Vinay Kumaran

I am not patriotic. I don't think 'my' country is the best country in the world. I don't even think it's useful to think of any country as the best in the world. I'm not even completely on board with the idea of countries. The idea that you can draw an imaginary line on a map and that people on one side of the line are somehow different from people on the other side seems strange to me. There are good things everywhere and there are problems everywhere. Wherever we find ourselves, there are things we can do to make life better for everyone, or worse. That's the only choice that makes sense. When I finished my fellowship, I returned to India because that's where I had skills that were needed. Now, after working in India for 12 years, I find that the skills I acquired there are more useful in the US where they're scarce so I find myself back in the US.  There are serious problems in both countries, beginning with the leaders they have elected. Those a...

Words change slowly as the manner in which they are used changes. Public discourse as well as political speeches have changed the meanings of words which we thought were well defined. This is an attempt to better define these words. Patriotic A patriotic person has the following properties: Willing to loudly scream "Bharat Mata Ki Jai!" Loudly proclaim his devotion for cows (as long as he does not actually have to take care of them). Loudly call for war with Pakistan and China. Periodically call for an economic blockade of China. Is profusely distressed by the plight of Pandits displaced from Kashmir. Profess great reverence for soldiers (as long as they themselves are not expected to join the army). Even greater reverence for soldiers killed in the course of border skirmishes or anti-terrorism operations. Even even greater reverence for parents, spouses and offspring of deceased soldiers (with the exception of occasional offspring who show signs of free-thinking a...