Thanks to Indranil Panigrahi, one of my favourite old boys who have kept continuously in touch since leaving school nearly three decades ago, I came across a wonderful article in The Statesman about what 'scroll culture' is doing to us. It is so cogent, comprehensive and articulate about the issue, and so accurate about the diagnosis ('we are not addicted to content, we are addicted to not being left alone with ourselves') and agrees so well with all that I have myself observed, felt and concluded that I need not add a single line to it. I shall only urge my readers not to scroll away 'for later', but read it now, attentively, reflectively and to good purpose - perhaps to redirect their own lives a little better, if nothing else. It makes a painful and eerie contrast with what all the gurus (literary, management-, fitness-oriented and religious) are telling us to do: happiness, health, higher performance at work, becoming better people overall, in short, real success in life, demands that you find time for yourself, learn to be comfortable alone, focus, increase your attention span (and retentive capacity), cut out the clutter inside and out, and STOP SCROLLING (or at least slow down)! Please do read: you will be doing yourself a huge favour!
In the same connection and context, I have begun to read a 2021 book called Dopamine Nation by Dr. Anna Lembke about how the entire economy and society have become geared to providing (and consuming) non-stop excitement, and how damaging that can be to all of us. I shall reserve judgment until I have finished the book, but I think the good doctor is saying a lot of things I have been saying myself for donkey's years. See, for example, this blogpost written fourteen years ago. Only recently a grown-up ex student complimented me on having put 'treasures' on this blog. That reminds me to exhort new visitors once more to explore older content here, not just stick to the home page...
On the other hand, there are rather strange visitors here sometimes. Someone who hides behind the sobriquet 'Mirror' has recently commented on one of my posts ('Why have I become so unsocial?') that my writing is 'too serious'. I have not said anything beyond 'thank you' in my reply, but some of my other readers might want to respond at greater length. Also, some organization has left a comment (which I have not put up for obvious reasons) offering to buy customers for my storytelling channel on YouTube. I am sure they themselves have lots of customers. To me, it only shows how desperate and pathetic people can get! No, I am not taking up their offer. It only makes me thankful that I have lived a good life and made a decent living without having to sink to such depths looking for either paying students or non-paying listeners.
Another passing remark on the passing weather: it has been a low-temperature but horribly muggy July. It is drizzling even as I write. I love the rains (and the greens they bring), but the constant sweating becomes a bother and bore after a while. So also the proliferation of all sort of insects. The only silver lining is the hope that we might have a good winter with so much water underground.
Oh, and I must mention this: many thanks to young Pratyush Pan (a most unusual sort of engineer) for coaxing me to watch the new movie Heads of State on Amazon Prime. It is a masala movie with a good mix-up of hilarity, 'action', wisecracks and some deep thoughts; childish, really, but wonderfully entertaining even for an old geezer like me. I especially liked the idea of a Black British Prime Minister teaming up with a covert agent whose role is played by an Indian actress (Priyanka Chopra). That's healthy multiculturalism for you. I also liked the PM's constant digs at the American President - who is brash, silly, but brave with a heart of gold, over the gross American penchant for hyperventing (catchy taglines, noisy but brainless slogans, wild exaggerations as part of normal speech) which, alas, through the internet, too dominated by American tech platforms, is spreading rapidly worldwide. I am glad about the pushback. Are you listening, Google and Meta?
I think I have given the serious reader (yes, I love seriousness more and more!) enough food for thought and engagement, so bye for now.
2 comments:
Dear Suvro Sir,
Reading this post was like revisiting one of those rare, treasured classes from years ago—where every word felt like a spark, where the silence between thoughts meant something, and where learning went far beyond the syllabus.
Thank you, Sir, for once again giving voice to what many of us are too distracted to articulate. The phrase “We are addicted to not being left alone with ourselves” hits like a thunderclap. It’s not just a diagnosis—it’s a mirror. In a world where scrolling is our reflex, you’ve reminded us of the urgent need to reclaim depth, reflection, and attention.
Your thoughts on Dopamine Nation resonate deeply. I haven’t read the book yet, but your perspective makes me want to. And I love how you weave together books, blog reflections from fourteen years ago, rain-drenched July afternoons, unsolicited YouTube offers, and multicultural action films—all with that signature Suvro Sir touch: sharp, serious, and unsentimentally wise.
As someone who was fortunate enough to sit in your class, I must say—this blog continues to be a classroom. One that grows richer with time. Thank you for writing, teaching, and living with such clarity and integrity. We are still listening. And learning!
Warm regards,
Rudra Bhaskar Singh.
St Xavier's 2019-20
Dear Rudra Bhaskar,
I found your comment hugely uplifting. To think that an ex student of mine, not so very old either, has grown up to become such an intelligent, thoughtful reader with good memories still very fresh and capable of writing such articulate comments! You have just made my day, so thank you very much, and my best wishes for everything. Do keep in touch, and a visit in person, if ever possible, will be truly welcome.
Sir
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