Sushrut Thorat

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It was foretold! Mayor, the jerk. Anyway, it's good that it happened. The building wasn't
bound to stand here, says Eric. Eric Russell is an average-looking young fellow enjoying his mid-twenties. In spite of being born and raised in conservative aristocracy, he had developed a moderate sense of liberty. We study physics in the Hassux College of Science, a grand institute in the middle of Hassux, the architectural capital of the country. He stuck with me owing to his liberal views bordering on freethinking, and also because there weren't any other similar peers. I always used to think that I'd totally turn him into a freethinker, but apparently I couldn't. Maybe I need to think harder too. I wonder why he says so, as we stand in the street touching the town hall, next to our college overlooking the crowd replete with banners and words of rejoicing hate. I look at the herd and understand. But Eric is a rationalist! I was disappointed. "You believe so?" "What?" "You really think that Rick is an idiot?" "Well, err.. Issnn't he.." I smile. Eric will be fine off stumbling his way out. "Hmm.. That was unexpected.. This seems to me like a conspiracy." "It is." Rick Richard is in the town hall waiting for judgement. He crosses my mind. What led to all this hullabaloo? Rick is a handsome man in his thirties. He was a successful architect beyond the ocean. I wonder why he ever returned. Well, I heard he was a fighter at heart, but a rational egoist in principle. Maybe the clash of his ideas led to his return to this stagnant arena. No one would sign a contract with him here. The Architects's Guild had issued a warrant stating that his style of building was inappropriate in this earthquake prone region. Rick staunchly opposed the allegations by releasing details of the buildings he had constructed in some earthquake prone parts of Russo. But he was mistaken in overlooking the influence of the frightened, envious Guild. He figured out the scenario in some time, and laughed heartily. He waited. Thoughts go astray and come back as ideals. He got a contract. It was the eccentric millionaire Tim Dolte. He wanted a beauty in the middle of the town. Fed up of the prevalent 'straight, simple, and clean' buildings, he approached Rick. The plans were ready in a month, and the construction started in the midst of the protesting herd. People were shocked to see an outcast making a mark. The Guild's allegations added to the frenzy, and people were out on the street. The Mayor, a cheeky fellow, had given Rick the green signal on Dolte's persuasion. I had noticed the commotion then. I thought of it as just a crowd resisting change of culture. But I walked into a bar and found architects swearing. Rumour was doing the rounds, of the Guild trying to destroy Rick to protect their ingenuity. I had laughed at it. Egoists are highly inspired by one of Gandhi's saying - "You can have my body by force, but never my soul". Eric was confused. He had believed that the society is the voice of truth and justice, but his ideologies were changing. Being a student of physics and having read Ayn Rand, he had

learnt to question everything, and was now bordering on atheism. But he was slowly becoming less extreme.The transition is mind-boggling. "Why are so many people out on the streets? It's not their building to care about." "It's not about the building actually. See their faces. The malicious smiles. Rick has gained everything anyone would think about. He was voted the best architect of Russo. He's rich and handsome. He's happy and free. He has a pretty, well-to-do family. He enjoys adventure. You ask it, and he has it! In fact, he's the best person in Hassux. That's reason enough for a conservative society in transition to a liberal democracy, wherein people revere equality over self-esteem, to be fearful and envious about him." "How exactly is the Russan society different?" "I don't know if I could do complete justice to this question. Russan society has transitioned into a liberal democracy. People respect courage. I don't say that they respect individualism or it combined with success. But even then, it's conducive in a sense. Moreover, our societies are separated by the ocean, and even in this technological era, Waters separate Cultures. So, the Russans didn't really affect us that strongly." "Well dude, how do you propose people should live?" "Well, it all boils down to some points. Low self-esteem, irrational thought, biological neglection, and herd mentality. Actually all the four points are connected, but they need to be elaborated upon. People enjoy other's misery. We grow up with it. Sarcasm, bully, pranks. Well, sarcasm is ok. It's a way of conveying your concern. But if it's being done with pleasure in mind, it isn't right. Bullying is potentially wrong. Pulling pranks is okayish if the sufferer allows you to, but there are limits. The standards in all cases are intuitional. It all depends upon rational thinking. The most common problem is low self-esteem. This society demands you to place public concern over individual concern. Sounds fine. But what you lose here is your voice! The only voice you can conjure is that of the crowd. Your identity is lost, so is your self-esteem. With that you lose your freedom, and happiness is an illusion." "Freedom and happiness?..." "Yes Eric. Doing what you like, is Freedom. Liking what you do, is Happiness. They are both a part of your existence. Without them, you'll realise sooner or later, for the mind is free, that you didn't 'live'. Happiness is attainable, but is of no use if there's no freedom to enjoy it. Also, you tend to think a lot of other's success. It's true, normally we feel low being in the shadow of someone's glory. But that should be momentary. Rather think of it as a benchmark you could attain. Don't cry, do! Don't let the thought govern you. Gain your freedom, gain your happiness and you won't ever be jealous or happy if someone falls." "Biology?.." "Hmm.. Actually it isn't 'your' fault, being envious. Envy is equivalent to fear. And your selfpreservation demands the destruction of all fear. That's the whole game! Live your life! Don't be envious. Rather, in my opinion, try to be an objectivist. Also, herd mentality is a driving force for fear. It's natural to see 10 people being fearful and fear the thing yourself. Again, try to be rational and blah blah.. You get the point...?" "Yep! Well, Objectivism rocks. Sure they say it makes you socially cold. But it ain't the fact. I dunno... I need to think more. But one thing holds - Don't lower your self-esteem at any cost. It's as important to you as air and water!"

Smilingly, "Hmm.." ---------An enquiry set up by the court reported that the Architect's Guild had bribed the construction crew to mess up the cement proportions leading to the fall of the Dolte House. Well, fortunately Truth Prevailed.. Mr.Richard was walking out when I caught up with him. "Hello, Mr.Richard" "Hello. And who might you be?" "We'll, lets say, a fellow objectivist." "Hmm.. So, the land isn't as barren." "Yes, it never is. I think I know, but still, what do you think of this mess?" He smiled. "GODDAMN SCHADENFREUDE!"

THE END