On The Hypocrisy Of Hypocrisy

Towards the end of 2015, Paris held the 21st United Nations conference on climate change, referred to as COP 21. The country chairing the meet was the United States, and its president Mr. Barack Obama gave a nice speech on the urgency of the matter and how committed he and his country is to fight climate change.

Fast forward a couple of months,  and I read about the news of India's National Solar Mission (That plans to invest US$100 billion and create 100 GW of solar capacity by 2022) has been blocked by the United states government. The reason? It had an in-built clause that the solar cells be manufactured locally, which, claims U.S, discriminates against American solar cell companies, and violates the free trade agreement it has with India. So, in 2014, the U.S filed a complaint with the World trade organization, and they, in their infinite wisdom, ruled last month that, fuck the climate; America selling stuff to India at gun-point is the most important thing. 

What makes the story even more interesting is the fact that almost 50 % of states within the United States, has solar and other renewable energy plans with precisely the same kind of 'buy-local' clauses, in order to promote their own local industry. 

The fact that this is sheer hypocrisy, is so obvious, I wouldn't need to write a blog about it. Instead, I'm writing this blog to talk about what went through my head after reading about this episode, which brings me to the real point of this whole story - is it hypocrisy to be offended by hypocrisy anymore? 

My first thought was seemingly a simple one. What is hypocrisy? And I immediately hit a dead end. Is it a feeling? Or an action? Or something deeper, like a character trait? Somehow none of it sounded right. 

I did the next logical thing anyone does when confused. 

Google said -  Hypocrisy is the practice of claiming to have higher standards or more noble beliefs than is the case. 

Hmm. That sounded convincing enough; and I would have found that an acceptable explanation, except, I didn't.  Mainly because, ' claiming to have higher standards or more noble beliefs than is the case' is also an apt description for ' wanting to be a better person'. And that, we have always been told, is a very good thing.  Besides, 'wanting to be a better person' is possibly one of the better answer to the question, 'What's your purpose in life?'

So back to hypocrisy. If not this, then what?

Merriam-Webster dictionary had this to say -  It is the behaviour of people who do things that they tell other people not to do, behaviour that does not agree with what someone claims they believe or feel. 

Ah, finally! An authentic sounding definition. So the U.S most certainly did what they were telling India not to do, which makes them hypocrites of the highest ( international) order. 

I wondered if any other instances of hypocrisy would come to mind, now that I'd understood so well what it is. A few did. 

 - A guy stands up for the national anthem. Later, throws his Pepsi can on the street. 

 - A guy doesn't stand up for the national anthem, saying he doesn't need to prove his patriotism to anybody. Later, throws his Pepsi can on the street. 

 - Woman argues with vegetable vendor over price of fruit, brings it down by Rs. 10. Later buys handbag for Rs. 2500. 

 - Doctor tells patient to avoid smoking. Takes a break from OPD for a smoke. 

 - Girl takes an hour to get dressed. Claims she doesn't care what the world thinks. Stares at other girls. Objects when she is stared at. 

 - Climate change is a terrible thing. I've to buy a new car, its too hot to travel by train.

 - Guy claims to be 'a nice guy'. Stares at girls. 

 - Couple knows that excitement lies in novelty, but settles for the comfort of the routine. Couple wonders where the excitement has gone. 

 - I am unique. Others may be too, but surely not as much as me. 

 - He doesn't give a damn about the world. He wishes his friends noticed how cool he is. 

 - She loved being first in her class in school. She hates that her colleague is doing better work than her at her job, and reminds her boss that the team comes before individuals. 

 - God is the only path to peace. No, not your God, my God. 

 - My constructive criticism. Your intolerance. 

 - You should try and be perfect. I am only human.

This went on for a while. Until it stopped. I had a new definition for Hypocrisy.

Hypocrisy is a defence mechanism, helping us to deal with all the inconsistencies and the chaotic levels of conflict that persist in our mind. 

Human beings are fragile, vulnerable creatures whose minds have very recently learnt to unshackle themselves from the bondages of blind instinct, and like a newborn baby, is now learning to walk by itself using logic and reason. Without the defence mechanism of hypocrisy, our minds would crush under the weight of its own inability to process the myriad of contrasting factors and emotions that course through it. It ensures that, barring the most important information needed for immediate self-preservation, all the 'unnecessary' information is turned to white noise. 

To put it simply, it is the single most defining characteristic of human beings, more than love, or anger, or compassion, or jealousy.. all of which could be seen in animals as well.  But being human is being a hypocrite. 

Have fun with that thought. Good night. :)