Ideas That Changed the World

Book Review

Ideas That Changed the World
By Felipe Fernandez-Armesto
Publisher: Doring Kindersley, 400 pages
(ISBN 0751344141)

Whenever I come to a blank in a form requesting my religion, I am tempted to write Deism. Unfortunately most people will not understand what it means. I did not know the word existed until I came across it in this book by Felipe Fernandez-Armesto (FFA). Well, Deism is the “belief in God not dependent on organized religion”. It originated back in 18th century Europe when Empiricism - the idea that “reality is observable and verifiable by sense-perception” - was emerging as a major trend and Sir Isaac Newton had just made key discoveries in the laws of mechanics. This filled people with confidence that the universe was as predictable as a clock and all knowledge was within grasp. Things did not turn out as expected, but the prevailing rationale was that if man could understand God through science and mathematics, why bother with religion?

FFA is Professor of Global Environmental History at Queen Mary, University of London. His book is basically an introduction to some of the thoughts and ideas that had guided our actions throughout history. Its pages are packed with information and thought-provoking illustrations. There are 7 sections covering ideas from 30,000 BC to the present 21st century. The topics explained include existentialism, pragmatism, godless humanism, scientific racism, anarchism, utilitarianism, romanticism, German, British, Chinese and Japanese superiority, chivalry, universal morality and regulating incest.

Why are ideas important? Well, they exert a tremendous influence on human behaviour as history has witnessed. The idea, for instance, that we could assume the power of our enemies by eating their flesh, encouraged cannibalism. The idea that strife is natural and conflicts are creative resulted in highly competitive yet cheerless societies - like a certain neighbouring state of ours. Darwin’s ideas about natural selection were used by some to justify racism and the extermination of “inferior” races like the Jews. The idea of a land promised by God to the Israelites became an excuse for the barbaric treatment of the Palestinians. Ideas offer possibilities on how things can be improved and yet produce frustration when hindered by other conflicting ideas. Ideas can destabilize when differing schools of thought clash.

The following is a sampling of the gems contained in this remarkably compact collection.

The Idea of Microscopic Life-forms
Many people held the idea (and many still do) that if life had not originated with God, it must have arisen from spontaneous generation. That is until Lorenzo Spallanzani proved that germs killed by heating could not re-appear in a sealed environment. The entire food industry was transformed by this discovery. So could life have appeared on earth – a closed system - without divine intervention?

The Idea of American Exceptionalism
Americans have always believed that their country is unique and blessed by God. The national psyche is exemplified by two beloved fictional characters. First, every American hero has to be an outsider like the Lone Ranger and has “got to do what a man has got to do”, including partaking in a little violence now and then. Second, Americans are inherently good-natured like Donald Duck and, despite constantly getting into all manner of trouble, are ultimately seeking the best for all concerned! FFA: “The same sort of self-righteousness and obedience to impulse makes American policy-makers bomb people from time to time – but always with good intentions.”

The Idea of a Weapon to End War
Did you know that Alfred Nobel, the guy who created those noble Nobel prizes, made his fortune from explosives and arms trafficking? His original intention was to promote the development of super-weapons. He reasoned that the only way to stop wars was to create weapons so terrible that no one would dare to start a fight! Alfred was apparently consumed by guilt after accidentally blowing up his own brother in an experiment!

The Idea of Unpredictability
Scientists have been trying for centuries to unveil the secrets of the Universe. They succeeded spectacularly in some ways, failed miserably in other ways. A good example of the latter is meteorology. No matter how much statistical data computers crunch, tomorrow’s weather cannot be predicted with certainty. The gulf between cause and effect appears to be so great as to be insurmountable. Chaos theory had a humbling effect. FFA: “The exposure of chaos looks like another nail in the coffin of “scientism” – yet more evidence that nature really is uncontrollable by human minds … Science seems to be self-undermined, and the faster its progress, the more questions emerge about its own competence. And the less faith most people have in it.”

This is a very well-written book and one that I recommend to all armchair philosophers.

The Seduction

The following account is based on a true incident.

It was an exhausting day of driving. We checked into 3-star hotel and my son fell asleep immediately on the bed. After a refreshing hot shower I found myself in a crowded noisy bar full of party animals.

I managed to get myself a seat and a drink when suddenly a young lady stumbled and fell into my lap. The people around giggled and she gave me a sheepish smile. I found myself looking into a beautiful pair of brown eyes. She apologised and tried to get up but her legs seemed to be giving her trouble.

"I've been standing so long my legs are cramping. I hope you don't mind."

I gazed into those doe-like eyes again and knew I didn't mind at all! "It's okay", I mumbled. She continued chatting with a guy nearby while remaining in my lap. The room throbbed with restless energy.

She looked vaguely familiar, like one of those Hongkong tv stars. Long black hair, porcelain complexion, makeup lightly applied, a slim shapely body - altogether a stunning creature to behold. Her hair smelled faintly fruity.

She had on stylish clothes - a chequered blouse, a long skirt which covered her knees and leather boots. She looked the typical office girl out for some fun after a hard day's work. No plunging neckline, no mini-skirt, no ostentatious mascara, no overpowering perfume that indicated she was a ... prostitute?

She turned to me when her friend stepped away. "I'm Sal. Nice to meet you! Thanks for letting me rest a bit."

No problem, I replied and introduced myself.

"Are you alone?" she asked, again flashing those brilliant eyes.

I hesitated before saying no but she didn't seem to hear me. "What do you do?" she continued.

"I'm an architect."

"Oh, wow! My job is really boring. I'm a secretary in an IT firm."

"I see."

"Architects are good at sketching. Can you sketch?"

"Yeah, a little."

"Um, sorry to keep imposing myself on you but ... do you think you could do a sketch of me? It's something for my kid brother."

"Not at all. Sure I can sketch you but I'm a little out of practice."

"We'll need a little privacy. Come up to my room."

"Now?"

"Yes, NOW!" she replied cheekily. "Can you think of a better time? Come on!"

I was in a daze and probably would have followed this exquisite creature anywhere. I was powerless to resist. She got to her feet with some effort.

At the very same moment, my son rolled off my chest and I opened my eyes in a darkened hotel room.

The Wise Old Tree

The little boy peeked nervously from behind the bush at the wrinkled old tree.

The tree pretended not to notice and continued chewing on his acorn. "Munch! Munch! Munch!"

The boy moved quietly from behind the bush and took a step closer.

The tree spat a piece of shell from his mouth and chewed some more. "Crunch! Crunch!"

The boy darted a few steps nearer and stopped.

The tree swallowed contentedly and popped another acorn into his massive mouth.

The boy ran up to the tree and shouted "BOO!"

"Goodness gracious me!" said the tree, eyes wide and pretending to be totally shocked. "Is that you again, Tom! If you keep scaring me like that, I'll lose all my leaves!"

Tom chuckled happily as a few dead leaves drifted to the ground. "Surprised you again, didn't I?"

"You certainly did, naughty boy! What are you doing in the forest again? Aren't you supposed to be in school?"

"Yes, sir. But I couldn't concentrate."

"Why not?"

The boy found an old stump to sit on. "Well, I had been thinking."

"What about?"

“You are very old, aren’t you?”

“Pretty old, yes. I knew your great grandpa’s great grandpa!”

“What was he like?”

“Naughty like you!” The old tree laughed.

“You must be very wise then, being so old and all.”

“Well, I’ve seen a few wars, a couple of revolutions, some insurrection, quite a lot of fluctuations, plenty of permutations and a generous amount of transmogrification.” The tree felt very proud.

“Where do people go … you know … when they leave?”

“You mean like when they are no longer … here?”

“Yeah, like where is grandpa now?”

The old tree thought for a moment. “Well, some people think there is a heaven and a hell. Others believe that we come back in another form, you know, like a squirrel.”

“But what do you think?”

“You really want to know?”

“Yes.”

“Promise you won’t tell anyone? Well, you can tell your brother, Bob, of course.”

“I promise.”

The tree lowered his voice. “I think he’s here.”

“Grandpa?”

“Yeah, why not! They’re all here!”

“Where?” The child looked around nervously.

“No, I don’t mean like ghosts! I mean they have become at one with nature again!”

“At one?”

“Yeah, you know, like a drop of water returning to the sea.”

“Oh!”

“Or like the air of a balloon escaping into the sky.”

“Wow!”

The boy sat quietly for a moment, dwelling on the thought of grandpa flying in the sky. “I miss grandpa. Do you think he can hear me talking?”

The tree gave the child a knowing smile. “You know what? I believe he can, I really believe he can.”

[Story based on fantasy art work by Bob Schneider at smugmug.com]

Intruder

It started like any normal Sunday. Dad was griping about Mom’s over generosity with her parents. Mom was chewing me up for being rude to the relatives. And I was bored witless with the same old weekly routine. I couldn’t wait to get home to my playstation and nuke New York or Tokyo.

On the way back, Dad remembered he forgot to refill the leaky radiator with water as the thermometer rose. We had to stop the car, wait for the engine to cool and add water before we could continue home. Fortunately Mom managed to call Maria, our maid, to keep lunch warm before she took off for her weekend break.

Our first inkling of trouble came when Dad saw the front door ajar and exploded, “She forgot to lock the door again! I bet that bloody cat has pooped all over the sofa!”

“What is wrong with Maria?” Mom replied. “She knows how many break-ins we’ve had in this area! You’d better go in first!”

Dad pushed open the door and sniffed the air. “I smell something unusual. What the devil has Maria cooked up this time?”

“Salmon porridge, the way you like it,” Mom said. “It’s the smell of sweat, I think!”

A musky disagreeable odour filled my nostrils as I followed Mom and Dad into the house. The kind of stench you normally associate with zoos. I had to cover my nose with a hanky.

Mom suddenly gasped as she noticed the opened drawers. “Somebody has been going through our things!”

“And look at my chair!” I cried. The sight of my Bugs Bunny stool lying broken on the floor brought tears to my eyes.

Dad clenched his teeth as a growl rose from his barrel chest. “I’ll rip his lungs out if I catch the one who did this!”

“Shall we call the police?” Mom cried.

“Call the police?” Dad snarled as he pulled at his dark brown hair. “Do you know how long it’ll take them to get here?”

“Dad, you’d better have a look at this.” The kitchen was in a mess. Cupboards were open, the floor was covered with broken crockery and Maria’s porridge was all over the dining table. Our precious honey was dripping from the overturned pots.

“I’m afraid,” Mom said in a panicky voice. “It looks - and smells - like some wild animal has been in here!”

“Calm down,” Dad replied. “All right, you try to get the police while I check upstairs. Bruno, stay with your mother.”

I disobeyed as usual and sneaked up behind Dad. The animal stench got even stronger as we ascended. The hair on my back was standing upright. Dad became very quiet at the landing. He looked around the hallway before moving silently to my room where a soft purring seemed to be coming from. He peered in before signaling me to approach. I crept over and stared in amazement at the creature sleeping in my bed. It had light yellow fur and the ugliest hairless face I had ever seen.

“What is it?” I whispered.

“I don’t know. Some kind of exotic monkey, I suppose.”

Back downstairs, Mom said the police had promised to come by tomorrow evening. Dad grabbed the phone and made a call to his zoo-keeper friend, describing the creature to him. The keeper promptly came over with a big net, caught the animal and locked the screaming repulsive thing in his van.

“Phew! I’m glad that’s over!” Dad said to his keeper friend.

“It’s only just begun!” Mom replied. “Look at the cleaning we have to do! We’ll probably have to disinfect the whole house and burn Bruno’s bed sheets!”

“I’m not sleeping in that bed again!” I protested. “It probably has fleas!”

“No,” laughed the keeper as he and Dad bear-hugged and shook paws. “She – yes, she’s female – smells a bit but we keep her very clean. And she's quite intelligent too – managed to pick her lock with a piece of wire. But much lower in the evolutionary ladder than we bears are. A rare species closed to extinction. Some call her Goldilocks but her real name is homo sapien.”

[First published in Write Out Loud]

Lizofik's Monster

Pangadi stretched his mighty muscles as he rose from fitful slumber. With his energies fully restored he would resume the great hunt. His ambition had taken him a long way from home. He was now in a part of the planet totally uncharted by his clansmen. Yet the task did not daunt him. His pledge to the clan stood and fulfill it he must. He had no doubts whatsoever that he would succeed. Such was his confidence.

He surveyed the scene before him. The feeble sun had cast everything in an eerie light. To his eyes everything appeared odd and not a little grotesque. Nothing was like home. The trees were stunted, the leaves a sickly green, the grass thorny and unwelcoming, the entire landscape wrongly proportioned and disorienting. Even the creatures seemed blighted by disease or inbreeding. He found the region generally repulsive and would not stay any longer than he had to.

As the great hunter bent to pick up his heavy lance, he heard what sounded like a female voice. It appeared to be coming from the very stream he had drank from the previous night. With nary a sound, he moved stealthily through the dense undergrowth toward the source of the noise.

Pangadi crouched at the edge of the stream and slowly parted the tall grass before him. His eyes widened with amazement as he saw a young maiden washing herself in the waters. Her features were a little different from those of his clanswomen but she was undoubtedly beautiful. Of all the ugly things he had seen in that abominable place she was the one and only that pleased his eye.

The hunter watched the beauty dry herself and put on what looked to him like sack cloths. He was about to approach the fair maiden when he noticed a movement in the corner of his eye. To his horror, an enormous beast emerged from the forest and sat itself next to the lady. It was round and had the thick black hide of an olifant. It glared at the maiden with angry blood-shot eyes and bared razor-sharp teeth. She merely stood submissively with her head lowered as if waiting for a command.

The monster growled something to which the lady responded by nodding. Pangadi watched entranced but without comprehension as more instructions were issued in a tongue unknown to him. Eventually the beast lumbered back into the trees. The lady sat down as in despair. After a moment she picked up an old sack and began to fill it with drift wood.

Pangadi checked to see that the monster had really gone before stepping out into the open. The lady, upon seeing the tall hunter, dropped her sack in alarm and attempted to flee.

"All is well, fair lady!" Pangadi spoke in a soft tone. "I mean no harm".

He placed his lance upon the pebbles and sat himself down on a large log.

"I merely wish to talk."

The lady halted her steps and watched Pangadi warily. Pangadi attempted a smile. "Do you understand my language?" he enquired.

The lady nodded sheepishly and replied, "Some."

"My name is Pangadi. I am a hunter from the north. I come seeking Mako meat which is rare and priceless in my region."

The lady's countenance appeared to relax a little. "Mako? Ah, Makoo! Makoo at big valley!"

"Big Valley? Can you take me there?"

A sudden gloom descended upon the girl. "No! No take you there!"

"Why?"

"Much work." With that, she lifted up her sack and turned to leave.

"Wait!" Pangadi called out. "What is your name?"

Lizofik hesitated a moment before replying.

"That is a fair name, Lizofik. As fair as its owner. Let me help you with your burden." In one swift motion Pangadi had picked up his lance and leapt like an agile lipod over to the girl before she could react. "Which way is Big Valley?"

*****

Lizofik allowed the hunter to carry her sack of sticks which felt like feathers to him. She led him in silence to a cliff's edge after a short walk.

"Makoo in big valley."

Pangadi looked in the direction she had pointed.

"Must go now. Thank you."

Pangadi held on to the sack she was attempting to take from him.

"Are you in some trouble, fair Lizofik? Pray let me assist?"

"No. No trouble. Sack please."

Pangadi did not believe her words. "That monster is holding you captive, isn't it? It has enslaved you?"

"No. You no understand. Cannot talk."

"I can help you. I can kill the beast and release you."

"NO! No kill! No kill! You no understand!"

"You have nothing to fear! I will protect you! I ... I love you and will take good care of you!"

"Love?" There was a look of puzzlement in her eyes.

"Yes, I fell in love, sweet maiden, the moment I set eyes on you! You are more beautiful than anything I have seen in my life. Please place your trust in me. I will not betray it."

"I will take you back to my region" the hunter continued, "where you can live in freedom from fear. I will love and cherish you as long as I have breath within my breast. You will be happy there!"

As the girl stared at him in stunned silence, a loud crashing noise spun Pangadi round. He found himself looking into the hellish eyes of the black and towering monster that had caused so much grief to his beloved Lizofik.

"AAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGG!" the hunter let out a blood-curdling war cry as he tossed the sack aside and braced his lance for assault.

The monster's roar in return shook the trees in the forest and scattered creatures in all directions.

Lizofik screamed something that was all but drowned in the uproar.

*****

Hunter and beast fought tooth and nail. The monster bit and tore at Pangadi who managed to dodge most of the attacks but the ones that struck left him bloody and weakened. Yet thought of his precious Lizofik gave him spirit. A sudden thrust of his lance caught the Monster in the foot breaking the bone within. It stumbled and toppled over in an earth-shattering roar of agony. Pangadi leapt on the beast and stabbed it repeatedly. One jab penetrated the heart and silenced the monster's thrashing.

A tired Pangadi jumped off the carcass of his nemesis to seek his fair maiden. He found her cowering in some bushes, tearful but unhurt.

"It is all right now, dearest Lizofik. Your master is dead and you are free at last."

Lizofik hugged her deliverer in relief. They remained in exhausted embrace until the break of the morrow.

*****

"Remember night in forest?"

Pangadi looked up from his labours. A beaming and lovely Lizofik stood before him.

"Yes, dear. Why?"

It had been two bliss-filled years since that fateful night in the south. Lizofik had settled herself well in the hunter's village. The clan loved and accepted her with open arms. Her cheerful and caring nature made her many friends.

"Night we make love?"

"Yes." Pangadi laughed. "Who could ever forget that?"

"We have fruits."

"Fruits?" Pangadi replied, a little puzzled, as Lizofik placed a small bundle on his lap. "Oh wonderful! I am thirsty from this labour. Frapples?"

"No fruits for eating!" Lizofik smiled as Pangadi unwrapped the bundle and stared at two round black balls of fur.

"Fruits of love!"

The Promise

Jamiok rubbed her stomach gingerly. She could hear birds chirping outside as the spring dawn spread its glow into the cave. It was a chilly morning and her breathe came out in puffs of vapour. As her fingers moved over the taut skin, a sudden movement within made her gasp. The creature was really growing inside her, there was no longer any doubt about that.

Jamiok sighed deeply. She had resigned herself to her fate. More or less. Well, what hope is there left to contemplate? The days had turned into weeks and the weeks into months. With each passing day her spirit had flagged a little. Finally she felt it was just foolish to wait any longer.

The brute had come sniffing at the entrance one night and she had allowed it to enter. That was two years ago and it had remained ever since. At least she had protection and meat to eat. She just hated the sight of its hair caked with blood every time it returned from a hunt. She made a whipping stick and forced it to wash each night before settling in her bed. And now as she listened to it snoring quietly beside her, her thoughts wandered again to what might have been.

A light breeze rustled the leaves outside. Jamiok wrapped her wooly cloak tightly around her delicate frame and stepped out of the cave. She made her way slowly up the face of the crevice. The wind got stronger as she climbed. She was moving automatically, on an impulse, being drawn onwards and upwards. She was thinking only of the promise. As she clambered over the last boulder and stepped onto the flat outcrop, the magnificent vista opened up before her. The welcoming wind whipped around her, making her stumble, but she steadied herself upon the barren rock. She closed her eyes and sucked mouthfuls of frigid air into her lungs. She shivered involuntarily.

You shouldn’t come back, he smiled.

But don’t you see? she replied. There is no other place in the world I’d rather be.

[Story based on fantasy art by Christophe Vacher]

Dad

Dedicated to my dad who passed away on 24 July 2007

The passing of my father has had an utterly profound impact on me. All the time spent in mourning with the relatives has given me a clearer picture of who he was. Sorry, Linda and Lin, but to say that there is nothing beyond this life is too simple an explanation for me. Life is much too wondrous for that. I suspect the truth is that we came from another dimension or parallel universe and go back when we die. So dad is there now. I wonder if he can hear my thoughts and feel what I’m feeling. I would like to believe that he can and that in some way he will enable me to take what he had wanted to achieve one step further.

My eyes are welling up with tears. All at once I am a child again and yearning for his company and protection. Life seems so much emptier without him. Not just for me but for mom as well, who misses him terribly. (I don’t know what kind of turmoil my brother is experiencing but he has been silent all this while.) I walk through his house and little things bring memories flooding back like a torrent. It’s hard to look at his photos without fighting back tears.

Dad was devilishly handsome in his youth. The photo above his coffin was taken in his forties. The undertakers had enlarged it from a smaller one, blurring it, making him even more dashing and a little larger than life. And making us appreciate our loss even more acutely. Dad had lived his life to the fullest. How many people had he touched and enriched? We will never know. Suffice it to say he was a truly decent human being. I am half the man he was.

Dear dad, wherever you are. It has been a privilege being your son. I had learned so much from you. You had tried to teach me what is important. I know I had been a pretty awful student. May I now have the courage and strength to pass your love and wisdom on to your grandchildren.

See you in a little bit.

Love,
Choong

[From a young lady in Zhangjiagang (17 Mar 2009):

I really respect (and envy) the bond that you shared with your dad. Not many people have that. I can feel your emotion just by the way you talk about him.]