Had a screening of Noam Chomsky lecture at Harvard “Distorted Morality“, at Sophia’s.

His basic premise is we all hypocrites in that we expcet a high standard of behaviour from others that we are unable to adhere to ourselves. He means in specifically in the context of the United States of America. And traces systematic hypocrisy down the years after the 2nd world war till date.

The class debate afterwards was does Distorted Morality apply to each of us as individuals, as well as nations.

Discussed were:

Religion and hypocrisy – the status of women in all religious texts and as per all religiuos institutions came in for fire. We are all Gods children v/s kill those who don’t believe in our god came in for a fair debate. caste was discussed – and the kids openly admit “caste exists and pervades every part of our life. yet we behave as though it doesn’t.

Family and hypocrisy – our own set of internal and external morality came for questioning. Especially true in the nosey indian suburb 🙂

Terror and hypocrisy – discussed was “if india sent a special assasin team after terrorists who operate out of Pakistan – can it condemn acts of terrorism by others .” conclusion was yes India should send assasins. But then India must also stop taking a righteous attitude towards similar actions by others

At the end of the 4 hours session a student comes up to me and says – u know our generation thinks that Gandhi Rocks!

Gandhi Rocks – it makes for great visualisation