An explosion of choices in every sphere forces us to think, analyse and take decisions every step of the way — which is more exhausting than liberating!
What would you like, M’am?”
“Some tea, please.”
“What kind of tea, Ma’m?”
“Darjeeling.”
“How would you like your tea, Ma’m?”
“Separate, not mixed.”
“Milk? Cream? Lemon?”
“Look, this is all getting a bit complicated,” my friend burst out. “Simple chai chahiye! Is it possible?”
Looking pained, the waiter turned to me. Before he could ask me, I spoke up.
“Cappuccino. And please don’t give me any choices; I’m here to escape precisely that.”
Nonplussed, the young man walked away.
I was reminded of the unsolicited choices flung at me when I order cold coffee at any swanky coffee shop. Chocolate sauce with my coffee? How about some whipped cream? No ice-cream? Or cookies? No, thank you, to all! “Will that be all then, Ma’m?” Looking the guy straight in the eye, I nod. He just took away the fun from my coffee!
Or, when I order a take-away pizza. Before I can say “Pepperoni” they start rattling off choices and offers! Normally, I tune out and wait for the guy to stop his gibberish before asking politely, “Are you ready to take my order now?” He insists on distressing me with choices at every step. Would I like my pizza large, medium or small? Thick crust, regular or cheese crust? Any add-ons? Wouldn’t I like some garlic bread with my pizza? How about a drink? God, these guys would try the patience of a nun! The last slap on the face is the disapproving, judgmental, “Is that all, Ma’m?”
They say choice empowers. Why then does it have the most debilitating effect sometimes? In fact, exercising choice is the greatest indicator of individual freedom, something we all aspire for. The more choice given to us, the more freedom we have. And yet the explosion of choices all around exhausts as it forces us to think, analyse, weigh options, take a decision, and then live with the effects of that decision. Every step of the way, every day, we are forced to make innumerable, exhausting choices!
Looking at a supermarket shelf loaded with shampoos, creams or body gel brands confuses me. I end up taking much longer over my decision and frustrate myself beyond the call of the situation. Because there are so many choices available, each family member feels obliged to indicate a preference. One loves aloe vera, another cannot stand it! One needs shampoo for dandruff, while another needs a brand that promises silky, smooth hair! Sometimes I long for the time when shampoo was — well, just shampoo!
Whereas some choice empowers and gives us individual freedom and space, too much of it confuses and paralyses one. Surveys show that whether buying products or making business decisions, too much choice makes people back off till a time when they have had the time to think through. We all expect businesses and brands to be experts in their chosen field and to put forth only the most considered and best choices. If a doctor starts asking the patient what line of treatment to take, it erodes the patient’s confidence in the doctor; if a mechanic asks you to choose between two options while repairing a car, he is no expert! When experts saddle clients with options, all they are doing is shifting the burden of responsibility onto them.
While any average restaurant may offer you several pages of menu, a classy restaurant such as Dum Pukht will offer a limited choice and pre-set menus. Apple is popular despite, or maybe because of, its slim product offering; it doesn’t confuse with too much choice! People tend to find it easier to make up their minds when they are not confused with too many options. Barry Schwartz, author of The Paradox of Choice, suggests that too much choice ends up keeping us dissatisfied because we are never sure if what we chose is the best! Hence, there is no hope of resting content without that niggling doubt!
Precisely because so many choices are available, you are forever beset by doubts whether something else may have worked out better! So, not only is the burden of decision on you, but so is the guilt! Too much choice certainly seems to lead to perpetual dissatisfaction, apart from the sheer exhaustion of making you constantly take decisions!
However, let us not throw away the baby with the dirty water! The alternative to too much choice is not none; what we need is an expertly limited choice. There are indeed areas where you would really rather take a fully-informed, well-thought-through decision. I don’t want to think so much about the coffee I order, but when it comes to academic pursuits or a career choice, or my lifestyle, I do want some options.
What I object to is people trying to take commercial advantage of my need for choices and freedom, and trying to browbeat me into helping them earn more money. Or, those who try to shift the burden of their responsibility onto me!
Dr Mahathir’s greatest flaw is his unwavering belief that the end justifies the means. Yet, as a Malaysian, I find myself unwilling to demonise this highly complex individual who, for better or worse, shaped this nation.Utusan Malaysia‘s Group Editor-in-Chief Abdul Aziz Ishak has admitted that the UMNO-owned daily does not provide balanced political coverage and instead promotes the aspirations of the ruling party.
MCA AND GERAKAN CONTINUES THEIR IRRESPONSIBLE, DISHONEST AND UNTRUTHFUL ATTACKS ON DAP’S SUPPORT FOR PAS HUDUD LAWS AND ESTABLISHING AN ISLAMIC STATE AS WELL AS LAUNCH PERSONAL ATTACKS THAT SHOWS THEIR DESPERATION TO REVIVE LOST POPULAR SUPPORT. BOTH MCA AND GERAKAN IS LIKE A “CULPRIT HURLING THE ACCUSATION FIRST” BY TRYING TO HIDE THEIR FAILURE TO DEMAND ACTION AGAINST UMNO LEADERS’ SUPPORT FOR HUDUD TO BE IMPOSED EVEN ON NON-MUSLIMS.
It all starts with the best of intentions and I think our former prime minister really did believe his decisions were for the greater good. But part of the reason he became the über-controlling, extremely paranoid individual we know is due to circumstances. Circumstances on which I blame Umno as well as de facto Pakatan Rakyat head Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
If Dr Mahathir hadn’t been constantly assailed by other Umno members jockeying for the prime ministership, would he have become a better leader? I wonder that, sometimes.Smarter politicians would have recognised Dr Mahathir’s propensity to hold a grudge and his vengefulness. But Umno being the doofus-magnet that it is, Dr Mahathir probably realised quickly that he was surrounded by selfish incompetents all too ready to make clumsy attempts to backstab him.While most of us do wish the supposedly retired Dr Mahathir would just clam up already, you can understand why he’s so vocal. Our prime minister is vulnerable like Dr Mahathir never was. While Dr Mahathir could bend the party to his will, Datuk Seri Najib Razak has to contend with his own set of fools with daggers.For Dr Mahathir, it’s probably status quo. He’s still gnashing his teeth, feeling as though he’s surrounded by dimwits who won’t stop and listen to him. Because if there was one thing Dr Mahathir truly believed, it was that he was always right.History proved him wrong, though. And it is a tragedy that what should have been a great legacy is tainted by civil rights abuses, rampant corruption, systemic racism and institutionalised government READMOREhttp://muslimjournalmalaysia.blogspot.com/2012/08/evil-in-mahathir-perfecting-new-form-of.html?zx=5144d519d1a17c4b
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