The entire South Asian subcontinent is angry. Just what about, no one is quite sure. This pent-up frustration is bestowed upon one harmless individual, in whom the seed of temper has now been sown, leading him to vent his spleen upon another, and so continues the vicious cycle. Anger for the sake of being angry seems to be the motto amongst the furrowed brows and tightened lips, the harsh words and the volatile outbursts. The pillars of our society lay blame with the pre-Partition times, how their youth of resistance became a trait of its own, being passed from generation to generation. Further study reveals the gene to be autosomal dominant, but suppressible with a clear head and a few deep breaths. Other known remedies are an outlet of some sort, a hobby in which one can calm themselves.
Now comes the question: What triggers a response? And what makes one persons anger more justifiable than another’s? It could be something as simple as bumping into a stranger and not putting forth an apology, or perhaps not fulfilling a request in its entirety. Whatever the reason, the outcome is the always same: traffic is stopped, bystanders gawk, birds squawk, and doors are locked. A minor fender-bender is liable to result in murder. Judgments declared from the courts are secondary, as fists can decide everything in a matter of moments versus months. Instead of simply asking for something, and making a valid presentation putting forth your wants, shut down all associated businesses and nail your demands to the door of the party in question.
Being reasonable is not an option- it’s a sign of weakness. Pacifists are an archaic concept. If you want something, you beat the tar out everyone else who is after it as well. What does it matter if another person may be better qualified, or more deserving. You’ve more sway to turn the tide in your favor. If there’s nothing to draw ire from, find something. Life just isn’t exciting without the high of being furious over the fact that there are no more of your favorite chips in the cupboard, or that your team just lost in the finals, or maybe that dress of yours just doesn’t fit like it once did. How even the faintest shred of sanity is left in this region of the world is beyond me. Blind rage may soon become an accepted cause of death.
So what’s to become of this society of people? What’ll be their fate with such an outlook, that once provoked, one should go all out, guns blazing? A plus side of this incorrigible disease- it works well for population control, and may give Darwin’s natural selection an upper hand. Side effects? The untimely deaths of more passive souls, which could potentially activate a carefully suppressed gene and lead to more disastrous results.
Is this what we want for our future? Is this the life we want to lead, and want generations after us to experience? The image set forth for the world to see is that of an uncivilized bunch, rowdy, ill-mannered, and stuck in reverse. Perhaps it’s best to just watch from the side-lines, let the pulp get beaten out of those who are asking for it, and then shrug your shoulders over the entire affair. Or maybe a bit of rationality could be instilled, people could be a little more open-minded, and there could be a chance for progression.
(This article was published in Greater Kashmir on the 8th of April, 2011, and can be found here.)
Now comes the question: What triggers a response? And what makes one persons anger more justifiable than another’s? It could be something as simple as bumping into a stranger and not putting forth an apology, or perhaps not fulfilling a request in its entirety. Whatever the reason, the outcome is the always same: traffic is stopped, bystanders gawk, birds squawk, and doors are locked. A minor fender-bender is liable to result in murder. Judgments declared from the courts are secondary, as fists can decide everything in a matter of moments versus months. Instead of simply asking for something, and making a valid presentation putting forth your wants, shut down all associated businesses and nail your demands to the door of the party in question.
Being reasonable is not an option- it’s a sign of weakness. Pacifists are an archaic concept. If you want something, you beat the tar out everyone else who is after it as well. What does it matter if another person may be better qualified, or more deserving. You’ve more sway to turn the tide in your favor. If there’s nothing to draw ire from, find something. Life just isn’t exciting without the high of being furious over the fact that there are no more of your favorite chips in the cupboard, or that your team just lost in the finals, or maybe that dress of yours just doesn’t fit like it once did. How even the faintest shred of sanity is left in this region of the world is beyond me. Blind rage may soon become an accepted cause of death.
So what’s to become of this society of people? What’ll be their fate with such an outlook, that once provoked, one should go all out, guns blazing? A plus side of this incorrigible disease- it works well for population control, and may give Darwin’s natural selection an upper hand. Side effects? The untimely deaths of more passive souls, which could potentially activate a carefully suppressed gene and lead to more disastrous results.
Is this what we want for our future? Is this the life we want to lead, and want generations after us to experience? The image set forth for the world to see is that of an uncivilized bunch, rowdy, ill-mannered, and stuck in reverse. Perhaps it’s best to just watch from the side-lines, let the pulp get beaten out of those who are asking for it, and then shrug your shoulders over the entire affair. Or maybe a bit of rationality could be instilled, people could be a little more open-minded, and there could be a chance for progression.
(This article was published in Greater Kashmir on the 8th of April, 2011, and can be found here.)