Window Seat | Mrinal Chatterjee | 23.
4. 23
Platform Society
The rapid advancement of digital technologies
has revolutionized various aspects of human society, leading to the emergence
of what is commonly referred to as the "platform society."
In platform society, life revolves around
digital platforms, which serve as intermediaries between users, services, and
content. These platforms have become integral to our daily lives, facilitating
communication, commerce, business, entertainment and social interactions.
Examples include social media platforms like Facebook, e-commerce platforms
like Amazon, and ride-hailing platforms like Uber. The platform society is
characterized by the central role these platforms play in mediating social
interactions and shaping the exchange of goods, services, and ideas.
If you note closely, in the platform society,
social dynamics have undergone significant transformations. Digital platforms
have created new avenues for connection, enabling individuals to interact, form
communities, and share ideas on a global scale. Social media platforms have
facilitated the democratization of content creation, giving individuals a voice
and platform for self-expression. However, these platforms have also amplified
issues such as echo chambers, filter bubbles, and the spread of misinformation,
necessitating critical evaluation of the information shared.
The platform society has disrupted traditional
economic models, fostering the rise of the sharing economy and gig economy.
Platforms like Airbnb and Uber have empowered individuals to monetize their
assets and skills, enabling greater economic participation. However, concerns
regarding labour rights, income inequality, and fair competition have arisen.
The platform society has also posed challenges for traditional industries.
Culturally, the platform society has
facilitated the global exchange of ideas, enabling the rapid dissemination of
cultural products and fostering cross-cultural interactions. Content creators
and artists have found new avenues to reach audiences, challenging the
dominance of traditional gatekeepers. However, issues related to intellectual
property rights, cultural homogenization, and the commodification of culture
have also emerged as areas of concern.
One of the most significant challenges of the
platform society is the management of personal data and privacy. Digital
platforms collect vast amounts of user data, raising concerns about
surveillance, data breaches, and the manipulation of user behaviour. Striking a
balance between data-driven innovations and safeguarding individual privacy has
become crucial.
Like it or not, the platform society has arrived
and it has already transformed the way we interact, work, do business and
consume. While it has brought numerous benefits, it has also raised important
questions about privacy, fairness, and societal well-being. As we navigate the
complexities of the platform society, it is crucial to proactively address its
challenges, implement robust regulations, and foster ethical practices to
ensure that this new digital landscape serves the best interests of individuals
and society as a whole.
Musk ka mamla hai
Musk (Kasturi), a substance
collected from the navel of the musk deer, is used for the various rituals of
Lord Jagannath, at Puri one of the most revered Gods in India, particularly in
Odisha. To most Vaishnava Hindus, Jagannath is an abstract representation of Krishna,
or Vishnu. To some Shaiva and Shakta Hindus, he
is a symmetry-filled tantric form of Bhairava. Jagannath Temple has elaborate
rituals. Musk
is used in the mukha shringar
of the three deities during the Nabjauban Darshan and Hera Panchami
and also during the Ansar rituals when the deities are taken sick ahead of the
car festival.
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| Musk Deer |
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| Musk Deer Pods |
In recent years there has been an acute shortage of the ‘kasturi’. Tradition has it that Nepal’s royal family, who enjoy special privileges at the Jagannath temple, used to send kasturi to Puri for the Lord. Since the fall of the monarchy in the Himalayan kingdom, Nepal’s new rulers have been unresponsive to the temple’s request for the regular supply of this rare aromatic. There are valid reasons for that too.
As conservation-activist Anil
Dhir writes, Musk deer or the kasturi mrigya, the only source of musk, is found
in the Himalayan region, including Nepal. It is an endangered animal and
figures in the Red Data List of the International Union of Conservation of
Nature. The musk deer is a Schedule 1 animal and is protected under wildlife
laws both in India and Nepal. Musk is the name originally given to a substance
with a penetrating odor obtained from a gland of the
male musk deer. To obtain the musk, the deer is killed and its gland, also
called the “musk pod”, is removed. The substance has been used as a popular
perfume fixative since ancient times and is one of the most expensive animal
products in the world.
As killing the musk
deer is illegal, obtain musk by killing the deer is not desirable. On the other
hand, the Jagannath cult is deeply rooted in tradition, something that has been
maintained over the centuries. Keeping this in mind, concrete steps should be
taken to captive breeding of the deer to prevent its extinction. The
possibility of scientific extraction of the musk pods without killing the deer
should be explored.
Why is mango the national fruit of India?
I asked this question to many mango-lovers. Atul Sathe, communications
manager, Bombay Natural History Society has the most pertinent answer: “Mangifera indica, or mango, is a very Indian
fruit and adapts itself to all kinds of soil conditions—arid, semi-arid,
wetlands and so on. Its name is very Indian too. Mangifera is derived from a
Sanskrit word ‘manjiri’ which means flowers growing in small clusters. And
indica means India. It is quite naturally our national fruit.”
Like most national emblems, mango has a historical importance.
Sculptures of the fruit are found on Buddhist monuments in Sanchi and Ajanta.
Kalidasa’s poetry also made references to the fruit, its trees and leaves.
Tailpiece: Breaking News
Chandrayan just
sent this message:
Moon does not look
like anybody’s girlfriend, or wife or wife’s sister.
++
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