In this economy...

"In this economy" - I have heard that phrase being used hundreds of times over the last few months - on radio shows, news broadcasts, advertisements - everywhere ! We all know, the economy is not exactly in the pinkest of health, and we have all been affected by it(albeit in different proportions), but we don't need that shoved in our faces every time we turn to the media, do we?

So I turn on the TV on a lazy Monday ( oh ya..this Monday was lazy..Labor day,we don't know your significance, but we love you) to catch some US open action . Federer being average in the first set against a hopeful Robredo, with the score tied at 5-5! And then the commercials kick in, slapping and jolting us to reality by reminding us of the economy! Convincing us of the best deals for kitchen knives to cars to indoor spas , that we could lay our hands on "in this economy". How hypocritical is that! You are telling me the economy sucks, and in the next sentence you coax and cajole me to buy your product which will reduce my expenses(what about the money I would spend buying it?), and purportedly make me lead a better life! Why are we reminded of this, when all we want is to enjoy watching a game of tennis, or a brainless reality show or songs on the radio, or any load of crap while keeping the discussion of the economy restricted to the news channel ?

But I guess it don't work that way! They want to feed on our fears of the bad shape the economy is in, and make us empty our pockets for the splendid product they offer.Its almost like they are doing us a favor! Come to think of it, by dint of the vicious circle the US economy is in, spending by consumers will actually boost it. It thrives on people's urge to buy things that may be totally unnecessary, but hey they're on sale !(or so we think). Its almost like people have been programmed to believe they have to spend and live it up, regardless of how much they earn and save. All the supermarkets and franchise outlets are always in "sale mode". From "Back to school" to "Labor day" to "Halloween" to "Thanksgiving" to "Christmas" - the list carries on throughout the year! What a joke! "So what are you buying this Thanksgiving?" . "Where are you spending this long weekend?You should totally go to Vegas and splurge!" . When questions(or cliches?) like this figure in everyday talks, its pure peer pressure ( tongue-twisting alliteration) that makes people re-think their saving strategies, if they have any! I am pretty ignorant about these matters, however the whole concept of the economy leaning so heavily on credit does not make sense to me!

I have a feeling, the media and marketing agencies have become so obsessed with playing the economy card that they will continue to use it even after the economy improves, until it becomes laughable! Until then, exercise patience my friends! And hold back the urge to abuse when you hear those words again!


After-thought: Although I have been cribbing about the media reminding me of the bad state of the economy, through this blog I am guilty of the same! :P You came here to read a blog-post, and those 3 dreaded words were thrown at you yet another time! Sorry ! :)

Religion, as I see it

It has become fashionable to condemn religion nowadays, atleast in the US. I do not know how to classify myself, a spiritual person or a religious one - I do believe in a Supreme governing power, that oversees all of creation, and manifests itself in forms we may not be able to imagine. I believe in "Karma" too - one shall reap only the fruits that one has sowed. All this I believe in, and adhere to some rites that have been doctrinated by my religion. However, I do not believe that one religion can be the one sanctified by the Supreme . The basic tenets of all religions are the same, peace, humanity and love. This has been distorted over the years by people with vested interests, people who want their religion to be adopted by more people than others. Due to these people, religion today has become a double-edged sword, it can be used to propagate peace or violence both.

The question is, how can people be educated to imbibe only the good from these teachings, and sieve out the vindictive parts? It is widely believed that religious terrorism is at its peak. The truth is, killings and other violence has been purported by religious fanatics for centuries now, and it CANNOT be tagged to just one religion - every religion has had vandals guilty of it. Is there any way people can be made to realise, for now and for eternity, that no supreme governing power can encourage or even condone violence of any form to promote itself ? Can education itself help ? Not always, as many terrorists are known to have held college degrees. Are the fanatics so good at brain-washing mobs, or is it the lure of money for their impoverished family that does the trick? Perhaps a bit of both.
Religion itself has been blotted because of these kind of propagandists. Can we revive all our religions, pure and unblemished by hatred, and restore(or build, if it never existed) humanity's unconditional faith in them? Atleast not in the near future, as the damage is deep, and the perpetrators of violence are growing in numbers. Is there an alternative to religion, something that will encompass all of humanity, will be built upon the values of harmony and respect for others? What can it be , a brotherhood, a union ? And what is the guarantee that this will not have factions and won't go the same route as religion has?

Too many questions, no answers. Before I conclude, I do wish to emphasize that religion in itself does not perpetrate violence. It is in fact a very powerful tool to promote peace and harmony amongst all. If only the religious heads would appreciate that...

After-thought: I wanted to kick-off my blog with a non-serious topic, but just went with the flow of thoughts !