Tag: short-and-straight

Why Scotland wants to leave the UK

Akshat RathiLeave a comment

From a historian’s perspective the reasons are simple:

  1. In the past, as the minority of Protestants in a largely Catholic Europe, Scotland preferred to be part of a group rather than stand alone. With religiosity on the decline, that identity isn’t as strong any more.
  2. During the time of the Empire, Scotland reaped lots of economic benefits of being part of the union. These days economic benefits of the union aren’t as strong.
  3. In the past, geography mattered because as an island nation, Scotland could better defend itself. Now that matters little.
  4. Britain is held together by the English, who are London-centric and don’t give the North as much attention as it deserves.
  5. With the EU, both Ireland and Scotland have a new centre to identify with other than London.

 

What is the difference between Shia and Sunni muslims?

Akshat RathiLeave a comment

This neat explainer finds that Sunni muslims are:

  • After the death of Prophet Muhammad, the supporters of Abu Bakr, a friend of the prophet became Sunnis. They make up 80% of muslims today.
  • While both follow five pillars of Islam, Sunnis rely on Prophet and his teachings (the sunna), which is why Shias accuse Sunnis of dogmatism.
  • Sunnis consider Shias to have committed heresy (see below).

Shia muslims are:

  • After the death of Prophet Muhammad, the supporters of Ali, Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law, became Shias (short for “shiaat Ali”, partisans of Ali).
  • While both follow five pillars of Islam, Shias rely on their ayatollahs (first 12 of whom were direct descendants of Ali) as the reflection of God on Earth. (This is what Sunnis consider heresy).
  • Mindful of their minority, Shias have mostly chosen to remain at peace with the Sunnis, unlike the sectarian violence that occurred among the Christians.

Why we speak in euphemisms

Akshat RathiLeave a comment

“If you could pass the salt, that would be awesome” is better than “Pass the salt” some times. “Would you like to go out for a drink with me?” is better than “Do you want to have sex with me?” at other times.

We speak in such euphemisms because, Steven Pinker explains, language is meant to do two things at once. First it needs to convey content. Second it helps to maintain a social relationship.

Using euphemism, one party can indirectly convey content when making a request and the other party can accept or decline requests, while still maintaining the social relationship. Both parties understand without directly acknowledging the said change in relationship.