Anything Everything

Mr. Blogger,

This is 'The Believer' speaking. As my friend pointed out, I'm not a believer, or an atheist, or an agnostic. Then, who am I? I'm a theist. Saw the space between 'a' and 'theist'? That space creates the difference between me and an atheist. I'll explain.

We both believe in the knowledge imparted to us by science. But, as you may be aware, scientific knowledge consists of either proven facts or hypotheses. The former, we can trust blindly. But, as far as the later is concerned, we've to be very careful while using them in our assumptions or in our theories. My friend prefers to consider hypotheses as facts. I think, this is a BIG mistake. The reason is, someday you could be wrong!! this is the point, where we both differ. He says, there is no God. He doesn't need a God to start the universe. According to him, the universe is self starting. He may present many 'ideas' with this statement. Yes! I said 'ideas' and not facts. They may or may not be able to substantiate what he said. His unbridled use of such hypotheses is what I oppose.

Most people think of me as an atheist, primarily because of my attitude towards religion. Let me make it quite clear. An atheist is defined as a person who doesn't believe in God. There is no mention of the word religion anywhere here. A person believing in God needn't be a die-hard or even a moderate believer of a religion. I don't think God is confined to any religion. My belief is that, this supreme creator is not bound by the shackles of religion. But, he is chained in the minds of humane beings.

I was born in a religion. So, I still belong to it. I think a religion is a path to know God. But still, I don't believe in any religion, as they still don't know who God is, and where to find him.

As I've pointed out earlier, God is always with us, as Love. So, am I saying “God is Love”?

No, no... my belief is “Love is God”.

Mr. Blogger,

I've read your blog post that features a converstion I had with a friend of mine. In that article you say that I'm an atheist and my friend is a believer. My dear friend, you are mistaken. He is not an ordinary believer, who is a die hard believer of a particular religion. But, I am an atheist, in the real sense. I want you to know why I'm an atheist. Consider this as the confessions of an atheist.

I was not born an atheist. I was born in a religious neighbourhood. As a child, I loved stories of God, how believers are blessed, how the sinners are punished or how they had their redemption. But, that doesn't mean that I was brought up in a very strict religious environment, where religion dominates thought. As a child, I believed in God. I thought he made this universe, life in this Earth and all.

So, when did I became an atheist? There is no clear answer to that question, because that transformation was very slow. I didn't became an atheist in a day. Over the years, I became what I'm now. So, what caused this radical transformation? The answer is that, I thought. I thought day in and day out, trying to figure out why human beings are not so humane. Why all this killings, havoc? I found an answer. Men do all mass cruelities to innocent common man, either in the name of religion or in the name of political parties. Ordinary people are blindfolded by the top members of a political or religious faith. They can no longer see the plain facts. They no longer trust their eyes. So they trust their ears. They do what they are told to do. They do all sorts of cruelities thinking that they are protected and they are in a group.

Fed up with this, I thought of a way to live and let others live. I knew the only way to do so is by eliminating both politics and religion from my life. I found eliminating the first easy, as I had not yet formed a political view. But, the second was difficult, because losing relogion meant losing God.

Meanwhile, I developed an interest in science. The reason was simple, it gave me the right answers for all my questions. As I got answers, my questions increased. Soon, I learned that answering my own questions was the most important part of learning. Thus I started thinking of everything that crossed my mind. It was this rational thinking, that enabled me to part with religion. Then, I had to explain God. I found the loopholes in the existing definition of God, to define God in a rational, logical manner. I considered scientific laws as God's law. I replaced God with knowledge, love for humanity. You may say that this is the definition of God. But, there is a very big difference. The God that I speak of doesn't belong to any religion. He doesn't need any prayers. He doesn't help you out of a difficulty if you pray. He will help you if you think, and only if you think!! He won't simply bestow you with blessings. You will have to discover his true blessings. So, what sort of atheist am I? I redefined God and believe in him. So am I really an arheist? Yes, because, I don't believe in the commonly known “commercial God”.

This letter is not meant to transform you into an atheist like me. Every atheist has a reason for why he became so. This is to explain why I became an atheist. I may be wrong in my belief. One day, there may arise proofs for the existence of God. But, I will not have any regrets then, because, I stood for humanity, for love, for knowledge. I believe, God (if there is one) too will be in that side. He won't punish me for not believing in him, because, I stood for the right principles.

In this post I'm writing about the origin of our universe. I will deal with it scientifically and philosophically. For a change, I'm writing this as a conversation I overheard between two people that, one who doesn't believe in God, and the other who has faith in the hands of God. But, both of them have good scientific temper and are well aware of the Big Bang theory and its implications. Wanna hear it?

“So, who set the ball rolling?”

“Excuse me?”

“I'm talking about the origin of the universe”

“Oh! That's quite simple. God!!”

“So you think that's how it all happened? You don't believe in Big Bang theory?”

“I've read a lot about it. But, I don't fully believe in it”

“Why?”

“There are many things the theory can explain. I believe in it. But as far as the unexplained part is concerned, I think only God can fill those blanks.”

“But, that doesn't have a proof”

”O.k. Consider this. The Big Bang theory states that time started at big bang. It doesn't say what happened before that?”

“That question is irrelevant, because space and time collapses at that singularity. The happenings before that has no effect”

“That's a limitation. Only God can overcome that. That's the proof you have asked for”

“O.k, then who created God?”

“That question is irrelevant”

“Why?”

SILENCE!!!

“Listen,God is someone who has no beginning or end”

“That's what all religions say. I don't believe in what religions say. I seek truth, and truth is always accompanied by proof”

“Look! What you say have got some proof. Even now, we can't say what happened before Planck time. That's after big bang. Why?”

“See, we've got our own limitations in making such huge energy levels. It is impossible to recreate the first instants of big bang in lab”

“So... you say, you can't provide enough evidence to support what you say, and still you need proof for what I say. Why?”

“Because you believe in God, who can make anything possible. It won't be difficult for him to give a few proofs of his very existence.”

“My friend, you say so because you don't know who God is. He is not a greedy businessman who needs more customers. He needs only true believers to know who he is.”

“O.k, tell me who God is?”

“He is the creator of....”

(interrupting) “No, no, no. Tell me his name”

“See, I'm just a believer, and not a religious fanatic. What I call him is immaterial. I believe in God and I'm least concerned about what religions say. It is my belief that matters.”

“And.. yet, you believe in a religion.”

“As a path to know Him. Only as a path. I won't allow it to control me.”

“Why?”

“Because I believe in God. It is in Him that I believe, not in what some 'men of God' tell.”

“Then how come you be a believer?”

“I've already said the answer. I think, God just created the universe. Or he just let the big bang happen. Then he just sits back and watch. Like a father watching with proud, his son growing.”

“Do you think He will help his son during the course of development?”

“I don't think so. Because that results in the violation of laws of physics, and He won't let it happen, because they are His laws.”

SILENCE!!!

“I think you are more close to my thinking, than I've previously thought. With some few changes, it is actually my point of view. The only difference is that you need a God in your theory, while I don't.”

“May be that's because we are both aware of this universe, scientifically ”

“Yeah! So, you sure God won't interfere with our universe any more?”

“He won't interfere any more, because he is all around us”

“As LOVE?”

“Precisely!!”

We may often hear testimonies of individuals who had supernatural experiences. I prefer to believe that they are either “victims” or “conspirators”. Let me explain to you some basic facts and my beliefs about supernatural.

Ghost busters have found that the magnetic and electric fields at a haunted place are abnormal. Also in some places, temperature may fall below room temperature. Let's first deal with the observations. On one side we have the scientific observations (effects) and on the other we have “the supernatural”. Now, comes the important part of logic. Some believe that the supernatural causes these effects. Others prefer to believe that these effects lead to some physiological and psychological changes in us, that leads us to a conclusion like supernatural. So we can see, with a simple change in perspective, we can get a rational or a superstitious conclusion, with the same set of data. So, it's the perspective that matters.

I've said that some physiological changes occur when we are in abnormal electric or magnetic fields. Here are two examples.

In 1998, Vic Tandy wrote a paper called "Ghosts in the Machine" for the Journal of the Society for Psychical Research. Some years earlier, Tandy while working in at the Warwick lab saw something coming from him. He soon discovered that infrasound coming from an extractor fan was the reason for this. He measured the frequency of infrasound and found it to be 18.98 hertz, the exact frequency at which a human eyeball starts resonating. This causes the eyeballs to resonate, to produce an optical illusion. Since these are infrasound waves inaudible to us we can't hear it or know it without some detector apparatus. The gullible take it for an apparition.

The solar wind interacts with our earth's magnetoshere in a peculiar manner. It is such that the earth's magnetic field stretches out on to the dark side (that is, night). Some say this field interacts with people's brain. Some researchers say this to be the reason for most paranormal happenings to be at night. Now some medical researches have shown that simulating certain parts of our brain can lead to hallucinations, apparitions, near death experiences, etc. For example, electrically stimulating the angular gyrus of human brain can lead to a sensation of someone mimicking our movements behind us.

There are other scientific facts also. You can simply search for it in the net and read. Many researches have been conducted to reveal the mysteries behind certain haunted sites. Though all were not fruitful, many have exposed the myths. Also paranormal researchers (skeptical) measures electric and magnetic fields, temperature and humidity in these regions and found that it's abnormal. Here comes an interesting part

--> Some say these abnormalities are due to paranormal activity

--> Some say that these abnormalities interact with our brain and mind to cause paranormal illusions.

Throughout this article I mentioned the effect of physical parameters on human brain. The brain actually is like a intelligent processor. The various sense organs sends their respective data to brain. It analyses and interprets it. But, unlike a man-made processor, the brain compares the existing data with previous ones. This is important, because, that's where the ghosts come into play. Often as a child we hear fairy tales, myths, demons etc. So, as soon as an illusion is formed, our subconscious mind relates this to a close resembling paranormal story or activity. This evokes the demon – FEAR who will literally tear you apart!

So to cope with the supernatural, I suggest you to shed your fears (a daunting task!!) or to think rationally. Don't confuse the chirp of a bird with a “ghostly haul”. If that too is impossible, better keep out of “haunted mansions”!!

Supernatural!! A word that fills our minds with fear, or suspense. But, what is it actually? Or is there something like that? Probably, a difficult question. Can we explain those so called “supernatural” phenomenon in a rational way? Do ghosts really exist? Are haunted houses a reality? Can we perform impossible tasks with the aid of supernatural?

I'm not gonna say a clear cut answer to these questions. I will just jot down some points that I've learned. Let's start with human mind. Actually, it is a paradox to the most renowned psychologists. But, they all agree that it has immense potential that we can't fathom. But, don't think you can break the laws of science with some psi behaviour. There have been reports of supernatural occurrences all around the world. Myth busters across the globe have succeeded in bringing light to some of these in a rational way, and in some cases they haven't yet succeeded. From many such happenings, we can infer (though partially) that in most cases, the supernatural is not alone, it is often accompanied by humans, or, if you want it plain and clear, “some exploit the fear in our minds for their own benefit by creating such happenings”. As far as the unexplained cases are concerned, I hope they can explain it satisfactorily one day.

What I meant was that, whether we admit or not, “we all have fear of supernatural in our minds”. This fear has got a crucial role when we are in “haunted houses”. Even if we go to break the ghost myth, we actually have a slight belief in it. The following happens:

A man comes to a “haunted house” with his scientific instruments to measure humidity, temperature, magnetic field, electric field etc. Though he claims to be a non-believer he has a slight amount of fear, buried deep inside his unconscious mind. This causes his pupils to dilate, senses to be sharp. (This is a reflex action) He becomes alert. So he hears the smallest of the sounds with superb clarity, which amplifies his fear, that comes to the conscious mind. Then, he may have illusions which he take as fact. The reason for this is that, even if we don't have fear, we are well aware of of some stories surrounding that place. So we easily mistake such faint natural sounds for the unnatural noises. Due to the dilated pupils, more light enters his eyes, that makes him “see white ghostly images for an instant”. This further adds to the fear till he succumbs to it.

Then you may ask what this supernatural actually is? The answer to that question is simple. Human mind!!! The next post will tell you how it is so.

History is a very vast subject. As a school boy, I hated history for making me memorise scores of important dates, and was lured (or, wonder-struck) by the beauty of science. But now, as an engineering graduate, I developed an interest in history. Why? Because, only now did I realise the true potential of the subject. Also some portion of history has an esoteric nature that dragged me into it. History is not just about the various dynasties, kings, their reigns and all. It is the key to many unsolved problems of the present and the guideline to the future. I am deeply interested in how pioneers through their sheer intelligence invented the various gadgets. But, I'm not interested in technical history alone.

As a subject history is taught poorly in schools. Most students hate it, or think it as a waste. This is because, we are forced to study what we don't like. I've no interest in the various dynasties that fought against one another for power. But unfortunately, that's what they teach at at schools. (Why can't they teach history of science?) But, everyone of us will have an interest in history of some kind.

I've heard somewhere that history is written by the winners, or written for them. It is obvious. Most kings have a royal historian to note down the important events during his tenure. Will he write the “true history” or the one distorted to please the king? This is the reason history has a lot of voids in it. This is a very convenient feature that permits individuals or groups to fill these voids in the way they want. In a way, history is 'a set of cooked up stories'. We are often baffled by the contradictions in history. The history we hear is often written on the basis of witness accounts or hearsays. But there are true to the core accounts of many events, written unbiased by free individuals. Facts are usually suppressed to save the “men at the top” or exaggerated to please them. Even now, day today news are distorted to do the same. If this is the case in a free, democratic set-up like now, it would have been worse at the times of arrogant, dictator kings.

History is a mixture of truth and untruth. Don't just mug it up. Analyse the data in front of you, ask your logic whether it is true. If so, double check it and digest, the same way a crime is solved. If we don't filter fables out of facts in history, we will be teaching hoaxes to the budding generation

I recently read Agatha Christie's masterpiece novel – And Then There Were None. This amazing crime novel is a true classic, which is about a perfect crime. The plot and suspense are extremely well. I was simply baffled by the water-tight plot and the suspense. This is not a detective novel. It's a mystery crime novel. It's about a series of perfect murders. I don't want to reveal the plot further. But, what interested me was the plot itself. After reading this, I wondered whether it is really possible for a man to design a perfect crime, without getting himself known (or caught). As an avid reader of detective fiction, I usually read a story and try to figure out the culprit before the end, both logically and psychologically. Psychologically means, the least suspicious one is the culprit. But, both these techniques have failed in this case. No wonder over 100 million copies were sold!
Now, coming back to the topic. Often a perfect crime (rather, every crime) require a trustful ally. But, how trustworthy can he be? Will he succumb to the pressure, or support him? Another important factor is Mother Nature. The unpredictability of Mother Nature can wreck a foolproof plan. Sometimes, an unexpected rain can leave clues that will ultimately betray the criminal. Yet another important factor is Human Nature. Here too, we can't predict what a man will do next. Often an unexpected witness can reveal the whole story. Also, attempts to exterminate such a witness can leave unexpected clues for a sleuth. Some unexpected situations prove too much for even a hard core criminal. In such situations, emotion take control over intelligence, making them act foolish.
Throughout the above passage, the word 'unexpected' is encountered a lot of times. The uncertainty in the nature, human activities, trust can play a spoil sport in case of crime, which is a rather good news to sleuths. This is often refered to as “The fingerprint of GOD”. Whatever it may be, it is a boon. As theory states, every criminal leaves a clue behind him. The success of a sleuth is to find that, and exactly that particular clue, which stands out of the rest.
Of course, there are unsolved crimes, especially homicides throughout the world. Some of the famous ones are:

• The Black Dahlia (Elizabeth Short) murder in 1947 at Los Angeles
• William Goebel, American politician in 1900 at Kentucky
• Jack the Ripper murders, 1888 at London
• Zodiac Killer murders at Northern California, 1968-1969
• Jack the Stripper murders, at London, 1963-1964

I don't think most of the unsolved crimes remain so due to careful planning and execution. There are other factors too. Inefficiency of detectives, corrupt officers, the murderers being members of highly organised crime syndicates, external agencies interfering the investigation (usually politicians) etc.
After reading a handful of detective novels I think, the steps to solve a crime are: rely only on concrete evidences; consider witness statements suspiciously; suspect everyone; form a pattern using the available data. The last one is the most important step. Form a theory with the initial clues. Modify this theory when more REAL clues pour in. Abandon a theory, if new data stands out (if the data is real). View everything suspiciously. Every crime has a pattern of it's own. If the sleuth is able to identify this, he wins. Also, I've read somewhere that if more than one solution exists, the simplest one wil be the right one.
Hoping for a perfect WORLD, and not a perfect crime....

The latest version of Ubuntu Linux, Ubuntu 9.10 codenamed Karmic Koala is ready from October 29th, 2009. Like it's predecessors, this one too is free and you can download it from the ubuntu website or request for a free c.d.

As I have earlier stated, using open source applications have many advantages over propreitary ones. The world is now embracing Linux and its companions. Our Kerala Government too promote open source applications. This reduces cost, increases efficiency and security. Please support open source applications by switching to Linux. Think free, Breathe free and Live free with Ubuntu.

UBUNTU means HUMANITY TO OTHERS

BE HUMANE; PROMOTE UBUNTU

Ubuntu 9.10 features

Get Ubuntu

SUPPORT UBUNTU

Live free or Die-hard is again the topic of the day. This time we deal with the spiritual aspects of this Hollywood movie title. Here too you are left with two options – either think free (and hence live free) or be a die-hard believer of any particular religion. Don't frown, it's a fact. BEWARE OF THE FACT; BE AWARE OF THE FACT.
Let me ask you a simple question. Are you HUMAN?
Of course you are. Only a human being can operate a computer and read a blog (to the best of my knowledge)
But, ARE YOU HUMANE?
Don't rush into a conclusion. Think... Let your conscience answer this question, while you read the rest of this post.
Do you believe in GOD?. If so, which GOD do you believe. The one defined by the various religions in their on unique way (often contradicting each other) through a set of stories. (The one you are familiar with) or, ******* (whom you will eventually find out)
Let's start from the roots. I'm switching the question from “Is there a GOD?” to “Is there the necessity for a GOD?”. And my answer is YES. But that doesn't mean I'm religious. What I meant was that there is a “something” that is needed by us for our survival, who will bestow us with boons and whose laws we can't disobey (the characteristics of so called GOD). Right?
Now, can you think of any other possible solution for this “something”, other than GOD ? I can. The answer is SCIENCE, or more precisely, PHYSICS. This omnipotent is needed for our survival, who will give us BOONS, and whose laws we can't disobey (Try disobey Law of Gravity!!!). From friction to quantum mechanics, we use it's various incarnations to do ALL our activities. (Can you think of a single task that doesn't require physics? Even praying requires many aspects of physics). Physics encourages (or, rather compel) us to QUESTION, to THINK, to ARRIVE AT A RATIONAL CONCLUSION. It don't simply state a fact, without proof. It even allow you to abandon a great theory, if you find a single observation that it can't account for. Will any religion allow such a move? Physics is constantly improvising itself for the future. That is the greatness of physics.
But, if you still adhere to your belief, I don't want to pursue you to be a non-believer. That's not my motto. Also, if you still can't think of physics as omnipotent, you have another option left. Believe in YOU. Your mind has many abilities that baffle scientists all around the world. Let, LOVE FOR HUMANITY be your prayer. The human mind has got the power to heal the deepest of all wounds, or deadliest of all diseases (like GOD). The only thing you need is FAITH. That faith is not in GOD, but in yourself. Believe it or not, your mind can bring about miracles in your (and other's) life, if you have the determination to tap that immense power, with which you are born. Thus, faith and love are the two important things you need in your life, not religion.
You may argue that all religions urges us to love and have faith. But, there's a major difference, they all need a GOD (governed by so called 'Men of God') who has created you, watch you, and ABOVE you. No religion will entertain this “Mind-is-GOD” concept, because, then no-one will heed to their lectures, stories, et al. They all want to control us. They take us into their confidence, for their various needs. We are like puppets in their hands. Okay, I will devote another post for that. What I meant was that the untapped potential in you, your mind is the true GOD. If you have that real power, do you still need a religion? Again, the choice is up to you......

This is the alternate title of 2007 Hollywood film Diehard 4.0 starring Bruce Willis. But, in this technical world, it has got a different perspective. Either you can live (and think) freely using open source softwares or be a diehard user of proprietary softwares.

Open source softwares have many advantages over proprietary ones. The major one is the cost. Usually open source softwares are free of cost. One can download it from net and install in one's computer, and are encouraged to spread it. Operating systems like Ubuntu even ship you a c.d ABSOLUTELY FREE OF COST!!!! (Isn't it too tempting an offer?). Proprietary softwares, on the other hand, cost you money (and your freedom). Also, they are designed for a single use. You can't simply borrow your friend's software and install it in your system (legally). Ofcourse, they may design it for many users, but the cost too will be manifold (exponentially!!).

If you are well versed in programming, and you feel that your existing software doesn't have a feature you want (or it has a bug), then you can modify (or debug) it in open source softwares ONLY. Because, only they come to you with their source code. You can alter it, spread it. You can't get the source code of a proprietary software.

The major drawback of a Windows (a proprietary software) system is, it is prone to virus attacks. These harmful little programs can affect your valuable data. But Linux systems are unassailable to Windows viruses.

One major setback to the open source softwares is “THE COMMON MAN'S ATTITUDE”. For most people, Windows is synonymous to computer. Most people are under the impression that Linux is like a command line O.S, that is not user friendly, lacks technical perfection etc. Gone are those days. Modern Linus O.S are beautiful, user-friendly, technically advanced et al. There are various Linux distributions, like,

UBUNTU, REDHAT, SUSE, FEDORA, MANDRIVA and even LINSPIRE (which is not free though)

One more advantage of Linux O.S is that it comes with an office suite (openoffice.org), an image editinf software (GIMP). But in Windows, you have to buy these additional ones. Also, it has Firefox as it's browser (a major browser software and a major threat to I.E). Also, if you need a software for a particular purpose, you can simply download it, install in an instant, get going. (as simple as 1,... 2,.... 3)

Linux is not without some limitations. If you are looking forward to install Linux, sit back and enjoy some music, or watch a video, you may be disheartened at first, because the inbuilt media player can't play them. (due to proprietary limitations of formats like mp3, wav etc.) But you can (of course, you will) download the required codecs from the net , WITHOUT PAYMENT (of course, excluding the nominal data charges) and ROCK ON..... So in Linux, there is always a way. You just need to log into a community website, post the question, get the answer, implement it. Simple!!!

So, you have two options- to LIVE FREE or be DIEHARD. The choice is upto you....

From now on, this blog will be entirely different. Now, I will write about my thoughts and feelings on various subjects, mostly religion, politics, literature etc.
This will not be a simple blog, it will deal will big things.(At least, things I consider big)
A.R

I think it's time for a small post on Kerala, my land.
I havn't travelled much through this land. But, I've read & heard about different lands, their cultures from my friends & acquaintances. I've often wondered why it's called "God's own country". But, now I think I know why.
It's probably due to the aesthetic greenery and soothing backwaters of this land, especially that of "Kuttanad".

After about 2 months of silence, I'm blogging. But unfortunately i'm not ready with a topic. So, excuse me.
I'll b back soon...

For the last few weeks I've been waiting for the results of election to be declared, just to know whether my vote was "successful" or not. Unfortunately it wasn't. So, let's drop this topic of elections. Will be back soon after my exams

For the past few days, I've been eagerly waiting for this day, 16 April, to cast "MY FIRST VOTE". I was very excited about. But, unfortunately I couldn't find my I.D card this morning. I was a bit shocked, or rather depressed. I looked everywhere, but met no success. Thus morning passed sadly. But, in the afternoon, I restarted the hunt for my card,& .... there he is, deep inside my drawer. I grabbed it and literally ran to cast "MY FIRST VOTE". The process was simple. No queue, no rush, and peaceful was "MY FIRST VOTE", though the morning was a bit tense and suspenseful.

This blog is to express "my views" on whatever topic I feel like blogging. It could be anything (rather everything). Others wont agree with my views. These are "my views" only.

First post will appear soon