Chapter 19

Jibran was visiting Mr. Naman at his home. He often dropped and together they would chat about some profound topic sharing their their thoughts. Here goes today's dicussion:


Jibran (Ji): How dumb do you think a man can get?
Mr. Naman (Na): What do you mean? Being dumb is not a voluntary action.
Ji: I mean, how much dumb(ness) is allowed to man ?
Na: Aha, that is a good question. Before that, we should define what qualifies as a dumb act.
Ji: Yes indeed. Dictionary defines dumb as an individual who is either slow to learn or who lacks intellectual acuity. But in this context, we are saying that it is the act that defines a person. So a person is dumb if and only if he has done something that is dumb.
Na: I once wore my sweater inside out. Would that qualify as dumb?
Ji: Naman, when would you grow? These discussions, these worldly things, words are not meant for you. You do not fall in this category. So, my question is - what is the lowness of an act that a man is allowed to do?
Na: I once cut my middle finger. It was not painful but there was a small cut. When i tried to put Band-aid on it, i applied the band-aid on my index finger. It went unnoticed for couple of hrs when i realized what i had done. Would you take that as a dumb act?
Ji: There you go again. Naman, stop being a self centered and think keeping others in context. Jibran says that there are two kinds of problems - one that can be solved by applying the question to oneself and other where one has to think beyond and should have a broad perspective. This question falls in the latter category.
Na: I can not solve any mathematical problem such as integration by applying it to my self. So, that means i should have a broad perspective. eh?
Ji: No, that means that you should think beyond and that beyond includes books in this case. Can we please focus on the question at hand?
Na: Jibran Miyan, i think i have an answer.
Ji: I hope it is not another of your examples.
Na: No, not this time. Within each circle of society, something is expected from people forming that society. Some acts are just nor permitted because the circle expects some level of acuity from its participants. A dumb act varies from circle to circle. An extreme dumb act for each circle is the 50% less than the lowest expectation.
Ji: What?
Na: Let me explain you with an example. If a president wears his sweater inside out, it is clearly not acceptable but it would never happen, because when you become president, even the lowest expectation is very high. So, 50% less than the lowest expectation is also very high and thus his dumb acts are limited to such as taking a car to go to a store that is only 5 mins by walking. Now lets take example of a beggar. In his circle, that level of expectation is already very low and thus his dumb acts can be really dumb.
Ji: I see. That makes sense. You know what the good part about your theory is - It even applies to you.
Na: Me? How?
Ji: In your circle of society, the expectation from you is nothing. So your level of dumb acts is limitless. Practically, any act that you do could be classified as a dumb act.
Na: Now, you are taunting me. Remember, you are listening and talking to me, someone out there is reading this, you are all a part of my circle then.
Ji: Ofcourse we are. Its good to be a part of this one that anyone out there.