== Random Ramblings==. Review on General Thoughts About MouthShut

*Section I

*A lot of you know who I really am and those of you who do not can find out very easily. I have made no specific qualms about letting it be known. But I still ask you to refrain from talking far too much about it. This is my identity. I am lomA writing as DismantleBrigade. That is who I am and that is what you will call me. Thank you.

*Section II

In the last few days, I have been witness to very interesting events. They are interesting, yes, but not new the least. The first of those events was Usman's review on this very topic about a certain Mr. Alk Ranjan. The second was Nandeeta Oberoi-Sharma's review under this file and the third was Usman's outburst on Tamil Raja. Through most of these reviews, I was reminded of one very strong principle of life that my father had given me. **The only thing people have in common is that they are all unique and they are all weird and there is nothing you can do about it but grin and bear it. Why am I saying this?

Humans have a permanent predisposition to achieve a state of "Actualization". Those of you who have read Maslow on this subject would know better. "Actualization" is a state of completion. We seek completion in being wealthy, wise, respected and famous. Different people prioritize these aspects differently. Some desire fame at all costs. In fact, most of us desire fame at all costs. And that is where most of the trouble lies.

One more principle in life that my father told me, which I want to repeat to you. Jealosy is the most natural of all human emotions purely because jealosy is the product of the inner feeling of being incomplete or not fully enlightened in contrast with the perception that someone else is. So I try not to bother and I advise everyone to do the same. We're all naturally jealous creatures.

*Section III

My favorite question is- **Why Am I Here? It's a very interesting question. Let us put the question in the MouthShut context and try to answer it.

Technically, we are here as consumers to voice our feedback on products. Therefore, essentially, this is a place where we seek to establish an indirect dialogue with manufacturers, not with each other. However, it is also a place where we can speak of our opinions, like under the categories of General Advice or Tips on some matters. So therefore this is a combination of a feedback forum and a consumer's forum. We are not here really to discuss philosophy.

I can see a dozen people running after me with a huge noose labelled "We have freedom of speech" to hang me to death for stating what I did above. I agree that we have freedom of speech But I do not like to exercise my freedom of speech at the cost of my sense of purpose. I

*Section IV

One of the things that I hear a lot from my friends and from people on MouthShut is the famous line, "The times have changed; this is the 21st century, the age of computers and super-modern technology and so age-old cultural beliefs should be discarded". I feel very hurt to hear that.The truth is that, over the years, men have remained the same. The only thing that changed was the tools he used. **So you see, our cultural beliefs have little to do with whether you want to use E-banking or whether you prefer the local Kotwal.

We are human beings and therefore it is expected(although I really cannot be a very good defendant of the legitimacy of this expectation) that we should behave under the influence of something more substantial, something spiritually more enabling than mere instinct. Every other species lives on instinct, of amassing food, guarding territory and seeking the best sex. There is nothing terribly human about these instincts. All organisms have it. If we are human beings, then there must definitely be something to differentiate us from them.

We're just more sophisticated than the weaver bird that builds a complex nest of intertwined twigs. We are smarter than elephants who communicate using vibrations on the earth. I agree, but still our achievements in the terrestrial, earthly science are just very highly magnified versions of intelligence that we find in other organisms.

The human being is a unique species because it is a spiritual being in addition to being a physical being. Therefore, you see, without culture we no longer remain humans. Culture does not mean subjugation and exploitation. Culture means moral and ethical living. And yes, one more thing. Freedom of expression does not mean the right to speak whatever that one intends to speak. Freedom of expression is the duty to say what the world needs to hear. There is a big, big difference.

*Setion V

*I am a feminist myself. But my feminism is very different. It does not manifest in trying to say that a woman can do whatever she likes and if anyone raises a question on a woman's behavior then it is chauvinism and subjugation. My feminism manifests in trying to persuade people that "male and female" is only an anatomical difference. Inside, intelectually and spiritually, we are all the same, whether males or females. We all seek happiness, satisfaction, a sense of achievement and a sense of self-worth.

But unfortunately, modern feminists are not like that. Do these modern feminists know that the real "Women's Empowerment" movement started with the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, which organized women of villages, trained them in semi-skilled and skilled vocations like stitching, handicraft and kitchen farming, supplied them with credit and tried to make them financially independent so that they could feed themselves and their children, thereby reducing their social dependence? That is feminism. Devote your intellects, your time and energy and your wealth in trying to further that movement. I will bow to you with respect.

I do not believe feminism has anything to do with the entertainment industry. I don't think Rakhi Sawant has anything to do with feminism. I cannot equate nudism with feminism, I'm sorry and then it does not matter which generation we're talking about. This is one reality check that I always wanted to draw here, on MouthShut.

*Section VI

Indians have always known to be a cultural race. We have always been known for our intellectual wealth. We have always been respected for our spiritual superiority. It definitely has to mean something. I invite everyone to study our ancient literature and culture to understand the principles behind it.

Do you know that Manu defined the Brahmin as "He who seeks to achieve and spread, among those who seek to achieve, knowledge of the permanent truth". Did you know that it was political greed and not the teachings of Manu Smriti that made our Varna system heridatory?

Let us all put things into perspective. Let us all study the principles behind our ancient literature. Let us not be ungrateful children of a great race who discard their ancient culture and teachings simply because they are far too absorbing, intellectually demanding to understand than the simplistic hedonism that our Western brothers offer us.

Consider my plea with an open mind.

= Finis=