Gangadhara

Reply to What is Truth? in Philosophy JoeUser Forums

I agree with the last comment. Some more of my thought on this subject. I believe that there is, in a sense, no one universal truth. I say this because everyone's reality is different and, is madeup of each person's perceptions. So, what is false? This, if taken to a logical or, illogical extreme, also becomes difficult to define. Now, history is written by the people who win wars and conquer countries, or so it is said and, what we have in history boo

Reply to What is Truth? in Philosophy Stardock Forums

Okay, error on my part there!! I guess that I was still in the 'emotion' of the movie that I kinda got mixed up on that one. But, the basic premise remains.

What is Truth? in Philosophy JoeUser Forums

I just saw "The Passion of The Christ". Or, is it called "The Passion of Christ"? Whatever. I think that this isone of the most powerful movies that I have seen. And, one of the most disturbing. It's violent and, the relentless violence can seem, by some to be overdone. And yest, I don't think so. I believe that the violence is essential to the movi

India's Day Of Shame in International JoeUser Forums

India's election is drawing to a close. And, what drama it has been. We've had 5 years of governance by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Not blemishless, mind you but, stable. There have been hiccups like the racial riots that took place in Gujarat. And, that was followed up by the victory of Narendra Modi in the state elections. But, on the whole, a pretty

In Praise of The Indian Dhaaba in Travel JoeUser Forums

I spent a week in Japan recently. This was the first time in my life that I drove outside India. And, the first time in my life that I drove a car with automatic gears. I am sure those of you read this must think - Where the bloody hell have you lived, fellow?? Anyway, spare me. We don't live in the lap of luxury in India, you know!! But, life is good there.<

Reply to Beyond 1984 - The Age of Disinformation in Philosophy JoeUser Forums

I like the idea of what you say. Maybe, I wil try that. It's not the easiet thing to do. To create your own mould. That is very interesting indeed!! To some extent, I also suppose it means that you break out own your own. You follow your own path. Yes?? Perhaps, the best is to walk along a path, wherever it may lead you..

Beyond 1984 - The Age of Disinformation in Philosophy JoeUser Forums

Here's to bitching around!! Okay, I read this book '1984' a very long time ago. Pretty well written but, sombre book. The general impressoin left on me was one of depression. I went away with this rather horrific feeling that we are all subject to mind control in some form of another. In the book, I think that this is taken to the extreme, where Big Brother contr

Reply to Animal Farm in Politics JoeUser Forums

Wel, well Mysterie. I am beginning to enjoy this!! Okay, let me respond to you in one sense - since you seemed to get into the argument or, debate, in a strange manner. Well, first of all, your interpretation of 'Animal Farm' is pretty superficial in itself. You have simply taken your dislike for the communists and have interpreted the events in the book to suit your perception!! Yes?? Let's talk about thoughts and, ideas. Both are born of the bra

Reply to Animal Farm in Politics JoeUser Forums

Yep, we read the same book. About communism? Nah, I don't think so. About the 'original' thoughts. C'Mon. How do you define a truly original thought? We all quote people and, we interpret them in our own ways. It's the interpretation that is original, not the actual quote. The reason for the examples used - they are 'live' examples. Simple. No more, no less. So, was 'Animal Farm' about communism or democracy? Or, was it about human

The Bloodying Of God!! in Politics JoeUser Forums

All right, before I sleep. One more for the road. This has been inspired by all this stuff about Bush and Saddam Hussain. And, 'the war against terror' and, whatever else you have. We all dislike terrorists. They mess up our lives. They create mayhem wherever they go. They kill innocent people. In horrific ways. Why should the people who dies in the Twin Tow

Reply to Experiment In Angkor Wat!! in Scenery JoeUser Forums

This is scanned. I think that I shall have to buy my own scanner and do this editing!! My secy does this for me right now. Anyway, have to upgrade my own hardware. But, I'll try this anyway..

Reply to Animal Farm in Politics JoeUser Forums

Okay, I have to respond to some of these comments. First, I was not writing specifically about Bush. Though I do believe that the war in Iraq was unjustified. That Saddam was a dictator is something that no one, save Saddam himself, would deny. But, what was the provocation? Those who recall some of the comments made by Bush and his team would remember that he did, several times, talk about pre-emptive strike at the source of threat. If so, you ent

Animal Farm in Politics JoeUser Forums

Last night I was out for dinner with some of my Chinese colleagues and, we got to talking about whether or not people in China could make jokes about their leaders. The general consensus was that, they could not. At least, not publicly. Obviously. Who in China would dare to do this. So, one of the great tests of democracy was that people in other countries co

Experiment In Angkor Wat!! in Scenery JoeUser Forums

Okay, since the photos from my LiJiang trip seem to have disappeared, I am going to try putting up one more photo here. Sunset at the Angkor Wat. If it works, fantastic. Else, I shall stick to my other blog http://travels.motime.com </f

The Presence Of Siva in Religion JoeUser Forums

And, here's more on the Vedic Gods. People have said that much of the Vedas is ossified nonsense. Maybe so. Maybe so. The fact remains that the Vedas were probably relevant to their times. In fact, much of what is said in the Vedas remains valid even today. Consider this marvellous hymn: " Then neither non-existent nor existent was there, no realm of air, nor the s

Speaking Of Siva in Philosophy JoeUser Forums

I've just read two books on Siva. One recounted the mythology of Siva, written by a Western woman. Called, 'In The Presence Of Siva' and, the other, by an Indian, called 'The Concept of Rudra-Siva Through The Ages'. Both, excellent books but, both on a different trip, as it were. The first book recounted the myths and, has a sense of magic and mystery about it. You can, at times, almost feel the mystery of Siva. It's not a scholarly book, in

Walking In LiJiang in Scenery JoeUser Forums

Well hey, this is a bit old, you know. I went to LiJiang in October 2003. Nice place actually. Sadly, the enlargements of my photos have turned out grainy. Anyway, so be it. LiJiang, in Yunnan province of China. About 2,000 mts above sea level. Home to the Naxi community, a minority in China. In the shadow of the Snow Mountain, as they call it. And the Tiger Leaping Gorge on the Yangtze River. The new town is like any lousy old new

A New Beginning in Misc JoeUser Forums

This is yet another new blog for me. This is, in some ways, a plain vanilla site but, it's a nice one. I like it. I don't quite know why. Today's the day I ot my 360 degree evaluation and, as my nearest and dearest said - it's all about managing perceptions, baby!! Perception is reality at the end of the day. I also remember I attended this training programme recently. 'Stronger Every Day'. Pretty superficial stuff. We were taught ab