We
are comfortably allowing our brains to get lazy and rot! A Hollywood created
movie with
the usual recipe of action and blood and gore and sex is readily
digested by us than a movie that requires more thought, because of its in-depth
and challenging production. Art has become a fast food for our brains; greasy
and without much of nutritional values. This is not to say we should not write
poetry to compare the lover’s blue eyes with the sky, and to only put our
efforts to learn how one’s eyes function and what is beyond the sky. We need science
for social and technological improvements, and art for leisure. When we
accustom our idle brains to further learning and exploring, our brains get
accustomed to the process. As idle brains are not used to exhaustive research,
it may feel a burden at the beginning. However, it becomes a second nature to
us, after a while. As an example, concerned about our future financial
security, one may assess all options and alternatives available to him or her. One
of the alternatives may be creating a periodical saving plan. Investment in
securities, stocks, Treasury Bills, and bonds is another option. One may decide
on IRA, 401K, or other retirement plans. There are several other alternatives
depending on the risk one is taking; the riskiest of which is relying on the
advice of a fortuneteller. The same is true for any decision we want to make
about our future. We may work on our relationship with our children, our spouses,
our friends, or our loved ones, which takes time and commitment, or simply check
pages of horoscope. Religions’ promises
of after-life follows the same logic as fortunetellers and horoscope observers.
We are cheated out of our lives if we pay heeds to the religious leaders’
promise of a happy life after death, as long as we endure sufferings of present
life. Carl Sagan, in his last book
“Billions & Billions”, after talking about his longing to witness the
events such as “exploration of many of the worlds” or the growth of his
grandchildren remarks: “If there were life after death, I might, no matter when
I die, satisfy most of these deep curiosities and longings. But if death is nothing more than an endless
dreamless sleep, this is a forlorn hope.
Maybe this perspective has given me a little extra motivation to stay
alive.”
