Abhijit Naskar's Blog - Posts Tagged "health"
Why Entertainers are More Appealing to the Masses than Scholars
Stop making stupid people famous. Such goes the saying. Everybody has heard of it. Everybody knows what it implies, yet, that very everybody, or at least, almost everybody, never thinks twice before “making stupid people famous”. Hence, I have said in my book “Mission Reality” – “Stupid people make stupid people famous”. But why? Is there a deeper reason behind such a primitive act? Is there something more than mere stupidity? Is this stupidity really that stupid or does it have some incomprehensible value which can only be discovered if we see past the surface of such behavior!
If we speak empirically, then there is no such thing as stupid or wise in the kingdom of nature, for the kingdom of nature is governed by only one quality, and that is survival potential. If a behavior exists, it does so, because it has some sort of survival potential attached to it. And this is the reason why scholars, such as scientists and philosophers are way less appealing to the masses in comparison to entertainers such as filmstars, singers or sportspersons.
Scholars (including scientists, philosophers, doctors, teachers, innovators and many more, involved in the practice of science, technology and philosophy) make some of the greatest physical contributions in the health, prosperity and progress of the human species, take away the scholars and all progress will come to a standstill, yet most of them spend their life in anonymity outside the tiny circle of their distinct field. On the other hand, entertainers are seen by people from all walks of life as some form of all-knowing prophet – if they say, a certain health drink is good, the masses would most naively embrace that health drink in their life – if they say, a certain watch or perfume or handbag is the symbol of elegance, the masses would most blindly run after it – and if they run for office, the masses would most stupidly vote for them, without actually knowing their psychological capacity to run a people.
Here, I beg you not to think of all entertainers to be stupid, rather what I am pointing out is that, the expertise of an entertainer is in entertaining, so you should give them as much reverence as they deserve, not more than that. They are not expert in medical issues – they are not expert in running a people – they are not expert in anything except their work in entertainment – just like, I am not an expert in Chemistry or Physics or Mathematics – I am a Biologist and that’s where all my attention is placed. So, if you have a question about Quantum Physics, you must not ask me, rather you must ask a Physicist. And the same is true for every other expert in the world – be it an expert of science, mathematics or arts. For example, my favorite actors are Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart, and I enjoy their work immensely, but I don’t expect them to have a deep insight into human nature, just because they were and still remain quite famous – that’s my job, just like their job was to hold up a mirror in front of the society through their acting.
Now the big question is, why do people fall prey to the charm of celebrities and confuse their charisma to be the sign of wisdom, in most cases quite subconsciously? This behavior goes back millions of years. When our ancestors lived in the jungle amidst other animals, the chances of survival of the tribe increased in proportion to their blind loyalty to the alpha, a character with leadership characteristics, which mostly consisted of an absurd amount of confidence and charm. And this evolutionary instinct of attraction to confidence and charm still remains rather dominant in the common human psyche, which makes them vulnerable to the spell of charisma, even if that charisma has no content of character or wisdom underneath it.
In everyday life of the common human, reason takes a back seat and emotions dictate all significant behavior. “Erase the emotions and you would erase the most important part of what it’s like to be human” (as said in Mission Reality). In short, no matter what you say, if you can say it with such a confidence that it touches people at an emotional level, then you can make them believe in anything – you can make think anything – you can make them do anything.
In the human society, being famous is not the same as being right. Because people who make individuals famous, do not care about right or wrong – they don’t care about truth and reasoning – they are subconsciously driven by their instinct for survival, towards confidence, charm and charisma, just like moths are drawn towards a burning candle to face their inevitable demise.
I’m afraid, if the humans do not learn to make conscious and conscientious efforts to place their attention on character and wisdom, instead of on charm and charisma, then the demise of humankind is inevitable. Here, one may wonder, how can an entire society of humans change their behavior overnight! And the reality is, such a transformation or change cannot take place overnight, moreover, it won’t happen all at once. All change begins with the individual. When we change, the world will change.
Recommended Reading:
All For Acceptance
Mission Reality
Citation: Abhijit Naskar. “Why Entertainers are More Appealing to the Masses than Scholars”. EC Psychology and Psychiatry 8.10 (2019): 1083-1084.
If we speak empirically, then there is no such thing as stupid or wise in the kingdom of nature, for the kingdom of nature is governed by only one quality, and that is survival potential. If a behavior exists, it does so, because it has some sort of survival potential attached to it. And this is the reason why scholars, such as scientists and philosophers are way less appealing to the masses in comparison to entertainers such as filmstars, singers or sportspersons.
Scholars (including scientists, philosophers, doctors, teachers, innovators and many more, involved in the practice of science, technology and philosophy) make some of the greatest physical contributions in the health, prosperity and progress of the human species, take away the scholars and all progress will come to a standstill, yet most of them spend their life in anonymity outside the tiny circle of their distinct field. On the other hand, entertainers are seen by people from all walks of life as some form of all-knowing prophet – if they say, a certain health drink is good, the masses would most naively embrace that health drink in their life – if they say, a certain watch or perfume or handbag is the symbol of elegance, the masses would most blindly run after it – and if they run for office, the masses would most stupidly vote for them, without actually knowing their psychological capacity to run a people.
Here, I beg you not to think of all entertainers to be stupid, rather what I am pointing out is that, the expertise of an entertainer is in entertaining, so you should give them as much reverence as they deserve, not more than that. They are not expert in medical issues – they are not expert in running a people – they are not expert in anything except their work in entertainment – just like, I am not an expert in Chemistry or Physics or Mathematics – I am a Biologist and that’s where all my attention is placed. So, if you have a question about Quantum Physics, you must not ask me, rather you must ask a Physicist. And the same is true for every other expert in the world – be it an expert of science, mathematics or arts. For example, my favorite actors are Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart, and I enjoy their work immensely, but I don’t expect them to have a deep insight into human nature, just because they were and still remain quite famous – that’s my job, just like their job was to hold up a mirror in front of the society through their acting.
Now the big question is, why do people fall prey to the charm of celebrities and confuse their charisma to be the sign of wisdom, in most cases quite subconsciously? This behavior goes back millions of years. When our ancestors lived in the jungle amidst other animals, the chances of survival of the tribe increased in proportion to their blind loyalty to the alpha, a character with leadership characteristics, which mostly consisted of an absurd amount of confidence and charm. And this evolutionary instinct of attraction to confidence and charm still remains rather dominant in the common human psyche, which makes them vulnerable to the spell of charisma, even if that charisma has no content of character or wisdom underneath it.
In everyday life of the common human, reason takes a back seat and emotions dictate all significant behavior. “Erase the emotions and you would erase the most important part of what it’s like to be human” (as said in Mission Reality). In short, no matter what you say, if you can say it with such a confidence that it touches people at an emotional level, then you can make them believe in anything – you can make think anything – you can make them do anything.
In the human society, being famous is not the same as being right. Because people who make individuals famous, do not care about right or wrong – they don’t care about truth and reasoning – they are subconsciously driven by their instinct for survival, towards confidence, charm and charisma, just like moths are drawn towards a burning candle to face their inevitable demise.
I’m afraid, if the humans do not learn to make conscious and conscientious efforts to place their attention on character and wisdom, instead of on charm and charisma, then the demise of humankind is inevitable. Here, one may wonder, how can an entire society of humans change their behavior overnight! And the reality is, such a transformation or change cannot take place overnight, moreover, it won’t happen all at once. All change begins with the individual. When we change, the world will change.
Recommended Reading:
All For Acceptance
Mission Reality
Citation: Abhijit Naskar. “Why Entertainers are More Appealing to the Masses than Scholars”. EC Psychology and Psychiatry 8.10 (2019): 1083-1084.
The Meaning of Medicine
What is medicine? And what is the practice of medicine? Is there really any difference between the two? Do not rush to a conclusion - let's move slowly. Let's think over the question. Let the question stir inside your mind. Aren't the practitioner and the practice an organic manifestation of potential! As long as you think that there is a separation between you as a practitioner of medicine and the practice of medicine, you can never be a first class physician. The force of medicine, that is the force of wellness, must course through your veins like lifeblood, only then can you become a beacon of hope to the hopeless and a ray of help to the helpless.
You know what medicine means! MEDICINE means Mercy - Empathy - Dare - Integrity - Care - Ingenuity - Nobility - and Ethics. Now, from the outside these qualities may look different, but in practice they all are one force for good. Let's investigate how. What is a human without mercy - not a human. What is a human without empathy - not a human. Likewise, all these qualities define the very existence of a true human being - they distinguish human life from animal life. Hence, any human who is a true human, automatically turns into a medicine for the society. And based on the paths chosen by these humans, they are termed differently. Some are called scientists - some are called teachers - some are called doctors - some are called cops - and so on.
Those who treat the darkness of the unknown, are called scientists - those who treat the ignorance in the budding minds, are called teachers - those who treat the darkness of ailments in individuals, are called doctors - those who treat the darkness of chaos in the society, are called cops - and so on. Each human being on this planet is a potential medicine, for each human being holds in their nerves the capacity to heal the wounds and sicknesses of our society.
And when it comes to being a doctor, the sickness is both metaphorical and physical. So, don't be a doctor just to earn a living, for being a doctor is much more than just making a living - it's about empowering others to start living. Remember, there is no such thing as just a physical sickness, for every sickness has much deeper and wider implications in the life of the person who's sick and that of their family. A disease not only cripples an individual, it cripples a family. So, expand your mind from the narrow technicalities of diseases and treatments, only then you will be a first class doctor - only then you'll be medicine incarnate.
Remember, you are not just a person in the lives of the sick, you are their hope - you are their help - you are the first monsoon cloud that they have been praying for in their draught infested lives. If your medical training turns you into a mean, egotistical, insensitive machine with merely a technical understanding of medicine, then you are anything but a doctor, for a doctor is not a walking encyclopedia of medical knowledge, a doctor is a gateway to wellness.
Now we must understand the meaning of wellness. I have said previously, wellness is not the lack of sickness, wellness is the capacity to overcome sickness. For example, symptoms of a sickness are not necessarily signs of weakness, rather they imply that your body is actively fighting the sickness. And when all the resources of the body fall short to fight the sickness, that's when the real trouble begins. However, with the advancements in modern medicine we have been able to provide substantial aid to the body in its fight against sickness and avoid many of the lethal outcomes. And the advancements continue, thus becoming better with each passing day in fortifying life in its ever-going battle against disorder. And in this battle, scientists, doctors and nurses are the torchbearers.
You my friend are the one who is to hold the torch of wellness high with your spine upright, so that every sicknesses trembles at the very sight of you. However, hard as it may sound, we'll always have sickness, for sickness adds value to wellness. A life without sickness is a life without wellness. So, don't pursue the illusive idea of a diseasefree world, rather aim towards improving the quality of life. More than treating a sickness, try to empower life. Treating sickness is a very small portion of the grand picture of a well and healthy life. Hence, treatment of sickness is a part of Medicine, but it's not the whole of Medicine. The day you realize this, is the day a revolutionary doctor is born.
You know what medicine means! MEDICINE means Mercy - Empathy - Dare - Integrity - Care - Ingenuity - Nobility - and Ethics. Now, from the outside these qualities may look different, but in practice they all are one force for good. Let's investigate how. What is a human without mercy - not a human. What is a human without empathy - not a human. Likewise, all these qualities define the very existence of a true human being - they distinguish human life from animal life. Hence, any human who is a true human, automatically turns into a medicine for the society. And based on the paths chosen by these humans, they are termed differently. Some are called scientists - some are called teachers - some are called doctors - some are called cops - and so on.
Those who treat the darkness of the unknown, are called scientists - those who treat the ignorance in the budding minds, are called teachers - those who treat the darkness of ailments in individuals, are called doctors - those who treat the darkness of chaos in the society, are called cops - and so on. Each human being on this planet is a potential medicine, for each human being holds in their nerves the capacity to heal the wounds and sicknesses of our society.
And when it comes to being a doctor, the sickness is both metaphorical and physical. So, don't be a doctor just to earn a living, for being a doctor is much more than just making a living - it's about empowering others to start living. Remember, there is no such thing as just a physical sickness, for every sickness has much deeper and wider implications in the life of the person who's sick and that of their family. A disease not only cripples an individual, it cripples a family. So, expand your mind from the narrow technicalities of diseases and treatments, only then you will be a first class doctor - only then you'll be medicine incarnate.
Remember, you are not just a person in the lives of the sick, you are their hope - you are their help - you are the first monsoon cloud that they have been praying for in their draught infested lives. If your medical training turns you into a mean, egotistical, insensitive machine with merely a technical understanding of medicine, then you are anything but a doctor, for a doctor is not a walking encyclopedia of medical knowledge, a doctor is a gateway to wellness.
Now we must understand the meaning of wellness. I have said previously, wellness is not the lack of sickness, wellness is the capacity to overcome sickness. For example, symptoms of a sickness are not necessarily signs of weakness, rather they imply that your body is actively fighting the sickness. And when all the resources of the body fall short to fight the sickness, that's when the real trouble begins. However, with the advancements in modern medicine we have been able to provide substantial aid to the body in its fight against sickness and avoid many of the lethal outcomes. And the advancements continue, thus becoming better with each passing day in fortifying life in its ever-going battle against disorder. And in this battle, scientists, doctors and nurses are the torchbearers.
You my friend are the one who is to hold the torch of wellness high with your spine upright, so that every sicknesses trembles at the very sight of you. However, hard as it may sound, we'll always have sickness, for sickness adds value to wellness. A life without sickness is a life without wellness. So, don't pursue the illusive idea of a diseasefree world, rather aim towards improving the quality of life. More than treating a sickness, try to empower life. Treating sickness is a very small portion of the grand picture of a well and healthy life. Hence, treatment of sickness is a part of Medicine, but it's not the whole of Medicine. The day you realize this, is the day a revolutionary doctor is born.
Undoctrination Sonnet | High Voltage Habib
If we teach kids history,
They say we’re indoctrinating them.
If we immunize them against disease,
They say we’re microchipping them.
If we teach kids science,
They say we’re practicing blasphemy.
If we teach kids biology,
They say we’re messing with their identity.
With such mentality of a caveman,
How on earth did you manage to conceive!
I guess, to raise a human takes common sense,
But to make a baby takes only genital breach.
Hence it is more reason for reason to persevere.
There is no way we can let stone age reappear.
They say we’re indoctrinating them.
If we immunize them against disease,
They say we’re microchipping them.
If we teach kids science,
They say we’re practicing blasphemy.
If we teach kids biology,
They say we’re messing with their identity.
With such mentality of a caveman,
How on earth did you manage to conceive!
I guess, to raise a human takes common sense,
But to make a baby takes only genital breach.
Hence it is more reason for reason to persevere.
There is no way we can let stone age reappear.
Medicine Means (The Sonnet) | Sermon of Sustainability
MEDICINE means Mercy,
MEDICINE means Empathy,
MEDICINE means Dare,
MEDICINE means Integrity,
MEDICINE means Care,
MEDICINE means Ingenuity,
MEDICINE means Nobility,
MEDICINE means Ethicality.
Medicine is not a profession,
Medicine is but a sacred calling.
An average doctor saves a body,
A good doctor saves a being.
Pathogens exist to cash in on sickness.
A doctor exists to be lost among patients.
(This sonnet is dedicated to one of my two teachers in Neurology, Oliver Sacks)
MEDICINE means Empathy,
MEDICINE means Dare,
MEDICINE means Integrity,
MEDICINE means Care,
MEDICINE means Ingenuity,
MEDICINE means Nobility,
MEDICINE means Ethicality.
Medicine is not a profession,
Medicine is but a sacred calling.
An average doctor saves a body,
A good doctor saves a being.
Pathogens exist to cash in on sickness.
A doctor exists to be lost among patients.
(This sonnet is dedicated to one of my two teachers in Neurology, Oliver Sacks)
Doctor Not Butcher (Medical Anthem Sonnet) | Abhijit Naskar | Doctor Not Butcher
“Medicine means Mercy – Empathy – Dare – Integrity – Care – Ingenuity – Nobility – and Ethics, or it can mean Mechanical, Egotistical, Dehumanizing, Indifferent, Cold, Insensitive, Nincompoop Elitist. You decide what you practice, and your decision will determine what you are – a doctor or a butcher!”
“Doctor Not Butcher
(Medical Anthem Sonnet)
We are the Doctors,
Our worship is to the ailing.
We don’t bow to politicians,
Nor to bureaucratic bullying.
Service to the sick
is service to the divine.
There is no greater divinity,
than being a human lifeline.
We don’t recognize borders,
We don’t recognize states.
Patientcare is our national anthem,
Reward of medicine is smiling patients.
Dead doctor postpones death,
Living doctor improves life.
While butcher doctors monetize malady,
To empower life, real doctors strive.”
“Doctor Not Butcher
(Medical Anthem Sonnet)
We are the Doctors,
Our worship is to the ailing.
We don’t bow to politicians,
Nor to bureaucratic bullying.
Service to the sick
is service to the divine.
There is no greater divinity,
than being a human lifeline.
We don’t recognize borders,
We don’t recognize states.
Patientcare is our national anthem,
Reward of medicine is smiling patients.
Dead doctor postpones death,
Living doctor improves life.
While butcher doctors monetize malady,
To empower life, real doctors strive.”
Life’s A Lunar Cycle (The Sonnet) | Abhijit Naskar | Dervis Vadisi: 100 Promissory Sonnets
Life is like the lunar cycle,
sometimes it is full shining,
sometimes it is half shining,
other times it goes totally dark.
But one thing is certain,
no one phase lasts forever,
it all just keeps changing,
thus light is sustained
through life’s brief encounter.
The unpredictability of life
is what makes life predictable.
Sometimes it rains cats and dogs,
the next moment sunshine is unavoidable.
sometimes it is full shining,
sometimes it is half shining,
other times it goes totally dark.
But one thing is certain,
no one phase lasts forever,
it all just keeps changing,
thus light is sustained
through life’s brief encounter.
The unpredictability of life
is what makes life predictable.
Sometimes it rains cats and dogs,
the next moment sunshine is unavoidable.
The Human Virus (Climate Summon) ― Abhijit Naskar, Sonnets From The Mountaintop
Mother Earth is a living organism,
forests are the lungs of the planet,
soil is the womb, oceans are blood –
climate change is the planet having fever,
in response to the human virus.
Economy rooted in greed is not growth,
religion rooted in dogma is not holy,
innovation rooted in vanity is not science,
abundance without wholeness ruins the society.
Earth doesn’t need our consent to wipe us out,
any more than we asked permission from corona virus.
Cosmos carries no fury like a mother done wrong –
Mother brings us into the world, mother can take us out.
