Sunday, November 25, 2007

Mindis-Complexis Disorder

Since my last article, I'm in a state of expressing everything in a complicated manner and then analyzing how many words I've sinfully wasted had I expressed it in a simpler manner. Getting it?

I am currently reading Ray Romano's 'Everything and a Kite' and I am really amazed at the simplicity of expression. Yes, he is the same guy who plays Raymond in the hit series 'Everybody Loves Raymond'. What I marvel is the way he has expressed humor (or, for our British friends - humour). To-the-point. Not even an additional iota of confusion for understanding the profundity of the literature! (I know, the Mindis-Complexis Disorder (MCD) is acting again)

Humor has to be simple and to-the-point. If somebody has to be break his head in understanding humor, then its no humor. Ditto with any communication / expression for that matter. Excluding the Economic deductions to understand the Domino-effect of price volatility in Zambia on the market upsurge in developed countries. (Hey buddy, just come out of this MCD, will ya?)

World would be a different place if everything was expressed in a complicated manner. I think this would pose the biggest problem to Communication agencies world-wide. All the advertisers would spray complicated jargon over everyone's mind - reducing sales and hampering the brand equity of that product. This is just a thin slice in the incontrovertibly growing spiral of complex expression whose effect would aggravate mental trauma and trigger mass hysteria; ultimately , after realization, would obliterate the existence of complexity altogether. (Okay, enough said)

As a writer, I have always tried to express my thoughts in the simplest possible manner. Recently, I have been inspired by the depth and clarity of expression of Hugh MacLeod (of gapingvoid.com). I am trying to improve my skills of written expression through constant thinking and re-visiting such sites, which not only tell you how best things are written to-the-point; but, also, explain how effective blogging can radically ignite sales in a small South African winery to help it grow multifold.

So, IMHO, be Simple. To-the-point. Effective. Clear.


Saturday, November 24, 2007

Bureaucratic Lullaby - its political and socio-economic repercussions

My mind was in a dissociated state of disharmony when I gleaned through some paper-work involving bureaucratic incomprehensibles. To be more precise, this paperwork was a resume of a bureaucrat. Mind-blowing, err, mind-boggling.

As I read the introduction of the profile of this candidate, I began to re-assure myself that this agony would get over very soon and hey, its only a 23-page resume! Couldn't have asked for more.

I am a resume writer and I have seen both - bad resumes and worse resumes. But, nothing could beat this one. Flowered with apathetic and banal statements which we hear during election campaigns. I felt real pity on the potential employer, who would HAVE to be very strong and courageous, to face this heroic-narcissist stuff. I would personally congratulate that gentleman who would have the divine patience to read this 23-page resumé without dozing off. Kudos.

By the time I had begun the 12th page, unsettling thoughts settled in. But, I motivated myself as I went through the pain. Another 11 to go now. Way to go man! I thought it was an achievement in itself. I would write it in my resume for sure.

What was even more unnerving, was to realise that such people are running our country. If all they want is to praise themselves and get-praised in return, then how would they selflessly run or advise politicians on running a country.

I am still not entirely certain about how bureaucracy works etc, but I just got a sneak-peak into their mind-set. If I had to break my head in understanding a simple communication like resume, how would they draft critical documents that would be driving a nation tomorrow? I do feel that their words neither have an honest drive nor are articulated well. It looks like they write for someone who has the entire day in deciphering the complexity of demographic-repercussions of a 20-line paragraph.

Okay, even I can write something which nobody would understand. But, what's the use. We are talking about running the country here!

I just want to make an
effective one-page resume for this gentleman. If he is a top-order bureaucrat and heads one of the most important committees, would he need a 23-page resume? Why, for that matter, would he need a resume at all? He would just tell the employer that he would close the company if he doesn't get that job. Simple and effective. ;)

I am a great fan of short and crisp resumes. That is what they should be. To-the-point. It should be an exciting document and not a boring, banal, run-of-the-mill stuff which would rather land in a dustbin than on an employer's desk.

This resume would actually act like a lullaby. I would recite it to kids, so that they get some nice and quick sleep.

Anyways, time to work on this resume. Need to understand the effect of political sentimentality of this resume that would accelerate the artificial decomposition of my mind and then it will be symmetrically truncated into millions of quasi-static states.

Cheers!!

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Unfound Path

In an unknown path I wait,
with surreal thoughts, in a restless gait
cyclical paths, realistic places
Mystical journey, meeting stolid faces

charming people on an alarming path,
disarming beauty with weapons that scathe
concerted efforts; losing steam
Plastic smiles, meeting people with low esteem

intensely cared about the dignified presence
sustaining and enriching essence
for the life that is mine and yours
nostalgic sojourn and a reckless recourse

sparkling lights on the abandoned street
wandering minds with their souls discreet
Exploring new beliefs; enticing ignorance
igniting minds for the newer paths; taking cognizance