Of all that is possible

This one was written over 6 years ago when I grappling with a lot of ideas that I had encountered in politics and philosophy. Posting it just for the record.

I think, therefore I am? I don't think I think so. Not anymore. The truth (?) of this admission has troubled me for many months now. Nevertheless, it has taken hold of me. I am surprised at myself, really. Even a few months ago, I would have stood my ground against all those raving lunatics, those arm-chair cynics, those fashionable breeds of intellectuals infesting academia in the humanities. I would so readily charge them, be it with holding twisted conversations in a mindless private language and propagating intellectual nihilism, or with perpetuating decadence and despair in the real world. I still would, but not as an avowed follower of Descartes or Popper.

I can no longer deny having taken a turn somewhere. I am yet to figure out where that will lead or if it will lead anywhere at all. Surprisingly, that does not worry me. Rather, I am happy that I have discovered the one common denominator of all puzzles men (and women) have ever grappled with. Complexity. There are no easy answers to anything and there never will be. So what do we do? Get beaten down to a state of submission and defeat? Throw up our hands in despair and desert the ship? Perhaps, engage in intellectual projects aimed at retribution of sorts?

I believe, not. Hence I continue to regard the perpetrators of nihilism with suspicion and skepticism. Yet, I have come to believe that the quest for knowledge cannot regard the world-as-it-is, as the world-as-meant-to-be. That would take away from us many attributes of being human. For instance, the power to imagine, the ability to bring about change. Surely, dreams do not make sense to purveyors of scientific knowledge? But to me, they do, and it is not at the cost of science either. What is science, anyway? Is it not the acknowledgement of possibilities, the power to take imaginative leaps, the courage to defy established norms and entrenched notions of common sense? Over the years, that is how things have come to be, not only in fancy laboratories, but in lives of people everywhere.

Our realm of experiences always points to a world beyond it. It does not constitute the limit; rather human experience is limited by something other to it, and therefore unknowable by it. This idea of 'beyond' encompasses infinite possibilities and our freedom as human beings lies in being able to recognise each of these as a means to transcendence. It is time we took the reigns of the geist in our hands. The owl of Minerva will not fly unless we do.

There is lots of evidence that audiences love Indian Idol. The Emons, the Amits, the Antaras and the Torshas not only hog airtime on television, they actually pervade a good part of India's consciousness. I remember a time when random conversations with grad student friends used to inevitably wind up in that direction. Isn't Emon really the deserving winner? Does Charu even remotely measure up to Deepali? Whatta bitch Richa. We also passionately dissected the voting trends, sighed at the misoginy of Indian voters, and severely reprimanded the regionalism that always seemed to hijack the competition.

However, despite my obsession with Indian Idol over the last three seasons, now running into the fourth, I have not really come to terms with the concept at its core. At one level, I like the idea of talent hunt (however else will the gifted kid in Maslandpur, Bhagalpur, Dausa and Darbhanga see light of the day?) and get sucked in just like any other viewer; nevertheless I'm uncomfortable with the notion of 'talent' being bandied here. I agree some people are supremely gifted and they should be encouraged. But what of others with decent ability, ones who can make the cut given the right kind of training and opportunities? More generally, should we as a society always value inherent abilities over and above - to use a musically relevant word - sadhana? The premium we place on 'brilliance', often discounts that a reasonable amount of intelligence along with opportunities and hard work can go a long way in creating brilliance. Inborn talent is great, but according to me, the attitude that allows one to constantly learn, imbibe and improve is worthier of respect and admiration.

(Salieri never understood the continuum between moderate and genius. Hence I conclude I am not him.)