THE NUT-WORKING

The other day, another friend of mine, Mr. Mustafa, was talking to our young-ones. He had only five of his pet ideas to share. The ideas which had helped him along his journey and now he was keen to share with any young one.

MTNL – R. This was how he had codified his subject. Mentoring. Time-management. Net-working. Listening. And, a pause later, Reading. 

When you codify your subject matter, it always becomes easy to present it and, it also becomes easy for your audience to retain it in mind. While all the five ideas were interesting and valuable, I, personally, liked the ‘N’. Our young-kids needed it badly…

“How many of you are on FB?” Mr. Mustafa asked our kids. He should’ve asked the other way around – “How many of you are not there on FB?”

So, all hands went up, including mine…

“How much time do you spend on a day on an average?”

Some had become tired and bored with FB… They had been there, seen that, done that… so, they shared about their former addiction… And, some who are still going strong, shared the kind of time they spent – rather ‘wasted’ – on it.

“What do you do, my dear young friends on FB. You meet your friends in school, college, colony everyday, and, then again you want to share with them on FB… share what?” Mr. Mustafa asked.

They had many things to tell… Jokes, News, Facts, Philosophy, Pictures, Inspirational quotes, Latest up-dates – the Status and everything and anything that one sees on FB.

“How many of the jokes, quotes, pictures, facts etc., are just Forwards… which you mechanically share… Someone sent to someone then to you and you send it to someone?”

Well, all of them did… 

“Why can’t you write something fresh, create something of your own and share so that you add value through this?” Mr. Mustafa asked, “Don’t you think, there is too much of information, too much of overload?”

Mr. Mustafa wanted to highlight on the importance of Net-working in life. He knew how well even the popular medium like FB could be used to achieve that… But, he also knew, how dumbly the vast majority used it… Not just the young-kids… All and sundry… of all ages, color, creed and class…

Just mechanically…

Just dumbly…

“Is that Net-working, my dear friends?” Mr. Mustafa wanted to make sure, his point was carried across…

“It is ‘Nut-working, sir,” someone screamed.

Both, Mr. Mustafa and I, felt a lot relieved, that the point was effectively carried across the young hearts!

GERALD D’CUNHA  

 
Pic.: Vivek D'Cunha