Ignore the Masses at your Peril!

The new Indian Nobel laureate, Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, has kicked up a storm in a teacup by showing his irritation at getting his email inbox flooded by all those 'pesky' indians wishing to claim him as one of their own.  He has made his irritation publicly known by reporting it to the media. By doing so he has unfortunately laid himself open to all sorts of people who are now berating him in the national press for being unpatriotiic..........




This is a classic example how one facet of character over-develops at the cost of another. Being a scientist closeted in his lab for a large part of his life, he obviously does not have the social or emotional quotient of the 'normal' human being.  Human beings live in a society where interaction is a must to survive.  But if you happen to be a top notch performer in a niche field where you have devoted all your time to your science you have no need to stroke the egos of the masses.




Humanity can be divided into a few performers pushing the edge of the envelope and all the non performing masses following behind.  The non performing masses can no longer be ignored as they continue to increase in number yearly.  This why the roman Caesars had circuses - to keep the masses entertained and off the streets!  In the modern era of social e-networking they have become increasingly e-vocal. They are the reason why TV programs like "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" become very easy over time so that anyone can answer the questions and attempt to become a millionaire. An increasing population which is more aware of it's powers is also the reason why precise marks in schools are being replaced by grades which span a range. Hence failing  no longer has negative connotations causing irreparable harm to the common psyche.





When one ignores the masses he/she puts themselves at certain amount of risk.  That is why one should have the courage of conviction. Venkatraman has this in ample measure having stuck to his task for the larger part of his life.  He can not only point out the charlatans trying to board his bandwagon, he does it publicly without care for the consequences.  This can only come from supreme confidence. What can the masses do to him in any case?  He does not stay in India or they would have rioted and forced him to become an exile like M.F. Hussain the renowed painter who dare not return to India in apprehension over having angered the crowd by his allegedly depicting “Bharatmata” in a nude painting. Neither Venkatraman's livelihood depends on India nor his family live in India. 




Venkatraman's faux pas may be similar to Marie Antoinette's "Let them eat Cake!" but it is only the truly agonized cry of the time challenged scientist at finding his email inbox clogged by the attention seeking charlatans.  The masses are at the receiving end here and they will not get their way with the great man. Marie Antoinette met a deserved end while Venkatraman will most likely go on to win a few more Nobels if left in peace. The masses will only benefit if they let him be undisturbed. He gets the benefit due to the super achiever.




You and I on the other hand need to be more aware of the masses pressing on us from all sides. If your livelihood is dependant on them then you may even have to bend to conquer as Karan Johar did when faced with the demand to withdraw the word "Bombay" and replace it with "Mumbai" in his latest movie. But that is the subject of a separate post.