Relationships Forum Chatter & Grey Matter

Whoah, feeling feisty are we? Yes, I heard you, loud and clear. I simply think that yours is a misreading of what I tried to say. I hope you will read what follows as my effort to clarify (for any reader), rather than as an argument with you.

So, let's unpack 'caste'.

Jati/varna/caste is a hierarchy, but not all hierarchies are castes (and most definitely not in the Indian sense). What is it about caste that makes it reprehensible? It is this notion of an immutable value being imposed by birth and the form of slavery that flowed from it. That I am speaking of a different kind of hierarchy in the post above, should be obvious.

I am saying that on a cricket field, I am not fit to lick the boots of a Tendulkar. I have no problems with that. Similarly, when seeking medical care, what matters most to me is the skill of the physician and her extensions - nurses, technicians and so on. An experienced nurse may be far better than a young resident with a fancy MD - at least for a while. The most expert physician fails when a technician (or someone in the chain) misreads the parameters for a machine - say, a dose of radiation (this has happened). Each person here is valuable, and yet there is a hierarchy of training, knowledge, and experience - not birth. The point of the Vonnegut story is precisely that - that there is a hierarchy, of talent, skill, and training; that true 'equality' is neither possible nor desirable.

 

Now for the rest of the charges:

Not implied. The condescension is explicit. The target may not be what you suppose it is.

Of the arsenal of words available to me, this one is milder than most.

I aimed nothing at a 'poor survey designer' or anyone who is merely an instrument of power. To conclude that I did is to be too literal. I wouldn't even blame the hapless person who has to make harassing phone calls to patients to collect the crushing debt imposed by the chargemaster. They are simply trying to make a living, soon to be on the receiving end when a medical disaster strikes them or theirs. I referred to the 'survey designer' in a form of metonymy to evoke the ravenous octopus that lurks behind. As for the 'superiority of the doctor' - 'they also serve who only stand and wait', but yes, for a patient with cancer, her oncologist is indeed superior to the accounts exec, lying on a completely different level of the hierarchy.

 

Thanks! That was easy, Admission of guilt? nothing more to say!

Also hoping some of the others here were entertained in the process!

Anyways, happy new year to you ! What a way to start a new year, isn't it?

 

No guilt.

New Year?
Diwali is not the New Year in most of India, except Gujarat.
I take it you are not Indian? Or are you referring to "Bestu Varas" (Gujarati), which is today.

 

Dang Patch up so soon ? I just got myself popcorn and soda in the hope some masaledar posts.

 

Haha sorry, I am assuming the doctor is really busy & it would be really wrong to distract & keep him from meeting his appointments & then the stupid QC systems kick in!

 

The fact that she included the qualification in her request "not that I don't trust you" clearly shows that was the reason. Also considering you went to help her & that you live miles away, I think her request was unnecessary & inappropriate. Also, now in US where wifi isn't a special privilege (you have so many options, you could just go to a Starbucks), the request seems little immature & maybe stemming from the psychology from back in India where wifi used to be such a precious privilege. No but wait what if you decided to drive all those miles every evening & park your car right by her house & spent the entire evening & night watching YouTube videos & using up all her data??

I would feel the same @Rihana