After much delay, mostly due to my own tardiness, it's finally here - Macnife's Nano-reef Blog. Although it's still in a very rudimentary state, I promise lots of photos and info real soon!
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Rot
What becomes of a man after death? So many of us desperately seek the answer to that question. But I, Rengasayee Veeraraghavan, graduate student, know the answer. Yes. What becomes of a man after death? He becomes a statistic. Pathetic as it may sound, it is the truth. No matter what he may have accomplished in life, no matter what the manner of his death - he just becomes a statistic, for death is the great equalizer.
Let me present my case before you judge me a cynic. "Nothing is certain in life but death." When a man dies, it does indeed impact the living to varying degrees - people may grieve over his loss or they may celebrate his passing. But none of the emotions of the living have impact the dead. But the collective memory of humanity has a very short life span and eventually all that remains is a statistic dutifully written down somewhere, to last relatively much longer than the memory of the dead.
Our perceptions of the lives and deaths of other men depend on how far we are separated from then in space and time. Do any among us really grieve for our distant ancestors? How many of us even know much of the lives they led? And what of the multitudes dying every day in some corner of the world far removed from our miniscule awareness? What do we do when we learn of people killed by terrorists and imperialist nations in the Middle east, by starvation and disease in africa? In the worst case, we hardly bother to disguise our apathy - uttering a couple of inane words expressing emotion, openly feigned. The somewhat more sympathetic among us may contribute our two cents of spare change to some charity and move on with our lives. But what do we really know of the dead beyond the statistics? Do we know how many of the dead were doting parents or loving children? Do we even spare a thought for the bereaved? WHAT DO WE KNOW BEYOND STATISTICS?
But what of those individuals who dedicate their lives to helping their fellow men? The noble among us. I neither deny their existence nor do I discount the magnitude of their deeds. Indeed, so colossal have been the deeds of some, that we may think they have impacted humanity itself. But have they really? For instance, Abraham Lincoln and Mahatma Gandhi are two such men - their ideas and actions have impacted the lives of countless human beings. When Lincoln abolished slavery in the United States of America, when Gandhi liberated India from the British yoke - no small feats - they changed the course of human history. They even implanted their ideas and values into the hearts of many.
Yet, the bigotry, hate, apathy and greed that tarnish humanity as a whole remain undiminished. Not even the most significant events in our history have been able to cause changes that aren't merely cosmetic. For example, slavery may have been abolished in the so-called civilized world but has that stopped men from exploiting their fellow men to serve their own personal greed? HARDLY! The lot of humanity has more or less remained constant through history. Just like life itself, human nature is an irrepressible force - it will always find a way. And it is the rotting core of humanity itself that deserves blame for the way the world is.
So how then do we save ourselves? We don't. It's too late for that. All we have to look forward to is our inevitable extinction. Until the moment of our end is upon is, we will continue to remain wrapped up in the cocoons of our pointless pursuits, blissfully ignorant of reality. The only consolation is that none of it would have mattered, even slightly, to the universe. In the words of George Carlin, "we started off as a species with much promise but now we're just circling the drain."
Let me leave you with these words from Albert Einstein - "The release of atom power has changed everything except our way of thinking...the solution to this problem lies in the heart of mankind. If only I had known, I should have become a watchmaker."
PS. Still think I'm being cynical? Just read the news.
Let me present my case before you judge me a cynic. "Nothing is certain in life but death." When a man dies, it does indeed impact the living to varying degrees - people may grieve over his loss or they may celebrate his passing. But none of the emotions of the living have impact the dead. But the collective memory of humanity has a very short life span and eventually all that remains is a statistic dutifully written down somewhere, to last relatively much longer than the memory of the dead.
Our perceptions of the lives and deaths of other men depend on how far we are separated from then in space and time. Do any among us really grieve for our distant ancestors? How many of us even know much of the lives they led? And what of the multitudes dying every day in some corner of the world far removed from our miniscule awareness? What do we do when we learn of people killed by terrorists and imperialist nations in the Middle east, by starvation and disease in africa? In the worst case, we hardly bother to disguise our apathy - uttering a couple of inane words expressing emotion, openly feigned. The somewhat more sympathetic among us may contribute our two cents of spare change to some charity and move on with our lives. But what do we really know of the dead beyond the statistics? Do we know how many of the dead were doting parents or loving children? Do we even spare a thought for the bereaved? WHAT DO WE KNOW BEYOND STATISTICS?
But what of those individuals who dedicate their lives to helping their fellow men? The noble among us. I neither deny their existence nor do I discount the magnitude of their deeds. Indeed, so colossal have been the deeds of some, that we may think they have impacted humanity itself. But have they really? For instance, Abraham Lincoln and Mahatma Gandhi are two such men - their ideas and actions have impacted the lives of countless human beings. When Lincoln abolished slavery in the United States of America, when Gandhi liberated India from the British yoke - no small feats - they changed the course of human history. They even implanted their ideas and values into the hearts of many.
Yet, the bigotry, hate, apathy and greed that tarnish humanity as a whole remain undiminished. Not even the most significant events in our history have been able to cause changes that aren't merely cosmetic. For example, slavery may have been abolished in the so-called civilized world but has that stopped men from exploiting their fellow men to serve their own personal greed? HARDLY! The lot of humanity has more or less remained constant through history. Just like life itself, human nature is an irrepressible force - it will always find a way. And it is the rotting core of humanity itself that deserves blame for the way the world is.
So how then do we save ourselves? We don't. It's too late for that. All we have to look forward to is our inevitable extinction. Until the moment of our end is upon is, we will continue to remain wrapped up in the cocoons of our pointless pursuits, blissfully ignorant of reality. The only consolation is that none of it would have mattered, even slightly, to the universe. In the words of George Carlin, "we started off as a species with much promise but now we're just circling the drain."
Let me leave you with these words from Albert Einstein - "The release of atom power has changed everything except our way of thinking...the solution to this problem lies in the heart of mankind. If only I had known, I should have become a watchmaker."
PS. Still think I'm being cynical? Just read the news.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Random rants 2
Our existence is all the more precious and sweeter for its fragility.
It is perversely funny that through the course of human history, more people have been killed in the name of God than for any other cause – testimony to our limitless ignorance.
Nobility necessitates, to varying degrees, acting counter to Darwinism – what remains to be seen is whether it is a fatal flaw or redeeming virtue.
Human perception is inherently relative, a fact we often forget. The only way we are able to perceive the absolute is through the absence of stimulus.
That all knowledge beyond that of one’s own existence is at some level or the other, based on arbitrary assumption(s) is a fact seldom recognized.
The principle of moderation is applicable to everything - everything but chocolate.
While one may think he knows himself from years of temperate existence, he can only be sure after having stared into oblivion from the very edge of the precipice.
Hedonism is for those too naïve to comprehend the nature of happiness.
It is perversely funny that through the course of human history, more people have been killed in the name of God than for any other cause – testimony to our limitless ignorance.
Nobility necessitates, to varying degrees, acting counter to Darwinism – what remains to be seen is whether it is a fatal flaw or redeeming virtue.
Human perception is inherently relative, a fact we often forget. The only way we are able to perceive the absolute is through the absence of stimulus.
That all knowledge beyond that of one’s own existence is at some level or the other, based on arbitrary assumption(s) is a fact seldom recognized.
The principle of moderation is applicable to everything - everything but chocolate.
While one may think he knows himself from years of temperate existence, he can only be sure after having stared into oblivion from the very edge of the precipice.
Hedonism is for those too naïve to comprehend the nature of happiness.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Macnife's Reef Blog: Coming soon!
The past few weeks have been rather eventful for me and my two marine aquariums. I finally got my home tank set up the way I wanted and I've got most of items on my livestock wishlist... for now. The older office tank has also been through a series of minor changes, with a couple more being planned. Both tanks have pretty much stabilized and look very close to what I had in mind.
I've finally started seriously shooting pictures of my tanks and I figured it'd be fun to start a new blog to put up these pictures with some information about the organisms. As a rank newbie at reefkeeping, this will also be a good way for me to learn more.
At the very least, I can promise that at least the pictures will be interesting. So 'ang on to yer knickers folks!
Monday, February 19, 2007
Doodles
I just happened to pick up my pencil yesterday evening after approximately 3 days short of forever. A few hours of timeless fun later, I realized I wasn't too rusty after all. (to be understood as "I was never much better than I am now.") Anyway, here are the fruits of my fine evening.
I've never been good at drawing people. So when I decided to try it yesterday, I decided to be nice and make myself the first victim. Notice that I selected a picture where I was still recognizable without my face being visible.
The things I was good at sketching are animals/birds/body parts (biology stuff), macho machines (fighter aircraft, guns, tanks... you get the idea) and comic book characters. So I figured I'd try one of those and then take it a step further.
I sketched out this negative image of the Batman and then played around with it on Photoshop.
Some simle contrast manipulation and a little thresholding and lo and behold!
Boy, am I glad I picked up that pencil! This is another one of my erstwhile hobbies that I've decided to revive. And just to make sure I don't slip back into laziness, I'll put up a sketch or two on this blog from time to time.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Vultures indeed
Being as far from financially savvy as I am - given the choice I'd keep my money in a tin box - I had never heard of vulture funds before I read this news article on the BBC.
The little I learned about vulture funds was enough to make me sick to the pit of my stomach. These people buy up the debts of the poorest of nations just as they are about to be written off and then sue the country for the full amount plus interest. They are no better than the animals who stole trinkets off tsunami victims.
However an equal share of the blame belongs to the callous bankers who allow these 'vultures' to acquire the debts of poor nations. They are no better than the criminals who put guns into the hands of children and turn away, blind to the consequences of their actions.
All I feel at this point is anger and helplessness but this issue must not be allowed to be swept under the carpet. Something needs to be done. I wish I knew what.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Farewell
Art Buchwald died earlier today. Saddened as I am at this loss, I must accept that all good things come to an end. I am glad for having experienced the phenomenon that was Art.
I'll always remember his weekly column in the Hindu - each instalment gave new meaning to satire. He never pulled his punches yet delivered them with such subtlety and finesse that even those on the receiving end of his criticism could deny neither the truth nor the humor in his words.
Here are a few characteristic quotes that come to mind.
"You can't make up anything anymore. The world itself is a satire. All you're doing is recording it."
"A bad liver is to a Frenchman what a nervous breakdown is to an American. Everyone has had one and everyone wants to talk about it. "
Art Buchwald, you will ever be missed and your words never forgotten. It still feels "Too Soon to Say Goodbye".
I'll always remember his weekly column in the Hindu - each instalment gave new meaning to satire. He never pulled his punches yet delivered them with such subtlety and finesse that even those on the receiving end of his criticism could deny neither the truth nor the humor in his words.
Here are a few characteristic quotes that come to mind.
"You can't make up anything anymore. The world itself is a satire. All you're doing is recording it."
"A bad liver is to a Frenchman what a nervous breakdown is to an American. Everyone has had one and everyone wants to talk about it. "
Art Buchwald, you will ever be missed and your words never forgotten. It still feels "Too Soon to Say Goodbye".
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Legacy of the unknown soldier
Remember not, the likes of me.
Remember not, the likes of me.
For I am done with the world of man.
Spare me the glory so vain,
Make me not shrink in shame.
Speak not of the deeds of mine,
Worthy though they may be.
But just once, whisper my name into the dark night,
For into it I have gone.
Remember not, the likes of me.
Remember not, the likes of me.
Peace is upon me at last.
Note: This was written a long time ago. I just found it today among a bunch of old files.
Remember not, the likes of me.
For I am done with the world of man.
Spare me the glory so vain,
Make me not shrink in shame.
Speak not of the deeds of mine,
Worthy though they may be.
But just once, whisper my name into the dark night,
For into it I have gone.
Remember not, the likes of me.
Remember not, the likes of me.
Peace is upon me at last.
Note: This was written a long time ago. I just found it today among a bunch of old files.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
