Cerebral Capacity

Albert Einstein once wrote, "The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking. " Sure it is to this day that I am in awe of this man's thoughts. His objectivity is highly admirable. 

The reason I quoted Albert today is because my mind has kept going back to these words all day after watching the movie Lucy. Well, I will spare you the details of the movie as I don't want to be the spoil sport for those who haven't watched it yet. Long story short, it's about what we are capable of at different cerebral capacities. Fiction of course but brain, behaviour and mental process being an area of personal interest, I picked up a lot of symbolism in the plot. 

So today I kept thinking of Einstein's words: The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking.......the truth in these words could never be more tangible. Well, scientists have long proven that our insights and perceptions are shaped by both nature and nurture (the nature vs nurture battle is long over incase you didn't know). This then means no two people can perceive something in exactly the same way. If we all sat staring at a pen for example, we rely on the pool of all our experiences and physiological resources to draw a perception. Being that no two individuals will ever have identical of these two, it follows then that the perceptions will be different on more than one level. 

Does wrong exist then? Or is the truth just a fact backed by the most? What if those whose perceptions we regard as deeply flawed, have a deeper insight than most, but due to the lack of numbers, we toss out their insights? Because their theories can not be replicated by another, we are quick to disregard them.... What if they do actually have a slightly higher percentage of cerebral usage but are unaware of the same? Just what if? 

Take perception of colour for example. Men lead a very simple lifestyle. Their responses to questions leave little to question. They are straight to the point. Their response to such a text message from a lady as, " hey, can we do a movie tonight? I heard 'if I stay' Is showing," would be ,"okay."  A female's response you ask? It would go as something like this, " really?? okay I'd love to if you are free." Women always leave their messages be it verbal or otherwise open for interpretation, debate and as a template to be built on.  Is the contrast in the manner in which males and females approach life brought out in their perception of colour? Men care about only 6 colours, period. A man who knows what turquoise is has ruined an item of that colour and has had to replace it. Women on the other hand?? Intricate colours, just like our messages....... Coincidence?? I think not.  

If we could at least attempt to explain the differences of perception in males and females, why then can't we pay closer attention to those things we deem as 'bogus' for lack of better word? Is it as bogus, or is it that we just can't figure it out?? 

PLAN!!!!

The decadence observed at Masaku 7s albeit exaggerated should serve as an indicator of the collective moral decay that the country is faced with. There is classy and trashy and if the photographic evidence stands, then we are in trouble. But we have chosen the Kermit the frog's route; it's none of our business. Instead we leave our ingenuous young daughters to learn through experience as we busy ourselves with politics. Instead of addressing that which is directly in our control; morality, we are busy fueling the careers of acrimonious political leaders whose sole concern is their profligate lives. They hit us with egregious actions and what do we do in return? Do we censure them? No!!! We worship them, we fight for them, we serve them, then re-elect them. We are very quick to vindicate our 'beloved leaders' at whatever cost simply because they are of our tribe; they are our brothers and sisters.
"Who cares what he did?", "Money has been poured." "He is our ticket out of poverty." These are but a few of the thoughts that we harbour come elections. One year down the line, "naomba serikali itusaidie (I ask of the government to help/intervene) as we languish in poverty, as we are slapped with yet another electricity tariff increase. We must be the most amenable crowd there ever was. This is a reflection of how much our education system is wanting. If even our learned brethren fall into this crowd, then how qualifying is our scholarship?
If we are oblivious to the fact that we error in the same manner term after term, then we are innately parochial. If we can't understand how detrimental selling our vote is, then I maintain, we are in this poverty for the long haul and vision 2030 is nothing but a mere statement. If you watched soccer and celebrated 'our Origi' who by the way chooses to play for Belgium and did not question why he wouldn't play for us or why we are losing our talent; If you did not demand that we appreciate our talent and remunerate them as they deserve, but instead ironed your suit for Uhuru park to support one of the two sides, then you ought not to complain that your salary increment has not come through since 1900. You ought not to take to the streets at any point because clearly your priorities are deeply equivocal.
If only our passion for our leaders was commensurate to our zeal to build the nation (not hanging your coat in the office and leaving only to pick it up at 4), to offering moral counsel to our young ones or even to innovation, we would never languish in poverty; we would not be faced with such moral aberration. Instead, we would be spending more time discussing a science project to elevate hunger in Turkana as opposed to going on and on for hours about Vera's life choices. We would have a PLAN and not living the one set out for us. If today your plan involves either: waiting for your godfather in government to get you a job or deal, someone's plan to reap big so you are a beneficiary or waiting for that huge inheritance, then again I repeat, GET A PLAN. I do not apologise if I come across as impertinent, I'm simply being veracious!!
Rant over!!

A Mouthful

It has been a while since I last posted. Probably because there has been nothing much in my surroundings worth reporting...... Until last night when I received the following text:

Dear whitemen,

U asked us to wear coats under hot sun, we did; U said we should speak your language, we have obediently ignored ours. U asked us to always tie a rope around our necks like goats, we have obeyed without questioning. U asked our ladies to wear dead people's hair instead of the natural hair God gave to them, they have obeyed. U said we should marry just one woman in the midst of plenty black angels, we reluctantly agreed. You said our decent girls should wear catapults instead of the conventional pants, they have obeyed. You asked us to use rubber in order to control our birth rate, we agreed yet we all know sweetness of live SEX! Now U want our MEN to sleep with fellow MEN & WOMEN with fellow WOMEN so that God would punish us like Sodom and Gomora? White folk, we say Nonsense!! We don't agree with U this time! As proud Ugandans, we say a huge NO to GAY relationships. If U say NO to HOMOSEXUALS & LESBIANS, pass this on. Thank U.

YES! Sent to my cellphone!!! First of, I detest broadcast messages of this nature, if you have nothing to tell me, kindly wait until you do to text me.

That's not why I decided to share this message however, it is the ignorance and sheer stupidity of this text that angers me. Africa is westernizing -very true - but it is our lack of belief in our system that causes us to seek others' identity. Why are magazines defining beauty by western standards? Why can't we have our own measure of beauty? Why are we spending money in millions to take our children to western system schools to learn the western ways? Why not take your child to the local school in your village? I can go on and on about how it is we working and spending so much to adopt the western ways and not the other way round. We have rigorously erased our indigenous culture and replaced it with the western culture out of choice. We had a chance to revert to our old ways at the end of colonization, but we chose to enhance their very culture instead. So such a text should not be written by any sane being. Instead, we should evaluate the appropriateness of the culture and individually decide which one to adopt and which to throw out the window. Remember, one man's meat is another man's poison. I for one love technology, I don't care what culture it comes from. I just know it makes my life a whole lot easier and I'm not trading it for anything!

I won't even get into the LGBT rights. It will be too much of a mouthful for one post, but it is definitely my next post. As you well know by now, I am an advocate of living one's life!!

Now before you go broadcasting your ignorance to the world,  remember you have a choice on how to live your life. Quit pointing fingers and take control and responsibility of your choices!!

Everyday we have choices, and every night we go to bed with the consequences of these choices!!

Security Begins With You.

Last weekend's attack on our prestigious Westgate mall left many of us bitter and thirsty for information and answers. In the past three days, I have perhaps read more scholarly journals on terrorism and profiling than I have ever cared to. Why? It hit very close to home this time. My sister and I have a habit of hanging out in this particular mall being it is an 'all under one roof'. It saves us a lot of walking around. This incident left us both shaken and our hearts bleeding for the victims and their families. As my friend told me today, "it could have easily been one of us."

Looking at people's comments and updates in various social networks, I couldn't help but notice the ignorance many of us find ourselves in as far as security matters are concerned. Some of us: openly expressing our newly acquired fears - this in turn fuels the terrorists efforts in perpetrating such crimes as clearly their objectives have been met. 

Others : happily sharing photos of our security personnel. How will the same security officer manage to nab or investigate a terrorist tomorrow undetected. 

Yet others falling prey to the various handles on twitter boosting the criminal's egos. 

Even without reading any literature, these are actions- that if we thought before carrying out-  we would find reckless to our own safety and that of others. 

Another thing that came to my attention watching an interview this morning, is how oblivious we as a nation are to what is happening around us. We could be as well be living next to the most sought after criminal and not know it. Think about this for a moment. Do you know all of your neighbours and what they do? Do you take a minute out of your busy schedule to carry a pie to your new neighbours to welcome them to the neighbourhood and form friendships? I am not one to talk. I have previously and firmly believed in minding my own business. Not anymore. It is the high time we became vigilant. It is the high time we cared about what is happening around us. This simple act could save thousands of lives. 

Take a few minutes to read profiling journals, attend any available trainings. Learn what things and behaviours to deem suspicious. Let's all be prepared should (God forbid) such a thing ever be planned to befall us. Who knows? You could be the one to protect our beautiful nation from such a selfish, tragic attack by noticing the tiniest of things. My loved ones, your instincts will never fail you. They are innately built to protect you. Let this painful experience fuel our zeal to learn. 

My deepest condolences to all those who lost their loved ones in this truculent attack perpetrated by implacable enemies whose sole aim is to cause pain and spread the hate and conflict they experience within themselves. We are a loving nation. Our togetherness is not hinged on tribe, race or religion. #WeAreOne!!

The only source of knowledge is experience ~ Albert Einstein

My Dear Daughter.

Following my recent posts, someone asked me, "Daphyne, if you had a daughter, what would you advise her? " in response to her I wrote the words below. This I dedicate to my best friend's daughter who gives me the warmest hugs. I love you Chel: 

My dear daughter, 

Always remember to define beauty correctly.

Beauty isn't skin deep, beauty lies in your character,

Beauty isn't in dressing, in your heart is where it's beheld.

Beauty isn't in the amount of make- up you wear, 

It's  in the kind words you share and the way you care.

Beauty is a fragile gift, don't ever be an ego-tripper,

And there is always beauty, that lies in imperfection.

My dear daughter, 

Spare a smile for your neighbour, and your enemy alike,

Remember to forgive, vengeance is for the wicked.

Always give whole heartedly, not as part of a trade, 

Receive without forgetting, gratitude is always a virtue.

In humility lies wisdom,  feeble-minded portray pride,

Always wear your dignity, your most precious garment. 

As you climb the ladder of success, be greatful not proud,

Respect to others, will always command you the same.

My dear daughter, 

Failures will befall you, but they won't ever trap you,

If you take them as lessons, and a chance to start over.

Believe in your decisions, but always stand to be corrected,

There is strength in unity, don't seek to be an island.

Don't ever feel inferior, the world is yours to conquer , 

Remember to explore, travel is part of experience .

Face every day with courage, every obstacle with wit,

Find beauty in your dreams, and pursue them tirelessly.

My dear daughter, 

When he says he loves you, remember to discern,

For most will mean lustful, not all will be sheep.

Wait not for him to complete you, you are self sufficient,

So don't lose yourself,  but allow him to complement you.

Remember to nurture him, he'll always be the first son,

Work on your relationship, let failure at it not be an option.

But know when to walk away, you have an obligation to yourself,

Let no man undermine you, you are the best girl there ever was.

My dear daughter,

When you get your own daughter, teach her the same,

For the same was instilled in me, by those before me.

Hold her fathers hand, and teach her to love another,

Look into her eager eyes, and create in her benevolence.

Remember I will always love you, regardless of the outcome,

I will always be your safe haven, as long as I breathe.

My beautiful daughter, let these words be a promise.

What's your message?

Miley Cyrus has lately stirred things globally following her twerking performance gone bad. Why the entire world has randomly erupted with shock and outrage at this isolated display is absurd. This is merely a drop in the ocean. The rate of collective moral degeneration and cultural rot is alarming to say the least. Women in particular have assented to objectification and general degradation . Why else would a 20 year old socialite with good cash flow and a previously good name agree to twerk on a stage of fully packed MTV awards' audience? Not for money and obviously not in search of fame. The 21st century has seen women shed clothes faster than the snake sheds its skin. Music videos, entertainment clubs and even the streets are now flooded with females scantily dressed. Whatever happened to the rest of the material; as my grandmother fondly asked when I once visited her dressed in a halter neck. Clearly she doesn't have cable TV, because then she would have known that I was in fact overdressed compared !!!

That the artist on stage with Miley ; Robin Thicke, was a fully grown,  36 year old husband and father infuriates me more. Correct me if I am wrong, but I have known most if not all men to be very protective of their daughters. The jokes on fathers' overprotective nature towards their daughters that do their rounds on social networks affirm this fact. There is always some truth behind every joke. 

Let me share the lyrics to the  hit song 'Blurred lines' that these two were dancing to:

OK now he was close, tried to domesticate you

But you’re an animal, baby, it’s in your nature

Just let me liberate you

I know you want it

I know you want it

I know you want it

You’re a good girl

Can’t let it get past me

You’re far from plastic

Talk about getting blasted

What do we need steam for

You the hottest bitch in this place

I feel so lucky

Hey, hey, hey

You wanna hug me

Now call me old fashioned or whatever you want to brand me today but this is utter rubbish!!! 'You are the hottest bitch in this place' ? Seriously whoever listens to garbage like this!!! As if that's not enough, the person facing crucification is.......... drums roll----------> the female. The man in question ? Gets a pass; like boss!! I am disgusted, disappointed and utterly dismayed by this. 

We grumble every day about men objectifying women, yet with our actions in a quest to attract them we lead them to the same. And attract we do. Show any man some flesh and you have his undivided attention; but don't wait for the ring.  What you ask for is what you get. Don't ever confuse lust for love. Those two will never be related!! So today as you dress up to go out with the girls, take a second look in the mirror. What are you wearing? What image of you are you portraying? What message are you sending out? Don't go twerking all over town and later whimper that men don't take you seriously! It's like planting wheat and expecting a good harvest of maize. Respect yourself, this will in turn guide your morals. 

Lets all collectively strive to eradicate the moral decay eating at us!