At the end, we are mere evolutionised apes adorning narcissistic capes as we chase comforting escapes, Clouded in thought, our pretentious mind makes our ballooned egos levitate, if only, we could sit down and meditate.
Ch Darwin-Emile Littré by André Gill
Reverse Evolution (cause aping is a habit)
Reverse evolution is when we try to acquire traits not in coherence with what nature wants us to do. When our adaptations are not justified by our struggle for existence but merely a direct result of influence. Reverse evolution is when our adaptations are not based on necessity but a result of compulsion that leads us to empty comforts.
In India we see many a men and women trying to deceive their natural traits, in order to enhance their desirability, attract attention and make more money. Reverse evolution is the trend as we seek to be western in our mannerisms but not in our mentality. As a result the social structure here has shaped into an abominable concoction of the worst of both Indian and Western cultures.
Once upon a time not so long ago, our discipline and social order were consequents of our social norms. People wouldn’t question these as they were based on spirituality. A healthy spirit used to follow all social norms, which subliminally made everyone loving, caring, sharing and progress symbiotically. The wise men of the past had related all necessary norms to religion knowing that people would fear and follow and sustain.
With time, we began to questions everything and as.the world became smaller, we embraced comforting influences and gave up the burden of social norms . We could have been inspired by the multitude of western traits which could have galvanized us for the good, but we chose the ones which comfort us most. Thus our adaptations towards better forms of ourselves was hampered and the influences reversed our evolution.
The uncomfortable social norms mean nothing to us now. These social norms made sense in a more sanctified environment. But now we question and take the comfortable path, and who cares about sustenance. Back in the day our value system was adamantine like wolverines claws. Communal harmony, cultural values and the feelings of oneness of society wasn’t taught but acquired naturally. Honesty, respect, truthfulness, love were part of our innate characters. Now we long for recognition, power and demand respect.
It seems that social norms made more sense when things were not so chaotic. Now in this digital free for all we pick on comforting influences from all over the world. Our mentalities are molded by geographies we are unaware of, backgrounds we don’t even understand. Right from the way we talk and carry ourselves, from how we deal with relationships and the society to what we eat and how we communicate. We are influenced beyond repair. By consuming one too many digital dishes we end up obese with partial knowledge about many cultures and forget our own. To get a better understanding on this just sit down and listen to any random group conversation among the youth of our country or listen to some trending bollywood songs. Most often the obesity of partial knowledge comes out in verbal diarrhea.(Yo yo and doll)
Comfortably Westernized(or are we…)
The whole fabric of the Indian society stands besmirched. We call it progression by following the western way. But we ape only the comfortable parts of the western society. This reverse evolution, and irresponsibility towards influences, has hampered our progress greatly.
Their fun and frolic is easy to be replicated and their focus and discipline, easier to be ignored. The imported baby dolls won’t last a lifetime. We also can’t bank on the cheap imitations yo-yoing around. These haywired specimens are too unsure of what they represent themselves; it’s tough to expect them to be ideal idols. Still they comfort us with worthless exhibitionism on the pretext of talent. And we, like a zombied mob too fascinated by the comforts of the western world, follow. Follow these demented souls to the nothingness that they lead us to.
What we ignore is what our society was based on. Integrity, discipline, honor, all these words are for the outdated old schooler’s who are unaware to the magnificence of western nuisances. As a result of reverse evolution the modern Indian is individual(alone), flamboyant(showoff), self-reliant(selfish) and happy(depressed).
Embrace who you are and learn for the better
The evil that our society is fighting is not of a corrupt political system but a corrupt state of mind caused by reverse evolution. When we can’t expect ourselves to be wholly, or even majorly Indian how can we select leaders from amongst us. Unlike us, the world knows how to make the most of their own and other cultures. They understand the spiritual empowerment that India offers is unparalleled, hence they make it a point to turn to India for meditation, yoga and soul soothing matters.
Part of progression is what you choose to copy. As Indians we copy comforts and ignore the more important parts of life, while most of the world knows what to copy. There are enumerable things that we can copy from other cultures which would actually benefit us. But what is thrown into our faces , through social media, through movies, through sitcoms, is just a part of the whole. The western society is knitted by a thread of utter discipline, organized systems, astute planning and relentless focus. These often go unnoticed as they are beyond our comfort zones. We end up being partly here, partly there, and fully nowhere.
We must choose one sense of life and follow it thoroughly. Our culture and our legacy will only sustain if we believe in it. That being said you can always add to your culture by picking up positives from others, without damaging the core beliefs of your own cultural system. You can be inspired but in a world where influences are so common it is hard to find a difference.Hence instead of adapting to survive humans are influenced to impress, and that my friend is reverse evolution.
