Assumptions

At TedTalks in 2007, James Randi stated that audiences easily make assumptions. He pointed out that what was assumed to be a microphone in his hand was actually a beard trimmer. Also, he was wearing empty spectacle frames and it was assumed by the audience that he was looking at them (which he could not without his real glasses)

Randi showed that people are easily fooled and deceived as they make assumptions. He described himself as a conjuror - a person who does clever tricks that appear to be magic. He began his career as a magician – as The Amazing Randi - and later devoted his life to investigating the ‘woo-woos’ - paranormal, occult, and supernatural claims.

While conjurors use tricks for an honest living by entertaining people, there are those with dishonest intent. The tricksters and psychics claim ownership of supernatural powers. Randi pointed out that the gullible were ruined financially and emotionally because they submit their money and their faith to such frauds.  

Randi passed away on 20 October, leaving behind a legacy of scientific scepticism. We must heed his analysis that assumptions lead to thoughtlessness and eventually being deceived. We must put every claim to the test. To assume without evidence is to stray from reasoning and our inherent cognitive capacities.  

We must not jump blindly onto assumptions as they take us to possible deceit. They stop us from taking responsibility of our life. They allow you to hide behind a single version of the story told by someone else. This means we give up rights of our part in the true story and surrender to the sufferance that comes from the assumptions.

Randi said assumptions lead you astray

to the arms of frauds, all set to betray!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Tradition?

In 2003, Maharashtra Times (MT) was trailing behind the successful Marathi daily Loksatta. The new editor, Bharatkumar Raut made major changes to boost readership. To woo women readers, he introduced a marketing gimmick: Women were asked to wear dresses of nine different colours on the nine days of Navratri.

To make it look religious, each colour was linked to a Goddess. A picture of a celebrity was put up prominently on the front page with a bold headline – TODAY’S COLOUR. The women readers were encouraged to click and send pictures wearing that colour. MT devoted pages to accommodate the pictures received.

The strategy had such an amazing impact that other papers and even temples began to follow the colour code. Men joined women in wearing the announced colour, even if it was white. The trend became a part of HR activities of several corporates. A new tradition was born which many believe to be an ancient one!

Surely, there is nothing wrong in following a harmless fad. But it is a concern, when followers of the colour code start swearing by associated untruths. Most adherents actually believe it to be part of ancient religious tradition. Though details of the recent marketing gimmick are in public domain, yet most believe it without questioning.

Buddha said, ‘Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it; Do not believe in traditions, because they been handed down for many generations; Do not believe in anything, because it is spoken and rumoured by many; Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books; But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.’

It is okay to enjoy but don’t give up thinking…

In name of tradition, don’t sacrifice reasoning!

~ Pravin K. Sabnis

Emergency

It is an Emergency! Cast the snare
sky high and wide, raise the scare
Don’t go by their humane look
Bring the bloody rebel to book!

So what if some are old and feeble
If unfettered, they will have us tumble!
They ask to restrain and not transgress
these are obstacles to our progress!

It is an Emergency! Gather excuses lame
it’s time again for our devious, deadly game
Look them move to disrupt our peace
act quick now, do not suffer the siege!

They have lost all sense of shame
look them give our nation a bad name
Disseminating confirmation of our disgrace
Let’s eliminate them without leaving a trace!

It is an Emergency! Notice the stink
from the ones who tell others to think
They who reason are most dangerous
notice their queries are the most furious!

But questions are not the only artillery
evidence of our deeds is also weaponry
They write and paint, sing and dance
All indicators of freedom fighter stance!

It is an Emergency… time to act with speed
their growing solidarity is precarious indeed
Round up rebels and charge them treason
those against us are enemies of the nation!

Throw behind bars and black them out
eventually erase every rebellious shout
The gullible will swallow our nationalist con
with urgency crush challengers to move on!
in emergency crush challengers to move on!!

~ Pravin K. Sabnis

Note: In India, for 21-months from 1975 to 1977, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency across the country because of the prevailing "internal disturbance". The order bestowed upon the Prime Minister the authority to rule by decree, suspend elections and curb civil liberties. Political opponents were imprisoned, press was censored and several other human rights violations were unleashed on the citizens. Many later Governments at various levels, have used an undeclared emergency by resorting to draconian laws (many from British times) to suppress democratic struggles

Onus on us!

They fell her down

Crack her crown

Crush her neck

Break her back…

 

Invade her flesh

Treat her like trash

Flaunting bigoted pride

… with us on their side!

 

Yes! The onus is on us!

Who treat it just as fuss   

They do the dark deed

But on our logic they feed!

 

We insist she is safe in the cage

Where too lurks the rapist rage

We ask her to restrain and hide

And we stand on the silent side!

 

Yes! The onus is on us!

Who don’t want to discuss

If things are getting worse

It is due to the way we nurse!

 

We don’t identify the real source

No attempts to change the course

We all need to unlearn and reform

For the situation to truly transform!

 

Yes! The onus is on us!

To stop being superfluous

By accepting our culpability

We will get closer to sanity!

 

Why should the victim feel the shame?

While the assaulters escape the blame?

When we ask the right questions in time

Answers will reveal our collective crime!

 

Yes! The onus is truly on us!

Get off the whataboutery bus

Humanity has to have a single side

Where justice and dignity can reside

 

Do not defend the indefensible

Be responsive and responsible

Stand with victim not with brutes

Or admit onus of being in cahoots!

Or admit onus of being in cahoots!

~ Pravin K. Sabnis