These days human mortality is very much on my mind. Seeing the suffering of my dad is very difficult for me. He has always been a vision of strength for me, alway sure of what he wants and how he wants to get there. However ever since he was diagnosed with Cancer he has been a very different person.
People change when affected with cancer. Cancer is unlike anyother disease that I have encountered. Cancer is a disease of probabilities and uncertainities. It is a disease that requires decisions and asks hard questions. Is quality of life more important than length of life? I have grappled with these questions as I try and put myself in my dads shoes. There are no easy answers.
Human life is full of predicaments. We enter this world with a processor and an empty memory. But when we are ready to leave it the memory is full and unfortunately the dying processor is thriving on that memory! That is why I think an infant facing death is oblivious of this than an old man.
But unfortunately human life has a certain mortality associated with it. But why? Why is human life mortal.... I donot know. Maybe so that we can value it.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Saturday, November 04, 2006
China makes moves
China is on the move! Two big moves in 2 weeks. First they convinced (or arm twisted?) North Korea to restart the six party talks. Now they have held a conference soliciting relations with the most ignored but resource endowed continent; Africa.
We can discuss North Korea separately. However the moves on Africa is interest according to me. It is interesting that China has chosen Africa at this time. America is caught up in a struggle in middle east. Pressure on natural resources is increasing day by day. The fight has begun. While American policy is to go after the top of list of countries endowed with natural resources (Saudi Arabia, Iraq), China seems to be approaching it differently. It is going after areas which might have good sources of these resources but are politically risky.
Africa is a continent engulfed with complexities. For America, exploitation of the resources in the continent, requires a compromise with its foreign policy principles of democracy. Also America is militarily caught up in another area of the world - Iraq and no matter what the rhetoric, that fight is also tied to the fact of ensuring resources for the future; it is just a different approach- the belief that democracy in these countries will make the countries strong allies of America in the future.
China on the other hand has no such scruples. It is purely interested in accessing the resources, the political situation in these countries are of minimal interest to it as far as it does not interfere with its original goal. So this conference in China. Where with promises of loans and debt relief, China is seen as a champion of the African nations. There is no talk of human rights abuses or the requirement of reforming the continent either in terms of economic reform or political reform (as would have been the case had America hosted such a conference). The African leadership is more than eager to therefore work with China as it can go on about its business and enrich themselves without any commitment to reforming their countries.
However I feel once America gets out of its Imbroglio in Iraq and if Africa delivers on its natural resources, the next foreign policy battle ground could be Africa.
We can discuss North Korea separately. However the moves on Africa is interest according to me. It is interesting that China has chosen Africa at this time. America is caught up in a struggle in middle east. Pressure on natural resources is increasing day by day. The fight has begun. While American policy is to go after the top of list of countries endowed with natural resources (Saudi Arabia, Iraq), China seems to be approaching it differently. It is going after areas which might have good sources of these resources but are politically risky.
Africa is a continent engulfed with complexities. For America, exploitation of the resources in the continent, requires a compromise with its foreign policy principles of democracy. Also America is militarily caught up in another area of the world - Iraq and no matter what the rhetoric, that fight is also tied to the fact of ensuring resources for the future; it is just a different approach- the belief that democracy in these countries will make the countries strong allies of America in the future.
China on the other hand has no such scruples. It is purely interested in accessing the resources, the political situation in these countries are of minimal interest to it as far as it does not interfere with its original goal. So this conference in China. Where with promises of loans and debt relief, China is seen as a champion of the African nations. There is no talk of human rights abuses or the requirement of reforming the continent either in terms of economic reform or political reform (as would have been the case had America hosted such a conference). The African leadership is more than eager to therefore work with China as it can go on about its business and enrich themselves without any commitment to reforming their countries.
However I feel once America gets out of its Imbroglio in Iraq and if Africa delivers on its natural resources, the next foreign policy battle ground could be Africa.
Friday, September 08, 2006
Cancer and Me!
It seems like I have been surrounded by cancer of late! For the last two years I have had people close to me suffer with cancer and suffer because of it!
My wife had to suffer three people because of cancer. Both her parents have suffered cancer. She lost he father because of cancer (liver). Her mother is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. The third person she had to suffer is me and my emotions. I have tried to be supportive of her but I know I have been abusive rather than supportive. But I never really wanted to......
My father was also diagonized with oesphagal cancern. He has undergone surgery and treatment. But now it is upto faith and prayer.......
People change under pressure. I know I have but I hope I have changed for the better....
My wife had to suffer three people because of cancer. Both her parents have suffered cancer. She lost he father because of cancer (liver). Her mother is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. The third person she had to suffer is me and my emotions. I have tried to be supportive of her but I know I have been abusive rather than supportive. But I never really wanted to......
My father was also diagonized with oesphagal cancern. He has undergone surgery and treatment. But now it is upto faith and prayer.......
People change under pressure. I know I have but I hope I have changed for the better....
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Knowing Faith
I have been a aethist all my life. Bowing to god only to please people I love. The last couple of years has taught me and made me think about faith.
Near and dear ones to me have suffered from various illnesses, including life threatening ones. Cancer is has been one of the main ones. Progress in science regarding Cancer has been incredible but not curable. If one were to talk to doctors about the curability of a particular treatment, they only speak in terms of statistics: "If one were to take this treatment then the probability of a 5yr life is 30% but if you are in the 30% then your probability is 100% if not it is 0%". What is one to make of these numbers?
This has what made me realize what is faith. Faith is the confidence that these numbers are true regarding you. It is the faith that you and your dear ones are in the 30% and not in the other 70%. This faith is contagious. If you are confident and exude it, your loved ones suffering from the illness can find the strength in them to fight their illnesses. Also it brings the best in you and gives you a peace of mind and not worry too much about what is not in your control. One needs to hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
Be optimistic always! One has nothing to lose.....
Near and dear ones to me have suffered from various illnesses, including life threatening ones. Cancer is has been one of the main ones. Progress in science regarding Cancer has been incredible but not curable. If one were to talk to doctors about the curability of a particular treatment, they only speak in terms of statistics: "If one were to take this treatment then the probability of a 5yr life is 30% but if you are in the 30% then your probability is 100% if not it is 0%". What is one to make of these numbers?
This has what made me realize what is faith. Faith is the confidence that these numbers are true regarding you. It is the faith that you and your dear ones are in the 30% and not in the other 70%. This faith is contagious. If you are confident and exude it, your loved ones suffering from the illness can find the strength in them to fight their illnesses. Also it brings the best in you and gives you a peace of mind and not worry too much about what is not in your control. One needs to hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
Be optimistic always! One has nothing to lose.....
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