So this happened.
A: Killing plants and animals is the same.
B: Are you serious? Animals feel pain and fear. Plants don't. What the animals must go through for us to get food is cruel. Does it not matter at all? Their suffering?
A: Doesn't matter. Their purpose is the same. Both plants and animals are meant to be food.
A thinks he's right and went on about how insects are also killed to produce plant food. B decided it's no use speaking further.
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My October reading list:
1. Who is a Terrorist? by Soyam Lokendrajit
A string of essays spread over a decade is the author's offering to those dreaming of a world of freedom beyond terror. Truly enjoyed reading his coherently articulated ideas. Why didn't I read this sooner? Recommended reading for the youths of Manipur and Northeast India or anyone interested in knowing why NE is full of insurgencies.
"Freedom means realisation of the best human nature is capable of and the best things come from within the individual- they are such things as creative art, love and thought. The individual can realize the best only in a community which is free. And no community is free until and unless it can shape its own destiny without external constraints." From the essay, "Reasoning with the Terrorist".
In a lecture entitled "Manipur- the way forward", Sri G.K. Pillai, former Union Home Secretary, observed that the Union Government of India is interested in keeping violence in Manipur within tolerable limits, while the Government of Manipur looks at the Centre as a cash cow that would keep financing it. From the essay, " A Manipuri looks at democracy in India". Makes sense, doesn't it? That's it. That's why things keep happening the way they do.
And talking about what AFSPA did to Manipur. It hurts too much. So another time.
2. A History of Manipuri Literature by R.K. Jhalajit Singh
Not just about literature, but I learned some about the general history of Manipur as well because the literature of a people is a part of their culture, isn't it? For example, the worship of Vishnu in Manipur began in the year 1470. I didn't know that before.
The earliest literature, as per the book, is a copper plate inscription of the 8th century AD, discovered in the thirties. The inscription conveys thoughts of the time of King Khongtekcha. The background of the inscription has got something to do with tantricism. Manipur is situated near the tantric belt covering Bengal and Assam. Tantricism therefore has always had a tendency to creep into the beliefs of the people of Manipur, writes the author.
I should look for the 2nd volume of the book.
3. Our Indigenous Stories
Stories from seven socio-cultural zones of the world. There are two stories from Manipur. It's a shame I don't like either of them.
One is about a girl, Hayainu, tortured by her stepmother to the point that she decided to fly away with the birds, uchek langmeidongs.
And another one is about Tampha who loved her doll dearly, got married as a teen, her husband and in laws thought her insane because she listened to ants, lizards and crows, and also did insane things like trying to take out a ring from a corpse's finger with her teeth. Husband said bye bye, too crazy. King took her as his queen because she had a gift or power, useful to him. Doesn't matter whether she got married to this guy or that guy. She'll get married to whoever she is told to get married. And getting married to the King, she must consider herself lucky. I guess. 🙄
4. Orbital by Samantha Harvey
Good for a change of perspective. I like this book. Last time I read, didn't properly appreciate it.
"who can look at man's neurotic assault on the planet and find it beautiful? Man's hubris. A hubris so almighty it's matched only by his stupidity."
5. A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
Because I'm kinda obssessed with black holes, wormholes, time travel and stuff 👀. And what is quantum mechanics?
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