The Taj Mahal is beautiful. Built by a man who loved his wife so much, he decided to erect a monument for her. And not just any monument, mind you. This was unique. He put everything he had into building it. Hired the best hands around India and the neighbouring areas and they, together, built him one of the most beautiful structures in the world. Tourists from all around the world brave the shithole that is Agra to see this supposed jewel.
But at what fucking price? Shah Jahan wanted this to be the only one of it's kind, and it was easy for the 20,000 workers to do it again, given the raw matieral, time and some money. He couldn't have that, no. The arrogant fuck cut all their hands off, so that they'd never be able to do that again.
40,000 of the most beautiful hands rotted that day.
That isn't beauty anymore. Those craftsmen were amazing at what they did. No, it doesn't just end there. They *lived* to do what they did. It was what gave their life meaning. Suddenly, they are punished for their limitless talent. How do you go on living after that? Sure, the human spirit has more resolve than people think, but this is way beyond that limit.
That isn't beautiful at all.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
What changes?
You wake up in the morning, and you do the same thing you do every day. What changes? You make the arguement that with a clear routine, your life has meaning. What gives your life meaning? Don't get me wrong, this isn't an attack on the general public. This is for me to give my life some purpose.
I realise, very well, the importance of discipline and good habits. But I also see the need for an impulsive outlook on life. Where do these two ideologies meet?
On a different note, I have a story worth sharing.
The want for sushi in Japan grew as time passed. Fishermen had to go out further into sea to catch the fish as demand rose. But an issue arose. The Japanese public wanted extremely fresh fish, and the further the fishermen went out to catch the fish, the less fresh it was. An interesting dilemma. Then one guy had a brilliant idea; why don't we put a large tank of water in the boats so we don't actually "catch" the fish as much as transport them? This was brilliant, but still the Japanese complained. The fish just wasn't the same, they said. So the idea was pushed another step. Why don't we put a shark into the tank? Sure, the shark would eat some of the fish, but the rest of the fish would be as natural and fresh as could be. And it worked, like a charm.
Someone told me that story, and then asked me, "So, what's the shark in your tank?"
I ask you now. What's the shark in your tank?
I realise, very well, the importance of discipline and good habits. But I also see the need for an impulsive outlook on life. Where do these two ideologies meet?
On a different note, I have a story worth sharing.
The want for sushi in Japan grew as time passed. Fishermen had to go out further into sea to catch the fish as demand rose. But an issue arose. The Japanese public wanted extremely fresh fish, and the further the fishermen went out to catch the fish, the less fresh it was. An interesting dilemma. Then one guy had a brilliant idea; why don't we put a large tank of water in the boats so we don't actually "catch" the fish as much as transport them? This was brilliant, but still the Japanese complained. The fish just wasn't the same, they said. So the idea was pushed another step. Why don't we put a shark into the tank? Sure, the shark would eat some of the fish, but the rest of the fish would be as natural and fresh as could be. And it worked, like a charm.
Someone told me that story, and then asked me, "So, what's the shark in your tank?"
I ask you now. What's the shark in your tank?
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