http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/12/opinion/12brooks.html?em
Jews are a famously accomplished group. They make up 0.2 percent of the world population, but 54 percent of the world chess champions, 27 percent of the Nobel physics laureates and 31 percent of the medicine laureates
OK…its time for a LittleBang theory.Why the success?
Author explains…The Jewish faith encourages a belief in progress and personal accountability. It is learning-based, not rite-based.
But Religions are two to the penny and there is nothing original or unique in Judaism.Religion is like the supporting wall to societies..elemental.But the particular religion a society has is no more important than say the wallpaper is to the strength of the wall…..even though its the first thing an idiot might regard as inherently important.
Author continues…
Most Jews gave up or were forced to give up farming in the Middle Ages; their descendants have been living off of their wits ever since. They have often migrated, with a migrant’s ambition and drive. They have congregated around global crossroads and have benefited from the creative tension endemic in such places.
And so have the Roma people…….and ?
Obviously the Usury laws from that deviant Judaic cult called Christianity helped coalesce Jews into Gold /Banking ( both related intimately).Most arguments would have been over assets …who better to intercede than your local Jewish Goldsmith/Banker who actually holds the assets as well …possibly becoming quite adept at interpreting the law ( OK..thats quite a thin weak narrative….but lets keep digging ).
The persecution from jealously helps turn the faith into a secretive and self-serving guild ….a concentration of skills that is distrustful of outsiders .Like a Guild…it does’nt share its knowledge base.
Ok..and heres my own little take/theory. Circumcision.
I think that circumcision at a young age will lead to a slightly more neurotic individual.( the pain at a visceral level so early on translates into a higher energy state that almost creates a personality state that is almost propelled through life with nervous energy.)
Compare with Children who are Caesarian ( the opposite end of the pain spectrum..there is not even any pain during birth and if no Circumcision pain either =see how placid they are.They are NOT driven personalities.)
Ahmedis are a very similar group that has the same attributes.
I do like my theory.I don’t think much of David Brooks NYT article.
Algerian model for Iran
I hate to be pessimistic but I can forsee a lack of a powerful ‘centre-of-gravity’ in the political aftermath of this breakdown of the Islamic theocratic-democrcay.
Forces of religious conservatism will became reactionary if they are disposed from power.The moderates will probably have a ’Shah’ like conundrum …dealing harshly / liberally to the challenge of blowback from the religious loonies….but never dealing decisively against them.
So maybe another lost decade ..lost to an Algerian style meltdown.I don’t think it will be as harsh as that..Iranians have a 4500 year old sense of self that militates against wholesale destruction of each other…..but without a solid power centre….this country is going to drift.
Implications….an attack from Isreal might be useful to get them back together again.Nothing like an outside threat to put aside differences.