Unlearning

With growing old sometimes comes the feeling that you understand life in much better sense. Of course if you are a person who likes to have filters in place and constantly seeks clarity. You are thankful for a lot of things that have happened and helped you grow. And at times you are just forgetful enough to forget how it is to be a teenager. 

Specially a teenager surrounded by constant competition, expectations and general 'dont have a clue about future or life but parents and friends are into this, so I am also into this' thought process. Recently a 17yo nephew was visiting us for some exam preparation classes which the city I live in is believed to have some of the best. Initially I was totally peeved by his sharp and critical demeanor. That initial phase lasted the 3 weeks he stayed with us. Yes, sometimes I am an excruciatingly slow adopter. Almost everyday we got into some kind of argument (behes in his sweet MP hindi) about a physics problem (sometimes random life funda) and my lack of remembering anything except for the concepts. I who's raised by teachers who believed in the power of clear concepts was somewhere happy believing it was a good sign that I did not remember the actual formulae but knew my stuff. I was proud even. But this did not impress the kid. He kept on questioning my entire life and so called engineering education. I was more annoyed and more intrigued. Intrigued cos how was all the grown up stuff I mentioned at the beginning not helping me see that this is what it feels to be a teenager. Over the 3 weeks, eventually he stopped asking me much physics questions and we spent time discussing how life in US is where he aspires to go for studies. 

I began to realize though, there is so much I need to unlearn to be able to continue to learn. Whichever species evolves, evolves because it is able to unlearn. Shed old knowledge and constantly gain new. I am seriously questioning people who say knowledge is power and stuff like that. I wonder if they are talking about knowledge acquired through unlearning.

Space and time

When bamboos and mangoes started living together, things were pretty good. 

Everyone got ample sunlight and water.

The bamboo's nature was to grow tall. The mango's to grow deep. 

But Bamboo was a little mad you see. 

Tired of seeking the sun, one day  bamboo suddenly decided it wanted to grow deep. 

Mango in its all encompassing big hearted nature thought maybe Bamboo will let go of its silly whim.

But stubborn was our Bamboo and continued on its fancy whims.

Mango was a better friend, it gave Bamboo all the time. 

Bamboo was a stupid brat and took Mango's all space.

Space and time thus got divided (?) and did not know where to belong.

~nightflier

P.S. I feel like Bamboo today :-/

This is an old draft, posting it today as the realization runs pretty deep.