Modern Society and Ways of Life

by Seersha Nambiar
There are three categories of people in the modern society conservatives, pacifists
and rebels. From my choice of words kindly do not mistake this for an article on
politics and political ideologies. Like in everything else, each category has its share
of good and bad. People like sheets of blank paper choose the colors that brighten
their lives.
Among the conservatives are traditionalists who adamantly stick to what they
believe to be tradition. They confine themselves within the boundaries of the past
and shun anything new or different that comes their way. These conformists restrict
their own intellectual and emotional boundaries and expect others to do the same.
They choose to look away from the fact that tradition is a series of practices which
were formed years ago and that it is not a rigid framework of rules but a continuous
process that takes place today and will take place tomorrow. Another category of
conservatives try to make sense of the past, find the science and logic behind
rituals before incorporating these into their lives. They accept what they believe to
be true and are willing to learn about the past without hampering the present and
future. They are capable and eager to transform into better human beings.
Pacifists can also be sub divided into two streams of thought. The first being those
who train themselves to contain hope and fear, they comply with all that the society
puts before them. They are accommodating to the extent of sacrificing their own
wants and needs to what they believe to be for the greater good of the society.
While ailing pacifists are those who may be involved in constantly expressing
grievances, criticisms and complaints but are unwilling to act upon them and
change the situation. These expressions may be gross or subtle but can be easily
identified as people who moan and grumble for the silliest of things. They mistake
these emotions as a response to external forces that act upon their lives whereas in
real, these objections are because of their notion of being incapable of changing
these external forces or their effects.
Rebels can in their darkest shades be taken by the ideologies of radical thoughts
and terrorism. They believe that the world needs to be brain washed into their ideal
design of a perfect society. Rebels of this kind tend to involve in practices of
violence and threats that lack empathy and self-awareness because they blindly
believe to be serving a greater purpose. The final category of rebels is those people
who change the world through love. They diligently and passionately work to
achieve their own dreams without harming others. They remain open to questions,
thoughts and ideas. They revolutionize and refine the world by being kind and
empathetic all the while persistent and determined.