fatman17
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Reinforcing the feud
Dawn.coms Shyema Sajjad notices a trend in the reader comments on the Dawn Blog.
Here at Dawn.com we take pride in the variety and diversity of our blogs, along with the response and debates they generate. Working at the back end of this organisation and having the option to read the feedback and comments we receive, I couldnt help but notice a trend. For some reason, every blog be it about education or apparel turns into an India vs. Pakistan mouth-off.
I dont think the majority of the points made are incorrect (indeed, the very premise of a debate is that theres no clear-cut right or wrong), but no matter what the issue, I remain amazed at how we land up in the same place each time.
When I was in grade 10, my family moved abroad for a year. Before this, the only Indians I knew were the ones I watched on television. Attending an international school changed that and I soon found myself sitting side by side with an Indian. Initially, a few other classmates joked about how we were supposed to be rivals, and for a while I think the two of us lived up to that expectation as well. But before long, we had no choice but to drop the façade. If anything, we had more in common than anyone else sitting in that classroom. Sadly, this isnt the sentiment I see in our comments.
Both our countries are equally crazy about cricket. But when it comes to the cricket blogs, people are tempted to comment on the attack against the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore. And within minutes, the discussion becomes about the Pakistani cricket establishment vs, the Indian cricket establishment, and not about the game itself.
And then there is Bollywood, which, deny as we may, us Pakistanis are just as much in love with as the Indian masses. Mention a film, though, and most of the comments will either point out that Pakistans film industry isnt half as successful as Indias or initiate an argument over how Bollywood instils corrupt and shameful ideas into young minds.
Lets move towards education. We could talk about how to reach out to our countries rural populations and brainstorm ways in which to provide schooling to everyone. Instead, comments focus on how the Taliban in Pakistan are bombing Swats schools and indulge in finger-pointing over who has a lower literacy rate.
What about our fashion industry? I read a recent comment in which a reader states that shalwar kameez is a Pakistani dress and not an Indian one. An Indian reader then refutes that comment and says the Pakistani is wrong. The Pakistani responds angrily, and so it goes, back and forth, back and forth. Before long, the essence of the South Asian apparel blog is lost and an argument over the origin of a dress is in full swing.
Then there was the commentary over Miss Universes statements about Guantanamo Bay. Now Dayana Mendoza is neither Pakistani nor Indian, but on that blog too a fiery debate began when someone from across the border pointed out that Pakistan is on the verge of break-up and thus in no position to talk about Miss Universes comments. No one thought to laugh at her indiscretion or share a silly anecdote criticising the neighbour seems to be an absolute must.
Of course, the winner has to be the debate sparked by a blog about South Asian cuisine curry in particular. Sharing recipes, the names of choice eateries and nostalgia over grandmas cooking was, once again, not an option. Instead, our readers kicked off a debate about the origin of curry. Someone even pointed out how there is Muslim curry and Hindu curry!
No doubt, every blog sparks debate, which, I stress, is a good thing. But for the sake of people moderating these comments (if nothing else) how about diverting from the usual India vs. Pakistan debate for once? Anybody?
sounds familiar!:enjoy:
Dawn.coms Shyema Sajjad notices a trend in the reader comments on the Dawn Blog.
Here at Dawn.com we take pride in the variety and diversity of our blogs, along with the response and debates they generate. Working at the back end of this organisation and having the option to read the feedback and comments we receive, I couldnt help but notice a trend. For some reason, every blog be it about education or apparel turns into an India vs. Pakistan mouth-off.
I dont think the majority of the points made are incorrect (indeed, the very premise of a debate is that theres no clear-cut right or wrong), but no matter what the issue, I remain amazed at how we land up in the same place each time.
When I was in grade 10, my family moved abroad for a year. Before this, the only Indians I knew were the ones I watched on television. Attending an international school changed that and I soon found myself sitting side by side with an Indian. Initially, a few other classmates joked about how we were supposed to be rivals, and for a while I think the two of us lived up to that expectation as well. But before long, we had no choice but to drop the façade. If anything, we had more in common than anyone else sitting in that classroom. Sadly, this isnt the sentiment I see in our comments.
Both our countries are equally crazy about cricket. But when it comes to the cricket blogs, people are tempted to comment on the attack against the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore. And within minutes, the discussion becomes about the Pakistani cricket establishment vs, the Indian cricket establishment, and not about the game itself.
And then there is Bollywood, which, deny as we may, us Pakistanis are just as much in love with as the Indian masses. Mention a film, though, and most of the comments will either point out that Pakistans film industry isnt half as successful as Indias or initiate an argument over how Bollywood instils corrupt and shameful ideas into young minds.
Lets move towards education. We could talk about how to reach out to our countries rural populations and brainstorm ways in which to provide schooling to everyone. Instead, comments focus on how the Taliban in Pakistan are bombing Swats schools and indulge in finger-pointing over who has a lower literacy rate.
What about our fashion industry? I read a recent comment in which a reader states that shalwar kameez is a Pakistani dress and not an Indian one. An Indian reader then refutes that comment and says the Pakistani is wrong. The Pakistani responds angrily, and so it goes, back and forth, back and forth. Before long, the essence of the South Asian apparel blog is lost and an argument over the origin of a dress is in full swing.
Then there was the commentary over Miss Universes statements about Guantanamo Bay. Now Dayana Mendoza is neither Pakistani nor Indian, but on that blog too a fiery debate began when someone from across the border pointed out that Pakistan is on the verge of break-up and thus in no position to talk about Miss Universes comments. No one thought to laugh at her indiscretion or share a silly anecdote criticising the neighbour seems to be an absolute must.
Of course, the winner has to be the debate sparked by a blog about South Asian cuisine curry in particular. Sharing recipes, the names of choice eateries and nostalgia over grandmas cooking was, once again, not an option. Instead, our readers kicked off a debate about the origin of curry. Someone even pointed out how there is Muslim curry and Hindu curry!
No doubt, every blog sparks debate, which, I stress, is a good thing. But for the sake of people moderating these comments (if nothing else) how about diverting from the usual India vs. Pakistan debate for once? Anybody?
sounds familiar!:enjoy:
