Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Genius Is Nothing More Than Another Term For Obsession

The words “Genius” and “Obsession” seem to have nothing in common at first glance. It is not immediately apparent that the two terms are even remotely connected. But on introspection, a clearer image begins to appear from the murky pool of human abilities. Intellectual prowess may have a tenuous connection with the more feral tendencies of human nature after all.

Thomas Edison once said “Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration”. These words were spoken in simpler times, when pure intellect was highly respected in society. “Genius” and “Edison” were words often used interchangeably. His intellectual abilities were unquestionable. But we need to take a closer look at how obsession shaped his famed inventions. Legend has it that Edison tested more than a thousand materials to form the filament of his famous light bulb. This in itself speaks volumes about the power of human obsession.

It is evident that while intellect or “Genius” led to the design of the bulb in the first place, it was only Edison’s obsession with his creation that led to its fruition. At this point, “Obsession” and “Genius” seem to have a somewhat closer link than previously thought. But this in itself cannot lead to the conclusion that the two words essentially refer to the same thing.

On the other hand, obsession does not always have positive connotations. There are instances where obsession has done more harm than good. Coming back to Edison, it was well known that Edison had an acrimonious relationship with his former assistant, Nikola Tesla. Edison had nothing but contempt for Tesla’s invention: Alternating-Current while at the same time being obsessed with his own Direct Current. This particular obsession did him no good as Alternating Current eventually became a world standard. We can conclude from this particular debacle that obsession is not necessarily a blessing when coupled with intellect.

It is not immediately apparent whether one can correlate Genius and Obsession. But it is obvious that the two are not the same in all circumstances. In some cases, obsession can act as a catalyst to one’s intellectual abilities. At other times, obsessions, like all human emotions, have the inherent power to cause cataclysms .Hence; it is not always the case that Obsession can be used interchangeably with genius. . It is prudent therefore, to take the middle path and conclude that obsession is a dangerous gift: one must use it responsibly, especially when coupled with genius.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Necessity Of Stop And Search Procedures In Modern Neighborhoods

Modern neighborhoods have become a conglomeration of both the good and the bad elements, inherent in our society. It can be argued that, in today’s information age, the focus has shifted from the industrial townships of yore to modern sub-urban neighborhoods. There is no doubt that this is a change for the better, because the standard of living has taken quantum leaps from the previous generation. Due to the high proportion of nuclear families living in today’s suburbs, security has become a paramount issue.

Security is not a trifling issue, because it impacts the productivity of society as a whole. But, due to increased population, it is not feasible for an average suburban neighborhood to go for a full fledged security system. Therefore, it’s essential for a neighborhood to be self-aware and take all necessary precautions in order to safeguard the interests of it’s residents. There immediately arises the question of patrolling, and in particular, the controversial issue of stop-and-search procedures.

On one hand, stop-and-search procedures may be deemed as a necessary evil in order to better protect the interests of the neighborhood. For example, drug peddling is a prevalent menace in almost every suburban neighborhood of the world. Stop-and-search procedures have the potential to seriously curb the spread of this malaise. There may not be any clues as to who the drug dealer is in a particular neighborhood. It may also be the friendly Average-Joe. There is also the sick evil of child pornography pervading our society. Only stop-and –search procedures have the necessary power to put an end to this menace.

On the other hand, stop-and search procedures may be perceived as a direct assault to the fundamental rights of an individual. Such procedures directly affect an individual’s dignity and the way he’s perceived by his peers. This is a problem typically encountered in more affluent neighborhoods where there is increased emphasis on individual and family privacy. Residents don’t want their standing in society tarnished by such humiliating procedures. Such procedures will be vetoed outright if proposed in any reasonably affluent suburban society.

In conclusion, stop-and-search procedures have both merits and de-merits. While it may be the messiah in working class neighborhoods, it’s the proverbial lynchpin in affluent surrounds. The application of such procedures in modern society should be done carefully. A forceful application of such procedures is essential in more ‘dangerous’ neighborhoods. But it should be more subtle in neighborhoods where it may harm the sentiments of the residents. Overall, stop and search procedures are essential to preserve safety in modern neighborhoods, but it’s enforcement should be followed with some discretion.