Paul S Octopus and some other thoughts

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Paul S Octopus and some other thoughts

A CASE OF MISTAKEN ENMITY

In a few hours from now, my millions of brothers all over the world would sit before the TV to watch the FIFA finals [ while the ladies in their lives would be happy that the season is ending for now] .

Those of them who live in countries when its night at that time, would face a new work week with a pair of red , puffy eyes.

Roughly fifty percent [ give or take 10 or 20 percent or more!]of them would be happy their favourite team won and the rest would be unhappy their favourite team lost.

Well, I was trying to predict things like the famous aquarium resident, Paul S Octopus [ S for soothsayer] and could manage only these.

I watched some matches on TV , though not in full –I was put off by the constant noise of the vuvuzelas [ the rural Indian version can be made out of just about anything that can be rolled I am told].

As for the matches,the interest shown in the animal’s predictive ability is interesting.

Most people in Tamilnadu believe in oracles and there are so many types of them to choose from.

Predictions based on Vedic astrology , naadi josiyam [ based on palm leaf scripts from long ago] ,numerology , kuri [ oracles by a deity]and kiLi [parakeet] josiyam.[ predictions]are just some of the ways people try as they want to solve their problems .

There are genuine people and there are charlatans. who practice these many methods to foresee the future.

However , the desire to take a peek in to the future is common to people all over the World since ancient times.

The Octopus “josiyam” seems similar to kiLi josiyam where a trained parakeet picks a card from many cards and the parakeet ‘s keeper interprets the picture on the card for the client.

Apparently Mani the parakeet from Singapore has also made FIFA predictions along with his Tamil speaking master .

We can wait and check whether the animal[s] is right –after all its choosing between the two teams, a matter of 50% chance and Paul can be right or wrong provided the match is played as per plans.

Many interesting things can be observed if we don’t get involved in a match.

Not just their intense interest in the future, also the love people have for celebrations, high dramas, the we-feeling they display at times [ the” them” feeling is another side of the coin though], the anxiety they tie themselves up with [ willingly , it seems to me],the sense of oneness a huge crowd can have at times like these [ can also be observed in a rock show attended by thousands of worshiping fans of one performer or in a much quieter way , in a classical music recital for example] and so on.

Humans love dramas of all kinds and whether its football, music or supporting/opposing any cause, they seem to be in a constant search for something that they seem to be wired to search for.

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Connectedness and great events
written by narensomu, 2010-07-14 01:22:36

Thank you dear Partha.Yes, the poor animal has a lot of people wanting to own him now,not that his keeper seems interested to give him away at the moment.
People say kiLI josiyam is superstition-but it' s amusing to see the interest in the octopus, .People are people everywhere, developed nations or less developed ones.
And being [1/2 chance] eight out eight times right? We'd never know if this was just a mighty coincidence or really the leggy creature is a soothsayer stuck in a wrong form.His droopy eyes look certainly mysterious.
Yes, high drama and all, I watched Japan lose and no matter where they are from, players shed tears when they cause a loss.People [ atleast those who support the same team] feel connected and those who support them from their own living rooms too are somehow connected to what's happening in the field.
Warm Regards
ns

high drama
written by partha, 2010-07-12 19:49:37

It takes a certain amount of intelligence to retire when the going is good. Paul's keeper is wise. When his pet made a clean sweep,sweeping Netherlands out of the stadium in the Finals, his keeper has taken the right decision to retire his pet. Paul steps out in all glory, and will keep his name in the history of World Football.
Directing my attention away from the leggy creature, I do endorse your view on the love of drama that people have and how drama alone can whet their appetite in any large show/gathering on any account whatsoever. Lovely blog, dear Narensomu.