فرهنگ شفاهی

 غلبه ی فرهنگ شفاهی و سواد شفاهی به جای اتکا به منابع متنی، خطری بزرگ برای جامعه ایست که به دنبال  دانش و تقویت فرهنگ استدلال ورزیست.

The Drawbacks of Nation-State Idea

I have been preoccupied with the narrative of those simplifying world events through nation-state narrative. Even though there are traits which seem to follow the rationale of those in favor of nationalism, a gander at contemporary history provides evidence that disagrees with this notion. Herein I've excerpted some lines from Pinker's book "Enlightenment Now":

"First, the claim that humans have an innate imperative to identify with a nation-state (with the implication that cosmopolitanism goes against human nature) is bad evolutionary psychology. Like the supposed innate imperative to belong to a religion, it confuses a vulnerability with a need. People undoubtedly feel solidarity with their tribe, but whatever intuition of “tribe” we are born with cannot be a nation-state, which is a historical artifact of the 1648 Treaties of Westphalia. (Nor could it be a race, since our evolutionary ancestors seldom met a person of another race.) 

In reality, the cognitive category of a tribe, in-group, or coalition is abstract and multidimensional. People see themselves as belonging to many overlapping tribes: their clan, hometown, native country, adopted country, religion, ethnic group, alma mater, fraternity or sorority, political party, employer, service organization, sports team, even brand of camera equipment. (If you want to see tribalism at its fiercest, check out a “Nikon vs. Canon” Internet discussion group.) 

It’s true that political salesmen can market a mythology and iconography that entice people into privileging a religion, ethnicity, or nation as their fundamental identity. With the right package of indoctrination and coercion, they can even turn them into cannon fodder. That does not mean that nationalism is a human drive. Nothing in human nature prevents a person from being a proud Frenchman, European, and citizen of the world, all at the same time.

The claim that ethnic uniformity leads to cultural excellence is as wrong as an idea can be. There’s a reason we refer to unsophisticated things as provincial, parochial, and insular and to sophisticated ones as urbane and cosmopolitan. No one is brilliant enough to dream up anything of value all by himself. Individuals and cultures of genius are aggregators, appropriators, greatest-hit collectors. Vibrant cultures sit in vast catchment areas in which people and innovations flow from far and wide. This explains why Eurasia, rather than Australia, Africa, or the Americas, was the first continent to give birth to expansive civilizations (as documented by Sowell in his Culture trilogy and Jared Diamond in Guns, Germs, and Steel). 

It explains why the fountains of culture have always been trading cities on major crossroads and waterways. And it explains why human beings have always been peripatetic, moving to wherever they can make the best lives. Roots are for trees; people have feet. Finally, let’s not forget why international institutions and global consciousness arose in the first place. Between 1803 and 1945, the world tried an international order based on nation-states heroically struggling for greatness. It didn’t turn out so well. It’s particularly wrongheaded for the reactionary right to use frantic warnings about an Islamist “war” against the West (with a death toll in the hundreds) as a reason to return to an international order in which the West repeatedly fought wars against itself (with death tolls in the tens of millions). After 1945 the world’s leaders said, “Well, let’s not do that again,” and began to downplay nationalism in favor of universal human rights, international laws, and transnational organizations. The result has been seventy years of peace and prosperity in Europe and, increasingly, the rest of the world. 

As for the lamentation among editorialists that the Enlightenment is a “brief interlude,” that epitaph is likelier to mark the resting place of neo-fascism, neo-reaction, and related backlashes of the early 21st century. The European elections and self-destructive flailing of the Trump administration in 2017 suggest that the world may have reached Peak Populism, and as we saw in an international order based on nation-states heroically struggling for greatness. It didn’t turn out so well. It’s particularly wrongheaded for the reactionary right to use frantic warnings about an Islamist “war” against the West (with a death toll in the hundreds) as a reason to return to an international order in which the West repeatedly fought wars against itself (with death tolls in the tens of millions)."

Pinker, Steven. Enlightenment Now (pp. 450-451). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Photo: Morocco fans celebrate in the central Puerta del Sol in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. Morocco beat Spain on penalties during a round of 16 World Cup soccer tournament in Qatar. (AP Photo/Andrea Comas)

Clowns Representing My National Team!

 

The picture is from a friendly game between Iran and Uruguay, on September 23, 2022.  These are Iranian players celebrating the goal by Mehdi Taremi. 

Just to put it into context: on the same date city of Oshnavieh was the scene of heavy protest and clashes between people and police. Heavy fights were reported in Isfahan at dusk. Universities shifted to virtual teaching mode to avoid further students protests.

On the same date, state-organized rallies in support of the hejab and the government were held (The government claimed that the rallies were spontaneous, while many reformist parties within the system were frequently denied the right to gather and demonstrate). Furthermore, The United States Department of State issued a general license facilitating US corporations' access to the Iranian Internet market. This was followed by ecstatic news of Elon Musk expanding Starliknk services to cover Iran as well.   

But back in the Iranian footballists' delusional bulb, the outlook looked vastly different. They see rosier landscapes. Impending world cup, impending demonstration of their talents, and abundant luxury contracts would be awaiting.  Many Iranian football players are professionals on fat contracts engineered by astute agents who are handling their affairs. Many of them are playing in European leagues. They are not the best examples of education and social/political maturity. 

In fact, the behavior of many of the Iranian national team squad was deemed as tone-deaf toward the social milieu they come from.  Their social media can be a good measure to evaluate their stance. They are a generation of players who express opinions over various issues on social media. From the quality of the kits they used to wear at the national team to the birthday greetings, etc all were expressed through these popular platforms. However, they switched to a mute mode and opted a neutral stance regarding what was happening in the streets of their homeland, probably their hometwons, probably members of their families. Understandably, Iranian fans were infuriated and they feel divorced from this so-called "National Team" or "Team Melli". Words are raped once again in the current politically-stained rhetoric and Iranian uprising intends to reclaim their vocabulary. "Team Melli" is from "Mellat (People), and plays for Mellat. 

These players (and again reiterate there are exceptions within the current squad who were vocal and proactive) are symbols of complacent conformity. They are a bunch of careerists running in circles to satisfy career goals. This career trajectory will not ultimately move them a jot toward becoming mature humans. 

Sometimes a win represents a million losses.

Pedram, November 22, 2022

The Oppressed

 وَنُرِيدُ أَن نَّمُنَّ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْتُضْعِفُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَنَجْعَلَهُمْ أَئِمَّةًۭ وَنَجْعَلَهُمُ ٱلْوَٰرِثِينَ

But it was Our Will to favour those who were oppressed in the land, making them models ˹of faith˺ as well as successors

(Al-Qasas-5)

The Crazy Art of Tehlonoius Monk

 

I just saw the documentary "Straight, No Chaser" depicting life and art of Mr. Thelonious Monk.

What impresses me the most?

-"He was a genius jazzman." Yes, I already heard a few things!

-"He had an unorthodox style." Yes, he was the phenom

-"He had a problematic mental health history." Yes, like many artists, TM had his fair share of mental health issues.

All of them aspects are important and well-documented about him.

What I had not appreciated, what I could not grasp via listening to him, was how transcendence is embodied in one's art. Him dancing in such maniac fashion in between pieces on stage, is something out of this world. 

I witnessed greatneness, transcendence, and oneness! Body shuttles a spirit in perpetual burn.

Pedram

October 29, 2022

Washington D.C. March, October 22, 2022

 

How Did Mahsa Amini Become The Key?

From time to time, life takes some unpredictable turns that catch us all off guard.

Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old girl from the Kurdish city of Saqez in Iran traveled to the capital to have a few days of fun and visit her relatives. She was apprehended by Morality in Tehran and died under suspicious conditions while in custody.

The way the news spread and the heartbreaking nature of this death, gravely saddened millions of people in Iran. Nationwide protests flared and a full-blown crackdown ensued.

These are not unfamiliar scenes for many middle-aged Iranian people. Over the past 25 years, there have been a number of protests over various social, political, and economical crises. However, this time looks different to many observers. Here are a few points that in my opinion make this round unique by the standards of Iran's protests:

1- Generation Z: This is a fundamental factor, the demographics of this round of protests make it completely different. The majority of individuals on the streets are from Generation Z. This generation is well recognized for its particular characteristic and their different upbringing conditions. The main player is ubiquitous Internet access. The new technologies are the bedrock of their  There is a demanding aspect of societal management of movement. 

2- Woman, Life, Freedom

A central theme of this movement is women demanding their fundamental rights. They feel the regime has robbed them of their innate rights throughout the past four decades. The motive here is captured in the slogan "Woman, Life, Freedom". This is a very modern, politically-neutral, and timid type of manifest encapsulating the core values of modern civil society. Coming out of decades of policies crushing middle-class society, facing such a slogan becoming the canonical point of protests is telling.  

3- A Leaderless Movement

This is massive without prominent leadership. The conventional conservative, reformist, and opposition fronts are completely out of the leadership picture and are actually catching up with the slogans and the mindset of protests.

4- The Role of Social Media

As global connectivity soars, the news of the Iranian protest broke despite strict censorship by the regime. The shocking footages, voices, pictures spread to the people, and news agencies in the free world. Social tools such as hashtags were decisive in attracting attention and most online activities were spearheaded toward promoting these hashtags with the canonical one of #MahsaAmini and later #NikaShakarami 

5- Diaspora and Expats joining Iranians Inside Homeland:

Usually, Iranian expats are demonstrating poor collective spirit, communicating and finding the common ground. This time is different. Probably scope and depth of human tragedy, affected people across the political and ideological spectrum alike, Large unprecedented marches in more than 150 cities across the globe with a consistent slogan (Woman. Life. Freedom) is a testament to this evolution.  

While there are some distinct characteristics in this "Woman.Life.Freedom" movement in 2022, there are similarities with the previous civil movements in 2009 and the students' unrest as in both we have the central role of universities and the security measures against these highly influential institutions, shows how much the authorities rate and deter the elites. While this is in continuation of 2009unrests, the government did its best to rattle the foundation of grass root institutions/organizations such as labor unions, or student groups. These were originally designated as valid roots for citizens to engage with policymakers and explain their concerns. The logical outcome of this is that society resorts to violence and a flurry of radical slogans. As a person who was closely witnessing 2009 unrests, I can notice the stark turn in the contents of slogans as they've become extremely radical with profane language targeting the supreme leader. Interesting is that the protestors do not address anyone below the supreme leader of Iran in their slogans and this may suggest the common consensus that all the rest of the political figures in the system are insignificant in deciding the main policies. 

حالیا مصلحت وقت در آن می بینم

 که کشم رخت به میخانه و خوش بشینم

جام می گیرم و از اهل ریا دور شوم

یعنی از اهل جهان پاکدلی بگزینم

جز صراحی و کتابم نبود یار و ندیم

تا حریفان دغا را به جهان کم بینم

سر به آزادگی از خلق برآرم چون سرو

گر دهد دست که دامن  زجهان در چینم

حافظ

Tranquil

 

Tremulous!

Just stay calm! Transduce the negativity into loving, positive, and caring waves of life.

Pedram, 9/11/2022

Picture: East Liberty Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA

Populism: Gendered and Dangerous

This was a fantastic article by Julie Mostov.

The article points out that populism follows a gendered undertow and always jeopardizes democracy. The undercurrent of populism movements is the strengthen the "us" vs. "them" narrative. Populism is all for the continued rule of majority and the would-be infiltrators of the status quo are not desirable players. This POV also affects immigration policies and curbs democratic institutions with the intention of serving the national interest. This will most likely progress in parallel with the disenfranchisement of entities deemed as disloyal and the silencing of the suspect voices within the demos. 

Link to the Article

On Football, Fandom, and Culture

 This has been my lifetime passion.

Something that clicked only when I knew Manchester United. This started back in the day when watching live games was a dream and it was well before the internet conquered all domains of information and broadcasting.

United was led by a particular legendary figure and I have memories of a club struggling to establish itself as the new powerhouse among elites of the game in England (i.e. Liverpool, Leeds United). I have vivid memories of Eric Cantona's lengthy spell on the sidelines after that Kung fu kick at Selhurst Park. Losing title to Blackburn Rovers in 94, heated face-offs with Wegner's Arsenal. Not necessarily glory-laden times but full of identity and inspiration.

In recent years, occasionally I shared my thought about football and sports in general and it represents elements of our social life and behaviors. I understand football is an industry, a part of the entertainment industry. But frankly, I found this context so tasteless. It caused me to dig deeper and try to decipher the elements binding me to a club and to understand the nature of fandom. Is there any sophisticated element involved or it is just a type of tribal or societal identification with an individual/club/institution? This attitude is flanked by bigotry and hooliganism. The latter would be hugely embarrassing for me personally since I really see zero meaning in that.

History

A club is a sports institution with a history. Historical events define a club's ID. This is not only limited to the cup cabinet but the downfalls, transgression, tragedies, etc. All contribute to what we simply call history. United has a rich history. The club was established in 1878 and has its roots in the industrial era. Formed at the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway depot at Newton Heath, the club experienced the first football activities as inter-departmental games in green-gold attire. The colors now again coming into prominence to embolden the history of the club. The club experienced ebbs and flows with a stellar era under legendary managers and some disastrous tenures. Some tragedies also have forged a huge impact on the club's modern-day image. The Munich disaster is a heart-wrenching event yet defining event that showcased the resilience and willpower of the club squad, management, and leadership back 1950s. Indeed coming back from such a catastrophic and tragic loss with a decimated squad and huge post-traumatic damage induced, is something surreal per modern-day criteria.

Culture

The United that I was acquainted with and fell in love with was built on simple hard-working values. A gritty and fearless approach to the game was an element that still identified the club's modern-day characteristic. The term Fergie time is a cheeky allusion to the pattern of goals United made at extra time, and some opponents raise the issue as a sort of psychological manipulation by the gaffer. But I see something else, woven into the club psyche as the reason behind all those dramatic turnarounds. Those are not isolated events, rather it was a characteristic of the club built upon a never-say-die attitude. A gritty and hard-fighting spirit that was best represented by the legendary captain of the club, Roy Keane (who is my all-time favorite United player btw).

Nurturing talent

Academy graduates used to be an integral part of the club's success back in the day. Class of 92 is an unrivaled example of the academy producing top players. It is still mentioned as a priority by all hired managers but maybe down-toned to some extent with a visible preference for marquee signings instead which has been mostly hit and miss. By growing your talents, you are forming a bond within the squad with adherence to the club's fundamental values. This is definitely not the complete team but can be a reliable bedrock of sustainable quality within your squad and a stable dressing room. Some features that we have missed in the past decade. 

Cutting-edge Science

United was known as a club employing (and benefiting from) cutting-edge science including sports science which provided optimal care for players suffering from serious injuries. It is a moving target and sports institutions needs experts in leadership roles in these sectors. That was the case back in the last decade of the 20th century and early 2000s. 

Professional cutting edge

No club can compete with top-notch players (personnel). This was present throughout glorious patches. Eric Cantona, Paul Scholes, Bryan Robson, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, C. Ronaldo, etc. were all among elite players and frequently selected as part of the World's best team of the year. The swagger of the club used to attract the elite players but that was not the main advantage. The key was the club's success in assimilating top players (and egos) with the core of the home-grown squad. The dominant values were formed within the club foundations and academy and dictated by the club's leadership. Club's and specifically Sir Alex Ferguson's ruthless approach toward players who deemed themselves bigger than the club, was the key underlying factor in the protracted spell on the top fight and constant title contention. It was a club bigger than any individual" mentality that won us a multitude of trophies with a modicum of distraction. 

Winning

Finally, the end result, where all the elements come to fruition is the winning, the club's cabinet. Something which of course attracts the fans and makes your brand sexier. But for me personally, that was the last feature of the loveable club. That was the result of a thoughtful and healthy process. 

Football bears resemblance to many other social/cultural phenomena humans created in the post-enlightenment era. The foundations of a football club as an institution is a dimension that intrigues me the most. Given time the distinct values that each club is built upon will be apparent in the outlook of the club. These underlying elements may not necessarily be reflected in short-term achievements (i.e. results on the pitch) but definitely, they are an essential part of an evolving club identity. Like any other social organism, sustainable evolution comes at a tectonic pace rather than seismic waves.

Pedram, 7/24/22

آسایش بزرگان

 شنیده اید که آسایش بزرگان چیست؟     برای خاطر بیچارگان نیاسودن

بکاخ دهر که آلایش هست بنیادش            مقیم گشتن و دامان نیالودن

همی زعادت و کردار زشت کم کردن       هماره بر صفت و خوی نیک افزودن

زبهر بیهده، از راستی بری نشدن       برای خدمت تن، روح را نفرسودن

برون شدن ز خرابات زندگی هشیار        زخود نرفتن و پیمانه ای نپیمودن

رهی که گمرهیش در پی است نسپردن      دریکه فتنه اش اندر پس است نگشودن

پروین اعتصامی

Three Rivers Art Festival

 Three rivers art festival. 

Attended on June 6th, and it was a special day with nice weather. I was slacking off after a nervy day. 

A cool breeze on my skin, with great tunes and a heavy heart.

Pedram, 6/7/22

 

I Will Give You a New Heart

 

This is partly my sensitive nature. Investing so much on friends who are not friends. Loving those who do not comprehend. Despite all the judders that actions and confrontations impose upon my soul, there is a home I always return to. 

There stands a reception beyond any prejudice and denunciation.

Pedram, 5/27/22

Picture: Mansion on Fifth, 4/28/22

Nietzsche and The Nazis (Book Review)

A very educative read. Touches on a very controversial intellectual of the modern era and how he might have influenced Nazism.
The blueprints are timeless and can be interpreted in any context. The author well describes the antagonists of Nazi ideology:
1- Individualism against collectivism
2- Science, philosophy of reason, and logic against passion and instincts
3- Productiveness and trade against inclination toward conflict and war
4- Individual freedom as opposed to political authoritarianism and top-down leadership
5- Free market capitalism against socialism promoted by Nazism

Isle of The Dead

 A masterpiece by Sergei Rachmaninov inspired by the black and white version of the painting by the same name. 

The version I listened to, is conducted by Pavel Kogan for the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra.

Man, this strikes a chord with me. Partly reminds me of some of Mahler's works.
 

 الله الله جمله فرزندان بیار

 کین زمان گلشنست و نوبهار

یا بتابستان بیا وقت ثمر

تا ببندم خدمتت را من کمر

خیل و فرزندان و قومت را بیار

در ده ما باش سه ماه و چهار

که بهاران خطهٔ ده خوش بود

کشت‌زار و لالهٔ دلکش بود

وعده دادی شهری او را دفع حال

تا بر آمد بعد وعده هشت سال

او بهر سالی همی‌گفتی که کی

عزم خواهی کرد کامد ماه دی

او بهانه ساختی کامسال‌مان

از فلان خطه بیامد میهمان

سال دیگر گر توانم وا رهید

از مهمات آن طرف خواهم دوید

گفت هستند آن عیالم منتظر

بهر فرزندان تو ای اهل بر

باز هر سالی چو لکلک آمدی

تا مقیم قبهٔ شهری شدی

خواجه هر سالی ز زر و مال خویش

خرج او کردی گشادی بال خویش

آخرین کرت سه ماه آن پهلوان

خوان نهادش بامدادان و شبان

از خجالت باز گفت او خواجه را

چند وعده چند بفریبی مرا

گفت خواجه جسم و جانم وصل‌جوست

لیک هر تحویل اندر حکم هوست

آدمی چون کشتی است و بادبان

تا کی آرد باد را آن بادران

باز سوگندان بدادش کای کریم

گیر فرزندان بیا بنگر نعیم

دست او بگرفت سه کرت بعهد

کالله الله زو بیا بنمای جهد

بعد ده سال و بهر سالی چنین

لابه‌ها و وعده‌های شکرین

کودکان خواجه گفتند ای پدر

ماه و ابر و سایه هم دارد سفر

حقها بر وی تو ثابت کرده‌ای

رنجها در کار او بس برده‌ای

او همی‌خواهد که بعضی حق آن

وا گزارد چون شوی تو میهمان

بس وصیت کرد ما را او نهان

که کشیدش سوی ده لابه‌کنان

گفت حقست این ولی ای سیبویه

اتق من شر من احسنت الیه

دوستی تخم دم آخر بود

ترسم از وحشت که آن فاسد شود

صحبتی باشد چو شمشیر قطوع

همچو دی در بوستان و در زروع

صحبتی باشد چو فصل نوبهار

زو عمارتها و دخل بی‌شمار

حزم آن باشد که ظن بد بری

تا گریزی و شوی از بد بری

حزم سؤ الظن گفتست آن رسول

هر قدم را دام می‌دان ای فضول

روی صحرا هست هموار و فراخ

هر قدم دامیست کم ران اوستاخ

آن بز کوهی دود که دام کو

چون بتازد دامش افتد در گلو

آنک می‌گفتی که کو اینک ببین

دشت می‌دیدی نمی‌دیدی کمین

بی کمین و دام و صیاد ای عیار

دنبه کی باشد میان کشت‌زار

آنک گستاخ آمدند اندر زمین

استخوان و کله‌هاشان را ببین

چون به گورستان روی ای مرتضا

استخوانشان را بپرس از ما مضی

تا بظاهر بینی آن مستان کور

چون فرو رفتند در چاه غرور

چشم اگر داری تو کورانه میا

ور نداری چشم دست آور عصا

آن عصای حزم و استدلال را

چون نداری دید می‌کن پیشوا

ور عصای حزم و استدلال نیست

بی عصاکش بر سر هر ره مه‌ایست

گام زان سان نه که نابینا نهد

تا که پا از چاه و از سگ وا رهد

لرز لرزان و بترس و احتیاط

می‌نهد پا تا نیفتد در خباط

ای ز دودی جسته در ناری شده

لقمه جسته لقمهٔ ماری شده

 

Sarasate Playing Partita No. 3

 

It took me a while but that is worthwhile to finally establish the facts. The piece Sarasate is playing on that powerful sequence of Granda's Sherlock Holmes is Preludio from Partita #3 by J.S. Bach. Bruce Dukov played the role of the violin virtuoso and Jeremy Brett...oh man...those moments of tranquil and meditative listening to the music with Dr. Watson's narrative over the scene, are incredibly strong. It seems he is reviewing the plans as he is getting ready to punch the crime syndicate kingpin.

One of the favorite parts of this whole series.

RIP Mr. Jeremy Brett.

The Light of Repentance

 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me!

Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression (Psalm 19:13).

Taylor Hawkins

 RIP 💔

Anosognosia

 From Greek origin meaning "without knowledge of the disease." You may also hear it called "lack of insight." What it boils down to is that the person is unaware of their condition and unable to accept it.
This is not a stubborn attitude or driven from denial. It is the brain being incapable of processing the fact that their thoughts and moods don’t reflect reality. Accompanied with confabulation (generation of fabricated stories that the patient believes to be true), and blindness are suggestive of damage to occipital lobes of the brain.