Resonance is a physical phenomenon I read about in school. The real meaning became clear only when I realized how excited I could get when I met like-minded people. I have not been fortunate to resonate on too many occasions. But when you set your expectations to zero, any positive integer seems high. I told you... pessimism is not that ugly!
"Happiness is promoted by associations of persons with similar tastes and similar opinions." Bertrand Russell
On TV, I was watching the closing ceremony of Kolkata book fair. To show that the book fair not only showcases works of established writers, but also promotes newcomers, the channel showed a happy couple who have jointly authored a book on their first hand experiences of African safari. They were really excited to see their creation seeing the light of the day and being covered by a popular Bengali news channel. The lady was visibly thrilled sharing their stories of following the wildebeest migration from a hot air balloon over the Serengiti National Park. I'm sure it was real fun and worth telling the whole world. I have seen countless faces with dreamy eyes and unkempt hair to roam around haplessly on the streets of Kolkata... that stereotypical look of an aspiring Bengali writer... searching for recognition all through their lives. Such a 'newcomer' would have got at least some encouragement, if not all his/her dues, by that 2 mins of coverage on a big news channel. Instead the channel presented the VP of their Bengali dailies (without revealing his true identity) and his wife as the aspirants standing in front of their own publishing house stall at the fair. Even 2 minutes were too pricey to waste on losers! What they showed as a chance-pick was actually a cherry-pick. His academic track records are impeccable - a perfect 10 by any standard. He is an elite of the elites... 1st in HS (just after his mother's premature demise), 2nd rank holder in BTech (IIT), Gold medalist in MBA (IIM)... who defied all laws of averages and dared a thing called 'luck' with outstanding consistency ... rose to exceptional heights in his professional life at a breakneck speed. He loves football. Does he write? That's wonderful. But donning a cap of a struggling student of Bengali literature, making his foray into the world of writing with an account on African safari... the channel decided to keep those 2 mins within the family. It's OK. They did write a book anyway... a father has a right to promote his son and daughter-in-law. It's not a conflict of interests... it's for the common business interest of the family.
Reality TV has changed a few things about childhood. The kids are alright... thanks to the grooming of these talent-hunters. They don't feel stage fright. They always 'perform'; they 'perform' whenever asked to. They catch expressions and replicate the same while singing, even if it's a raunchy item song or about an intricate tussle of relationships. They dream to win and want to make their parents/grandparents proud. They are fine with missing schools but serious about the judges' comments. They cry when their rivals get eliminated; cry when they win the trophy. They don't restrict themselves into a single genre. They get groomed throughout the weeks of the show - sometimes child labor law may fall short to explain their schedule. They are asked about their 'special' friendships with someone of the opposite sex - the judges and the host never let them forget that. Even their parents enjoy the fun. Their art is their life. I salute their smartness, but feel really sad for them when they finally go back home at the end of the show - either on elimination in the middle or with a trophy. Do their parents have any care for their normal upbringing? Do the parents care even for the statistics to check how many child stars have turned into real celebrities when they grow up? Are they mature enough to understand the differences between 'show' and 'reality'? 80% of the judges are... well, were famous; are out of work now... would not mind blessing and wishing for bright future of a skilled child for money. The rest 20% have no reason to look for talents other than promoting themselves or their friends, colleagues and associates. Celebrities are extremely busy in holding their own positions, in staying ahead of all their rivals. The tear-jerking moments are for sale. Some kids may take things on their strides, others may not be able to go back to the small town and resume their otherwise routine life.
"Happiness is promoted by associations of persons with similar tastes and similar opinions." Bertrand Russell
On TV, I was watching the closing ceremony of Kolkata book fair. To show that the book fair not only showcases works of established writers, but also promotes newcomers, the channel showed a happy couple who have jointly authored a book on their first hand experiences of African safari. They were really excited to see their creation seeing the light of the day and being covered by a popular Bengali news channel. The lady was visibly thrilled sharing their stories of following the wildebeest migration from a hot air balloon over the Serengiti National Park. I'm sure it was real fun and worth telling the whole world. I have seen countless faces with dreamy eyes and unkempt hair to roam around haplessly on the streets of Kolkata... that stereotypical look of an aspiring Bengali writer... searching for recognition all through their lives. Such a 'newcomer' would have got at least some encouragement, if not all his/her dues, by that 2 mins of coverage on a big news channel. Instead the channel presented the VP of their Bengali dailies (without revealing his true identity) and his wife as the aspirants standing in front of their own publishing house stall at the fair. Even 2 minutes were too pricey to waste on losers! What they showed as a chance-pick was actually a cherry-pick. His academic track records are impeccable - a perfect 10 by any standard. He is an elite of the elites... 1st in HS (just after his mother's premature demise), 2nd rank holder in BTech (IIT), Gold medalist in MBA (IIM)... who defied all laws of averages and dared a thing called 'luck' with outstanding consistency ... rose to exceptional heights in his professional life at a breakneck speed. He loves football. Does he write? That's wonderful. But donning a cap of a struggling student of Bengali literature, making his foray into the world of writing with an account on African safari... the channel decided to keep those 2 mins within the family. It's OK. They did write a book anyway... a father has a right to promote his son and daughter-in-law. It's not a conflict of interests... it's for the common business interest of the family.
Reality TV has changed a few things about childhood. The kids are alright... thanks to the grooming of these talent-hunters. They don't feel stage fright. They always 'perform'; they 'perform' whenever asked to. They catch expressions and replicate the same while singing, even if it's a raunchy item song or about an intricate tussle of relationships. They dream to win and want to make their parents/grandparents proud. They are fine with missing schools but serious about the judges' comments. They cry when their rivals get eliminated; cry when they win the trophy. They don't restrict themselves into a single genre. They get groomed throughout the weeks of the show - sometimes child labor law may fall short to explain their schedule. They are asked about their 'special' friendships with someone of the opposite sex - the judges and the host never let them forget that. Even their parents enjoy the fun. Their art is their life. I salute their smartness, but feel really sad for them when they finally go back home at the end of the show - either on elimination in the middle or with a trophy. Do their parents have any care for their normal upbringing? Do the parents care even for the statistics to check how many child stars have turned into real celebrities when they grow up? Are they mature enough to understand the differences between 'show' and 'reality'? 80% of the judges are... well, were famous; are out of work now... would not mind blessing and wishing for bright future of a skilled child for money. The rest 20% have no reason to look for talents other than promoting themselves or their friends, colleagues and associates. Celebrities are extremely busy in holding their own positions, in staying ahead of all their rivals. The tear-jerking moments are for sale. Some kids may take things on their strides, others may not be able to go back to the small town and resume their otherwise routine life.