"I went to the tuition ma", I said. அங்க என்ன மா சொல்லி குடுத்தாங்க? (What did they teach you?). My mother asked nonchalantly. 'Chemistry' I replied, not suspecting that they have caught me playing the fool. The unflustered dad sat there quietly listening to our conversation. இங்க வா (Come here), he said. He made me sit on his lap. And in his own inimitable way said, "இனி விளையாட போனா சொல்லிட்டு போடா" (If you are going to play, inform us and go).
I clearly remember having tears flowing through! I had been caught red-handed. I had told them that I'm going to tuition and went to play. I had lied.
I was, and in many ways still am, an impulsive liar. I exaggerate ordinary things. I'm a writer after all. But that lesson which my dad taught me that night never really went away from me. He said, "it is important to stand by the truth, come what may"! Falsehood is for the fainthearted. You are brave, face up to the truth. They still ring loud and clear in my ears.
In the year 2016, the word 'Post-truth' was described by oxford dictionary as the word of the year. I started imagining how would my dad have lived in the era of 'post-truth'? Where objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief. I mean, a man won an entire election based on a Model of development which did not exist. But no, it does not matter! People believe it is true. It is okay if it is not true. People's beliefs matter more than objective reality.
Does truth matter to me as much as it mattered to my dad? I seriously doubt it! If so, then why do I even forward WhatsApp messages without verifying its veracity? Most of the WhatsApp message I forward might not be true. But I don't care. I like the story. Most of the NEWS I consume is not true. Yet I read them and believe it to be true. Do I like the story, then it must be true. I don't like it, it cannot be true, has always been my definition of truth in the post-truth era.
In a relative world, will absolute truth survive? When every Tom, Dick and Harry have their own version of the truth, will opinions and ideas become part of our living reality called truth?
What will I teach my children? that it is important to speak the truth or to speak what he wants to be true?
I clearly remember having tears flowing through! I had been caught red-handed. I had told them that I'm going to tuition and went to play. I had lied.
I was, and in many ways still am, an impulsive liar. I exaggerate ordinary things. I'm a writer after all. But that lesson which my dad taught me that night never really went away from me. He said, "it is important to stand by the truth, come what may"! Falsehood is for the fainthearted. You are brave, face up to the truth. They still ring loud and clear in my ears.
In the year 2016, the word 'Post-truth' was described by oxford dictionary as the word of the year. I started imagining how would my dad have lived in the era of 'post-truth'? Where objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief. I mean, a man won an entire election based on a Model of development which did not exist. But no, it does not matter! People believe it is true. It is okay if it is not true. People's beliefs matter more than objective reality.
Does truth matter to me as much as it mattered to my dad? I seriously doubt it! If so, then why do I even forward WhatsApp messages without verifying its veracity? Most of the WhatsApp message I forward might not be true. But I don't care. I like the story. Most of the NEWS I consume is not true. Yet I read them and believe it to be true. Do I like the story, then it must be true. I don't like it, it cannot be true, has always been my definition of truth in the post-truth era.
In a relative world, will absolute truth survive? When every Tom, Dick and Harry have their own version of the truth, will opinions and ideas become part of our living reality called truth?
What will I teach my children? that it is important to speak the truth or to speak what he wants to be true?
No comments:
Post a Comment