Life is a blend of science, social science and common sense working in tandem or sometimes in isolation. Of late, we see people associating pseudo-scientific logic to every ritual and tradition they follow. The earlier generation did not require science to back these rituals and traditions because they lived out of fear of religion. The younger generation is inquisitive and rational, and they may need logic to understand many of these rituals and traditions. Thus the need for these convoluted concepts from science, to pique their interest to carry on traditions.
Rituals and Traditions
The Indian tradition of using rice powder to draw a kolam (a form of drawing patterns on the floor ) in front of houses, as a gesture to feed small insects and applying turmeric on the lower jamb of the door to prevent insects from entering homes was nothing but common sense. Continuing the same tradition of using rock powder to draw a kolam and applying yellow paint on the jamb may not help.
Science and Social Science
A game of football has science and social science involved throughout the play. The speed at which players run, the force and the angle of strike, air pressure and weight of the ball, wind speed and aerodynamics, friction from the turf and many other parameters is the science. Passing or striking the ball at the right time, being a team player, and not a solo player would be other social dynamics that are crucial to the game. If we start analyzing these things scientifically, then we may not enjoy the game.
Politics is a social science.
The right messaging devoid of biases, by all individuals of a country, builds a positive ecosystem for all of us to live in harmony. Recently, the Prime Minister of India addressed the nation on the COVID-19 pandemic. He advised social distancing and as a token of appreciation to service providers like doctors, nurses and essential services workers, to clap hands and clang vessels at a particular time. It was surprising to see that people quickly came up with pseudo-scientific concepts on the benefits of clapping and clanging vessels. Apart from generating sound, and the resonance it can bring, while clapping hands and clanging vessels, there are no other scientific aspects. These half baked concepts were viral on social media taking away the right essence of the message, and even the educated falling for this was disappointing.
Coming together is always fun. Any group activity can bring happiness. The science behind happiness is the secretion of one or more of these hormones; endorphins, dopamine and serotonin. The Italians felt happy when they came to their balcony and orchestrated music during the lockdown due to the pandemic. It was their way of fighting the boredom and nothing more than that.
Let us be responsible citizens
Laying sheets of styrofoam on a small water body to prevent evaporation is science. A politician, deciding to lay sheets of styrofoam on a large water body, a lake was stupidity. Many times religious rituals, celebrations and political actions overlook research and scientific facts. The hazards of chemical pollution when lighting fireworks or the usage of plastics during festivals is purely scientific, and yet it falls on deaf ears. As responsible citizens, it is important to pass the right message to our society and our future generations. Let us not use concepts of pseudo-science as a reason to make an individual follow a ritual or a tradition. It is in our hands to make the right messages go viral and employ social distancing for all other fake propaganda.
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6 Comments
Boby George Kodiyat · March 22, 2020 at 6:52 pm
Well said. I also came across people gathering in groups along with children to clap and applaud the selfless Doctors and healthcare professionals who are striving hard to bring peace back to each and everyone affected. This is sheer stupidity, where actually the suggestion was to cheer at their homes individually, which we saw in places like Spain and Italy.
Priscilla Solomon · March 22, 2020 at 7:23 pm
Well said George. It’s sooo true and apt for the current situation and it’s correct to pass on only valid info.
Manodivya · March 22, 2020 at 10:08 pm
Exactly. I too thought the same. What is the use of gathering at 5pm and making sounds during this pandemic? There are many ways to show our gratitude to persons serving in medical industry and public service. Sure we should think twice before forwarding any fake messages in critical times.
Giridhari Prasad S · March 23, 2020 at 12:52 am
Very true. I just read a news clip which was forwarded in WhatsApp which states the Landlords of doctors who are staying in rental homes are being asked to vacate because they feel these doctors returning from their duties might carry the virus along and become potential source of spreading disease. Now where will these poor doctors go. How our government is going to support them.
Ashima Bahl · March 23, 2020 at 7:02 am
I really think you have hit the right nerve and apt for today
Bindu · March 23, 2020 at 12:08 pm
Nice one George
I refrain from commenting on most of the concepts you have captured as I am no expert 😊
But from what I have read or heard from non-judgemental folks of wisdom is that clapping your hands, ringing of bells, music etc.. are not just Sounds/reasonance
….but are beneficial to mankind and in turn to environment..
Also as rightly pointed out by you in earlier days, religion & fear were tools used to make people follow certain practices which had scientific base… And this has to be done even today.. as yesterday most even well read folks followed clapping but refrained from distancing which clearly had scientific reasoning 😊