The park bench and Bystander go a long way as he is a frequent visitor. It is inevitable that many faces become familiar and over a period of time, some of them become acquaintances and strike friendship. The purpose of this gathering is to relax and recharge their weary batteries from the humdrum travails of life. In course of time, their attention gets gradually diverted to discuss topics of varied interests. They decided to conduct the proceedings of this assembly, without interruptions such as protests, walkouts or suspension. It is their prerogative to desire what they want, is it not?
Being a careful person, Bystander mostly tried to avoid joining the chorus, preferring to hear from the side lines. Sensing this aloofness, the speakers tried to draw him into these routines, somehow or other. While a group openly tried to breach the barrier, another one attempted to find hidden triggers that might work. Bystander managed to thwart the open attempts but failed to foil the efforts of the ‘hidden trigger’ diggers.
This digger group’s findings turned out to be simple. Any topic that has been blindly accepted and followed would likely trigger and compel Bystander to participate in their ongoing discussions. Furthermore, they found out that this irresistible compulsion in him is as natural as the attraction of the opposite poles and assured positive results. In earnest they started to line up topics, which Bystander could not resist to respond. With a collective heave of long drawn sighs, they got ready to prove their assumption.
One of the friends pressed the first trigger by extolling the virtues of being religious. Another person joined with a statement regarding the lack of respect to the scriptures and the scientific wisdom they contained, especially from the Science and Technology community. Few more lent their supporting voices to reiterate, by pointing out that all the modern-day advancements have roots in these scriptures.
Bystander could not keep to himself now. He joined the discussion to put across his perspective and said,” Religion and Science are parallel paths aiming to reach truth through enlightenment. Here I am using enlightenment, in a broader sense, as a means to get clarified and not mystified. It is imperative that both practitioners should inquire without bias or fear of criticism. If religion is a sacred belief or concept, Science along with Technology is the medium that gives you the proof; helping you to understand and appreciate. Science strives to prevent it from becoming a mere blind faith. They are inquirers and not inquisitors.”
Feeling this dose of verbal medicine to be a bit strong, someone in the group decided to change the topic only to activate another trigger as bait. He narrated the harmful influences the modern inventions and gadgets have brought to every household.
Having opened up, Bystander could not allow this blame on Science and Technologies to pass without expressing his views. He looked at the speaker and said, “Their purpose is to help and not to hinder. Only those who, without inquiring into the range of benefits and pitfalls, readily adopt assimilate and suffer. Communication, travel, medicine and a host of other fields, which we take for granted or expect to be delivered, are they at all possible without these technologies? What a Face book and WhatsApp parents expect to beget other than LinkedIn kids! Is it fair, but a convenient excuse to hide our ignorance and bias, to blame it all on these enabling technologies?”
As soon as he finished speaking, his cell phone started to vibrate stridently. He stood up and moved a little distance away answering the caller, signalled that he has to go home and will be back tomorrow. Sporting a broad smile, his park mates congratulated each other for finding and using the trigger s to change an onlooker to a participant. They hope to do so again and again, not to tease but to make their assembly sessions vibrant, without creating any hard feelings. For their part, the friends understood that Bystander was only expressing his views with no intent to compel or intimidate. Bystander too felt happy that his friends listened to his views with an open mind.
Very interesting, practical subject , every body's experience dear author.
ReplyDeleteIn the end participation is inevitable.
Due to irresistible desire to correct the system or to come out of boredom. It's fine as long as the nuances of group discussion are adhered to and others enjoy it.
Unfortunately at times it ends up in verbal duel. But bystander can't help it. Until next time big thanque and please take care .