The infinite monkey theorem states that a monkey hitting keys at random on a typewriter keyboard for an infinite amount of time will almost surely type a given text, such as a work of William Shakespeare. Whether the theorem extends to music of the type Ludwig Van Beethoven composed may be a matter of conjecture, even for Wikipedia enthusiasts. What is for sure is that the popular Abba melody and words "Money, money", money wouldn't do justice to parodying the bloopers that bedevil the country's financial sector.
Beethoven relied on his long solitary walks to find inspiration for his music; Shakespeare found it in everyday life dosed with a huge dollop of imagination. Perhaps a combination of thought, if that were possible would have created a masterpiece. The concept of seeing sonnets and sonatas composed around two brilliant minds is a fascinating one.
When it comes to matters of statecraft it isn't funny or fascinating. The self-denial of question leaks, now descending to basic education by the powers that be doesn't gel with admission by those who have to face it. The hiccup in the Padma Bridge construction doesn't go down well when the Planning Minister suggests we don't have the experience. And when the head of the anti-corruption agency says the malaise is all around us, it doesn't provide for much enthusiasm of good governance.
The bloopers happen one after another. From safe food security stocks to scrambling for desperate imports, sky-rocketing prices and demeaning comments and now a silly turn of events where the Philippines government is accusing Bangladesh of hiding the truth behind the now famous bank heist, does little for reputation. And as we try to urge the US Federal Reserve to pressurise the Philippines, it is natural they should bite back.
The University Chancellor, no less than the President of the country, keeps pushing for central student body election that hasn't happened for ages and everyone is remaining poignantly silent and the Human Rights Chairman makes futile travels to occurrences of rights violation with no redress in sight. People going missing is now as natural a phenomenon as the errant black sheep of the family walking out. The difference is that those who reemerge suddenly seem to have lost their ability to be vocal. Sensible and well articulated debate, so much an integral part of democracy is vanishing leaving in its wake the pungent odour of lackeys and their voices. Unfortunately, we just don't learn any more.
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