Occultism in an IT-enabled Ambience

Asoke K. Laha,
President & MD, Interra IT

Is information technology incompatible with superstitions and the supernatural in general? I brooded over this subject several times and even wanted to write on the matter in this column. But every time I decided to marshal my thoughts on this exotic theme, I had to postpone it. I do not know why. Was it because that in my subterranean mind I thought that an IT entrepreneur should not publicly admit that he believed in the extraterrestrial and out of the world? Or the thought that IT being a frontline technology should not have any bearing on scientifically unproved beliefs and abstract conundrums? Frankly speaking, I still cannot discern what that forbade me.

I know that there are several people adorning higher positions in life becoming disciples of swamis and faith healers. There are highly educated professionals who openly admit that they believe in palmistry, astrology and occultism. Of this lot, there are people from every walk of life, including highly paid IT executives and the so-called captains of the industry.

Earlier, people normally used to consult an astrologer for a limited range of things, such as for casting horoscope or for fixing marriages or other auspicious occasions. In the corporate world, people not only want to get an insight into their business future but also want to peep into their competitors’ affairs. An interesting revelation was made by an astrologer when asked about the profile of employed people, who often consult him on matters related to career. According to him, the higher the profile of the person in a given dispensation, more frequent will be his/her consultations. People in the lower rung, such as peons, clerks, etc refrain from such consultations. Does it mean that uncertainty and the rat race is the core factor that compels one to consult astrologers? 

Every society, community and nationality has their own beliefs, faiths and superstitions. Technological breakthroughs and marvels in human thinking could not wish them away. Perhaps, mankind wants to dabble in such thoughts either as a pastime or to get away from the complexities of ordinary life. This is not a phenomenon that existed now or some 100 years back. It has been there since the existence of mankind.

To know about the future always remained as an obsession of the mankind. The future is always uncertain and is riddled with many ifs and buts. To have a grasp about the events that will unfold on us is always an exciting, to say the least.

Futurology, I believe, is the world’s largest and richest business. There is a lot of money in it. Packaging of it is done very subtly. From the remotest of villages in Africa to the most richest cities in the developed countries, futurologists exist and make a living out of this profession. Some of them eke out a living and a good many of them live with all the privileges and facilities that money can bring. Some of them have well-heeled networks and good contacts at the right places. Some of them charge very heavily and get donations for some purpose or the other in millions. But if someone thought that with the spread of technology and education such businesses can be washed down they are sadly mistaken. These things are thriving and it will continue to do so in future as well. We have concrete examples of it. Look at the advertisement by a builder in any of the newspaper or magazines. One of the salient features that they highlight is that the building is in compliance with the Vaastu. 

Now I will come to what prompted me to write this piece. Some time back, I was told by someone that an IT entrepreneur is getting a good business for charting horoscopes from overseas. I thought it may be from the Indian diaspora. I was told that it is a steady business, which runs into several millions. Not only the Indian diaspora but also an expanding number of foreigners are taking interest in charting their horoscopes. The gentleman has engaged several astrologers for carrying out this task and digitally forwarding them to the clients like what is happening in the case of medical transcription or legal outsourcing.A similar outsourcing had happened was reported in the case of celebration of masses in churches. The churches in the developed countries, which are short of priests, used to outsource masses to be celebrated as a penance or in memoriam of a departed soul to several parishes in Kerala and Goa. The latest that I heard about is that such practices are being stopped.

My purpose in writing this piece is not to pass judgement about the good and bad about occultism. I am not a rationalist to discern the intricacies and underpinnings of such beliefs. There may be a good number of futurologists who may be able to predict things to the dot. There can be an equal number of quacks who do it exploiting credulous people. There may be people, doing it not expecting any return but for helping people to ward off the adversities in their life. What I am convinced is that futurology or occultism or any other branch of such abstract concepts will thrive in future. The reason is not far to seek. In a highly competitive world, where existence hinges on many uncertain factors and imponderables, it is natural for everyone to know   more about his or her future.  Information Technology or for that matter any technological breakthrough will continue to stand neutral to man’s obsession to know the future.