Nursing a painful neck after the Aerosmith concert here in Bangalore, I spent a rather interesting, contemplative morning just pondering about life. One interesting topic that came to my mind today was the concept of the World of Truth. Tim Hardford mentions this concept in his book The Undercover Economist (which, along with Stephen Levitt's Freakanomics, has sparked quite an interest in economics among the general public).
Just imagine if we were actually living in such a world...a world where everybody speaks the truth. It'll be outstandingly amazing. Here are some scenarios that happen in the world of truth:
1. Hari: Hello, may I be speaking to Mr. Sunil Madhora please?
Sunil: Malhotra?
Hari (pausing): Is that Mr.Madhora?
Sunil: There is no Madhora here. Only a Sunil Malhotra
Hari: Okay, Mr. Malhotra, anyway I would like to speak to you. I'm calling on behalf of Blah Blah Bank and would like to inform you that we are offering loans at 4% interest rate...
Hari: Why exactly are you calling me up? Tell me the truth!
(The word TRUTH echoes...Truth...truth...truth...truth...)
Hari: Umm...sir, the truth is that Blah Blah has formulated this loan in such a way that that
the actual interest payable goes upto 10% so that they can make more money. We called you up because we have your profile over here and you seem to be exactly the kind of sucker who'll fall for this crap. That is why...
2. Devesh: Hello, is that the Yak-yak Internet Customer Service?
Kumar: No, it's your millionaire godfather's house! What else did you expect it to be?
Devesh: Look here, all I want to know is why my broadband connection keeps crashing every evening at 5 pm and not coming back until the next morning...
Kumar: Why? Do you want it to crash at 2pm and not come back until next morning? That can be easily arranged...
Devesh: No, I want it to be repaired, you goddamn fool!
Kumar: Not possible!
Devesh: Why not?
Kumar: Because I say so that's why!
Devesh: Tell me the truth!
(Truth...truth...truth...truth)
Kumar: Well, isn't the truth obvious to you, moron? It's a trick. We discovered it by accident, I admit, but the truth is that we want everybody to adopt Broadband Plan A (the most expensive one obviously). So we make sure that all customers who use Plans B,C and D use equipment with slight technical defects. Then once they get tired of constant failures, we offer them Plan A and they'll be willing to pay more...and what's more, a lot of people are reluctant to switch from one service to another because it will changing e-mail ids and transferring all information stored in their accounts...big hassle...so this is...
3. Reporter:...and Mr. Superstar, one last question...your resurgence as an icon after a lapse of 7 years has been quite phenomenal...and you're always known as a people's man...do you try and live upto that title?
Superstar: Of course...where will I be without my fans? I owe everything to them...I always am a servant to the wishes of the public...
Reporter: Do you really mean that? Is that the truth?
(Truth...truth...truth...truth)
Just imagine if we were actually living in such a world...a world where everybody speaks the truth. It'll be outstandingly amazing. Here are some scenarios that happen in the world of truth:
1. Hari: Hello, may I be speaking to Mr. Sunil Madhora please?
Sunil: Malhotra?
Hari (pausing): Is that Mr.Madhora?
Sunil: There is no Madhora here. Only a Sunil Malhotra
Hari: Okay, Mr. Malhotra, anyway I would like to speak to you. I'm calling on behalf of Blah Blah Bank and would like to inform you that we are offering loans at 4% interest rate...
Hari: Why exactly are you calling me up? Tell me the truth!
(The word TRUTH echoes...Truth...truth...truth...truth...)
Hari: Umm...sir, the truth is that Blah Blah has formulated this loan in such a way that that
the actual interest payable goes upto 10% so that they can make more money. We called you up because we have your profile over here and you seem to be exactly the kind of sucker who'll fall for this crap. That is why...
2. Devesh: Hello, is that the Yak-yak Internet Customer Service?
Kumar: No, it's your millionaire godfather's house! What else did you expect it to be?
Devesh: Look here, all I want to know is why my broadband connection keeps crashing every evening at 5 pm and not coming back until the next morning...
Kumar: Why? Do you want it to crash at 2pm and not come back until next morning? That can be easily arranged...
Devesh: No, I want it to be repaired, you goddamn fool!
Kumar: Not possible!
Devesh: Why not?
Kumar: Because I say so that's why!
Devesh: Tell me the truth!
(Truth...truth...truth...truth)
Kumar: Well, isn't the truth obvious to you, moron? It's a trick. We discovered it by accident, I admit, but the truth is that we want everybody to adopt Broadband Plan A (the most expensive one obviously). So we make sure that all customers who use Plans B,C and D use equipment with slight technical defects. Then once they get tired of constant failures, we offer them Plan A and they'll be willing to pay more...and what's more, a lot of people are reluctant to switch from one service to another because it will changing e-mail ids and transferring all information stored in their accounts...big hassle...so this is...
3. Reporter:...and Mr. Superstar, one last question...your resurgence as an icon after a lapse of 7 years has been quite phenomenal...and you're always known as a people's man...do you try and live upto that title?
Superstar: Of course...where will I be without my fans? I owe everything to them...I always am a servant to the wishes of the public...
Reporter: Do you really mean that? Is that the truth?
(Truth...truth...truth...truth)
Superstar: Of course not, you dim-witted fool. Do you think I really care about my fans? I'm only concerned about my welfare...mine, do you hear, MINE! All these gimmicks that I do...maintain a grave dignified image, donate to temples and be seen at charity events...they're just PR! And those poor people...they swallow anything I do and consider me god...they literally worship me! Grateful? Maybe I was in the beginning, but now...worshipping me should be made compulsory! I am the superstar! Do you get it? THE SUPERSTAR!
4. Neta (to reporter): How can one allow this? Obscene dancing? Bah! It's against Indian culture! How can you even think of allowing them? They should be banned! Our youth must be saved from corruption of the minds...
Reporter: Do you really believe in that? Is that the truth?
(Truth...truth...truth...truth)
Neta: Nah! I would be the first one to ogle at all those women dancing! Isn't it obvious that I'm doing this for votes? I want to create the impression that I'm very concerned about society that's all!
5. Reporter: And there you go...some shocking truths for you...brought to you by the News Channel for the People...we present stories that matter because we care for you...the public!
Bystander: Do you really care for the public? Tell me the truth!
(Truth...truth...truth..truth)
Reporter: No way! Anything to earn TRPs that's all!
Yep, the pleasant world of truth...
4. Neta (to reporter): How can one allow this? Obscene dancing? Bah! It's against Indian culture! How can you even think of allowing them? They should be banned! Our youth must be saved from corruption of the minds...
Reporter: Do you really believe in that? Is that the truth?
(Truth...truth...truth...truth)
Neta: Nah! I would be the first one to ogle at all those women dancing! Isn't it obvious that I'm doing this for votes? I want to create the impression that I'm very concerned about society that's all!
5. Reporter: And there you go...some shocking truths for you...brought to you by the News Channel for the People...we present stories that matter because we care for you...the public!
Bystander: Do you really care for the public? Tell me the truth!
(Truth...truth...truth..truth)
Reporter: No way! Anything to earn TRPs that's all!
Yep, the pleasant world of truth...
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