Smokers’ Corner: With, within, without
Over the decades, the 1956 science-fiction film, ‘The Forbidden Planet,’ has been elevated by film critics to be a vintage Hollywood sci-fi classic.
In the sci-fi genre it is sometimes placed right along side director Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 masterpiece, ‘2001: A Space Odyssey,’ as being one of the most intellectually rich sci-fi movies of all time.
‘Forbidden Planet’ takes place in the 23rd Century where a spaceship is sent from Earth to a planet that is 16 light years away to find out what happened to a space probe that was sent to the planet 20 years ago.
On reaching the planet, the captain and crew members of the spaceship find a scientist and his family who tell the investigation party that an unknown force had destroyed the probe and killed the inhabitants of the planet.
After facing attacks from the same unknown force/entity that is largely invisible, the spaceship crew finally figures out that the force is actually the subconscious manifestation of the scientist himself, triggered by a machine invented by him.
The scientist continues to deny this until he is finally convinced that the shadowy entity that is going about slaughtering the planet’s inhabitants is indeed the expression of his own subconscious mind and/or the manifestation of what German psychologist, Freud, called ‘the id’.
The film’s plot has always fascinated me; especially when I have wondered whether the unprecedented spats of violence by religious extremists that have been haunting Pakistan for years now, may be physical manifestations of our own collective subconscious.
This might also explain the inexplicable state of denial or silence that we as a nation usually fall into every time some entity goes on a killing spree in the name of faith.
May be our Dr Jekyll is simply refusing to realise that the despicable, chaotic and evil Mr Hyde is actually an extension of our own being and not some alien force unleashed across our Land of the Pure.
It is as if the figurative demons of hatred repressed deep within our sub-consciousness have suddenly leaped out to become a horrifying, tangible reality.
Laying latent in us have been awkward fantasies about gallant military takeovers and bloody revolutions based on rotating myths of bravado and a worldview that has no room for any grey areas.
Such a state of mind has given birth to a cringing mindset radiating a somewhat delusional sense of chauvinism, patriotism and ideological self-indulgence, but one that also comes attached with a persecution complex and an obsessive-compulsive need to deny and deflect one’s own failures.
Though most of us are only willing to exhibit our quivering religious/sectarian and ‘patriotic’ biases in the shape of the usual knee-jerk rhetoric on the internet and the TV, it won’t be all that wrong to suggest that most of what is harmlessly spilled out as patriotic rants in cyber space or the media, has now found its physical expression.
These are the physical manifestations of the demons of hatred most of us have been nurturing in our minds; demons fed by decades of ‘education’, propaganda or mythical tall tales of bluster and glory that have only ended up conspiring to isolate the Pakistani nation from reality.
We have been carved out and crafted (by the state, the clergy, the media and the class room), as a people who are on a divine mission to safeguard faith from its many (largely imagined and demagogically concocted) ‘enemies’.
We think of ourselves as being the chosen people and (thus) are quick to deny and hide most of our own failings by claiming that, No! These failures do not stem from our bloated perceptions about ourselves.
Instead, to most of us these failings are due to any number of diabolic forces named and numbered and then wrapped in the usual deflective clichés that are spontaneously spouted out by preachers, politicians and patriots out there: i.e. the lingering residue of ‘colonialism,’ malicious designs of ‘anti-Islam/anti-Pakistan forces’, American tinkering and intervention and, of course, democracy, liberalism, secularism…
The truth is, on most occasions than not, it has very much been us and us alone who have brought this country to its knees.
The inflexible, intolerant and gun-totting strain of the faith that was glorified from the 1980s onwards gradually began making a number of us believe that what we had (peacefully) been practicing as our religion before this was perhaps wrong.
We began to doubt our faith the way it was. The crises turned itself into a daunting dilemma of identity. Subtlety in matters of faith went out the window. The new Pakistani society started to judge this subtlety as a sign of weak faith. Consequently everything according to us and our faith became loud and pertaining to sheer exhibitionism.
Our faith’s spiritual dimensions were clipped away and it was made to freeze and lose its evolutionary and progressive spirit. It then became just another political and social ideology. A lumbering dogma.
Such a dogma means nothing spiritually to an individual. But it does detach him from the progressive and evolutionary character and body of the faith. Add politics to this mixture and you have a disaster in the making.
The violence that this country faces today in the name of faith is not very different from the violence that our state, politicians, media, and text books have instilled in each one of us.
Indeed, when we sit quietly looking in horror at images on TV of the carnage caused by a suicide bomber on our soldiers, policemen, politicians and common civilians, isn’t this a deep, dark reflection of all that was instilled and nurtured in our own heads?
That is, the idea of faith not as a spiritually, intellectually and morally enriching path, but as a demagogic, politicised weapon to retain social, political and economic power. The power to exploit.
The day we finally realise that God alone has the wisdom and right to determine and judge the level and status of one’s faith is when we may finally reign in the monster that is largely a horrendous and unwitting manifestation of our own self-righteousness and religious biases.
NFP, this was absolutely brilliant. It chilled me to my very core the moment I realized the point you were making… we all cower at the feet of the beast we’ve bred.
” the idea of faith not as a spiritually, intellectually and morally enriching path, but as a demagogic, politicised weapon to retain social, political and economic power. The power to exploit.”….Thats what Jinnah did….used religion as a cause to protect the feudal landlords, who were vary of Congress commitment to land reforms
this blog seems to be quite popular in India. whenever there is a post, which is commentable in DAWN, indians swarm in like bees to rate up what they like and dont miss any opportunity to bash Pakistan and Muslims and glorify the country with the most poor people in the world.
As you can see they are trying to rate you down too. No matter, a hundred thousand lies or more cannot undo a single truth.
Article is good.. comments even better.. especially of abbastoronto regardless of high number of down thumbs
I thoroughly enjoyed the article and for a change, I enjoyed the comments even more. We know how histories are written. We have to look at the end result. We ignore to read anything negative and thrive on half baked historical glories. We must stop blaming others and try to make changes within ourselves to make our society an example. As long as we play being victims, we will never accept responsibilities and we will never grow up.
AdviceFrom__US: AOA
Many thanks. I am trained in arms – father was an Army man and I handled his sten guns when young. Then I spent 3 years in Air Force. Yes, I am thinking of getting a gun here in the US.
You are right on about Muslim proficiency in peaceful use of side arms as a required religious duty. If it was in my power military training would be compulsory for all men and women in Pakistan, and the standing Army disbanded.
Pakistan, like America, is a system that can be destroyed (flattened by Nuclear for example) but never occupied, and our enemies know it.
Does not matter: Greetings
1. Free Enterprise: Islam does not believe in Controlled Enterprise – Big Business, but Free Enterprise – small business. Our Prophet was a small businessman trader, so was our First Kaliph, and early Muslims. They defeated Big Business Umayyads, Bankers Banu Abbas, trade monopolist infidels, and yehud. Here in the West, Big Business has led to financial meltdown, and Big Business will do the same to India. Small business creates all innovation and jobs. One does not have to be “small” to be a small business. Microsoft and Apple are multinationals, but still “small” businesses, and very Islamic too. Both eschewed interest by not having any debt (until Ballmer wrecked MS) and Jobs’ father was a Muslim.
2. Free Trade: Jinnah had free trade with India and the world. Pakistan not giving MFN to India is political, and bad economics. Islam is for a border-less world with free movement of people, goods, and money.
3. Alliance with west: Not West, but America. I do not want to cut and paste from earlier posts, but I explained before that US and Pakistan have psychological reasons for being allies. In an invited lecture to the Naval College in Karachi a year ago I argued that in coming years Pakistan will be the senior partner in the relationship because Islam is rising and Corporate Capitalism is in trouble.
4. Friendship with China: Yes, India does have trade with China, but still loses sleep over Chinese encirclement.
5. Distancing from Socialism: Land owners are feudal and are in retreat as Pakistan industrializes and urbanizes. Pakistan did trounce India’s guiding star – the Soviet Union.
6. Distancing from West: Unlike India, Pakistan has not fallen from the frying pan straitjacket of Corporate Socialism to the fire of Reaganomics/Thatcherism. America and the West are paying the price after 30 years in demise of middle class, a divided society, and financial meltdown. India will start paying the price 30 years later too, in 10 years (1990+30=2020). Enjoy the party while it lasts.
Best wishes
Well so you must know that Pakistan Industry is having nightmares about Indian companies flooding the Pakistani markets and that is why they are so opposed to MFN status to India and so your argument about Islam being a supporter of trade does not hold truth , at least in case of Pakistan so may be Pakistan is not “true” Islamic country. I also don’t understand why do you have this misunderstanding about US and Pakistan being natural allies or having same psych because the notion of freedom in US is totally different of what is perceived in Pakistan. Whatever freedom is left in Pakistan would be under threat once NATO leaves the area and likes like JI and TTP will shake hands to take over. For situation between China and India, i think if such a large trade is at stake, both will not try to do something foolish to destroy that and may be India can leverage it against Pakistan to pursue China to shy away from the friendship which is “deeper than the sea and higher than the Himalayas”. And please don’t think Pakistan did anything to trounce former USSR. It was US money and Afghan fighters which led the USSR retreat. Pakistan just played a middle man just like it is playing now although playing a double game this time. And finally , India may still enjoy the 30 year party but would the Pakistani economy survive that long? It may still play its nuclear blackmail game to get some more aid but eventually West would stop it and China can not give much ride on its back.
You are as clueless about how the world works as any other Fauji in Pakistan.
Thought provoking.
@abbastoronto: “Yes, I am thinking of getting a gun here in the US”
WLA. Good for you. But using a semi-auto is very different from military small arms. I had experience with all those, more…plus preliminary qualification in sniper and qualification in biathlon where you run on mountain ridges and take down targets as they pop up for a few seconds. I was a natural there as my heart beat was around 45 at rest and 65 running up a hill with gun, back-pack, and ammo.
However developing command of a semi-auto took 6months, shooting practice every day and thousands of rounds expended. I could then take down multiple moving targets in dark dim light without sighting…a muscle memory reflex accuracy. I had to just think it in and the bullet went there as if on its own.You will know what I mean when you try…the gun becomes like your hand, finger, pen, a tool. You can write in the dark can’t you?
Recall Raymond Davis. He was good. Very good. Too bad I was not there.
Many thanks for the advice.
But in an urban setting the idea is not take someone down, but provide deterrent so that the other guy refrains from using his.
Wow…gun slinger impressive!!!!
Why my post was not on the wall. When u write logic. U try to censor it.
Nadeem F Paracha, finally you have hit the bull after persistent criticizing the Mullah. Here is the catch, we left the most important subject of religion at the mercy of lower strata of society. Consequently none of the Revivalists from Sir Syed to Iqbal to Moududi to Ghamidi is product of these religious institutions. Thanks for your enlightening column. Read “Islamic Thought & Revivalists”: https://t.co/oXnru9uY
Hamean qutl ker rahain hain, humean qutl ho rahain hain
This highly intellectually when you say whatever is happening in Pakistan is the subconscious manifestation with us Pakistani. Only psychologists and those who read psychology and sociology would be able to understand this phenomena. When our respected parliamentarians pay homage to the world’s notorious terrorist Osama bin Laden (a symbol of terrorism), i don’t think so there would be more virulent case of the (monster of the id) any where in the world, then the one our politicians depict. We have so many kinds of the monsters of the id, those who unleashed their terror on the innocent people through daily bomb blasts and suicide attacks, and those, who are their apologists. Pakistan is hellbent on destroying itself, while putting all the blame on the outer world. Without a separation of Islam and the state, Pakistan’s future is dark and bleak.
You mean the true Islam or Pakistani Islam?\
I mean The Pakistani version(s) of Islam. the so called the pseudo versions.
Any one interested in a much wider perspective on why people choose to wear religions on their lapels and get more interested in minutiae of their religious practices rather then the principles, should read “Battle for God” by Karen Armstrong; a though provoking book. .
Also read her limited edition book “Muhammad: A Prophet for Our Time”.
An ex-Catholic nun, she is a great admirer of Prophet Muhammad and considers him a modern and right person for the presentdifficult times and has written a number of books on his life. Great research and excellent reading.
A great read.
It all comes from our history, when mighty caliphs ruled over non-Muslim Europe. This empire lasted for almost a thousand years. Muslims introduced the concept of Algebra that made Christians develop the pointed arch that graced Europe’s impressive Cathedrals, where thrones of bishops were placed. Besides Muslims introduced rice, apricots and paper. Muslims gave them Geometry and they gave them Chemistry and many other arts, and Christians in Europe used it, and now it is shame for Muslims; that glory and that splendor is so hard to forget and the Muslims, have never forgiven ourselves for having lost all that, and now when Europe has developed and made an unchallengeable progress, now Muslims feel that it all happened to them and not to Muslims because they were not good Muslims or good soldiers of Caliphs. . They tried to forget it for hundreds of years, but it is still there in their sub conscious!
Very respectfully, I would like to contend this argument of historical Muslim supremacy (notions like Muslims invented algebra and geometry. I also live in the west and have tried to do research on this argument. Sadly, the only solace I found was learning that Muslims at that time had the audacity to learn from Greeks, Persians and Hindus and promote those concepts. How can we say that we gave them geometry? Why have we forgotten people like Pythagoras and Euclid? I think that the writer is trying to point out this very fact that in our subconscious we have these false notions of our supremacy that make us think that we and only we are the best nation in the world!
Your statement is not based on facts, is untrue, false. I can give detailed references if you so chose and the moderator allows.
No. Sir, I did not forget Pythagoras and I did not forget Euclid and all learned Persians, Greeks and Hindus. What I forgot was that I didn’t say that though Muslims introduced these things in Europe, but they were not the inventers or discoverers of everything. Sorry for the misunderstanding. One more thing to go with the arguemnt, how come we lost this scientific knowledge. Knowledge cannot be stolen and you can never be without it once you get it. Therefore the entire notion of this supremacy is eronious.
You both are partially true….There are many contributors to the knowledge Europeans went on to develop further…Numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,0 were in use in the subcontinent for more than thousand years before Arab traders introduced them to Europeans.
Imagine writing Pi value 3.14159265 in English numerals. I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX …Without the Indian numerals solving mathematical problems and expressing them would have been very difficult.
Alfred Noble made his money from gun powder….Chinese were the inventors and West has stolen it from China.
Using silk route….China, the only silk producing nation use to make its money, before West smuggled silkworms from China …Thus silk route collapsed and china lost its trade with West.
Algebra…..initially developed in Babylonia….present day Iraq
Modern History of Science was written by Westerners…..so it was not un-biased.
Absolute Rubbish…!
Muslims lost all that glory because they started to fight amongst themselves like idiots. We are idiots to think that faith alone will restore the equation. We need the benefits of faith first like justice, compassion and gratitude. That’s what we really lost.
“We are idiots to think that faith alone will restore the equation. ”
You may not understand te power of faith: A Muslim’s faith forbids him/her to raise arms against another Muslim irrespective the cause. A Muslim is not allowed to raise arms against a non-Muslim unless invaded or attacked by him/them.
When injured, damaged, attacked…a Muslim must seek justice, equity, or made whole through compensation and apology—or else retribution, vengence and revenge in mandatory. Forgiveness if from the heart is also accepted.
War once imposed on Muslims requires 100% unity and fight to death till the invader stops and asks for peace. Peace is haram while armed forces of the invader are in Muslim lands.
Please check your facts . Muslims introduced Rice and paper ? Whole world knows Rice was first cultivated by Chinese in Hyoang ho civilization and then by Indians in Indus civilization . Paper was introduced by Chinese also , not any muslim . You also talked about Geometry . History says geometry was started in Egypt ( some give credit to Hindus ) when they built pyramid for their Pharos and at that time Islam was not born . You are being fed false things , which is very bad .
If you ask Zakir Naik, muslims invented everything on this planet. From nuclear bomb to aeroplanes, it was the west who stole those muslim ideas and took all the credit.
Other societies have evolved and adjusted with the times, but the Islamic world has remained static and is a still a prisoner of the past.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=73924&Cat=9
Dear Mr. Aga,
If you care read history(plenty of it is available on the net) you would understand who gave what to the world. The things you described as Muslim contributions are simply untrue.It is certainly true that seafaring & galloping Arabs carried from East to West and the other-way round the EXISTING knowledge, philosophy, art & science of ancient India & Iran from Asia & Greek & Rome from present day Europe to each others’ regions.Egypt again was a great civilization that made huge contributions in the field of knowledge.
All these civilizations existed much before the advent of Islam!
We in India are extremely proud of our rich heritage & culture as also described in our ancient texts from 2500 BC onwards. Please care to read Vedas / Upanishads/ Puranas/ Smritis/ UpVeads like Yoga ,Ayurveda, Natya shastra etc.etc,etcI can go on & on and other numerous greeco-roman texts,including Megasthenes ‘Indica’ or the book ‘periplus of erithrean sea’.All written much before the christian era. It will certainly do you good to know what India was. Simlarly, read about Greek & Roman and Egyptian history or simply visit these countries to see for yourself the magnificent structures constructed much more than 2000 years & you will understand the fallacy of your argument.All these will open your eyes for sure.
However,I must add here that knowledge is not the domain of any one people or race.Its dynamic & one has to constantly seek it. We realize that in India & endeavour to teach our children the newer frontiers of science & learning, so that we achieve greatness surpassing our difficulties & stand tall n the comity of nations.
Dear Mr. Anand, You said nothing that I do not agree with. I agree with one hundred percent of what you said. What I said above was misunderstood. That’s all. Muslims did introduce these arts and sciences to the west but Muslims were not inventers or discoverers of everything. And thank you for pointing it out.
The problem is converted Hindus seek glory not from civilizations which are credited with achievements but from ones which pretend to these achievements.
Omigod. Another pissing contest. Muslim breast thumping vs Hindu bravado.
The fundamental question of existence is Survival, Growth, and Evolution, and every people try to better their chances by developing science and technology. Necessity is the mother of invention. Knowledge we create in embedded in the economy around us.
The Hellenes (from Athens) had a Trading economy, so their earlier civilization, and then after their Renaissance in Europe, all inventions were tied to the need for trade and travel.
Islam is a special case. It began as a Trading civilization (Mecca like Athens was a trading economy). But it expanded far more than Athens, and the new lands it acquired (Egypt, Syria, Turkey, India) were not trading but agrarian. So it had to adapt backwards. Many of its inventions were use in agrarian economy and some were for trade and travel.
India and China had agrarian economies, so their math and science were tied to agriculture, and of not much use to the advanced civilizations of the Greeks and Islam.
Islam began as a Secular Republic in Medina, but later the theocratic Kaliphate that morphed into Monarchy was the main culprit of the later Muslim debacle.
There were exceptions. In Egypt in 970, the Republic minded Fatimides set up the first modern secular university al-Azhar in Fustat (Cairo) giving instruction in natural sciences, medicine, law, and ethics, well before the first religious European university in 1088 (like 5th century Indian Nalanda that was also religious). Al-Azhar’s output in 11th century was secular.
But the Famed Saladin, based on a Fatwa of Al-Ghazzali that research on matter was ungodly, shut Al-Azhar and re-opened it as a madrassah that it remains to this day. Muslims today are not prepared to blame this hero for their present state of ignorance.
I predict that with Globalization and Free Trade, and Islam being the natural and the only religion for this economy, Muslim innovations will outstrip those of others by far. The Hellenes are on a banana peel, and India is still mired in agrarian Hinduism (the penetration of the West is still skin deep).
So Muslims and Hindus, beat it. What counts is not the past, but the future. Let the best man win.
@abbastoronto
very entertaining post..
Hilarious really!