If political climates were like geographic climates, the weather right now in the Middle East and particularly in Iraq, could be described as “Cloudy religious agendas with an 80% probability of execution.”
In the name of god throats have been slit, promises have been made to justify either the “fun” or the “mental” in “fundamentalism” depends on which deity you pray to, I guess. Its so interesting how far humans can go, when they act in the name of God. Such situations really make me doubt the inexistence of God. Maybe there is really a God?
I have always endeavoured to make a clear-cut distinction between religion - equitable to political inclination and all its possible extremes - and morality, defined as "conformity to ideals of rational human conduct". On this issue, I see no difference between George Bush and the Muslim fundamentalists, because Bush thinks fundamentalists are evil. Everything can be called evil except war which is the only legalised form of mass violence. Iraq is at war. George Bush declared it. Therefore there is nothing illegal in how many Iraqis are surgically bombed by the US Army or how many non-Iraqis are sheep-style-slaugtered by Zaqarwi and Co. To accentuate the similarity, all sides hide their identities ... on one side called helmets on the other side called hoods.
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Friday, June 25, 2004
Monday, June 21, 2004
Just In Case ...i'm Sorry
Firstly, and it's not much of an excuse, this is because I am so busy at work (two jobs) that I can't get anything done there and I'm zonked by the time I get home, (usually it takes me more time to get home than to stay there).
Secondly, I've reached that weird crisis point that spells death for so many blogs: I can't think what to write, and I'm self-conscious about anything I *do* write.
The latter is the killer: I know that I know some of the people who pop in here, even when I haven't posted in ages and all I'm writing is tripe. That freaks me slightly. But there's more: I get the feeling that many of the others, who pop in here pointlessly but regularly, also know me, but I don't know who they are. There are exes and stalkers and rodents from Mars, for all I know.
Secondly, I've reached that weird crisis point that spells death for so many blogs: I can't think what to write, and I'm self-conscious about anything I *do* write.
The latter is the killer: I know that I know some of the people who pop in here, even when I haven't posted in ages and all I'm writing is tripe. That freaks me slightly. But there's more: I get the feeling that many of the others, who pop in here pointlessly but regularly, also know me, but I don't know who they are. There are exes and stalkers and rodents from Mars, for all I know.
Tuesday, June 08, 2004
Rules and Exceptions
Death has never been a cause to celebrate. The exception is Abacha. Abacha was a President and a dictator. He lived in west Africa when he could. He stashed all monies he laid hands on in Swiss banks. His people hoped that he should die. He died in power. His death was not announced until a successor was found. He was the president of Nigeria. Nigeria is a neighbour to Cameroon ... or Cameroon is a to neighbour of Nigeria, it all depends on which side of Bakassi you stand. End of analogies. I've never felt so good taking about "ABACHA".
The Psychology of Rumour
Originality - People are not essentially stupid...Africans are even less so cos of the many pressing issues they deal with daily. That said, few days go by without millions of people falling for hoax warnings of a "dangerous new virus, for which there is no cure". This is despite the e-mails invariably being phrased in near identical terms.
Fear - Paul Marsden is an evolutionary psychologist whose consultancy - Brand Genetics - helps business create "contagious" products and ideas. He says our brains are overloaded with information we encounter in everyday life. "In evolutionary terms our minds are still more suited to the savannah than the supermarket." So in the modern world, anything which corresponds to the crucial things in life, such as sex appeal, status or survival, will "cut through the data fog and capture our attention". The bogus e-mail warnings of a link between anti-perspirant and breast cancer which circulated in 1999 appealed to a more potent fear. The warning claimed that anti-perspirant stopped toxins being purged through the armpits, and the build-up of them led to cancer. It might sound plausible but it is untrue. The American Cancer Society's website felt compelled to reassure people that there was no scientific evidence for the claim.
Status - Being the first person to warn all your friends of something really nasty, or funny, or salacious, or dangerous puts you in a stronger position than them. Paul Marsden says:
"Humans are inveterate copiers - we very rarely design an idea of our own. We are keen to be seen with an idea as we feel it increases our status." Originating something that has "wow" factor for your pals can be gratifying, as well as bolstering your sense of importance.
Contacts - Technology has changed the rumour business, says Mr Marsden.
"Mobile phones and the internet have totally restructured our communication networks. Rumours once built up slowly and steadily, now they can spread like an epidemic." He says rumours can spread particularly quickly through people who are "socially promiscuous" - ie those who know a lot of people.
Firstly, obviously, because they have better contacts books, and more e-mail addresses. And secondly because "these people also have a higher degree of perceived status". In other words, they tend to be opinion makers and are more likely to be believed. So perhaps the adage of the 21st century rumour mill should be: "It's not what you know, it's whom you hear it from."
NB - Despite this, dead men don't walk.
Courtesy of the BBC
The Psychology of Rumour
Originality - People are not essentially stupid...Africans are even less so cos of the many pressing issues they deal with daily. That said, few days go by without millions of people falling for hoax warnings of a "dangerous new virus, for which there is no cure". This is despite the e-mails invariably being phrased in near identical terms.
Fear - Paul Marsden is an evolutionary psychologist whose consultancy - Brand Genetics - helps business create "contagious" products and ideas. He says our brains are overloaded with information we encounter in everyday life. "In evolutionary terms our minds are still more suited to the savannah than the supermarket." So in the modern world, anything which corresponds to the crucial things in life, such as sex appeal, status or survival, will "cut through the data fog and capture our attention". The bogus e-mail warnings of a link between anti-perspirant and breast cancer which circulated in 1999 appealed to a more potent fear. The warning claimed that anti-perspirant stopped toxins being purged through the armpits, and the build-up of them led to cancer. It might sound plausible but it is untrue. The American Cancer Society's website felt compelled to reassure people that there was no scientific evidence for the claim.
Status - Being the first person to warn all your friends of something really nasty, or funny, or salacious, or dangerous puts you in a stronger position than them. Paul Marsden says:
"Humans are inveterate copiers - we very rarely design an idea of our own. We are keen to be seen with an idea as we feel it increases our status." Originating something that has "wow" factor for your pals can be gratifying, as well as bolstering your sense of importance.
Contacts - Technology has changed the rumour business, says Mr Marsden.
"Mobile phones and the internet have totally restructured our communication networks. Rumours once built up slowly and steadily, now they can spread like an epidemic." He says rumours can spread particularly quickly through people who are "socially promiscuous" - ie those who know a lot of people.
Firstly, obviously, because they have better contacts books, and more e-mail addresses. And secondly because "these people also have a higher degree of perceived status". In other words, they tend to be opinion makers and are more likely to be believed. So perhaps the adage of the 21st century rumour mill should be: "It's not what you know, it's whom you hear it from."
NB - Despite this, dead men don't walk.
Courtesy of the BBC
Monday, June 07, 2004
Cowards Die Many Times .... Julius Caesar
The "death" of President Paul Biya of Cameroon has been on the lips of Cameroonians at home and abroad for the past week. Rumour or fact?
The Presidency of Cameroon replied with a communiqué saying it was a "malicious rumour" originated by the "enemies of the state". Who are the enemies of the state? Those who pillage the country or those who want change. In any case there is no surprise about the death of a man who has been Prime Minister and then President for half of his life. At 71 years of age and running for a presidential reminds me of USSR-style politics post 1970.
What are the mechanics of rumour mongering ... or what is the danger of calling a fact "rumour"...or the reverse. As the issue was played over state TV on Sunday night it came to my realisation that all the journalists, institutions and public figures involved had staked their careers on the opposite side of a nation's hope. Like dancing, when you miss a beat, the music does not stop. I love maggots ... i even trust them.
The Presidency of Cameroon replied with a communiqué saying it was a "malicious rumour" originated by the "enemies of the state". Who are the enemies of the state? Those who pillage the country or those who want change. In any case there is no surprise about the death of a man who has been Prime Minister and then President for half of his life. At 71 years of age and running for a presidential reminds me of USSR-style politics post 1970.
What are the mechanics of rumour mongering ... or what is the danger of calling a fact "rumour"...or the reverse. As the issue was played over state TV on Sunday night it came to my realisation that all the journalists, institutions and public figures involved had staked their careers on the opposite side of a nation's hope. Like dancing, when you miss a beat, the music does not stop. I love maggots ... i even trust them.
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