BEING SELFISH

The word ‘selfish’ appears to have been coined in the Sixteenth century by Presbyterians. In the Seventeenth century, synonyms included self-seeking, self-ended and self-full. The English Dictionary defines this adjective as ‘devoted to or caring only for oneself, concerned primarily with one’s own interest, benefits, welfare etc., regardless of others.’

On November 15, 1903, Charles Ponzi an Italian born businessman arrived in Boston, aboard the S.S. Vancouver. ”I landed in this country with $2.50 in cash and $1million in hopes, and those hopes never left me’, he told The New York Times. By July 1920, he had made millions. His ‘Ponzi scheme’ promised clients a 50% profit within 45 days or 100% profit within 90 days. In reality Ponzi was paying early investors using the investments of later investors, a practice known as ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’. People were mortgaging their homes and investing their life savings. Most did not take their profits, but reinvested. His scheme collapsed, costing his investors $20 million and financially ruining several homes.

Joseph Conrad’s Lord Jim is regarded as one of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century. Jim a young British seaman becomes first mate on the Patna, a ship full of pilgrims travelling to Mecca for the hajj. When the ship starts rapidly taking on water and disaster seems imminent, Jim joins his captain and other crew members in abandoning the ship and its passengers, thus committing the ultimate sin for a naval officer to abandon ship, particularly when passengers or crew are still on board. The court strips him of his navigation command certificate for dereliction of duty. Jim is angry with himself, both for his moment of selfishness, and for missing an opportunity to be a 'hero'. What will this mean for Jim who is about to face his destiny, which is relentless and inescapable?

Sir Philip Sidney, an English poet, scholar, and soldier, is remembered as one of the most prominent figures of the Elizabethan age. In the battle fighting for the Protestant cause against the Spanish, he was shot. While lying wounded he gave his water to another wounded soldier, saying, "Thy necessity is yet greater than mine." 

All the religions of the world, their Holy Books and scriptures, as also the society, extol and applaud the virtue of selflessness, service and sacrifice

“Selfish” is a bad word in most people's books. As a society, we frown upon anyone we think of as selfish. But oriented around survival it’s in our nature to take care of our own needs first. Some psychologists believe that when you take care of yourself first, you show up as a healthy, grounded person in life. Being called selfish doesn’t feel like a compliment, but the trait can actually make you a better and a happier person, psychology experts say. If you can’t take care of yourself, then you can’t care for others. "Putting yourself first is not a negative quality; it’s your job to take care of yourself and get what you need. When you’re able to focus within, you’re much more authentic and much happier. It is your responsibility to make yourself happy. Take ownership of your happiness.” Being selfish is so critical.

On board my flight, the air-hostess makes announcements every time: The cabin pressure is controlled for your comfort, should it change radically in flight, oxygen compartments will automatically open in the panel above your seat. Pull the mask over your mouth and nose and secure with the elastic band like this. If you are travelling with children or are seated next to someone who needs assistance, place the mask on yourself first…..

A hit and run is a high risk, high reward offensive strategy used in baseball. It uses a stolen base attempt to try to place the defending in-fielders out of position for an attempted base hit. In law, hit-and-run is the act of causing or contributing to a traffic accident, such as colliding with a person or fixture, and failing to stop and identify oneself afterwards. It is an offence^.

Jolly LLB is a power-packed courtroom drama that revolves around the case of a rich guy, who drove over a pathway, killing several labourers in the bargain. This film celebrates the spirit of the common man seeking justice and impartiality. Underneath its humour is an angry critique of the system, so easily manipulated by the rich in their own self-interest and so difficult to penetrate for the poor who are the victims.

A popular superstar sentenced like an ordinary mortal thirteen years after the trial commenced, is not merely breaking news. TV anchors, newsreaders, tabloids, newspapers, social media and every other person out there, become the judge, advocate and executioner of public sentiment. In some cases there is an irrepressible glee watching a celebrity fall. There are others who would firmly stand by the celebrity in his hour of crisis.

 
As Suhel Seth says: ‘In the coming days, many pundits will tell us about the intricacies of the law; there will be others who will pontificate on the robustness of our judicial system, while few will spare a thought for the victims. We will then return to life as we know it.’ 

After all, you’re responsible for your own happiness.