Fall of the Talibarbarians

Dear readers,

Today I have coined the term "Talibarbarians" to refer to people who believe in the use of force to achieve their ends. As you know these traits are not culture specific and such elements exist in each and every civilization throughout the world today.

Success of a culture

In my analysis, any culture eventually acquires attributes that it reveres most. This happens by Darwin's principle of natural selection. Each successive generation goes closer to the goal as they mate with partners with the 'desired' characteristics. Different cultures emerged due to isolation in ancient times. For example, the Chinese revered wisdom and industriousness, Jewish civilization revered Cleverness and Business Acumen, Hindus revered Intellect and Europeans revered Power.

Ancient Hindus realised that success as a civilization will only be guaranteed by honing ALL of the following attributes:

• Intellect
• Military Might
• Material Wealth
• Skill and operational excellence.

No attributes were less important than others. (e.g. a Civilization that is wise, intelligent, skilled and rich will fall to another if it is not defended) The Hindus created the caste system to differentiate, specialize and hone these distinct traits and became a largely successful civilization for a long time. Marriage was strictly allowed within a caste itself. (This endogamous practice continues in Modern day India, though looked down upon by the West) Though the caste system exists to this day there were several notable exceptions to it even in ancient India. (DhanaNanda the sweeper king or the Peshwas who were Brahmin rulers in India to name a couple)

The rise of Intelligence

With the passage of time intellect became more and more important and continues its march forward as perhaps the most important attribute towards human evolution. Hence people with intellect were and are still revered in modern society. Civilizations that promote military might (violence as a means to achieve ends) or rampant materialism without intellect or skills without any of the above are headed for failure in my opinion. Many attributes became obsolete in the industrial age due to the introduction of technology e.g. Physical strength which was an important attribute is now rendered obsolete by modern weapons. Materialism has stood the test of time so far, but excessive greed by a few will create social discord. The "Occupy wall street" movement is an excellent example in modern times. Skills with no application of intelligence will create a country of clerks. Afterall a large section of the software community in India are nothing but code coolies.

Mediocrity

Why should one man not pursue all of the above? You may but then you will be a "Jack of all trades". Someone who lacks greatness in anything, a truly mediocre person. This is the epidemic that plagues the West today. Most of the West has given up the caste system and embraced 'equality', become truly mediocre. America realised the fallacy later and began importing the best minds from every culture into its country. However many of those elected in power continue to remain representatives of a (largely) mediocre culture that promotes shameless materialism and use of military force to achieve ends. However, there is still hope there as more of those who are 'imported' (H1) become voting citizens and vote wisely in future elections. After all only a baboon would use a gun instead of a vote or a blog. (pen)

Joke

I will take your leave with this joke that I thought up today. Back when the world was created the good lord decided to divvy up the goodies amongst different peoples.

The Chinese went first and asked for wisdom and industriousness, Granted said the lord.
The Arabs asked for Oil and guns to guard the oil. Granted said the lord.
The Europeans asked for Technology and money. Granted said the lord
The Jews asked for cleverness and Gold, Granted said the lord
The Hindus came last and they said Lord give us your brain and we will store it in our DNA. Granted said the lord.

Ever since the Chinese are working hard for the Europeans. The Europeans and Arabs are busy killing each other for oil. The jews are collecting all the gold, God has gone silent and and the Hindus are showing the rest of the world just who God is!

That's all for now folks!

Regards
+Milind Thombre

(comments welcome)