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Sophist

The “Intellectuals� of Qudhac Weyn

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NASSIR   

Originally posted by NGONGE:

One rather suspects that intellectualism demands more than mere university degrees and college education. In fact, this was the main reason for replying to this topic. People spend all their lives constructing barriers, rules, beliefs and laws that eventually dictate how their lives should be lived and how problems can be tackled. One of these unquestioned laws is that a person with university education knows more than one without. Of course, such a premise is probably more likely to be true when the subject being discussed is the one that this person attained his college degree in. However, when the subject is one that neither side has formally studied, one would assume that both are as knowledgeable (or ignorant) as each other. Here the ‘well-read’ person will, probably, be the one that’s likely to ‘know’. Alas, nowadays, seldom does one encounter many ‘well-read’ university graduates (or non-graduates of course).

 

Still, even those that are ‘well-read’ can not be considered intellectuals unless it’s been proven by their words and actions. One can read the works of all the philosophers, memorise the quotes of all the greats and habitually quote witty sayings, but as Voltaire once said, they prove nothing! Quotes, sayings and even other people’s philosophical theories are simply the decorations that one uses to adorn one’s own arguments and thoughts. An intellectual is akin to a master chef. Like everyone else, the ingredients he uses are widely available, the cutlery and cooking appliances are not hard to obtain and, even recipes can be found in many books. However, his own talent is what distinguishes him from other average cooks. Those sampling his offerings need not be cooks to attest to his ability.

 

Having said all of the above, allow me to confuse you by saying that non of it really matters here. The subject at hand is one concerning Somali intellectuals. This wretched group of people is burdened with impossible expectations and incompatible demands. Somalis look up to their intellectuals for solutions (here I’m using the Somali understanding for the world intellectual - i.e. university graduate). However, most of the urgent Somali problems are not ones of vision, ideology and foresight (though there is a great breach there too). Somalia’s problems are practical in nature and need practical solutions. In spite of this, like Dr. Mohamed in the story above, Somalis, almost always, approach their ‘intellectuals’ for solutions to pragmatic problems! Many a Somali would sit eagerly at the feet of a tribally motivated ‘intellectual’ and obediently gobble up eloquently put arguments and justifications to simply solved problems (just like the story above)! Fifteen years of sitting in coffee shops and imparting these ‘intellectual’ solutions have not, yet, managed to dry out this great well of knowledge.

 

Still, Somali intellectuals are not completely useless. They’re the journalists, educators, pundits and commentators of the nation. Their views and ‘solutions’ do matter and add to the richness of the social, political and economic discourse. They’re not the pragmatic leaders but merely the mandarins, and thus should they be viewed! That their efforts are sub-standard, their contributions unsatisfactory and prejudices highly evident, is simply a symptom of the inherent decay of this rudderless and headless nation.

 

Again, this was an interesting and amusing story to read. Looking forward to more satirical portraits from Mr Gaildon.

:D

Thanks Ngonge, Yours was a good read too.

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Sniper   

Though fiction, this really captured the truth about the "educated" Somalis. The docotor being very good and selfless proposed solution to pressing issue, the engineer said his paper should be read, the other said education is imporant, how can you educate pple who are already dead of TB.

It shows Somlis's tendacy on focusing on futuristic and not-so-pressing issues while over looking deadly present issues. It is effecting every one, but we're too ****** to see it. Like now, some members of the parliament are about to initiate confidence motion against the TFG, they just solved some differences, why will they care few details about the gov, when we need anything to establish order in Somalia. Also Somalis in the diaspora should be more active than they're, forming youth groups, political groups, and parties to pave the way for some kind of gov. We're total failure. SYL represents some history of Somali ability, other nationalistic movements should inspire us, we went too deep asleep while ignorants ravaged our country, warlords that enrich foreigner merchants who make money out of Somali suffering selling weapons to us and exploiting our oceans.Bustards like mele Zanawi who have no interest in Somli success influence our decisions.Our woman and children suffer across the globe, the country become a trash can for global waste, and few thieves who have no idea of what they're doing exploited us all, and we continue accept it. It is irony that educated Somalis are not even represting their own tribes, and are led by cheap warlords.

WHAT THE **** HAPPEN TO US.

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