God and the Devil are playing poker. Usually the Devil wins at this game but this time God is confident he’s got the upper hand. Indeed, the Devil seems deep in thought trying to find a way out while God is relaxed, playing with a colorful string in his hands. But suddenly and out of nowhere, the magic Devil brings out a Royal Flush and wins the bet! The cards literally changed colors. God is unpleased. For once he was about to win.
Then, in one of his brilliant moments, God comes up with an interesting idea. “You always beat me at this poker game,” he tells the Devil. “I am going to bet you something different.” Showing the colorful string in his hands, he continues “do you see this little vibrating string? I can specify a small set of rules that the string must obey, and I bet you, double or nothing, that the string will multiply and create a fascinating universe. A universe made of fire and stone; large round planets that orbit gigantic flaming suns.”
The Devil gives him a skeptical look. But God goes on, “and one of these planets will be quite special. It will be my blue jewel. There… the string will transform into water. And little by little, small magnificent and colorful species will be born. The species will evolve into larger and larger varieties. Green forests, flowery gardens, playful animals. The animals will proliferate and roam the planet.”
“That sounds like science fiction,” replied the Devil. “I take your bet.”
At that moment, God writes down a few rules, ties the string to his magic wand and makes one little bang at the poker table. Instantly, a universe is born. And to the amazement of both God and the Devil, the universe is beautiful beyond their imagination.
“Very impressive,” uttered the Devil. “Your animals on this jewel planet are fairly smart. I especially fancy the apes. We are even. But are you ready for a more audacious bet?”
God astonished: “more audacious?”
With a devilish look, the Devil retorts: “yes dear. I am willing to bet you that, with a tiny effort, I can demolish your blue jewel planet.”
God: “How will you do that?”
The Devil: “do you see this cute little ape? I am going to call her Lucy. I will add one minor rule to your initial set of rules, and Lucy will evolve over time into an enthralling creature. A creature that will be far more intelligent than all animals we have seen so far.”
God: “hum…”
The Devil: “the creature will procreate and conquer the planet. It will have enough intelligence to start asking questions about you and me!”
God: “you are a devil, aren’t you?”
With his magic wand, the Devil…
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Two Negations May Make a Nation
“Everything is for the best in the best of worlds,” said Voltaire satirically… but perhaps rightly.
In 1943, the modern version of Lebanon was born from a pact in which the Christians said NO to Western interference and the Muslims said NO to Arabic interference. At the time, journalist Michel Chiha prudently expressed his disbelief with his famous “two negations do not make a nation.”
It takes more than words to build a sound nation. It may take WARS, BLOOD AND A COMMON DESTINY.
But isn’t that precisely what has happened to Lebanon in the recent past? Wars, blood and a common destiny could be the cement needed to erect a solid structure like the one Switzerland is made of.
After so many years of common affliction, the Lebanese people, somewhere deep inside, feel closer to each other than ever before. Their fate appears now intrinsically linked, in life and in death, in happiness and in misery. It all started with two superficial negations. Add to that a bloody mixture of wars, shake well, and you may get some firm foundations.
Why? Probably because it’s human nature: in modern times, after experimenting with wars, people are discovering that in peace and solidarity they all gain. As Europe’s population grew, even the French, English and Germans have found a way to live peacefully side by side. Who could have imagined it?
Some of the signs that Lebanon’s diverse groups are coming closer together are quite visible, despite tensions provoked by irresponsible and egocentric leaders. The Christians and Sunnis were quick to help Shiite refugees during the latest tragedy.
The Christians can clearly see that the Shiites have produced, in spite of a religious connotation, a relatively modern party and military that kept in check the mighty Tsahal. Even Iran itself is flirting with modernity. And the Muslims can clearly see that the Christians’ middle class has evaporated, and their political privileges gone.
Nasrallah’s and Aoun’s followers, despite a sheep-like tendency not to question the pack leader, do have an encouraging dynamic and enthusiastic attitude. They want to rebuild nearly as fast as the Israelis destroyed. If their leaders were to recover some sanity, Lebanon would be in great shape.
Despite the skirmishes on the surface, Lebanon may have today the prerequisites for a stable nation. The people appear to be ready to accept each other. But the leaders aren’t rising above their irrelevant self interest. They could gain far more if they were to behave like great leaders who look for reward in their immortality rather than in quick, small and pointless advantages.
In 1943, the modern version of Lebanon was born from a pact in which the Christians said NO to Western interference and the Muslims said NO to Arabic interference. At the time, journalist Michel Chiha prudently expressed his disbelief with his famous “two negations do not make a nation.”
It takes more than words to build a sound nation. It may take WARS, BLOOD AND A COMMON DESTINY.
But isn’t that precisely what has happened to Lebanon in the recent past? Wars, blood and a common destiny could be the cement needed to erect a solid structure like the one Switzerland is made of.
After so many years of common affliction, the Lebanese people, somewhere deep inside, feel closer to each other than ever before. Their fate appears now intrinsically linked, in life and in death, in happiness and in misery. It all started with two superficial negations. Add to that a bloody mixture of wars, shake well, and you may get some firm foundations.
Why? Probably because it’s human nature: in modern times, after experimenting with wars, people are discovering that in peace and solidarity they all gain. As Europe’s population grew, even the French, English and Germans have found a way to live peacefully side by side. Who could have imagined it?
Some of the signs that Lebanon’s diverse groups are coming closer together are quite visible, despite tensions provoked by irresponsible and egocentric leaders. The Christians and Sunnis were quick to help Shiite refugees during the latest tragedy.
The Christians can clearly see that the Shiites have produced, in spite of a religious connotation, a relatively modern party and military that kept in check the mighty Tsahal. Even Iran itself is flirting with modernity. And the Muslims can clearly see that the Christians’ middle class has evaporated, and their political privileges gone.
Nasrallah’s and Aoun’s followers, despite a sheep-like tendency not to question the pack leader, do have an encouraging dynamic and enthusiastic attitude. They want to rebuild nearly as fast as the Israelis destroyed. If their leaders were to recover some sanity, Lebanon would be in great shape.
Despite the skirmishes on the surface, Lebanon may have today the prerequisites for a stable nation. The people appear to be ready to accept each other. But the leaders aren’t rising above their irrelevant self interest. They could gain far more if they were to behave like great leaders who look for reward in their immortality rather than in quick, small and pointless advantages.
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