পথ
... জেনেছি পথ শুধু পথিকের নয়, রোদ, মেঘ, ঘূর্ণিবায়ু আর গড়িয়ে চলা পাইনের কাঁটারও।
Posts
অনীশ্বর
সুখ-দুঃখ-প্রেম, তীব্র আবেগ ছাড়াও বুকে ব্যথা হতে পারে অজস্র কারণে; এ শরীরের অস্থি-পেশী-চর্বি, নোনা জল শেষ বিচারে অতিপ্রাকৃত কিছু নয়। রসায়নের কাছে অর্থ রাখে না ঈশ্বর, জীব-জড়, গোলাপ, নারী, কবুতর। কোমলতম অনুভূতি আর পাশবিক তাড়না জড়াজড়ি করে রয় এক কোষে; সুখ-দুঃখ-প্রেম, তীব্র আবেগ ছাড়াও তাই চোখ ভিজে যেতে পারে অজস্র কারণে।
On the arrow of time
Our neurons condense and store information of the chemical changes around us as sensed by the sensory organs. The arrow of time exists because we can "recall" this information in only one direction. All memory system is based on chemical change, but we register this change in the direction of "memory creation". It's a circular relationship.
On eugenics
People often talk about athletes and entertainers when they talk about inherent abilities. Advocates of eugenics love that. They particularly love one piece of statistics: "17% of all American 7-footers play in NBA". There are holes in this statistic, but still it's a striking proportion (lowest estimate I saw in 2.8%). So the assumption is that you can breed a race of 7-footers that will have a disproportionate advantage in basketball, and by extension, you can make similar argument for any profession. But that "extension" becomes a bit more than a stretch when you consider that sports and entertainment are literally exhibitions of simplified traits. So no shit, Sherlock, you can select for specific traits and win medals for it. But human society and activities are complex, a single trait does not define the value of a person. Be it running a business or fixing stuff or cooking meals-- every activity requires a potpourri of skills. And that is the reason we cr...
On God
Where do you go searching for me, dear? I am right here with you. Not in pilgrimage, not in icons, Neither in solitude Not in temples, nor in mosques, Neither in Kaba nor in Kailash I am right here, oh dear, I am with you. God is the place in your heart where you save things you learn in life. It is the alter you cleanse with your own hands and adorn with your treasure. It is the Tirtha you visit a thousand times a day and ask for guidance and it whispers back. It is the hall of mirrors that reflects your true self back to you and creates and recreates you in your own image. Where do you go searching for me, dear? I am right here with you.
Occidentalism... from the Orient
"Occidentalism" as a concept is generally seen in a negative light, as it comes out of the conservatism toolbox as a counter to Orientalism. And that is kinda justified, since Occidentalism does not come with the immense baggage of colonialism and the skewed power dynamics that gives you the license to create a dominant narrative. But it's not non-existent. There is a strong stereotype of the Western society in the oriental mind, and with the recent growth of Asian influence in the world, it's starting to reach the Western audience. While it's not the antithesis of Orientalism in outlook, it's quirky and stereotypical enough to take notice. And the easiest place to find it is in Indian films that portray Western characters. Historical films from India portray two kinds of westerners-- kind of a good cop/bad cop combo-- the cruel, wily, condescending colonial master and the sympathetic British lady swooning over the Indian protagonist (Exhibit A: Naatu Naatu)...
The stoic
An alarm goes off between unturned pages of Meditations . One wolf lies dead. Another growls at the door. The clock marks every second with a steady hand-- the only stoic in the room.