My Last Page Blog 10/03/2010 Contradiction gives emphasis

SOCIETY

“Man proposes and God Disposes”

It is said ‘Man proposes and God disposes’. In a complicated modern society, it should be understood that more than 50 percent of the man’s actions and plans are governed by the external factors, and fate or God is nothing to do with it. God is not taking the responsibilities of man, and devising plans for him. By nature, man is under the impression that he is the centre of the world, and the world revolves around him. This impression is enforced in a family, when he is constantly criticized, advised or protected within the family. The world cares little about a particular individual, and has no time for it. Neither his success nor failure is the talk of the town. The success, failure, happiness or sorrow is the state of his mind, and there is no 50 percent share for the external factors.

An individual is expected to observe the world and structure his activities in tune with the environment. Religious concepts serve as a reference to the society. Religious guidelines or scriptures reflect a sort of common minimum expectation, the rules applicable to all, for the efficient functioning of the society; that is all.

Analyze the causes & Redefine your strategies

Being blind to the factors governing success or failure in life and depending too much on fate, luck or God’s will, people do not take the following points into account.

1. Analysis of factors leading to the failure or success in life

2. Lack of initiative to explore alternative ideas to overcome the failure

3. Consolidating the gains of success for growth and development

4. Coming to conclusions without any basis, logic or reasoning

5. Repeating the mistakes endlessly due to lack of analysis (Pt.1)

6. Indifferent approach to life on account of failure

Contradiction gives emphasis

It is true that 50 percent of the man’s actions and plans are governed by the external factors. But, do remember that you are left with 50 percent! Thomas Alva Edison failed a number of times before inventing ‘filament lamp’. When commented upon the results, he quipped, “Results! Why, man, I have gotten a lot of results. I know several thousand things that won't work“.

“I never did anything by accident, nor did any of my inventions come by accident; they came by work” - Thomas A. Edison

Is it contradictory, that he also said, “I never did a day's work in my life, it was all fun,” and “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

RELIGION, SOCIETY AND GOVERNMENT

Imbalances among the societies

In the last chapter we discussed about imbalances within the societies. Imbalances among the societies, and its nature, causes and effects have international implications.

All societies of the world are interlinked by science, technology and business. The flexibility in a society is the backbone for its development and growth. The societies by nature are flexible, because human nature is flexible and adaptable to the changing conditions and circumstances. Rigidity portends extinction or neglect.

International Terrorism

Imbalances within a society create friction among the members that may lead to violence at times. Likewise, imbalances among the societies create tensions internationally. Terrorism is the byproduct of imbalances in the societies of the world. Many a times, it is nothing to do with religion or any noble cause. However, religion is conveniently used as there is little resistance to the misuse from the religious leaders or the leaders of the religious countries, to be precise, religious republics of the world.

Destroying public properties, demolishing buildings, manhandling and intimidating public etc. during strikes are good examples of violence without any purpose within the society. The purpose of strike pales against the atrocities committed in the name of strike. The government is threatened. When it is thoroughly probed, mostly it is found that few antisocial elements are responsible for such damages without any purpose, at the best, self centered, sometimes on perceived enmity or rumors without any basis. Internationally, it takes different forms. Unless the imbalances in the societies are narrowed down, terrorism will be perpetrated for ever. We do not mean disparities in societies on account of income levels or technology. Because, the reasons for these factors are understood, and there is no ambiguity. The rectification of these imbalances is the prerogative of the individuals.

Religions are not progressive

However, the imbalances arising out of the societies’ outlook and thinking is not easy to narrow down. The main cause for such imbalance is religion. Religion in general is not progressive. It is very slow to react to the changes in the environment. Progress is stifled in many countries due to the political structure or domination of religion over politics. The system of education has not been tuned to the developments and changes in the culture and society, which causes problems both locally and internationally.

Therefore, imbalances among the various societies under the current circumstances create frictions that threaten to pull apart the world. But, the fact that a society can be insulated from the world no longer on account of internet and the recent revolutions in media, especially social networks of this age, has been ignored or not given due consideration. The pace of acceleration in science and technology already overtook Alwyn Toffler’s predictions in his ‘Future Shock’.

The role of the developed countries

The conflicts arising out of interactions by a society with the world can’t be avoided unless the imbalances among the societies of the world are narrowed down for the sake of healthy existence of the world. Removal of imbalances within the society is a pre requisite for the removal of imbalances among the societies of the world. It is only the logical consequence and will take place on its own without any efforts on the part of the societies. Therefore, it should be realized that the removal of imbalances within all the societies of the world is very important, because no society can be excluded in the process for any reason. It should be understood beyond any doubt that it does not mean that the task is on the head of the respective societies, and the world has no role to play to correct the imbalances.

Responsibilities of the various groups

It is the overall responsibility of the world to help correct the imbalances in each and every society of the world. The developed societies have to take initiative in this direction. In fact many countries are precariously in need of such intervention by the world, as these governments are helpless to initiate any action either due to political structure or for fear of backlash due to inherent weakness. The educational institutions, professional bodies, social networks and United Nations have great roles to play and wake up to this challenge and evolve methods to educate the nations and start dialogue with the international communities.

However difficult it is, the reasoning will eventually bring the all the communities of the world into this fold. The societies with glaring imbalances would be the first victims of social unrest and anarchy, unless they want to become the first beneficiaries in this process. Of course, there will be resistance, as nobody will accept their weakness and always put up a brave face. They need to be convinced, and, no developed country can afford to escape this responsibility.

S. Pottanna