After the invention of computer, it has
constantly been prophesized that robot will replace mankind and will rule the
world in future. But what no one has ever dreamed that prophecy will come true
so soon. Here we are, in 2nd decade of 21st century, a walking live robot or
worse a puppet with Strings in multiple hands.
This
is the generation of deaf. Deaf people walking robotically all over the place –
Scene just like in Matrix. Hell breaks loose in our surrounding, but we walk in
our regular pace as if nothing has happened, nothing fall on our deaf ear – plugged
with an ear phone ;)
It is ubiquitous, it is everywhere – while
jogging, travelling, walking, hanging from crowded bus, driving, studying,
working, and eating. It has become the world’s dearest object – nothing more is
important than listening song with dear ear phone – what does it matter if
people behind you are shouting for help or some bomb is exploding behind. Everything
is behind me, ahead me is me and and my iPod.
In 18th century England was running huge
trade deficit with China and their every efforts were failed to close this
deficit (As they hardly had anything to sell to China). They devised a novel method
and started black marketing opium to Chinese people. Once the Chinese were addicted,
English were the king. All out flowing gold (which England use to pay China to
buy silk, tea etc) were back in England through opium.
Earphone is today’s opium, efficiently addicting
people to such an extent that they are nothing but a puppet of music and electronics’
industry. This addiction is infecting the masses with an alarming rate but it
remains completely unnoticed.
The sad fact of the world is that the fate
of millions always remains in few hands. Addiction of ear phone is just an
example of how behavioral pattern of generation upon generation is being changed
to tap the unexplored area of profit, without thinking of its implication.
Music was once celebration of life and was a way to connect – but it has
gradually become a device to disconnect with the world. Invention of recorder,
tape, Walkman, iPod etc was not a life changing invention (not even necessary)
but they came along to change consumer behavior to tap a huge market. And
result is apparent now – a deaf generation, who would kill you if you dare to
unplug them.
May be my point is little (or big) lost
here. It is hard to see any point in anything which is against invention or
innovation. It’s the accepted way of life and an expected norm of moving
forward. Any deviation from this established norm will be branded as
anti-development. But again, is development always good? Is growing beyond 7 ft
and keep growing till life time good for mankind? My point again is that we
need to define the boundary, we need to identify our limit, Otherwise world
would crash behind us and we would keep walking with devil singing lullaby to
our ear.
