A Time To Reflect

charukesi October 31st, 2003

I just finished reading a fascinating book called ‘Human Instinct’ by Robert Winston. The book is a detailed analysis of the great debate : nature v/s nurture. The question which has been haunting social scientists (and those from the natural sciences too) : which is more powerful in shaping our identity : our genes or our upbringing?

I quote from the blurb : what drives a happily married man to fantasize about pretty, young women seen on a tube train ? Why does a seriously injured mountaineer battle against impossible weather conditions to spend three days crawling down to the safety of the base camp ?…. All of these impulses are driven by our human instincts……

With this, it was impossible for me not to pick up this book. And once I started reading it, it was impossible to put it down. As a student of social psychology, I was particularly enthralled by the range of human emotions covered by Winston, such as risk, trust, competitiveness, aggression and sex drive, to mention only a few. He links all our present-day emotions to our very early days on the wild Savannahs, when our ancestors braved the elements and predators, and survived, passing on their superior, dominant genes to us.

Winston presents his case and explanations in simple idiot-friendly English avoiding heavy mathematical calculations and scientific gobbledygook. Yet, as the book progresses, there is no doubt that all arguments are based on solid experiments, understanding and reasoning.

What I found particularly gratifying was the way the book ended, with a discussion about the notion of a supreme being - god - that goes against all rational, scientific thought and reasoning. Winston says….. but science does not explain everything, and to pretend that it does, seems to me arrogant. That is enough is endear him to all readers, if nothing else.

Whether you are a serious scholar of science, psychology or any related subject, or you merely like reading about human nature, this is a must-read.

• On my bookshelf
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charukesi October 30th, 2003

Been reading a lot about quarter life crisis. Is it quite quarter or one-third life ?

Anyways, quarter-life is the time when you stop suddenly to take stock and say what the *&%^ am I doing with my life??

The time when all childhood and teenage dreams have come to an end. When you disturbingly start seeing things from your parents’ point of view. When you realize that job satisfaction does not arise from where you work or how much you earn. When you even start attending sessions with other crisisees.

I googled and found loads of entries under qlc. In fact, there were a few blogs which popped up with that title. Read this really interesting description of qlc.

I had initiated a small research on my blog on understanding what makes this generation tick. On the growing-up influences of my age cohorts(born in the post-flower child 70s). This idea kept growing when I realized how much my husband and I (who were born in the same year, 1975) had in common even though we grew up in different parts of India. Me in metro, middle-class Madras (yo! for alliteration). And he in small-town AP. There are so many shared experiences we keep exchanging that I wanted to see if others of that time also empathized with this.

Sadly, my research on the blog did not take off too well. A few sporadic responses was all I got. Anyways, thanks a lot folks who bothered to drop a line. I am just summing up here, the responses I got :

Politics / Governance : Manmohanmics, says Kingsley. I remember what a high that was, though we didn’t follow much of it…. Liberalization and opening up of the economy in all ways possible……

The Mandal Report : protesting against it but helpless at some level, the insecurity as students entering college…

Technology: getting used to the world wide web.

Moving from DOS to Windows.

As Patrix says, being born into technology (as today’s kids are) and adapting to it as a ‘young adult’ are two different things. And we did the latter.

Communications : The STD booth boom….. growing into mobile technology

Media : the death of radio and hello television! as all-consuming
Good old DD : Rangoli, Giant Robot, Siddhartha Basu, Prannoy Roy,

Followed by satellite TV - though I still refuse to believe that we are the MTV generation in any way.

Bottom line ? I still have no idea what exactly our growing-up “influences’ were. But I now do know for sure that people circa my age grew up sharing the same experiences that I did…. Do leave a comment; I have hopes of reviving this research sometime…..

The good old days….. Do you miss them the way I do ?!

• Qualitative Research Trends , Indiawatch
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charukesi October 30th, 2003

Have caught an infection from my days at the hospital with hubby during his operation. Doc has ordered total rest for the voice box. Which means no speech for next 2 days. The entire family heaves a sigh of relief at this. Can still hear the echoes

Fortunately, this ban does not extend to my writing. So, here comes !

• The World of Indsight
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charukesi October 28th, 2003

The whole world and it’s little ones are lapping up Harry Potter’s exploits and discovering the charm (no pun intended) of magic and witchcraft and wizardry. In India, it is business as usual for the witch-hunters.

The recent issue of The Week carries a story of gruesome incidents in Chattisgarh involving women allegedly involved in black magic and sorcery. Witch-hunting, common in England and in Europe in the medieval times is still prevalent in most parts of India.

Just one instance. Three women from Lachkera village in Raipur were paraded naked and villagers put burning coal in their mouths in October 2001. This barbaric torture went on for six hours as ‘punishment’ for attempting to make the villagers ill.

Fully exploiting the ignorance and superstitious fears of people, witch hunting is initiated by the opinion leaders in such societies – typically the medical man (quack), or the village head.

And it could be anyone – usually women.

No trial. Only judgment. So much so that the term ‘witch-hunt’ has come to stand for “An investigation carried out ostensibly to uncover subversive activities but actually used to harass and undermine those with differing views”

• Indiawatch , - Gender issues
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charukesi October 27th, 2003

Yet another cover story from Outlook based on a survey. Second time in two issues. This time called rather dramatically, MNCs : Villains or Victims ?

In general, I have nothing against polls as a research tool or when used for prediction or post-mortem.

What I am tired of is the way surveys are increasingly being used as substitutes for editorials in magazines. As quick-fix solutions for attention-grabbing cover stories.

Sex and the Indian Woman. The Great Indian Middle-Class. Why We Hate Our Politicians.

And surely enough, there are enough research agencies who have made their name and monies exclusively through such surveys.

It is a win-win situation for both the magazine and the research agency.

As for the research agency, QADR (Quick And Dirty Research) may not generate much monies, but they spawn enough attention towards the agency. QADR begets further QADR till you become a specialist in that field (as a researcher myself, this is a pet peeve, as you can see. But more on this some other time maybe).

And the magazine can get away with just publishing the results of such surveys. As percentage figures. Adding a few jazzy (and unimaginative) graphs here and there.

What about analysis ? editorial opinion ? discretion ?

For instance, in the last issue of Outlook – Why We Hate Our Politicians, there is a question : Do You Vote ? And 95 % (yes, 95%) of those polled have said, YES.

Even the most naïve citizen of this country (or any country for that matter) has an idea about actual voter turn-outs and knows better than to believe this. But Outlook has faithfully published this result without a murmur. With a line at the bottom saying “The vast majority (95%) claims that they vote during elections. In fact, the claim is Total (100%) in Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad and is the least in Ahmedabad (87%)”

Yes, I can see that. But what does it mean ?

Why do we need the press if all we are getting are percentages and “expert opinions” to add a wee bit of flesh to these numbers ?

These experts are another story altogether. How can the same experts comment on every single phenomenon that the magazine has chosen to cover ? Then, what is the expert an expert on ? The magazine ? Or the social / political issue at hand ? If I see Shiv Vishwanathan’s name in one more such story, I will freak.

In this rosy win-win situation, the ultimate loser is the reader.

• Qualitative Research Trends , Media Matters
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charukesi October 26th, 2003

Barista to shut 10 ‘unviable’ stores…..

How did Barista get unviable ?! It seemed to me that they had a sure winner, anywhere they chose to open shop. After all, they had neatly plugged the long-felt need for a chill-out coffee shop….

In fact, I have often wondered why people (mostly kids with no known income sources of their own - or maybe that’s why) choose to shell out atrocious sums of money for a cup of coffee - by any other name, is still kaapi to me……

And of course, my attitude towards Barista has nothing to do with how ooooolllllddd I feel whenever I step into a Barista (especially the one on Linking Road in Bombay, one of the earliest, never fails to make me feel ancient).

Does this have anything to do with a slow and steady Coffee Day - good coffee at lower prices minus all the frills ?

• Pot-pourri
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charukesi October 26th, 2003

Is DEATH. Man, does that sound dramatic !!

I am talking about Rajiv Gandhi’s memorial at Sriperumbudur recently “dedicated” to the nation by our Prez Dr. Kalam. This “tribute” to Rajiv, which took more than eight years to see the light of day.

With various political and social leaders waxing eloquent about Rajiv’s vision and intensity.

I quote : Likened to the Arjuna’s Penance bas-relief at Mahabalipuram, this frieze attempts to tell a legend. Indeed, the legend of the man who had a dream of a “strong, independent and self-reliant India”.

More on the design : Various quotations of Rajiv Gandhi have been etched at the base of each pillar depicting truth, social justice, modernisation, freedom movement, world peace, progress and development. Each pillar differs in design.

Modernisation, progress and development - I associate immediately with Rajiv Gandhi. But truth ? freedom movement (??? do you think the brief given to the architect contained only the surname and not the full name ?)

Anybody - remember the mammoth task before Rajiv when he came to Sriperumbudur, the general elections around the corner ? At a time when the tide of Bofors and more was threatening to drown him, and along with him the Party bequeathed to him by his mother and grandfather.

Fortunately for him, he died at a most opportune moment.

I perfectly empathise with Patrix when he says he does not understand the attention showered on a person following his death.

Remember Princess Diana ? An entire nation pays obsequies to her today. And her butler’s memoirs become best-sellers. And Elton John gets a new life…..

What would have happened had she lived on ? After death, she caught the popular imagination (read sympathy) of the British public (starved of romance and role models anyway) in a way that she never could while alive.

Remember Hansie Cronje?

In death as in everything else in life, timing is so important……

• - Armchair Analysis
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charukesi October 25th, 2003

Have you ever been stuck in a hole with nothing to read ? I was…. When I came across a recent issue of Women’s Era. The last time I saw the magazine was about eight years ago.

Very little has changed.

None of the thirty ways to thrill your partner in bed or find your man’s hidden pleasure spots and the like for Women’s Era. Go to the Cosmopolitans of the world for such gyan.

What Women’s Era specializes in are “relationships”. Their home-page has Articles on Relationships covering Man, Woman, Child, Husband, Spouse, In-laws, Friends, Office Mates, Buddies, Neighbours, Extramarital (ohmygawd !!) and More. (What more can possibly be there ?)

Typically, their articles read : Thirty ways to please our mother-in-law (not sexually, you pervert). Be your husband’s friend. Tips on dating.

The themes have remained the same over the years.

The tone of the articles also is more or less the same as before; sermonizing, patronizing. Unapologetically regressive. And mundane.

A sample : a self-proclaimed expert (Mr. Amit someone) on dating writes
“On a date” :
- Look Good
- Feel Good
- Be Good

Be good ? Do people actually say BE good in these days of kaanta lagaa and Sex and the City ?!

To be fair to WE, I bet they are feeling the pressures from the market. So Mr. Dating hastens to add : Also be sure to carry your own condoms. Do not wait for the man to take the initiavtive. Of course, he quickly glosses over this bit and hurries on to his next gem. Act modestly at all times.

To use an old favourite of mine, it is not an adult-adult transaction at all (as in case of general interest magazines and even other women’s magazines such as Femina). The relationship is almost parent-child, full of homilies, where the reader is a docile child who laps up such advice and does not mind being spoken to.

If Femina targets the Woman of Substance, who does Women’s Era cater to ? The Woman of Domesticity?!! Where else would you find a serial story on the exploits of Kunti Bai, a maid-servant ?

I am intrigued : Who is the real Indian woman ? And what does she read ?

Femina ? Which is a wannabe-Cosmo / Elle but not quite in that range.

Cosmo ? I am not even sure how much of Cosmo readership comprises women (remember Fair and Lovely, anyone?)

Or is it Women’s Era ?

There is obviously a huge market for this kind of thing. Look at IRS data over the last few years. While most magazines have had a decline in readership (overall 10%), Women’s Era has managed to grow its readership base by 4% (the only other magazines which have gained readers are The Week and Outlook)

India laps up Women’s Era. Kyonki Saas Bhi Its-too-long. Schools for girls of “marriagable age”.

Then, what is progress all about ?

For more on Women’s Era, read V.S. Naipaul in India, a Million Mutinies Now.

• Media Matters , - Print
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charukesi October 20th, 2003

And CALLOUSNESS….

I am writing this as my husband lies in hospital…. Two days after an emergency surgery……

This is the second time in one year for us to be in hospital for surgery. Except that the last time around, I was the patient and was blissfully unaware of what was happening….

So why am I blogging now ? I am so frustrated and appalled by the health-care system….. the doctors, the lab tests, the scan centres, the works….. and I have no other vent now for my feelings…….

I have been feeling somewhat like King Midas…. Expect in reverse….. everything I touch turns into gold for the hospital….. and it is not funny to be at the receiving end of bills every twenty minutes. Bills on blank white paper (no letter-head, no signatures, nothing)… just the room number and an arbitrary amount….. not even a name…. My husband has been reduced to a room number?

This surgeon is highly renowned, a recent Padma Bhushan awardee, has travelled all over the world, has about forty six letters following his name to denote the various degrees he has accumulated over time, and hundreds of photographs along with the who’s-who of Indian politics and filmdom…. Good for him….

He is also an extremely religious man, going by the name of his clinic and the numerous God photos on each wall….. but what has this religiosity taught him ? What does his distinction mean ?

To him, it means the right to treat the patient and his attenders like something that crawled out of the earth….. and charge fees that make even the strong-hearted feel faint…… I keep thinking, how do the poor manage when they fall ill?

We were almost held to ransom just after the surgery, when my husband was in the recovery room…. He was shifted into the ward only after we had paid up the entire amount….. ek haath se do ek haath se lo types……

And there is nothing I can do but watch helplessly….. it is such a vulnerable feeling… to be completely at the mercy of the hospital….. and it is not about the money alone…. It is the entire attitude of callousness which sucks…..

I hope it is a Happy Diwali for us this year……

• The World of Indsight
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charukesi October 16th, 2003

Read this to understand the heights of sycophancy and toadying in Indian politics.

The Tamil movie Deham which is a remake of Pooja Bhat’s Jism was under fire in Tamilnadu for a long while.

And why ? The heroine (or whatever Bipasha Basu is in the movie) is called Sonia in the movie.

So ?

So, how can anyone else in the country can be called Sonia ? She of the Gandhi - Nehru clan….. Apparently, now the movie has been cleared and there is a bleep wherever the name crops up !

All I can think is : Thank God, ShahRukh is called Raj in every movie and not Rajiv……

By the way, there is a new Tamil movie on the floors called Jay Jay….. this should be FUNNNNNNNN…….

• Indiawatch , - Cinema
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