Darwinian's Theory of Beauty

Denis Dutton in his TED Talks presented an argument about beauty. In his speech he maintained that beauty is not subjective matter or “ in the eye of the beholder” as we used to believe. And also it is not a culturally conditioned eye of the beholder, as the academia likes to think about it.  It goes back to evolution origins of human being; our ancestors passed on the genes of what is to be considered beautiful.  According to his description of beauty it is not limited to the physical appearance or nature but it broadens to embrace music, art, and skilled human actions. Therefore, this theory is justifying the universal conformity of beauty that is shared by different nations and cultures.

Bill Reid Gallery trip

The trip to the museum that displays Bill Reid art was short, but educational.  I can’t say that I am into arts, however, after visiting this gallery I admire Bill Reid.  He is a person half white half Haida, and used to be ashamed of this fact.  Yet, he was willing to get over this hardship, change his heritage to a fine art that speaks to millions and fill them with wonder and respect. When you go to the gallery, look to the displayed arts, and listen to the explanation of what they represent, you can’t stay neutral or indifferent.  With time, you find yourself curious and want to learn more about how they have lived and how they have changed everything they touch to a wonderful art.  I was thinking about this: who would really care about a tree in a bush? those people, regardless of the simplicity of their living, they were paying attention to everything around them. They have transformed household items, trees, and nature in general to a spectacular art. I think the fascinating part of their art is that their artistic skills weren’t plain but a transmission of their legacy and culture. It was their simple, and yet effective way to keep their tradition alive for the years to come.

This trip helped me also to see how easily we structure stereotype about others, or how little we really care to know about each other. I remember when I first knew about the aboriginal and saw their pictures, the way they look like and the way they lived I just thought they are savage people with a rudimentary life. 

However, after this visit I think the indigenous are the ones who made the history of British Columbia. Their amazing crafts and rich heritage is undeniable reality; it is what they made and left is distinguishing the Northwest Coast region and set it apart. So I feel in spite of the neglecting, suffering, and disrespecting to their humanity, they have succeeded to leave great achievement that will remain a significant witness of their civilization. And just as Bill Reid described in his documentary film “Totem”, “human beings must die anyway” and in the Haida case, they might be destroyed as tribal system or communities but their heritage will stay behind marking their existence forever.

Another Bad Experience with "CIC"

This post is to support Chanida's bad experience with the Immigration & Citizenship public service (CIC). It was important for me to see someone from the Immigration to get full and proper explanation about the improper visa application payment fees reason I get every-time I mail my application.  

So I took the address from Chanida and I went to (CIC) hoping that I will talk with different person, and I will receive better treatment. I took a number from the que system, and waited for my number to come up in the que screen.  I did not wait for long, my number showed in the screen, so I went to the counter where my number was showing. Nobody was there, I stood in front of the empty counter in anticipation, and within few seconds a male employee came out looking down at his cellphone. Sharply he asked me what is your number? I said two. He did not greet me, or looked at me, he was texting or playing with his cell phone all the time I was setting in front of him. His questions were short, sharp, impatient and he was angry.  I could not understand why he was angry and disgusted.  

I assume the whole meeting took less than five minutes. I did not benefit any thing from him at all, I explained my problem to him and instead of showing empathy and explain what exactly went wrong, he was continuously pointing out that my method of payment was wrong. So I decided to leave because I knew that he is not going to help me with any thing.  I can't say this type of attitude did not upset me at that time, but later on when I gave it good thought,  I felt this person is one of many people, who do jobs they do not like.  This type of people are usually unproductive, frustrated, and superior in their actions.   I feel sorry for him. I am sure if he does something he enjoy, he will be better employee, and better person.  

My weekend between studying and eating

My weekend was divided between studying math, doing GMAT's assignment and of course having FUN! There was nothing special about Thursday and Friday I was studying all the time. However, I gave myself a big treat on Saturday, it is my rest and fun day. In the morning I had my big delicious breakfast at  De Dutch Pancake with my Canadian family friends. After that good time, I went out with another friend for shopping, she wanted to shop for summer. So I spent most of the afternoon and evening shopping at Pacific Centre, Robson and Oakridge Centre. It was great pleasure for me, I don't get board or tired of shopping it is my meditation. Still that wasn't my shopping day; I was only assisting my friend, and I am so glad that I didn't buy anything-- which is, by the way, a big accomplishment. Continuing with my weekend I had a great meal at Simba's grill the one allocated in Denman. This restaurant claims serving East African food; however, I deeply believe it serves my country food. I highly recommend this restaurant it is a business family and food there taste as home made.

Moving out to UBC campus

This time I can say I had good weekend. On Thursday evening I had a farewell dinner with my Landlord and his family. This farewell was for me, It was my last day at my old accommodation. I was very happy and honored; for the last 10 months, I'v lived with a great Canadian family who were very kind and just like a second family.  The pleasant surprise that, the dinner was "Moroccan" famous dishes "Tajin" and "Kuskos". On the following day, Friday, my ex-landlord and his wife insisted to drive me to my new accommodation which is in the UBC campus. Well, there is no words to explain how I felt they came in, carried my bags with their daughter and drove me to the new accommodation. In the new accommodation, both ex-landlord and his wife have checked every single thing to make sure that everything is going to work fine for me and I will be comfortable in the new place. And most importantly when they found out that in the new accommodation there is no appliances, they offered that I borrow the old ones I used to have.  They just drove back to their residence and collected all sort of things, towels, toilette roles, dishes, lamp, soap etc and came back to me.  I really don't have the right words to explain what that have meant to me.  I am very pleased and I am sure whatever I would do will not repay their kindness to me. 

Creation of universe according to Quran

I was very fascinated when I learned about universe creation according to the Bible. It is very similar to muslims' Holly Book "Quraan".  Of course there were many interpretations to explain Quran's context. Still there are many similrites but the order in creation is different plus there are more details.  According to interpretations, God has created the earth and the heavens in six days which I will explain later. But God has first created the "Pen" and after that the "Book"! Well, I think the "Book" here has the same reference to  the  Bible, "Tree of Knowledge".  So back to the interpretations it says God has created the Pen and the book and ordered the pen to write in great detail everything about the creation of the universe. This book is allocated in heavens it is storing universe knowledge.

Second creation was the sky and the earth. On Saturday God has created the soil, on Sunday mountains, trees on Monday, Germs on Tuesday, light on Wendsday, land and sea cratures on Thursday and on Friday the last day of cration he has created Adam. He created him from earth's mud and clay. This mud and clay was collected from different parts of earth and that is why human kind has different races and colors. Then God shaped Adam into human form, breathed into him to give him soul/life.

In Bible it says that God wanted to create a helper for Adam to help him to till the garden. While in Quran it says that God wanted Adam to be superior over the Angels and Jinn therefore, God has taught Adam all the names of his creations and asked him to name them which successfully he did. So right after this incident God ordered Angles and Jinn to bow down to Adam, Angles did but Satan who is one of the Jinn refused. He said, he is created from fire and Adam was created from clay, so he can't be superior to him. This made God angry and he cursed Satan and threatened him of Hell. Satan plead to God to keep him till the day of judgment. Satan told God that he will devote himself to mislead human kind to disobey God to join him in  Hell.

As for Eve's creation, it is the same story. God has created Eve from Adam's left rib while he was asleep. The name of Eve in Quran is "Hawwa" which comes from the root word "hay" meaning living. She was named like this because she was created from a living thing "Adam".  The interesting thing here that Hawwa is the same as "Eve" which came from old Hebrew word Havva, which also means "living".

Quran also has mentioned the first sin but it is different from the one in Bible. According to the interpretations of Quran context, Satan wanted to deceive Adam and Eve so he changed his form into snake and creep to the garden.  He whispered into their hearts that if they eat from the forbidden tree they will live forever. He was after them till they disobeyed God and ate from the tree. They became naked and tried to cover their bodies with the tree leaves. God knew about this he was very angry because Adam and Eve disobeyed him. So to punish them, God sent both of them along with Satan to earth. In earth human should keep their fight with Satan and try not to disobey God. This fight will last till the day of judgment.