of the hogs during the feeding and the frenzied animals just ate at him.

Surprisingly, the report stated, that at least one of the hogs had turned aggressive against the farmer a few days earlier. Personally had it been me that aggressive hog (or hogs) would have been a sausage within hours any sign of aggressive behaviour – and I don't even eat pork, but would have made an exception in such a case to remind the f@**ers whose the boss.

[And don't any animal rights or vegetarian activists put up any hate comments because of that last sentiment. A man is dead, and he had a 'bad' death. Furthermore the guilty hog would not have been eaten alive by any rabid mates of mine but put to death as humanely as possible. Personally I think now that the hogs have passed that point now and should be just brutally culled, burnt and buried to bring some peace to the family.]

No one deserves to die in the manner that this poor Oregon farmer went to the great beyond. May his soul find the peace that evaded him in the last frantic minutes of his life. One can only pray in consolation that his end was quick.

Moreover may the good lord watch over us and save us from such grim fates. Amen.

Wow! Can I touch it?

2012-10-02T05:32:00.001+02:00

I had always been fascinated by all things with four wheels. As a young person my tastes in cars touched on all the great sports car designs. And in the 70s the greatest super car to a young formative mind was the Lamborghini Countach – a design that was every little boy's wet dream (he just hadn't realised why then).

The Countach was something that defied every single design element in a car in the 70s; it was an anti-car – a vehicle that looked as much home in the air as it looked out of this world on the streets. The Countach probably stretched or challenged every design parameter for a car in its time. There was nothing like it.

Fortunately for me during my wee formative years we lived in Hong Kong where you could see a Lamborghini on the streets alongside countless other current models from other manufacturers. Something that would have evaded had I spent those years in my native Bangladesh. So when I first saw a Countach, I knew there was nothing like it on the roads (and I was right).

I should confess that while speed and power were on the top of needs in a car when I was younger they were not high on list as was design and how the design made me feel. Between amused and aroused, when it came to cars I'd rather be aroused.

This sort of design in the late 60s! What was it not to lust?

The Countach probably encouraged car manufacturers to push the envelope and start designing cars that explored the limits of the imagination.

Unfortunately the opulent and excessive 80s followed and cars were too over the top. So much so that the Porsche 911 – one of those great car designs had smitten me (and continues to still do so) – would turn ugly and bloated with its dropped nose and pop-up lights (blasphemy, if I knew what it meant at the time) and gargantuan 'whale' tail (which I admit actually liked).

The 90s had its moments in my mind, but as I look at car designs today I am weak kneed and in back to being a 9-year-old (and this time I know what a wet dream is!).

I look at the Lamborghini Gallardo, the Ferrari 458, the Porsche 911, the Aston Martin (all of them, including the one77), the Maserati Quattroporte – among the top tier players, and realise that the “lesser” players are not that far behind – this is something that was never the case in the 70s and 80s or the 90s.

The new 2015 Barracuda

While a lot of the car designs are 'retro' the new designs stand out. Of course 'retro' designs affect people in my age bracket who were too young to hold a driver's license or couldn't have access to them when the original came out – American classic muscle cars like the Ford GT40, the Mustangs, Camaros, and Barracudas of the from the mid-60s. The Mini Cooper or the Fiat 500 are two other retro designs that look amazing. And while retro designs have great appeal to 40-somethings for the aforementioned reasons, they are popular because the designs have an effect of infecting 20-somethings as well.

The icing on the cake, however, is the new Jaguar F-type. Its predecessor the E-type is stuff of legend – in design and performance – this was a car that, like the Countach, set new design standards – and that too a good 3/4 years years head of the Lamborghini.

The E-type was fluidity in motion and style – it was sensual. You wanted to run your hands across from bonnet to trunk; feel the body, almost expecting it to purr or arch back in anger! I believe the design demanded a tactile reaction from whomsoever saw it. Sadly by the time I actually saw a E-type, the last thing the owner would like to do is allow a random stranger “have a feel” and run his fingers across the pristine paint work (no matter how needy he looked; or perhaps it was precisely for that reason).

Fluidity in motion is, in my opinion, the new automotive design language. Most of the cars starting from the (not so) lowly Hyundai to the Aventador today follow more-or-less this school of design (blame ever perfecting wind tunnels) – but none of the designs presently provide the visual delight or give off the sensual “pheromones” of the new Jaguar F-type.

Seeing is okay. But I want to touch it.

Man or beast in belief

2012-10-01T05:24:00.003+02:00

Perhaps because I am not a overtly religious person I find the intolerance among people who portray themselves as the keepers of the faith as the biggest problem we face in this modern world.

Most incidents of conflict in the world today sprouts from intolerance for alternative thought.

For example, incidents of burning of the Quran and defaming Mohammad - the most revered prophet of Islam - in the name of free speech is a missed opportunity to better understand the faith by people who react in fear without understanding.

In my opinion unlike Islam and Judaism, Christianity has been allowed to evolve and the regiments of the religious order been allowed to relax. Having said that, of course, one cannot discount that Catholics are not so relaxed in their teachings as are the other tenements of Christianity and preach a more restrained and binding outlook, offering fewer liberties.

Ask me if this is a good thing and I will not be able to conclusively provide any form of answer. As a rather liberated muslim myself, I would like to believe that a more relaxed religious order makes it easier to live in good faith – as prescribed as moral and civil order in the sacred text.

Far be it for me to preach that a liberated outlook in this modern world is correct – given an opportunity many might (and do) take additional liberties and at one point abandon religion and subsequently any semblance of self-restraint and morality altogether; civil society and civility dies when that is allowed to happen. After all self-imposed restraint for the sake of civility is what separates man from the beasts.

[Of course even beasts can teach man a thing or two – namely only take what you can consume and not one bit more.]

But I digress...

Islam is probably one of the most misunderstood religions in the world. Not just because it is probably commands the strictest adherence to regiments of the religion and offers the most overt images of what the western world sees as 'oppression' and loss of 'freedom.' These ideas, coupled by the fact that most mullahs around the world in lesser developed countries are not enlightened and have used the religion as a subterfuge. Twisting the message's true meaning to harness greater control over an undereducated (and highly volatile) people.

The Burqa is considered a symbol of oppression by the Western media yet many women feel unsafe (if only by habit) without it. In France the Burqa has been banned under the pretence that by doing so it has liberated muslim women from their supposed tormentors; which may be true to some extent but the law works under the assumption that ALL women clad in burqas were doing so in fear of their male relatives.

There are many conservative western women who prefer to cover up rather than feel 'exposed' in something that shows more of their bodies. Are these women (despite being Christian) being oppressed because they do not wear a flimsy (possibly more comfortable) summer frock in the heat?

Personally I feel that women should not have to wear the burqa if they do not wish it; but should be free to wear it if she desires. Speaking of desire, the argument for the burqa is that without it a woman can inadvertently set a man's loins on fire and force him into temptation to covet the flesh. In my mind I feel that religion is stronger when one can hold his own in the presence of temptation.

Another fact that I would think separates man from lesser beings, is that the man should be able to simply look away when faced with a temptation he does not want to succumb to.

One should recall that Adam and Eve got kicked out of Eden because they could not resist the temptation of the succulent apple. Finding God through resisting temptation is true religion.

But I digress...

If my understanding of my religion is correct and my assessment that Islam is a BIG (read MAJOR) religion, just like Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism and Hinduism, and is not a passing fad, how can it be considered so fragile as to be threatened by a badly produced film – so much so that anarchy can break loose and people riot, maim and kill with so much hatred?

Truth be told, I have not seen the film but unlike my riotous religious brethren I do not feel that my religion has been shaken because some non-believers have taken a less that rosy view of my prophet!

Given a chance the mullahs will have me believe that I am a lesser muslim because I refuse to stand up against a slight against my prophet. I would like to remind them, my prophet's honour cannot be tarnished by man nor beast and needs no protection in the form being meted out under their tutelage.

One would be best reminded also that millions of people do not believe in either Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism or Hinduism (to name but a few), but that does not diminish any of these major religions in the slightest – but tolerance among the believers only serves to make their respective religions bigger... and separates the men from the beasts.

Doing to pretend rather than pretending to do

2012-09-29T04:55:00.000+02:00

I've always seen myself as a writer; perhaps, more a 'wanna-be' than an actual 'true' writer for the sole reason that a writer writes. Period. And I don't really, save for occasional inspired (desperate?) out bursts.

In my mind I have convinced myself that a true writer writes obsessively, or rather, religiously – this idea sprouts from a part romantic notion and part realistic understanding. After all, anyone can write obsessively (okay, not maybe anyone per se) but fewer still can probably deliver with true intent, purpose and substance.

In a way my failure to write regularly I find deeper meaning and a relation, perhaps only tangentially, to the failure of the country that I live in. (This analysis could be easily misconstrued as a rather petty attempt to add 'substance' to what is otherwise drivel – of (desperate) intent (to write) without (any) purpose and/or (real) substance. It is not. You, dear reader, are of course entitled to misconstrue its true intent and purpose.)

To put it in one sentence: No one is doing what they are supposed to.

It is not difficult to take random people in this country from top leadership down to the lowliest man on the street and see that literally no one is doing what they are supposed to. The religious man is out on the streets not preaching restraint or tolerance, but hatred and violence; the student is not engaged with his books but engaged in politics and mischief; the bus driver is not rendering a service to the commuter but busy cutting corners and running people down; parents are not teaching by example but instilling poor values into their wards; politicians are not serving public interest as making the public serve their own. The list goes on.

Having had the opportunity to see countries beyond these borders, I am well aware that things don't have to be the way they are. Power cuts, traffic jams, law and order, etc plague many countries I'm sure as they do in Bangladesh, but I am also certain that these similar problems in other countries have not been created because of inaction, nepotism and shameless corruption over decades.

Even the most ruthless autocrats and dictators have had the basic decency (and probably felt some degree of shame) to give back some to the development of their nation. Our leaders, it seems, have been able to rise above any possible shame, and take with out compulsion to give back to anything beyond their own self-serving cause.

We suffer from many ills in this country because in the last twenty years of democracy none of our leaders have actually had a vision towards development. It would not be unfair to say that the vision of the two leaders of the two main political parties never extended beyond removing an autocrat and placing themselves in the chair to create an autocracy of their own.

That the Dhaka-Chittagong highway was an important artery for development and commerce has continued to evade the knowledge of the powers that be, so much so that in forty years the road has not been really upgraded above and beyond what the ousted autocratic leader had left behind more than twenty years ago.

A so-called democratic nation of 160 million people have no choice who they wish to elevate on a pedestal with their respect but are expected to kowtow with the wishes of the powers that be (whomsoever they be for that moment). The country has continues to be ill-governed as more and more people discover that playing outside the lines of civility seems to brings them greater rewards.

Sadly we have been transformed into a nation of pretenders. In that scope of things, the fact that I am not writing as often as I would like to is a minor offence all I am doing is not subjecting any of my potential readers to unnecessary anguish – however, my not writing is more of an anguish to me and so I write to quell my mind so as that I may continue to pretend that I am writer.

In an epiphany I realise that perhaps that is the way to go! I may not be a writer, but by actually writing I can continue to pretend to be one. Maybe the man on the street can continue to pretend to be what he claims to be by actually doing what he professes to do – i.e. a student can study and pretend to continue to be a student; a priest can pretend to be a man of God by preaching the restraint and tolerance; a politician can pretend to love the people by doing some self-less good for the community. And so on and so forth.

Until then however, we will continue to be a country where people work harder to beat the system than to work with it. A nation of pseudo-elites, with the sole purpose and intent to to be above the rules without ever feeling to need to offer some substance in return.

Five years amiss

2012-08-25T04:18:00.000+02:00

There are milestones in life that we progressively tick off over time. These time-stones, if you will, gather momentum in the initial stages and then the intervals between 'stones' become progressively longer to only grow shorter again as the significance of the anniversary passes with the passing of the few remaining souls to whom the time-stone carry any real significance.

Confused?

Imagine celebrating a birth, both literally and figuratively such as a marriage or establishment of an institution to name just two. Year one is significant, followed with progressive importance by two, three, and four. The big milestone really is year five, then it is year 10, year 20, year 25, year 40, year 50, year 65, year 75, year 80, year 85, year 90, year 95, then finally year 100 – after which the cycle basically starts again.

The case is the same in birth as in death. Only in death the event is more solemn and more introspective.

Today marks a time stone in my life that I'd rather not have if I was ever given a choice; in fact I am certain it is the same for everyone of us who were touched by his love. I remember so painfully my friend and 'brother from another mother' Syed Nahoum Ali.

Nahoum passed on this day five years ago. A milestone year only doubly sadder because this year would also have been his 40th.

A death is a personal thing, I imagine no two people suffer the same way or remember the passing the same way. For some the emptiness remains forever unfilled. While time eases the pain and the longing, it cannot ease the tragedy of an untimely death.

I must believe Guttu (or Goots), as he was known to his closest compatriots, is in a better place; but I KNOW that had he been alive today, we would all be in a in a better place (but alas would not know it).

May his soul find the peace that he erroneously believed had eluded him in life.

Amen.

Lessons from the French

2012-05-07T08:37:00.000+02:00

One cannot look at the papers and not realise that there is a political tsunami running across Europe that is pushing for change in leadership – most of the power from this growing tidal wave of reform finds its source in two areas of the political landscape – need for a much delayed economic reform coupled with xenophobic social turmoils.

Europe had started to increasingly look inwards as the ominous shadow of the Euro zone crisis drew dark clouds over once robust economies that had hedged its bets on more fragile ones. What was considered revolutionary economic tactics in building a strong unified Europe was in another form unsubstantiated optimism that lesser economies would take the correct measures for a stronger united Europe over the health of their own struggling economies.

In a way that is exactly what happened and the Euro zone prospered, until the lesser economies had finally to choose its own health over the economic stability of the whole. In what is probably now a recognised vicious cycle the whole euro zone prospered on anticipated prosperity – loans were provided to pay for loans in the false hope that eventually there would be a surplus (because to think otherwise would be unimaginable).

Robust economies like Germany and France (England could stay out and show a braver face because they hadn't been taken in by the single currency on dint of its own influence at the beginning) have had to take a serious hit as a result of their own unmitigated optimism.

Under the European Union (EU) Germany demonstrated leadership and became the de facto economic EU superpower – France followed on the coat tails to benefit when times were up (Italy under the glittery and cherubic Berlusconi was imagined to have prospered because people were to hung up on the former PM's rich and famous lifestyle. Little notice beyond symbolic wrist slapping was placed on its economy).

When France began to wake up to the Euro zone crisis the country was by that time already under the flamboyant leadership of Nicolas Sarkozy (who was probably France's own answer to the Berlusconi mania; after all the greatest lovers were decidedly French and not Romans!). As the clouds of inflation and possible economic stagnation hover across in the horizon, the game is up for flamboyance and seeming excess – the French have sobered up, so to speak, and are calling for a socialist in the form of Hollande.

More importantly Hollande also calls for a more French-like French people who are more typically 'Frenchy' – i.e. possibly a pure white and more non-immigranty without actually coming out and saying it (which could have been Le Pen's folly; after all the French like to remain xenophobic without the associated branding – especially in depressed economic times like these).

[Disclaimer: The above paragraphs are very loosely based on facts as they are but are more a figment of the writer's distortion of reality to push a point.]

So what's my point? Actually I haven't any beyond drawing a parallel between the imminent change in French leadership, in the form of a socialist party that hasn't been in power for nearly two decades, to the condition for urgent political reform in Bangladesh. Ostensibly an need for introspection and allowance for another party that hasn't been in power in a similar span of time.

While this might seem on first thought as an endorsement for the Jatiya Party of former president H.M. Ershad, who was ousted two decades ago, it is not (even though the JP fits the bill by that definition). What I wish to proclaim is that there is urgent need for a political option beyond the existing guises of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) or the Awami League (AL) - that have monopolised the political landscape through the 1990s til today.

[Note to readers who read between the lines in what is basically empty space, a third political option is NOT necessarily a military intervention but can actually be a legitimate political party perhaps (unimaginable in some quarters for sure). Moreover one should not discount the third political option as a fully reformed existing stalwart as well.]

I have always advocated democracy, but the democracy that present politicians preach is unacceptable in its selectivity – everyone being equal but a few being more equal than others.

In my opinion Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina have given ample reasons to conclude that their leadership skills are inadequate to tackle the existing problems in Bangladesh. Corruption has prospered rather than declined since Ershad was removed on such charges – sadly the scope of corruption during the 1980s (when Ershad ran supreme) is negligible in contrast to the situation that is evident now.

Over the years the 'divide and rule' mantra had given way to the 'divide and conquer' mantra; eventually succumbing to the 'winner take all' formula. None of which touch on the basic tenets of a democracy.

There are dark clouds over our heads in Bangladesh. Perhaps it is time for introspection and self-assessment; maybe it is time for a little xenophobia of our own, to look not towards outsiders (in the guise of governments, envoys or institutions) but to ourselves for the real answers to our very real problems.

I can't be alone in this matter of thinking? Care to share your thoughts?

Tipping the gravy train

2012-05-06T07:08:00.001+02:00

As I carve this blog post out of thin air, it dawns on me that today would be the first anniversary of my starting this blog on a more regular basis.

It also dawns on me (bright person that I am, some things are all too obvious) that my commitment had waned somewhat from month ten onwards. I had a burst of inspiration back in February of this year, but alas it was as short lived as political stability in the land that I call my home.

This blog post also marks my first post, since twenty-oh-six or seven, that I am writing and posting from Dhaka, having arrived back in my hometown after a welcomed (and thoroughly unexpected) two-year hiatus.

The city I left two years ago was plagued with its share of problems, not least of which were acute power shortage and perennial traffic congestion. Two years have gone to no apparent betterment (unless we account for the fact that the problems have grown) but now I find that the country is in the midst of escalating political instability to heighten the everyday challenges faced by the unfortunate denizens of this city.

As a student back in the day when traffic and power were not significant issues, political instability, however, was still evident in the hangover suffered over the previous thirty years; starting with the separation from the British Raj and following geo-political separation based on religious grounds, which culminated in the eventual separation along political ideals and the birth of Bangladesh in 1971.

[Note: the period I refer to is ten years thus from the cutting of the umbilical cord (both figuratively and biologically)]

Which in a nutshell implies that the country has rarely ever enjoyed political stability and that the economic growth and development we have enjoyed has been powered not so much by the political leadership as it has by the private sector.

What's more, the corruption and nepotism that had been constant compatriots in the public sector, has, in the last twenty years (ever since 'democracy' came to being in Bangladesh), been cleverly privatised by individuals who rather than help tip the gravy bowl over have tipped it towards themselves and chosen to remain mum.

I have always been rather vocal in private circles (and not too public ones as well) against the ineffectual politicians and the political system, as well as the staggering levels of corruption that is clearly evident in a country where the PCI is probably lower than USD 1200.

How else could one explain away million dollar automobiles worth not even a quarter of the price being paid for them (and that too for roads that are in no way suited for said car's performance credentials), or million dollar apartment homes that open up to blank walls or literally drying undergarments in the apartment block next door – there is always someone's dirty laundry for all to see.

This leaves hapless people like me to raise the alarm – perhaps perpetually to indicate that I have been left out of the gravy train! This is not to say there are no honest people in this country anymore, but it plays strong credence to my theory that most of the people who remain honest is because the opportunity to be otherwise has evaded them.

To that end, I would like to be tested.

Why 'Bye bye' seems to be the hardest word

2012-02-03T10:59:00.000+02:00

With no disrespect to Elton John or Tom Rice 'Sorry' isn't the hardest word... 'bye bye' seems to be.

There has been a lot of the trouble in the middle east since the beginning of the last year – all because the nations' leaders (dictators, actually in democrat clothing) refuse to step down. Countless of people have been killed and countless lives shattered over the years because autocratic leaders cannot see beyond their self-convictions (thanks equally to ego-stroking by corrupt cronies) that they are best for the people they rule.

In fact to find such leaders one would not have to look just at the middle east but all most anywhere in the world where the checks and balances of democracy have not been fully realised (i.e. places where the constitution is as pliable as putty and can be amended or bent at will, thanks to an opposition that is debate-boycotting, in some cases, or impotent or non-existent, in others).

My homeland Bangladesh would be as good an example as any. Currently we have two women leaders at the helm of the two major political parties – both leaders have inherited the post. One after the assassination of her father (perpetuated to be the 'Father of the Nation') and the other after the assassination of her husband (perpetuated to be the 'Declarer of Independence').

These two women have been at the helm of their respective parties since they took over almost 20 years ago – and seem to think nothing of continuing to hold on to the post till their passing. Upon which their son or daughter will have to take on the leadership 'for the love of the people'. If anything our system of government may be parliamentary (with a capital 'L' for 'Lame;), but our system of party is a monarchy (with a capital 'D' for pseudo-Democratic).

However, to be fair to one of the party leaders – the current prime minister had made headlines some years ago declaring that she would retire from politics when she turned 57. Thankfully for her supporters (and the nation that ONLY she can save) she promptly stopped ageing after that. Besides, even her detractors know that social etiquette deems is impolite to ask a lady her age. I'd imagine our opposition leader herself is not too fair behind (ahead?) of that mark, to put a fine point to it.

Like all good leaders ours refuse to ask of another what they themselves cannot do.

Actually, all our esteemed leaders have a mantra that resonates with the classic line from Yes Minister: “While I do not seek a second term, I have dedicated my life to the service of this country and its people, and should the people persuade me that that is the best way I can serve, I might reluctantly have to accept the responsibility, whatever my personal wishes might be.”

I suppose its a bit arrogant to presume that 'I' and 'only I' can save a nation, but that is the folly of politicians who see their position as a platform of honour and a ticket to their own privilege rather an opportunity to empower others. Such politicians automatically become suspicious of anyone who can see through their charade. Thankfully it is so easy to label anyone a 'traitor' when you hold the reins and can decree life or death, metaphysically speaking.

Sort of like the Caesars of lore – thumbs up or thumbs down.

I came across an extract of a report by a professor of leadership development at INSEAD, the French business school, that offers an explanation as to why people find it difficult to voluntarily step down from office, which I include in this post.

In his paper, “The Retirement Syndrome, The Psychology of Letting Go”, Manfred Kets de Vries writes: “Public recognition that has accompanied their position at the top has been a major dimension of their lives. Just as trees need water and sunshine, many leaders need admiration of their subordinates to feel truly alive. They crave an endless supply of narcissistic stimuli.”

Kets de Vries continues that the prospect of retirement would mean suddenly be deprived of what to them are “essential nutrients: identification with an institution of great power, influence over individuals, policies, finances, and the community; and constant affirmation of their importance as individuals and so their role as leaders to others. The prospect of climbing down off the top of the heap and becoming a nobody holds little attraction for them”.

That and the fact that as many leaders who cling onto power are men, and behind every formidable man is an even more formidable woman, many probably stick it out, despite the effect on their national economy and the every heightening security threats, because it is the only way to put off reporting to the wife.

Ask Zimbabwe's Mugabe, Syria's Assad, Senegal's Abdoulaye Wade, or South Africa's Zuma (he has three!). It is purported that these defiant men fear the wrath of the 'petticoat government' more than the wrath of the people or the international community.

By that definition our ladies do it just for the attention and the unrelenting privileges.

Passion runs wild

2012-02-02T10:26:00.001+02:00

Breaking news from Egypt has been a growingly mundane affair since people took to the streets en-mass last year and ousted their long standing dictator from power. Almost in celebration of that decisive day they are back on the streets again on the eve of its anniversary to push the military stalwarts from hanging on as well.

To me it seems that sustained belligerency towards authority and/or institutions that are popularly deemed precursors to dominance has resulted in an environment on the edge.

It would appears that time is up any institution that has dominated the Egyptian psyche for a long time; even when that dominance has been merit based.

The latest shocking news from Egypt is that about 74 people were killed and about 1000 others injured at the Egyptian city of Port Said. In itself, this news is no different (nor provocative) from the escalating count in deaths and injuries being reported almost daily from the trouble middle east... except that these deaths and injuries were not reported from Tahir Square or as the aftermath of some street protest against the military; rather a soccer field.

The game was between Al Ahli, one of Egypt's most successful clubs, and Al-Masry, a team based in Port Said. The violence started as Masry fans invaded the soccer field after Al–Ahli won the tie 3-1.

Shameful.

Sustained belligerency towards authority and/or institutions that are popularly deemed precursors to dominance has resulted in an environment on the edge.

Violence becomes a way of life when allowed to go on. Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan and select other countries on the African continent are but just examples of this. Egypt, in my books, has the dubious distinction of making the list as well.

Critical appraisement and CRITICAL appraisement

2012-02-01T11:05:00.002+02:00

Most of us have probably admonished by someone or the other (usually mom) for being unnecessarily critical of someone we may know (or even met in passing).

Yes, even when we are convinced that they deserve it for some slight that we have had to suffer... NO... especially for some slight that we have had to suffer.

“Don't say anything, if you have nothing good to say!” Or something along those lines was the preferred mantra that we were asked to follow.

In most circumstances that is good advice. It's better for the Zen of all concerned; after all not everyone deserves our critical appraisement or an opportunity to bask in our holier-than-thou opinion or ourselves.

[Unless of course the 'us' in this equation happens to be a woman and the 'them' happens to be a man – there are probably different rules for that situation. But as your blogger is (un)fortunately a man, I am not familiar with the underlining rules in such circumstances.]

As a spouse-trained and happily married man (I am told), I am led to believe that ALL men are conditioned to always be open to critical appraisement by their better halves... because the women folk are actually taking the time to do so for our betterment, of course.

Besides what better way than to pass an entire evening (without a drink in hand, I might add) after a stressful days work than to bask in the warm glow of their 'holier-than-us' self-opinion.

Frankly, if I was allowed to think, I am told that I would think the same myself and conclude, without any persuasion whatsoever, that indeed there was no better way to wile away an entire evening (without a drink in hand, I might add) than critical appraisement... and that too, in front of the TV and no remote.

Actually my married life is not all that bad or scary. It's not bad. Period. In fact, my wife tells me that we are actually a great, fun couple and that her many virtues more than adequately overshadows my many, many vices. How can anyone argue with that?

But I digress.

If we think that we men get the brunt of critical appraisement, a news clipping I discovered recently proves that the Human Resources people in the Australian Federal Government have taken critical appraisement and converted it into an art form. Clearly not ones to mince words these people evaluate employee performance with deadly aim and a devious smile.

Following are some extracts from their evaluations:

Since my last report, this employee has reached rock bottom ad has started digging.
I would not allow this employee to breed.
This employee is really not so much a has-been, but more of a definite won't-be.
Works well under supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap.
He would be out of his depth in a parking lot puddle.
This young lady has delusions of adequacy.
He sets low personal standards and then constantly fails to achieve them.
This employee is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot.
The employee should go far; and the sooner he starts, the better.
A gross ignoramus, 144 times worse than an ordinary ignoramus.
When his IQ reaches 50, he should sell.
A photographic memory but with the lens cover glued on.
If you stand close enough to him, you can hear the ocean.
Some drink from the fountain of knowledge; he only gargled.
The wheel is turning, but the hamster is dead.

Ouch.

It IS the end of the world as we know it

2012-01-31T10:20:00.000+02:00

For various reasons 2012 promises to be an interesting year, maybe more tumultuous that 2011 because even though we may not see the end of the financial market we may just witness the end of the world. And this has nothing to do with the doomsday propheteering (profiteering? Prophet-erring?) of the 'rapture-is-upon-us' rantings of Harold Campings.

While this is old news by now, but for the benefit of my not so updated readers, according to the Inca calendar the world will end on December 23, 2012 (and if you are one of the aforementioned readers a) clearly you have been hiding underneath a rock, and, but more importantly, b) remember you read it here first!)

Now that we have gotten that out of the way, from what I understand this revelation and eerily precise doomsday date was arrived at not by deciphering some ancient text after years of study or through the discovery of some sacred artefact. No. December 23 2012 has been declared the date for the end of the world by something as mundane as a fact that the Incan calendar runs out on that day!

Now if you are among the people who believe all that they read than (taking into consideration how fast times goes these days) the end is nigh!

But don't sell the house and the dog just yet, stop to think what would be the point. Unless you feel from a religious point of view that leaving this world without any material possession means a 'green' channel exit at the final destination and a golden pass to heaven, that inflated bank account will not fare well when the end comes either.

You see what I bring all this up is to perhaps prove that you can't believe all that you read.

For example one of the stories on my newspaper this morning is that “Women are better at getting in and out of a tight spot.” Based on the headline alone, however, I would tend to only part agree – while men are clearly better at getting INTO a tight spot, universally they fail miserably at working their way OUT. Women are hands down better at getting out.

To push a point, it must be said that women are only not better at getting into a tight spot simply because we men are are not 'judgemental'. All men know that we are wired such that the red 'judgemental' button in our head is right next to the red 'panic' button – and we have no intention of even accidentally pushing the 'panic' button (which to put a fair point is also labeled with a 'FATAL FOR MANHOOD IF PRESSED' warning); so we stay away from that general area.

For women, things are a bit more efficient: there is only ONE button and it is a green button labelled 'judgemental/panic/put-man-on-back-foot' – well that is what the label WOULD read if it hadn't been worn off. They even have a embossed steel plate above the button that reads: FATAL FOR MANHOOD IF PRESSED.

(You see, in my experience, that green button for women is for them what our genitalia is for us men – something to play with when bored to often times pleasing affect.)

But I digress.

You see the story is not about relationships, as it is about parking. Yes. Parking. My question is, in what universe is women better at parking than men!? Sure, I will grant that my question reeks of chauvinism, so I should rephrase it (rather than get myself INTO a tight spot, which I will have fair difficulty getting OUT off): In what universe ARE women better at parking than men?

According to the story, British car parks operator NCP analysed the parking of 450 drivers using CCTV footage and surveyed another 2000 more. They analysed for technique, accuracy and time taken to complete the manoeuvre to create what they termed a 'parking coefficient'.

Out of a total of 20, women received an average mark of 13.4 compared to 12.3 for men.

Women were rated higher because using appropriate speed, and better 'pre-parking pose'. Furthermore it was observed that a higher percentage of female drivers finished centrally in their chosen parking spot – 53 percent compared to 25 percent for men.

If there is any truth in that report. Women have discovered that seemingly benign steel plate is a button in itself! And, whats more, they have begun to press it!

Maybe the end is nigh! (At least the Incan's got the year right.)

11.11.11 - what's so special?

2011-11-11T08:23:00.012+02:00

[Following is a AFP report, taken from the Al Arabiya news site last Monday, 7 Nov. 2011]

This coming Friday at 49 minutes before noon, people around the globe will experience a numerically auspicious hour and date unlike any other in modern times: 11:11, on 11/11/11.

While millions may marvel at the once-per-century string of ones on their clocks, mobile devices and calendars, to be sure much of humanity will hardly bat an eye.

But many numerologists, metaphysicists, psychics and their followers, occultists and conspiracy theorists will be watching for signs of some broad humanistic awakening, a harmonic convergence, even a portal opening into a new dimension, as some experts predict a major “shift in consciousness.”

Thousands will gather for 11/11/11 ceremonies, trance dances or day-in-the-life video projects around the world, and several Facebook pages marking the date have popped up.

A Spanish charity for the blind named ONCE (Eleven) is holding a special lottery with 11 one-million-euro prizes and a super jackpot worth 11 million euros.

From Israeli-born psychic Uri Geller to “visionary” author and 11-11 expert Solara -- and even fans of the movie “This Is Spinal Tap,” for whom the number 11 holds cherished meaning -- many are hailing the synchronicity of the date.

“It’s certainly significant to have a triple master number” on the calendar, Solara, who goes by one name, told AFP.

“I envision a big shift in consciousness on the planet, and it’s coming to a point with this date.”

Solara lives in Peru, and while she is keeping her 11/11 plans secret, she says groups in more than 50 countries will mark the auspicious moment.

At 1111 GMT they will “join together and sit as silent watchers who oversee worlds within worlds,” and whose perspective will “strengthen the resonance of trueness just by their presence,” she said.

For numerologists, Freemasons and occult groups, 11 holds special resonance.

Some say it has psychic properties or represents a channel to the subconscious, while others stress its inborn duality, a reflection of the good-and-evil paradigm that Solara believes has been present since the dawn of humanity.

The Internet is humming with bloggers who insist the mystical 11 pops up with alarming regularity in schemes such as 9/11. Not only did the terror attacks occur on September 11, they note, but the twin towers resembled an 11, and the first plane to strike the World Trade Center was Flight 11.

Others cite the prophecy of Saint Malachy, who in the 11th century predicted there would be 112 popes before a biblical apocalypse. The current pontiff, Benedict XVI, is the 111th pope.

Historically the date carries weight. The World War I armistice was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.

“There’s an interesting synchronicity in how many things in this reality align with the number 11,” said Ellie Crystal, an author, psychic, blogger and metaphysical explorer.

There was an 11/11/11 100 years ago, of course, “but human consciousness was not in the same place it is today,” she told AFP.

Americans and others began focusing on 11:11 over the last several decades, with the advent of the digital clock.

“They’d see 11:11 and say ‘hmm,’ then they’d go about their business,” Crystal said. “And the next day they’d see it again. It makes people wonder, what is this whole thing about?”

It’s about pseudo-scientific bunk, an example of “confirmation bias” in which people spot hits but conveniently forget misses, insisted John Hoopes, a University of Kansas professor who specializes in knocking down such theories and uses dates like 11/11/11 to teach critical thinking.

Some people use numerology “to try and understand the world, but it has about as much scientific significance as the lyrics to ‘The Age of Aquarius,’“ Hoopes said.

Yet Crystal and others see 11:11 as a pre-encoded trigger, an “awakening code” that could elevate consciousness.

She said some are even convinced a physical portal will open on Friday, transporting believers across a bridge from the duality of this world into a new oneness.

“A portal will not open,” Crystal asserted bluntly. And, barring a horror film named “11-11-11” coming out on November 10, there will be “no doomsday, nothing apocalyptic.”

That could occur 13 months later, she quipped, citing a myth that the world will end along with the Mayan calendar on December 21, 2012.

But with a Christian radio broadcaster mistakenly predicting that the rapture would occur May 21, 2001, then on October 21, some are seeing a chance to inject humor into what will in all likelihood be just another day.

The Nigel Tufnel Day Appreciation Society has been petitioning to have November 11, 2011 christened Nigel Tufnel Day, to honor the guitarist in the classic “Spinal Tap” mockumentary who shows how his amplifiers “go to 11.”

So just what will happen on Friday? Those whose brains are wired for 11:11 will notice a realignment, Crystal said.

“If you don’t feel it, no biggie.”

Eid-ul-Azha: Time maybe to make a sacrifice for the sacrifice

2011-11-08T10:05:00.004+02:00

Angels stop Abraham as he sacrifices Isaac

With Eid-ul-Azha just concluded across the world, I can't help but look back at this Muslim tradition as an enormous waste of resource... particularly when it is set against the number of people in the world and the significantly growing number of animals that that are sacrificed on this one day.

I should say that as part of the Muslim fraternity, my childhood was linked to this tradition (but I'm glad to also say that we were never a rabid follower of this tradition).

You see I can understand the significance of the story behind the day and can even appreciate Abraham's devotion to God that he would willingly (albeit with most likely a father's heavy heart) sacrifice his son.

Press 'play' for podcast of this article.

Alas, can I admit that my devotion would not be strained in the least were I to be put to the same test, because I would not consider it.

I ask too many questions and would not see it as legitimate request from an all-loving God. The way I would see it is how could a loving God as such ask of me something as brutal as sacrificing my own son as a test to my devotion? Frankly, as events did flesh out (no pun intended), He did not – but I would not have given Him the benefit of the doubt. So frail is my devotion in the scale of things.

But lesson learnt. Point taken. As a result that now God in His infinite wisdom will never ask something similar of me (for which I am eternally grateful).

As I understand it, the ritual dictates that the flesh and bones of the sacrificed animal be equally divided into three portions. One for distribution among the destitute, one for distribution among neighbours and friends, and the final third for personal consumption.

It is this aspect that I consider hard to swallow. Millions of animals are sacrificed at the altar of belief across the world on Eid-ul-Azha – which means that a third of those millions are to be distributed to millions of homeless and destitute people. Unfortunately these people have no means of storing the meat; allowing whatever remains after consumption over two or three days to rot.

Why cannot it be that, considering the growing number of people in the world, Eid-ul-Azha is not just a day of sacrifice but moreover becomes a day of commitment by the community to sacrifice an animal throughout the year in turns.

Each day, or each week, only a certain number of animals are sacrificed by the community, such that the third of the meat can be distributed among the poor without fear of overwhelming them or any of it going to waste. Moreover these poor can be provided for again from the next sacrifice, a few days later.

There are seven billion people in the world, of which very conservative guesstimates would put at least a billion muslims slaughtering maybe 300 million animals in 24 hours. That is a lot of meat for one day.

Too utopian? Or perhaps an affront to Islam? Would love to hear your thoughts for an intelligent debate (which means no fatwas or cursing, if you are so inclined).

Greetings on Eid Ul Azha

2011-11-07T08:26:00.000+02:00

911: A conspiracy, not just theory

2011-11-04T08:32:00.002+02:00

There are probably dozens (if not more) conspiracy theories about what happened on 9/11 and whether in fact Al Qaeda was in fact responsible.

I for one was never convinced that Osama bin Laden was behind the hijacking and the resulting destruction in the US that day. A lot of it never made any sense to me – most importantly the motive was never clear.

I mean if you look at the facts as they have played out neither Osama bin Laden nor his Al Qaeda movement has benefited in the least... if anything they have lost much more.

But then who has benefited?

I am a firm believer in a particular quote from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, presented to the world through the mouth of Mr. Sherlock Holmes, inarguably the world's greatest detective.

The quote?

“When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”

The question we have to ask ourselves really is who (or which organisation, entity, industry or nation) benefited the most from the destruction.

I stumbled upon a full-length documentary on youtube quite by accident that addresses the inconsistencies and the anomalies in the events of that fateful September morning in 2001; which I present here on my blog.

Mind you the documentary is absolutely mind-blowing in the manner it is presented and possibly the most detailed and well analysed film on the subject. In my mind it presents strong evidence that there was a conspiracy all right, but that it was not perpetrated by foreign forces such as bin Laden or Al Qaeda but much closer to home...

But then I had my doubts from the start, so I may have been easier to sway.

The clip runs for 1 hour and 12 minutes.

Two more quotes from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle that probably fir:

“There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact.”

“As a rule, the more bizarre a thing is the less mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the most difficult to identify.”

Providence saves

2011-11-03T08:46:00.000+02:00

Going through the papers a particular news item caught my eye and reminded me of providence.

It seems a Sri Lankan trawler was detained in South Africa earlier last month after it had docked at a South African port to pick up bunkers.

The ship was scheduled to depart for Sierra Leone, however, after an ad hoc inspection by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) the ship was detained because it did not have any safety equipment on board.

The owner argued that such was not a requirement as part of Sri Lankan rules only to be told that at a South African port the ship had to meet South African rules. The owner reluctantly bought the requisite safety equipment and had it installed to be allowed to set sail.

As luck would have it the 57.5 foot fishing trawler, the Deshan Lanka, caught fire en route to Sierra Leone and subsequently sank off the southern Cape coast. The thing is, had Samsa regulations not compelled the owner to purchase the safety equipment all hands would surely have been lost.

Sri Lankan sailors were joyful when found Picture: NSRI

The four sailors on board were able to successfully launch the life raft as the ship sank. Despite a distress call to Samsa before their vessel sank, the sailors were adrift without food or water for three days, before the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), alerted by Samsa, were finally able to rescue them.

The life raft was found 10 nautical miles off the nearest land mass.

Naturally the first thing that comes to mind is that had it not been for the adamant Samsa captain who had inspected the vessel, the four sailors would surely have been lost at sea.

But then surely one cannot completely discount the fact that had the Samsa authorities not delayed the vessel in the first place, perhaps the sailors would have managed to have berthed safely at Sierra Leone with their cargo – and been saved from all the drama!

But I kid.

Talk about providence or at least someone really important looking down from above!

500 day journey ends without ever beginning

2011-11-02T09:18:00.001+02:00

It never ceases to amaze me the extents man is capable of going in the name of science. This week six people will re-enter civilisation after 520 days inside a isolation facility designed to simulate a trip to Mars.

The facility located in at the Institute of Biomedical Problems in Moscow. The six 'astronauts,' comprising of an international crew of three Russians, a French man, an Italian and a Chinese man, have been inside a windowless capsule since June 2010. The core of the mission was to test whether it is in fact psychologically possible for man to survive the trip.

When they come out this Friday, the answer will be an emphatic (if, I think, a cautious) 'yes.'

Since the astronauts boarded on June 3 last year, they have undergone experiments, carried out 'Mars Walks' in a car park outside a Moscow block of flats and monitored their own mental health and wellbeing.

To make the simulation realistic, the crew even experienced delayed communication with mission controllers at certain points during the trip.

After spending eight months simulating the journey to Mars, they exited the capsule to spend two days researching the 'Red Planet' (in the Moscow car park) before re-entering the 'craft' for the journey back to earth.

While researchers expect to use the reams of data collected to better understand the physical and psychological challenges that astronauts may face on real deep-space journeys,however, since they were not able to re-create the effects of gravity or radiation, it leaves some potential gaps in the actual results.

Early results indicate that lack of family contact and little variation in food often led to mental low points among the astronauts, which the group had to shake off in the interest of continuity. Among many experiments conducted in the capsule the astronauts even conducted various experiments on themselves to better understand the physical and psychological demands of a long space mission.

Thankfully the mission has gone without so much as a hiccup or a major crisis inside the capsule – so the scientists are confident that such a mission could one day be a reality.

What is more, and I see it as the most difficult part of the journey, is that when the six emerge from the capsule on Friday after 520 days in relative isolation, they will have to remain in medical quarantine for another three days.

It is expected that scientists will take another year to analyse the results of the mission before they can decide on the next plan of action.

And whatever that action may be, chances are that in the first time since the Apollo missions the National Aeronautical & Space Agency (NASA) will not be taking the lead, since they don't have a capable space rocket on the horizon nor the intention to send astronauts into deep space.

Currently NASA is focused on unmanned test flights on the next generation of space rocket by 2017 and has no clear set goals to land on an asteroid or reach Mars.

All in the name of science.

READ MORE ABOUT THE MISSION.

“Facts” about Gaddafi

2011-11-01T09:38:00.000+02:00

In my estimation death brings out the best and then the worst in a lot of people. I have been commenting on the two high-profile deaths last month October – that of Steve Jobs and then Muammar Gaddafi.

The media was filled by reports, anecdotes and factoids that were flamboyant in its praise for Jobs as it was in its disdain for Gaddafi.

Then a few days go by and the frenzy dissipates into a trickle, suddenly the reports, anecdotes and factoids in the media are no longer as rosy or rabid as they once were.

Jobs is being portrayed more and more as a dictator and a hard man to get along with; someone who bullied his way to getting what he wanted, and in the way he wanted it.

Suddenly there are reports on Gaddafi's benevolence.

I received a list of apparently “Facts that cannot be denied regarding Gaddafi,” which I present here. I am not in a position to confirm or deny the authenticity of the following list nor whether the “facts” presented are indeed true; but I can confirm that if what is listed below is true than millions of people in failing western economies would prefer a dictator like Gaddafi over their increasingly deficient 'democratic' choice.

There is no electricity bill in Libya; electricity is free for all its citizens.
There is no interest on loans, banks in Libya are state-owned and loans given to all its citizens at 0% interest by law.
A home was considered a human right in Libya –Gaddafi vowed that his parents would not get a house until everyone in Libya had a home. Gaddafi’s father had died while he, his wife and his mother were still living in a tent.
All newlyweds in Libya receive $60,000 Dinar (US$50,000) from the government to buy their first apartment so to help start up the family.
Education and medical treatment are free in Libya. Before Gaddafi only 25% of Libyans were literate. Today the figure is 83%.
Should Libyans want to take up farming career, they would receive farming land, a farming house, equipment, seeds and livestock to kick-start their farms – all for free.
If Libyans cannot find the education or medical facilities they need in Libya, the government funded them to go abroad for it – not only free but they would also receive US $2,300 per month as a stipend for accommodation and as a car allowance.
In Libyan, if a Libyan buys a car, the government subsidized 50% of the price.
The price of petrol in Libya is $0. 14 per litre.
Libya has no external debt and its reserves amount to $150 billion – now frozen globally.
If a Libyan is unable to get employment after graduation the state would pay the average salary of the profession as if he or she is employed until employment is found.
A portion of Libyan oil sale was credited directly to the bank accounts of all Libyan citizens.
A woman who give birth to a child receives US$5,000
40 loaves of bread in Libya costs $ 0.15
25% of Libyans have a university degree
Gaddafi carried out the world’s largest irrigation project, known as the Great Man-Made River project, to make water readily available throughout the desert country.
Nelson Mandela named his grand son “Gaddafi”.

That Apple c-founder Steve Jobs was a hard man to get along with, or that he was tyrannical may be true – but it does not take away from the fact that he was a visionary.

Similarly while the list above (save for the last item on the list) does portray Gaddafi as a misunderstood benevolent man and a 'brother leader' it probably cannot take away from that hard fact that he was also a tyrannical despot.

“Our's is not to reason why, our's is but to do or die – Tennyson"