A lot can happen over a coffee…

 Coming back again on some more thoughts on control and resistance in this world!!! It was observed that the notion hierarchy rules the world and tries to suppress the notion of equality. Hierarchy is basically Greek term hierarchia which means arrangement of objects in “above”, “below” and “at same level”. In simple words it is an ordered set or non cyclic arrangement of things. Now days, the hierarchy is more commonly used in to represent levels of relations in society, either it be a class, caste, gender, occupation etc.

Every human knowingly or unknowingly emits the notion of hierarchy, it is so well set in minds of humans that notion or concept of equality seems to be illusion. Starting from the basic institution like family, child is taught to respect his elders. Institute like education, religion, economy and politics are clearly and rigidly hierarchical. In academics pupil are ‘forced’ to follow hierarchy symbolized in form teachers, seniors, university etc. religion again forces people to believe in some omnipotent power which is considered as supreme and dominance of organizational structures in economy are clear examples of how control is applied through hierarchy in society.

Going beyond general idea of constraints presented by hierarchy it is also clearly seen in behavior as well culture of individual or group. Everything from birth to death is hierarchical and controlled, even occasion of birth is considered higher in terms of celebration than occasion of death. We give preference to new technologies over other claiming reason that newer are better in same manner our mind has accepted that higher means better. We sometimes consider ourselves superior and many times allow others to feel superior over ourselves, irrespective to the matter of comparison for instance relations of parent and child or relation of husband and wife where one person allows other to exercise control over self.

Certain gadgets , styling material, clothing etc now days symbolizes status which again strengthen the notion of hierarchy simple example can be quoted here is person wearing footwear from Nike will considered higher in status than person wearing footwear from Lakhani, we always forget that after all it is footwear which matters not the brand or logo.

Looking at Indian culture, it’ll be very easy to claim that there equality is an illusion created by people dreaming for higher control over society. How people exercise control over behavior of others by propagating ideas like manners, attics, love and respect. Asking girl for coffee is attics but then taking that girl to laree for coffee is mannerless act, strange! Why coffee cafes are looked upon as status symbol? Why silk is considered higher over cotton? Why boy is preferred over girl? Why technology and money is preferred over humanity and relations? Why the fire in normal is taken for granted over fire in lamp lighted in front of idol? Why god is considered as respectable element? And list goes on….