| Username |
Post |
| ashu |
Posted
on 24-Jun-01 11:27 PM
From my limited experience, I have observed following two
traits common among us middle/upper-class but ultimately
insecure Nepalis.
First, our collective ability, even enthusiasm, to believe THE WORST about a fellow-Nepali without much evidence -- anytime anywhere.
Yes, we rarely give a benefit of doubt to others or even
try to understand that people everywhere have complicated
lives, and some have a bad day or a bad month or even hit a prolonged rough patch in their lives . . .
And so, instead of suspending judgment, and watching quietly
from afar to let a fuller, complex story emerge over time
about any person, we feel justified in rushing in at the first hint of trouble with a "I-told-you-so' smugness and and find
it remarkably easy to believe one or two people and be swept
by their (often genetically inherited explosive) poisonous
emotions about 'other people'.
These 'other people' are, of course, those whom we may not know personally or even when we do know them personally, we may not know them in all their complexities BUT, hey, we want to
believe the worst about them anyway . . . and hearing nagative stories/rumors about them only strengthens our
mistaken-from-the-beginning belief about them.
I have seen this happen so many times (sometimes directed at me personally, but often directed at other 'good' Nepalis, both
in the US and in Nepal) that I have, by now, learnt to
shrug/laugh it all off.
Sure, being a human being, I enjoy these rumor-mongers'
company and their who's-doing-what-to-whom gossip, but I
NEVER believe them.
After all, if some people's mission in life is to destroy other people by spreading unsubtantiated, and emotion-laden stories, then let them. Often, what else can these people really do?
Often, I have found out that one critically deeper look at
their parents (especially their fathers) and their behaviours make eminent sense in light of their upbringing and their
genetic heritage.
Genes, after all, rarely lie.
I'll post my thoughts on the second trait later.
oohi
ashu
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| Gaunle |
Posted
on 25-Jun-01 08:45 AM
Another Nepali collective trait seems to be declaring himself an expert in everything.Like ashu.He is now an expert behavioral genetics person as well as a psychologist as well as a neuroscientist (see his "amygdala hijacking" piece).
People need to learn to not go over-board with their theories if they want to be taken seriously.If this is all for a laugh then it is ok.
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| sally |
Posted
on 25-Jun-01 01:47 PM
It's probably true that Nepal (being a small country with a very, very small educated population) has a bit of a problem with people reading the backs of books and setting themselves up as "experts" on the subject. There's a lot to be said about why and how that happens: from the pervasiveness of cronyism, to a lack of training in critical thinking, to the fact that Nepal is still fairly new at developing a so-called "intelligentsia" and so the few educated people who are around are either (depending on how charitable you feel) inclined to over-reach themselves, or inspired to stretch themselves.
But I don't think writing on a Web site is the same thing as setting oneself up as an expert. People sit in living rooms all the time and talk pseudo-knowledgeably about genetics or whatever; I don't see much difference between this Web site and that kind of setting. For that matter, newspaper columnists aren't all experts on what they write about--George Will being a heck of a case in point. To present a point of view articulately--whether in a living room, on a Web site, or even in a newspaper--is NOT the same as being an expert.
If, on the other hand, we turn on cable TV someday and find the following scene, we ALL might have cause to complain :-) ...
Larry King: Today our subject is, "The Problem With Nepal." Here in the studio with us is Nepal's leading expert on neuroscience and biochemistry. Ashu, what is your take on this subject?
Ashu: Well, Larry, the thighbone's connected to the knee bone. Then the amygdala comes along and hijacks the whole shebang. When that happens, Nepal has a lot of problems.
Larry King: And what do genes have to do with all that?
Ashu: Well, Nepali people have genes. And believe me, Larry, genes cause problems!
Larry King: Thank you, Ashu, for hiring that public relations firm that told us to get you on the air as an expert on all things related to the neuroscience and biochemistry of Nepalis. Now with us by remote feed from his gaun is Gaunle, who I've been told by the same public relations firm is an expert on the collective traits of all Nepalis. Gaunle, just what IS the problem with Nepalis?
Gaunle: Well, Larry, I think the problem with Nepalis is they all think they're experts. Except me. I'm not an expert on anything except on not being an expert, a subject on which I'm expertly expert.
Larry King: Thank you, Gaunle and Ashu. I'll make sure to add you guys to the Golden Rolodex of Official Experts that we here in Media Land love so well. Your checks are in the mail.
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| Biswo |
Posted
on 25-Jun-01 03:56 PM
Nice humour, sally.
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| namita |
Posted
on 25-Jun-01 04:17 PM
really sally, so you seem to have plenty of humour genes also. do you think you are related to Jay Leno?
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| sally |
Posted
on 25-Jun-01 05:15 PM
Thanks guys. No, I'm not related to Leno. But I do think "humor genes" are an adaptive trait for anyone who is Nepali, is related to Nepalis, or spends time in Nepal--don't you?
Btw, I once read--it was in Claude Levi-Strauss' "Triste Tropiques," I think--that contrary to the widespread notion that "primitive" tribes were ruled by the strongmen who could beat everyone up, they in fact tend to be ruled by the people who are best at making people laugh.
I don't know if that bodes good or ill for Nepal.
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| sks |
Posted
on 25-Jun-01 05:21 PM
We got quite a few jokers in our government.
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| ace |
Posted
on 25-Jun-01 08:14 PM
>>>Another Nepali collective trait seems to be declaring himself >>>an expert in everything...He is now an expert behavioral >>>genetics person as well as a psychologist as well as a >>>neuroscientist ...
how about another one: pre-judging somebody without actually trying to find out the core matter. To agree or to disagree is up to you, but to rush into any improper judgement shows a lack of respect to self and to others.!! respect yourself first!
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| Gaunle |
Posted
on 25-Jun-01 08:33 PM
Very very funny sally.Thank you.It was refreshing to read that dialogue.Hoping that a day like that Larry King interview doesn't come.
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