People don’t need a 1/4″ drill bit; they need a 1/4″ hole. That observation made by a business school professor (I forget who) is a perpetual favorite of mine. It cautions us against confusing means and ends. I believe that much misery of our mundane lives arises from our inability to distinguish between means and ends. Let me tell you a story. Stop me if you have heard it before — which you may have since I repeat it often enough.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The village nut-case, when offered a choice between a dime and a nickel, always took the nickel. The villagers were much amused and just for the laughs they played the trick on the poor fellow dozens of time every day.
One day, a kindly villager took the fellow aside and said, “You really are an idiot. Don’t you know that although the dime is smaller than the nickel, it is worth two nickels. You should take the dime.”
The guy said, “The first time I take the dime instead of the nickel, that will be the last time I will be offered a choice between a nickel and the dime. I may be crazy but I am not stupid.”
Choosing the nickel was merely a means, not an end.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A friend just mailed me about a new book by a very erudite author, and I was reminded of that story.
I have not read the book but going by its short blurb, I am totally convinced that the book is extremely valuable. Or rather, the message and the main thesis of the book is timely and important, and must be understood by tens of millions of people.
The book is 650 pages long and priced at Rs 795. Too bad it will be bought by only a few thousand people, if the author is lucky. Of that very small number, an even smaller percentage — serious scholars perhaps — will actually read the whole book, and the author will be extraordinarily lucky if more than a couple of hundred ordinary people read the book in its entirety.
If the end was to publish a big fat book for scholars to admire (and perhaps read), then it is brilliant. But if the end was to get the message across to the millions who need to get it, the big fat book is absolutely the wrong way to go about it.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Imagine if the message of the book was delivered in a handy little package of 50 pages, and modestly priced at Rs 30. Most messages can be condensed without loss of meaning or comprehensibility. Further imagine that the first 5 pages of the book expressed the main story even more compactly.
Standing in the aisle at the bookstore, you read those first few pages and buy the book. You finish reading the book later that day. You love the ideas, they make you think, and you determine that you are going to take some action about the matter discussed in the book. The first action you take is to spread the book around.
You give it to your wife. She reads it and passes it on to her friend who after reading it passes it on to her son. By the end of the week, the book you bought on an impulse has been read by a dozen people.
In the end, that one book which cost Rs 30 at the store influenced 30 people by the end of the month. Cost of message delivered only one rupee per person.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
There are many books which are important enough that they should be available in a wide range of languages. Translating large works is expensive. But since the main theses of most most books can be condensed into short books, getting the message across to people in various languages becomes easier.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Here’s an idea. I am going to start a press called “Not a Big Fat Book Press” — the NBFB Press. It will take big fat books with important messages, condense them to 50 pages, and publish them in handy little packages. You could carry a couple with you to read any time you find a few minutes to spare. The price of each book will be a modest Rs 30.
The NBFB Press will also publish translated versions of the books. And all of these will be available both in hard copy and soft copy.
We could also have special lending libraries based out of neighborhood grocery stores. They will keep a collection of NBFB books in the local language. For Rs 2, you could borrow any book.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Why do we need NBFB?
Because we need to get ourselves a decent education. The government has ruined our education system and while it will be a long time before we fix it, we can at least enable people to learn what they need to learn by making good content available and accessible.
I believe that a reasonable remedial education programs would require us to read around 100 books. At 400 pages each on average, that would mean 40,000 pages. At one book a month, that means it will take 8 years to read them.
Using the NBFB versions of the book, it will take only one year to get nearly the same education.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
What BFB would you like to see NBFB Press publish?
UPDATE 24th Jan 9 AM IST:
Thanks for the excellent suggestions and comments. A bit of clarification in response to some of the comments posted.
The NBFB Press is only for works that convey important ideas so that they become more accessible. It is not meant for works of literature, although one can have condensed versions to serve as an introduction to important works of literature. Shakespeare has to be read in the original, for instance, and shortening it makes no sense.
Amazon Kindle Singles is something along the lines of what I am suggesting. But they are not suitable for the masses in India — too expensive and not really accessible since only a few in India can afford a Kindle. More importantly, the value addition would be the selection of books which the NBFB Press will publish.
The books have to be those which correct the distortions that a government-controlled education system has introduced into the brains of the masses.
Atanu Dey : Life is a Random Draw 
Actually, “Get Abstract” book summaries are an excellent way to get summaries on self-help books, or books on sales, marketing etc.
LikeLike
This is a damn good idea for cultivating habit of reading in the people. I like to have some basic economics book to be in this NBFB Press release. Anyways, I like blog as they are free and easily accessed with the topic wise.
LikeLike
Amazon announced Kindle Singles last year (Oct 2010).
It’s for content that requires more than an article, but less than a 200 page book. Amazon’s Press Release.
The shorter reading format represents shorter attention span, and smaller commitment of time. Philip Zambarado describes this phenomenon as our desire to live faster (do more stuff). His talk “Sercret Powers of Time Animated” was one of the top 10 most watched on Fora.tv. Link
LikeLike
Summaries of the most important facts of Indians history that ALL Indians who are interested in the truth about their history should know without geeting bogged down by the details would be immensely useful…Actually circulation of such books amongst the masses in abridged form might be a great benefit for them considering that the government teaches them nothing about their history…
LikeLike
> It will take big fat books with important messages, condense them to 50 pages, and publish them in handy little packages.
Like Cliff Notes? 🙂
LikeLike
“What BFB would you like to see NBFB Press publish?”
The Koran. Let people understand what this book teaches and how it has influenced people’s thought processes. The first challenge will be to prevent NBFB from getting banned in India.
LikeLike
I think Larissa has a good idea. One of the major diruptive effort on the part of secularists in India since third decade of twentieth century has been to (a) keep the largest section of population in the dark about their history (b) undermine the existing social structures to disrupt the society. This in the guise of “preserving social harmony.
I think in that light Larissa idea is good for cosideration.
LikeLike
But then we could never get to read India After Gandhi by Ram Guha.
LikeLike
I think the problem is one of intent. Those who really want to acquire knowledge would read hundreds of thousands of pages and still remain on the quest for knowledge. Those who don’t won’t even bother to read a single page.
Having said that, I would like NBFB press to publish condensed versions of all Ayn Rand literature. Not only condensed but in as many regional languages as possible. I’ve found her to be the most thought-provoking writer of the last century.
LikeLike
You know the Amar Chitra comics has educated many people in its own way. In fact, many of my friends tell me they know about Indian mythology through these books.
This is a good idea, you should gather people and friends who can help with financials for such a project…Something like this dedicated to an Indian audience can be beneficial.
I notice that books in India are not readily available, especially the out of print books, I am supportive of anything that will get Indians to read serious books…The liberal arts is woefully neglected in India, and in America it is generally dominated by the left leaning Ivy elite, and if you see what they write about India, you have reason to doubt their conception of the “liberal arts”…Indians in a scramble to become technically educated for survival are generally misinformed about their culture, and this is why they are swayed by whatever fashionable winds are out there regarding their history and culture, and are unable to defend their point of view when it is unfairly attacked…
LikeLike
Most certainly Arun Shourie’s books.
LikeLike
May be the abridged and condensed version of the same book you mentioned in this 🙂
LikeLike
Spoken like a true Randroid. You get 10 Objectivist points for your evangelical work.
I just have to wonder – from among numerous writers in this world who have put pen to paper, Mr. Deodhar picks Ayn Rand. You’ve done Peikoff proud.
LikeLike
Ashish, here’s a better idea – instead of publishing condensed version of Rand’s works, just use these 10 steps on how to become a Randroid (or, Objectivist) : http://andrej.com/objectivism/
And here’s a link that will appeal to your vanity of reading:
http://www.2think.org/02_2_she.shtml
http://www.lewrockwell.com/rothbard/mozart.html (bonus link)
Happy reading!!
LikeLike
There are abridged books out there. What will make people buy these books is something to think about. I think that a project like this has to be guided by fixed goals and purposes or has to be part of a larger project of trying to get Indians to read more. Has anyone noticed that the books that sell the most in India are largely superficial self-help books?
LikeLike
Thats a brilliant idea. Access to books and knowledge need to be improved. One of the ways is to come with cheap and shorter versions. Other is to do more of visualisation and write it in amar chitra katha format.
I would like to have a lot of indian history and books on institutional success in countries like singapore and denmark.
LikeLike
I hope you are restricting this exercise only to nonfiction and non-literary works. 😮 I would never want a condensed Shakespeare or Nabokov. The entire point is lost. Even Ayn Rand, as someone mentioned, weaves an excellent story which would be trivialised if packed into 50 pages.
It is a brilliant idea for works which primarily strive to get an idea across.
LikeLike
Nice idea…how about Richard Dawkins books like Selfish Gene, The Blind Watchmaker and God Delusion.
LikeLike
Nice idea. I fully agree with you on the big books having little impact.
Apart from Get abstract providing 5 page abstract, DK and regional language press and religious books come in this form and I understand the breakeven for such publication is 3000 books.
30 – 50 pages to be read in an hour or two is ideal size. I would also recommend use of colour and cartoons liberally in the illustrations.
Publishing large volumes in series and Bundling of similar books would also make economic sense.
All the best.
Sundar
LikeLike
Kaffir
Thank you. The fact that you feel compelled to retort to almost everything I say confirms my belief that I am saying something right.
And Atanu, I agree with Eroteme following Kaffir’s comments. Besides, if people are lazy enough not to read the literature in its entirety, then they probably don’t deserve that knowledge in the first place.
LikeLike
Why bother printing? The soft copies/summaries can be cataloged and put up on the web. Kapil Sibal is going to give everybody $35/$10 laptops so maybe you could ask him to put them on those devices as well (sarcasm intended).
LikeLike
Theory of Moral Sentiments
LikeLike
The issue is not the size of the book but how engaging the book is. Great writers make you read till the end of a BFB while lousy writers can put you to sleep through the first page of an NBFB.
This blog post could have been condensed to a smaller version while still conveying the message it was intended to. The parable at the beginning can be edited out. Your personal experience with a BFB too can be reduced in size, if not omitted altogether. But then it is questionable how interesting it might have read, and how effective it would have been in getting the reader to engage and, in this case, respond.
LikeLike
Ashish wrote:
Of course, Ashish – I’m happy to oblige you!! Just like members of any other cult, Randroids like you are equally entitled to their blind beliefs, delusions and irrational thinking. Now be sure to apply the same “logic” of ‘retorting to comments leading to firmer belief’ to those situations where you retort to others, starting with your retorts to Atanu to use civil language for Congress-Gandhi clan.
LikeLike
Kaffir
Right. Trusting one’s reason as the only guide to action is “blind belief”, “delusion” and “irrational thinking”. And what’s rational? Flying monkeys? Elephant-headed gods? Blue-coloured men with snake around their neck?
It would really do you a world of good if you read a bit of Rand. But of course, pigs can’t fly and you can’t understand reason.
Btw, I hope Atanu hasn’t hired you as his spokesperson. So what I say to him is between him and me. Your unsolicited butting in is not appreciated. Thanks.
LikeLike
Nice Post Atanu,
This is a syndrome that many suffer with even in the corporate world. The tools employed are so well perfected that we often forget the intended end use and most often they are the most expensive way to solve a problem.
I think Einstein or somebody puts this succintly
Perfection of means and confusion of goals seem to characterize our times.
Loknath
LikeLike
Some more
Art Of War
The God Delusion : R D
If there is any book about How-to-Learn-in-information-world-even-if-you-are-in-some-village book then that is a must.
If there is any book about how to get internet access if you are in remote indian village
If there is any book about how to make start ISP business in indian villages and make it successful.
LikeLike
Ashish,
Simply braying about “reason” and parroting Rand, as Randroids often do, doesn’t make one a practitioner of reason or doer of actions based on reason (assuming that in life, reason is the only criteria for one’s actions). And neither did Rand have a monopoly on, or was the first in using reason to guide one’s actions. Seems like most Randroids are thick-headed and after their brainwashing, can’t even wrap their heads around this very simple concept. After all, one has to place the high priestess on a pedestal, while ignoring her childish, hypocritical and immature actions.
Let’s see how you’ve used reason – Peikoff would be so disappointed in you after your promising evangelical act.
1. In repeatedly asking Atanu to be civil when referring to the Gandhi clan. In defending the Gandhi clan because you are a deracinated idiot and have a soft spot for white people.
2. In asking someone to butt out on a public blog with open comments.
3. In displaying the logic of “if someone retorts to me, then I must be doing something right” but not applying that same logic to yourself retorting to others.
So much for your blind belief masquerading as “trusting one’s reason as the only guide to action.” Yeah, whatever floats your boat Deodhar – and you berate others for their belief in Santa Claus. As I said before, cult members are entitled to their delusions, so you have my sympathies.
LikeLike
Kaffir
1. I never asked Atanu to be civil. I merely registered my protest. There’s a difference. But of course, pigs can’t fly and you…. well, you know that! 🙂
2. What has reason to do with ‘asking someone to butt out’? The link is rather unreasonable 🙂
3. Again, there’s a difference between “someone” and people of your sort. When people of your sort feel compelled to attack me, unprovoked, I know that I am doing something right.
And yes, soft spot for white people? LOL you sorry little fool.
Look here, I didn’t mean to cross your path (on this thread or on the earlier one) but I am not one to take abuse lying down. I won’t get in your way and you stay out of mine. I see that as a fair deal. Don’t you?
LikeLike
Thanks for proving my point – that you simply bray about “reason”. At least we agree on something. 🙂
LikeLike
Fair enough. That’s the choice you make. I resolved long ago that I wouldn’t bother entering into discussions with your lot and I would stick to it. I am also working on not responding to abuses in kind and hopefully I will manage that soon. Till then, forgive me for occasional replies (if I find abuses hurled at me unbearable).
LikeLike
Thanks for the comments, folks. I have posted an update at the end of the post.
LikeLike
Good idea, Atanu.
1. A good start point would be to list a set of domains like formal sciences, natural sciences, social sciences (e.g. history) etc.
2. Another issue that comes to mind is evolving a “bridge-the-gap” strategy. We need to be clear about the base level of information and knowledge of our society, and the final level we want to reach. This gap is divided into “steps”, with each step corresponding to a class of reader audience that an author can aim at.
3. An aspect of (2) would suggest that a local language based – as opposed to foreign language (e.g. English, or non state language) based – “thin books” would be better.
4. I feel the business angle would be difficult here. At the moment, a philanthropic type of funding would be the name of the game, since it would be difficult to see a profit for a publishing house even if it were to publish a variety of books each with a different market potential. Over a long term, maybe after a few generations, things would be much better for business. Could you put some ideas about this?
– Abhijat
LikeLike
@Kaffir
Whats up with the popularity of Ann Rand amongst Indians? My husband’s niece who also otherwise does not know jack about philosophy reads her and considers her something. My husband says she is generally popular amongst people who have not read much in India outside their tech fields…He says its an example of how little Indians are exposed to critical thinking…
LikeLike
I meant to say above the popularity of Ayn Rand according to my husband shows how little Indians read in general…If something thinks Agatha Christie is great literature you can’t argue with them…
LikeLike
@larissa, I can only propose some ideas regarding the popularity of Ayn Rand and her “philosophy” – it is best if Rand-bhakts tell us *why* they really likes her works and finds them appealing, if they are capable of stepping out and analyzing their views.
With that caveat, my hypothesis is that just like one’s first love leaves an everlasting impression on one’s mind, similarly, reading Rand gives many an epiphany which is hard to forget. Her work elevates individualism, and for most Indians who have to deal with family pressures, caste and community obligations etc. (mostly against their will), her thinking re: individualism can come across as relatively liberating and give one a framework/platform for a different world-view.
Additionally, she was an unabashed cheer-leader of capitalism, and hated communism (which makes sense per her life story). So, there’s that appealing angle too, among those Indians who (correctly) see the many ills of socialism/communism in India.
I’ll hazard a guess that her ideas are more popular among engineers and techies, rather than among those who have studied humanities and/or have been exposed to other philosophers and their works. And this is because Rand’s epistemology was reason/rational thinking – as if she or Randroids have a monopoly on reason – which can be appealing if one has studied engineering which requires logic. Because, if one has appropriated “reason” and “rationalism” for one’s views and actions, then by extension, a different viewpoint is irrational and unreasonable. I mean, who wouldn’t want that kind of a high without any psychoactives? 🙂
One more guess is that many people (for the most part) having never studied it, are not familiar with Hindu philosophy and its ideas; and equate Hinduism with the blind beliefs, superstitions and rituals that they see around them, which sours their view of Hinduism. So, again, Rand’s philosophy can have a certain appeal and fill the void if one has had that life experience and rejected Hinduism.
In their behavior, most Indian Randroids I’ve come across on blogs have a striking similarity with the fanatic adherents of the two monotheistic religions/desert-cults who claim that their way is the only right/”rational” way and are anti-Hindu to the core.
Anyway, FWIW, these are my two cents on the reasons for her popularity among Indians.
LikeLike
Larissa,
Reading of Rand by the college going public (in most cases) is an attempt to look and feel ‘cool’ and nothing more. As you mentioned, most of the people back home do not read at all and a sudden exposure to serious looking prose means you have to subscribe to it just to fit in.
I tried to engage one of my classmates in debate after reading ‘The Fountainhead’ and this is the response I got, “I don’t care what Roark or Toohey stand for or represent; Roark does not feel any emotion and this is what I subscribe to”.
Rand is all right if the books are shortened by 80%.
LikeLike
Test comment
LikeLike
Ashish, if you mean abuses like “thick headed” which you hurled, then we are in agreement over one more issue. 🙂
LikeLike
Atanu, my comment to larissa, for some inexplicable reason 9as it didn’t have any links or objectionable words), is stuck in your moderation queue. Please check. Thanks.
LikeLike
Great idea.
A list of books to cover the mental models
Suggested by Charlie munger.
LikeLike
Wow! What a concept. Nice to have found your site, on just the day I have decided to shorten my book “12 Steps in a Day: The Lost Path.” The book is about educating people about the simple way to handle their anger and hatred, fear and the debilitating emotions, so as to overcome their personal problems. But as my first effort at writing a book, it was long. You can browse the beginnings of my book on amazon.
The new book I’ve started is to also highlight the fact that the problems and crises we face today are mainly because teachers and educators themselves don’t seem to know what learning is. And I’ve begun it with this quote:
“Man’s greatest battles have been waged against man-made obstacles and artificial handicaps thrust upon him to paralyse his growth and development. Human thought has always been bound in by tradition and custom, and education has always been perverted to suit the interests of those in power. This constant conflict has been a common feature through the history of mankind.” – Acharya Mahapragya and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, (The Family and the Nation)
And thanks for your blog Atanu. It’s challenged me to complete the book in 50 pages.
LikeLike
the idea is great. infact some of the spiritual organisations rooted in Vedic philosophy are trying to achieve the same. NBFB. for eg. ISKCON society has a book called “Krishna- The reservoir of pleasure” which is hardly 20pages thin and summarises the whole philosophy on which the organisation is based. It presents the vaishnava siddhanta in most succinct and eloquent way.
—
Most important point there was posted by Satyameva Jayate. “The first challenge will be to prevent NBFB from getting banned in India.” considering the state of affairs india is in.
—
As soon as I read Ashish’s first comments I felt “I knew it, I knew it. this is the best he can come up with.. Ayn Rand ” Alas, my sympathies with those of his like who could not get over the perverse hangover of Ayn Rand books…
LikeLike
Kafir,
Wow. You have analyised Ranroids perfectly. I also have the similar views about them but I do not have good command on English language
to put it in such a beautiful way. And, Rahuveer, you are also right about people who read Rand so that they can feel cool. But this does not apply to Aasish who feels proud about being Ranroid.
LikeLike
Love the idea. But who is going to translate/condense the books?
LikeLike
1) “Her work elevates individualism, and for most Indians who have to deal with family pressures, caste and community obligations etc. (mostly against their will), her thinking re: individualism can come across as relatively liberating and give one a framework/platform for a different world-view.”
And that’s wrong because??
2) “I’ll hazard a guess that her ideas are more popular among engineers and techies,”
I am in advertising. Been all my life. Postgrad in Arts 🙂
3) “One more guess is that many people (for the most part) having never studied it, are not familiar with Hindu philosophy and its ideas; and equate Hinduism with the blind beliefs, superstitions and rituals that they see around them, which sours their view of Hinduism.”
Long before I first read Ayn Rand, I had read Dasbodh (by swami ramdas), Arthashashtra, and Vivekanand in addition to the Ramayan and Mahabharat stories and most part of Gita that I heard from my grandmother and of course our dear government (doordarshan!).
And by the way, did you say equate Hinduism with blind beliefs, superstitions, rituals? As much as you would love to blame the British or the Moghuls for it, they really didn’t invent all those weird gods, the hom-havans, and the river baths. The “foreign rulers” don’t send tens of thousands of people to Amarnath, or to get their heads shaved in Tirupati or sacrifice animals in front of scary goddesses.
I saw the idiocy in all this when I reached the age of reason, which was around 7 years old. I first read Ayn Rand at the age of 25. For most part of my life, I used my own reason and I agree with Ayn Rand because she reflects my worldview, not the other way round.
4) “In their behavior, most Indian Randroids I’ve come across on blogs have a striking similarity with the fanatic adherents of the two monotheistic religions/desert-cults who claim that their way is the only right/”rational” way and are anti-Hindu to the core.”
And that’s another silly conclusion. I can’t speak for “Randroids” (whatever that means) but I follow my own reason. Is that always right? Of course not. Does it mean I should blindly believe in someone else? Of course not. Everyone has reasoning abilities and every person could use his own reason to reach different conclusions. But they are their own conclusions using their own judgement and they are solely responsible for those conclusions. To each his own. Is that monotheistic? Hardly!
I am anti-irrational and if that’s anti-Hindu then yes I am anti-Hindu.
You make some very funny assumptions about people my friend. And you are almost wrong in every assumption about me. But if that’s the best of your reasoning ability, so be it. To each his own.
Atanu, sorry for this completely off-topic post. I was amused reading such a funny thesis and could resist a reply. Hope you don’t take it off the thread.
LikeLike
Ashish,
I’m having trouble parsing your irrational response. Allow me to explain.
1. You wrote: “And you are almost wrong in every assumption about me.”
Nowhere in my comment did I state that my hypothesis applies to all Randroids, or that it applies to you. Besides, it came with a caveat stated upfront. Perhaps you need to look up the meaning of the word hypothesis, while you brush up your rational thinking.
2. You wrote: “And that’s wrong because??”
Where did you get the idea that I was being critical, or that I said it was wrong? For someone accusing me of making assumptions, seems like you do the same and assign value judgments (“wrong”) to my words.
3. For someone who is so well-read, and I’m assuming has access to google, it seems mighty strange that you have no idea what the term “Randroid” means.
4. You wrote: “And that’s another silly conclusion.”
How can a conclusion be silly if it is based on my observation of the behavior of Randroids? They do indeed display irrational anti-Hindu tendencies.
5. You wrote: “As much as you would love to blame the British or the Moghuls for it, they really didn’t invent all those weird gods, the hom-havans, and the river baths. The “foreign rulers” don’t send tens of thousands of people to Amarnath, or to get their heads shaved in Tirupati or sacrifice animals in front of scary goddesses.”
For someone who claims to be rational, you seem to make it a habit of jumping to mighty irrational conclusions. Where exactly did I say or imply that the British or the Moguls are to be “blamed”? Let me use your own words to describe what you’re doing when you write the above:
“You make some very funny assumptions about people my friend. And you are almost wrong in every assumption about me. But if that’s the best of your reasoning ability, so be it. To each his own.”
Did someone force you to go to Amarnath or to Tirupati, or to take a bath? If not, then perhaps you should try and practice Rand’s laissez-faire dictum (“to each his own”) and let people be, as long as they are not harming you by cutting their hair or taking a dip in the river, instead of making a show of your intolerance.
6. You wrote: “Everyone has reasoning abilities and every person could use his own reason to reach different conclusions. “
Yup. And there’s example of your reasoning abilities and your rational fetish on your blog where you conflate Einstein’s intellectual curiosity with greed in order to reach some silly pre-determined conclusion!!
LikeLike
Ashish, further proof of your irrational behavior:
You wrote: #1 “And that’s another silly conclusion.”
You wrote: #2 “I am anti-irrational and if that’s anti-Hindu then yes I am anti-Hindu.“
So, let’s break that down. When I said that Randroids display anti-Hindu behavior, you state that my conclusion is silly, but then go on to confirm my conclusion by admitting that you are indeed anti-Hindu.
Man oh man! Rand would be so disappointed in you and your pretzel logic as you display your fetish of rationality. You are confirming what I wrote earlier, about Randroids mistakenly thinking they have a monopoly on rationality and trying to appropriate it.
LikeLike
Ashish,
1. There’s no vitriol against readers of Rand – there’s some plain speaking regarding Randriods and their skewed view. Everyone should read all kinds of books, including those written by Rand.
2. On to context. My comment had a context too, which you have ignored or missed. Please read larissa’s comment and my response. That was the context. See, I won’t even tell you that you butted into our conversation, and make the irrational mistake you made. 🙂
3. Whether you agree or disagree with “such labeling as Randroid” is irrelevant and immaterial. You can disagree till you are blue in the face (and that’s your entitlement), but who cares regarding what you think about that term? Seems to me that you are the one being irrational here.
4. Newsflash for you: anyone with even an iota of intelligence knows that sarcasm is wasted on the internet. But please continue to display your fetish of rationality. (<–this is not sarcasm)
5. As for reading your blog, I do need my daily dose of amusement and humor. And the double dose of pompous and ponderous posts of yours keep me entertained; for example, two "intellectuals" splitting hairs and fighting over whether Islamic terrorism is a real threat or not, in numerous paragraphs, when it is quite obvious to the most casual observer that it is indeed a threat. Reminds me of Kabir's doha on reading pothis. So, please continue to write prodigiously and frequently. 😀
6. You wrote: “It depends on how you view Hinduism. If you think it’s all rational, then you shouldn’t consider me anti-Hindu. If you think it’s irrational, then I am.”
Umm…as I wrote before, Hinduism is not something that can be reduced to only rituals or practices, so the question of it being irrational or rational is itself irrational. That’s the mistake you Randroids make, in your eagerness of selective picking to fit your pre-conceived ideas. But thanks for validating my observation of Randroids.
Now go out and enjoy the rest of your day.
LikeLike