Why do dogs eat grass… nettles… and weeds?

Well – they may be “weeds” to you and me – but – to your dog, they’re a valuable source of vitamins / minerals that form part of their natural diet.
Unfortunately, they can only digest the very youngest and softest parts. The rest will come up again – don’t worry – its perfectly natural – unless it happens on the carpet!

Well, that takes a load off. My head.

Institutions

Been finding it interesting (more so intriguing) to note that after encountering efficient, non corrupt processes in countries like UK, the solutions for India from Indians here are still mostly on lines of:

  • ‘Shoot all the leaders’,
  • ‘Congress is corrupt, BJP will bring ram rajya’,
  • ‘Anna Hazare is the saviour’,
  • ‘we need a dictatorship’ (which, both the above options might easily deliver), my etc.

No one, not even the most intelligent, insightful IIT/IIM educated folk I’ve met or read, suggest what I find to be the obvious: ‘strong, independent government institutions’.

The strength of western democracies isn’t derived from non-corrupt leaders (they are corrupt here too, just not in such an open manner), or from being led by a god anointed party or leader (highly religious states in EU seem to have higher corruption), or from a great leader(!) who has lead them into a shining future.

The strength of western democracy, IMO, is derived from its strong institutions which deliver what they are responsible for, irrespective of – government of the day, mood of the populace and mood of the boss. More importantly, institutions which, while consistently delivering their responsibilities, rarely over reach.

About time that we stopped thinking in terms of individuals and personalities, and started thinking in terms of institutions, organisations, structures and processes. Yes, it’s boring, it doesn’t let you (or anyone) be a hero. But, it delivers. Time, after time.

Continue reading Institutions

Evolution, Orthodoxy – Meme Triggered Thoughts

Evolution of Man

It’s highly unfair to charachterise all Chrisitans as holding that idiotic, creationist view point.

However, given the extremist positioning that the Vatican, and many American ‘born-again’ churches have taken on this (and many other) topic, the generalisation of this comic-meme seems to be fast becoming almost true.

In fact, my big fear is that we may soon see a Christian equivalent of the Islamist extremism we see in Asia & Africa – unless one conform to the extremest possible interpretation of the religious beliefs, one’s deemed to be a non-believer.

What’s worse is that last time these two religions staggered their dive into orthodoxy, to the benefit of (almost) all humanity. While Christian Europe was wallowing in ‘dark’ middle ages, Islamic societies were flourishing in scientific and artistic achievements. When Islamic societies stumbled, Christian lands took over the charge, undergoing a renaissance, to be followed later by an industrial revolution. Between them they kept scientific and artistic growth flourishing. (Not discounting the numerous contributions of non-Abrahamic societies in China, India, and elsewhere.)

What a shame it is, now, to see the leading societies (nations) of both religions race each other to the bottom of orthodoxy.

Cars – Need Or Want?

Dani then wrote a letter to the Argus setting out the difference between “wanting” a car and “needing” a car, a distinction that seems to elude many people …

What’s the big deal about not owning a car? It doesn’t have to be some kind of crusade. Sometimes, it’s just about weighing up the costs and benefits of car owning so as to make a more rational choice.

What’s amazing is not that there are people like Dani, but that there aren’t more people like her: people willing to take a more rational approach to car ownership. People prepared to think about the costs, think about the benefits, and then weigh up the balance. Not forgetting that crucial distinction between a need and a want.

Stephen, on Car-free in Brighton