A few Saturdays back, I had a friendly argument with the cab driver on my way to SIM.

It seemed that revealing my schooling in philosophy is often an invitation to a discussion or a debate or an interview. People would be asking me about anything and everything and in most cases, I do welcome a dialogue.

But one question I have always found difficult to answer was what I can do with my degree. It is most irritating to admit that philosophers are in a way, irrelevant to the economy and the profit margin.

We spoke extensively about the economy that day. A natural choice since there is almost no escaping the recession. It is a worldwide phenomenon which has devoured everyone and almost everything.

My point was that the present economic model cannot be sustained. I am watching and waiting, for the birth of a new idea; an idea that will bring about a change in the mode of production; an idea that will signify the birth of a new economic model; an idea that will transfer the power from MNCs back to the nations and the states; an idea that will reduce the gross inequality that separates the rich from the poor.

"(ideas) are more powerful than is commonly understood. Indeed, the world is ruled by little else. Madmen in authority, who hear voices in the air, are distilling their frenzy from some academics scribblers of a few years back... Sooner or later it is ideas, not vested interests, which are dangerous for good or evil."
John Maynard Keynes
General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money

And although the cab driver disagreed, in a sense, he too, was waiting for an idea, for an idea that will change the individuals; for an idea that will inspire in individuals the care, the concern and the responsibility for fellow human beings. Change, he firmly believes will have to come from within; from individuals.

"It would be a lovely idea!"
- Mahatma Gandhi on democracy

He believes that individuals make up the society; thus they are both the problem and the solution. To him, the human condition is the true root of the suffering and the system, a mere inconvenience.

And it might be true. If individuals can truly and intimately grasp the nature of interdependency of their existence, then maybe we might be inclined to be more generous towards the faults, the flaws and the weaknesses of others.

To understand how we are all connected through a long chain of events, simply look at the implications of globalization. Globalization is a phenomenon that has been glamourized and sensationalized, so much so that we generally forget that there are people paying the price for our affluence.

Understood properly, globalization means that if someone in India dies of hunger and poverty, we all have blood on our hands.

Personally, I have my doubts on the efficiency of improving the whole through the changing individuals. Just as social workers or the MCDS can do little to affect the economic decisions or the distribution of resources of the state, social cohesiveness is of little consequence against the all pervasive force of the MNCs. They can slightly alleviate the pain and pressure but can really do little more.

In any case, not all are ready to be responsible to others. John Nash, was one of the few who were close to taking up the responsibility. He had in the heights of his schizophrenia, reportedly seeked to renounce his American citizenship, to be a citizen of the world.

Also note that companies are considered persons from the legal perspectives; complete with rights; responsibilities and entitlement. It is remarkable how similar a company is treated to a real person. It can sue; can be sued, be made liable or responsible for damages and it can speak of its own interests and its own survival almost as if it is alive and thinking.

Traditionally, the idea of survival is used on human beings and animals. And from my understanding, it never popularly used till the world wars to justify the engagement and the killing.

Now, it is used by companies to justify the exploitation of others.

Our conversation came to an end when we reached our destination. I paid him for his services and he gave me a discount for the conversation.

That day, two perspectives met on a journey.

That day, two persons met on a cab.

Both were waiting for the birth of an idea.