Cliches, Conformity and Curiosity
Speedy GSK
Some thoughts on verbal and other experiences as a Medical Student... and after.
Cliché
A Cliché is defined as a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought.
One of the most common clichés we still hear is when a Chairman at a Lecture introduces the lecturer. After a long preamble, he says, “without any further ado, I now invite Dr Shakes Perera to deliver the Prof Vel Knowne Lecture".
Another one we had to get used to was when the Chairman says - "I like to make some short introductory comments before I request the speaker to deliver his lecture", and goes on and on for the next 15 min displaying his knowledge, completely forgetting (or ignoring) the fact that the audience came to listen to the Lecturer and not him!
Other
examples are- “at the end of the day”, “think outside the box”, “pot calling
the kettle black”, “be that as it may”, “plenty of fish in the sea”, “as time
is limited”, “ a few words of introduction”, and the patient is “a poor historian”, "having said that", "to cut a long story short".
Conformity
Conformity
is the act of matching one's attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours to those of a
group or society, often driven by social pressure to fit in, a desire to be
right, or the adoption of social roles.
Standing out from the group can lead to being ostracised, ridiculed, or punished. Conforming helps avoid these negative consequences, providing a sense of safety and support. I feel that there was an "I am a Medical Student" image that we wanted to fit into.
Ragging was a result of conformity. The desire to crack “kunu jokes”, the type of hairstyles and dress favoured, the adoption of an attitude you do not favour because you want to conform, e.g., call a rural boy “godaya”, join a group of raggers, are all driven by a wsih for conformity
Curiosity
Why? How? How do you know? What is the evidence? Belief or fact?
Curiosity is the ideal attitude for learning and acquiring knowledge; the attitude that aids in the development of the technique of taking a good history from a patient, and the attitude that facilitates using all available data to arrive at a diagnosis and management plan.
Some of our Teachers were exemplary in this respect. Notable examples - Viswa (O&G), Oliver Pieris, NDW Lionel, Wickrema Wijenaike, Ernie Pieris, just to name a few.
Current common usage
We often hear words like "absolutely," "you know what", "incredible," "awesome," "cool," and "super" this and "super" that, and with people starting every new paragraph with a "So..." when talking.
I hope colleagues will contribute with their own memories on this theme
ReplyDeleteApologies for posting this. This type of reflective thinking won't appeal to many. No worries!
ReplyDeleteMahendra,
ReplyDeleteThis incredible effort caters to the intellectuals of which I am not. Having said that, age has robbed me of the little I had while in the faculty. As I cannot think outside the box , now I stick to mundane jobs that do not require waking up the cortex like painting. At the end of the day someone has to keep the blog alive. I do appreciate your efforts. Lurking in the periphery still there are batch intellectuals who can illuminate this topic with something awesome. As time is limited, I sincerely wish they would make an appearance soon. It is certainly cool to find my writing in print on the blog. Meanwhile, I will try my best to think of something worthwhile to add to your masterful effort.
Great reply Nihal, using all the cliches you could think of! That is great humour! I do hope that I have managed to make at least a few of my collegaues to reflect on what I have stated here.
DeleteMahen, Thank you for your heroic efforts at rekindling a dying flame- hopefully not flogging a dead horse ! As Nihal has expressed, a weariness has set in in my life too- rather letting my brain be lazy than be innovative , with so many mundane things to attend to. I applaud your relentless efforts at trying to rein in an unmanageable “mob “! Lets hope phoenix emerges from the embers .
ReplyDeleteMy Best wishes- Rohini
You have made my day Rohini. May your knees never trouble you!
DeleteFrom my good friend Roshan Asver. Cliches we adopt
ReplyDeleteConformity we adapt
Sadly tis Curiosity
The oddity
That we must
Adopt and adapt !
Although a poor historian I will persevere to recall some aspects of my life. It is a rags to riches story. Rags from the inhumanity suffered at the hands of the seniors and riches from relieving the suffering of others. Life wasn’t a bed of roses in the faculty and neither in life. But life has not been a bed of nails either.
ReplyDeleteBuilding up my career has been a huge commitment. It has been a lottery but good fortune did smile on me. Bringing up children reminds me of the first smile and the first steps that made it all worthwhile.
In life we cannot do without money. Money is the root of all evil. Money did not buy happiness. Easy come easy go.
We all know growing old is mandatory. With age comes wisdom but why do they make us retire and stop work. Everyone says you're only as old as you feel and age is just a number, but they double your travel insurance.
Death comes to us all. We say he/she passed away. Death is but an inevitable adventure. A rapid exit is everyone’s dream.