Asatoma Sadgamaya

[varshax]

This week I heard an interesting story at the Toastmasters meeting

Comments

Fear of the unknown

[zweilinkefusse]

I think there are several reasons why masses follow traditions. Comfort, togetherness and fear come to mind first. Fear of the unknown is a powerful motivator. What will happen if I don't? What will happen in this life and beyond this life?

We do not have all the facts in hand to judge traditions either. We do not invest much time to think about our origin and our existence. Our life revolves only around survival and entertainment. So completely rely on traditions others have generated.

The more I think about it the more I believe that society will never be ideal. There will always be power struggles and the victor will impose her traditions on everyone. I think there is hope only at the personal level. I have to study traditions and try to understand the motivation behind them. Some traditions make real sense while others are more difficult to fathom. Ultimately I decide how to live everyday of my life.

Re: Fear of the unknown

[chaibacca]

I couldn't agree more. I think your last paragraph is as profound as V's description of the experiment. There will always be power struggles and consequential struggles for equality. And, there will always be many who are unaffected (and usually inadequately informed as well) who will still cast votes on such issues. It's too complex a system for it to ever reach equilibrium.

[sankalpa]

I have noticed, through working in multiple organizations, that this in indeed the law of the corporate jungle as well. There is always a 'documented' way of doing things, and exceptions are rarely tolerated - the justification being that the 'document' is a result of years of sacred thought

[oldhen]

that if put 1000 monkeys in a room, with 1000 typewriters, for 1000 years - they will produce Shakespeare

Sanky, you're too funny dude!

[varshax]

This story was actually brought up in a corporate context :)
Hang in there, oh errant monkey !

[oldhen]

Neat story, Varsamov! Will respond with both the scientist and the radical hats..

All the other monkeys, including the last newcomer ... ...beat him up

That's really frikking remarkable, is the last newcomer just following the herd? But then it must become innate later.. Cool experiment, is there a reference, V'mov? Judicious googling only turned up some anectodal stuff..

We carry old knowledge in such a warped form that it makes no sense and we dont question it enough

Nicely put, and yes I agree completely, we (Indians) don't question orthodoxy and tradition enough. It's a number of things I guess - you get into a comfort zone and are scared to rock the boat, you're afraid of the unknown and of being non-conformist.

The treatment of women is especially disgusting, this chauvenistic attitude doesn't seem to change one whit even after coming to the US (not that American women have it all swell or anything). These predujices are also harder to explain / be apologetic about.

Maybe the others will be reticent at first - some even

[varshax]

Methinks the experiment is part of someone's imagination Minky ....

I see it, V'mov, you're becoming a radical, slowly, but surely, resistance is futile!

It is inevitable Mr Anderson !
Err ... Matrix "Overload" over the weekend ...

Is this a true story?

[deponti]

I have read about this experiment so many times...but am not able to put a place and time to it...is this apocryphal or true? Could you give a reference?

Re: Is this a true story?

[varshax]

I didnt think it was a true story .... just an analogy.

[mrsgollum]

nice post..although balance lies in blending tradition with progressive attitudes..culture/religion have redeeming values/practices, but as you have said, it would be futile to force something like that on anyone, unless they themselves feel motivated to follow it

[varshax]

Interesting story on the Ganesh Visarjan ritual ...... some traditions are better left alone and not changed for modern day convenience :)