OPINION

A Nobel prize for love?

Re: "Nobel prizes bring out the best and worst in pharma", (Opinion, Oct 9)

The article provides an insightful look into the two-sided nature of the awards. Beginning with the significance of dynamite, Nobel's money-spinning invention that is both good and bad depending on mankind's use of it, the results of many scientific discoveries often have extremely grave consequences.

In fact, the cumulative application of what we have learned over the last few centuries has now put planet earth in dire jeopardy. Although the Nobel Prize for economics this year did involve theories inclusive of sustainability and climate change, the voodoo nature of economics offers us little hope economists will save the earth from our destructive ways anytime soon.

Furthermore, the Nobel Peace prize seems often to be given to those who stand up to overwhelming odds in a struggle that never seems to end. Thus let the peace prize be awarded to those who succeed in conflict resolution and the like.

I suggest a new category of prize more meaningful for our species' survival be created, one which recognises someone who enables an understanding of greed and its relinquishment, who promotes the embrace of tolerance and cooperation on a large scale, and who facilitates the widespread erosion of selfishness. We need such individuals far more than scientists or economists.

Perhaps it could be called the love prize?

Regarding the debate over ringing the bells, it does not matter if they are loud or soft, you must remember that a lot of people who come to Thailand come for a holiday for peace and quiet and rest, not to be woken up by bells. You possibly have heard of word of mouth, people will go back and talk about the ringing of the bells and the noise which will account for the loss of a number of tourists.

Re: "Unit owners at 'temple bell' condo face immigration fines", (BP, Oct 8).

The official pettiness of raging Thainess that refuses to waste scarce police resources on actual crimes like murder, rape, theft, fraud or corruption when you can harass good people who have done nothing wrong save to ignore a law that invades their private concerns is not unexpected.

It is a timely reminder that some laws, like many traditional customs, are, as Shakespeare has Hamlet put it, "More honoured in the breach than the observance."

Re: "Losing my religion", (PostBag, Oct 8).

When a child, any child on earth, in the space of only 10 years, between the ages of seven to seventeen, has had three very different families, first a non-religious one, then a Roman Catholic one, then a Protestant one, then followed by a Communist orphanage, then by an orthodox Jewish orphanage, it is not difficult at once to guess what kind of adult he will become once he is free to choose by himself. That is a confirmed atheist for life!

Now you know who I am.

Re: "Losing my religion", (PostBag, Oct 8).

Thank you Khun Lungstib for a forthright and honest view of the way religions are abused and exploited to excuse inhumane activities by some people for their own ends.

I would, however, like to insert one word in the text: "some" just before the words "football fans" as we are not all animals.

The Chinese vegetarian festival has taken place this week. I do not oppose this nationwide event and have lots of respect to people who have medical and/or religious belief for vegetarianism. However, I can't stop laughing that many dishes are eaten by non-vegetarians who want to participate or pretend to be vegetarians during the week.

To be a non-vegetarian is not a shame but only one week of a non-meat diet does not have any effect on your health.

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