Are You a Victim of the Tall Poppy Syndrome...?

The “TALL POPPY SYNDROME”

Ramblings of a Retired Mind

By

VIKRAM KARVE

In the inimitable war novel Catch-22 – there is a character called “Major Major Major Major”

(For brevity – let’s call him “Major Major”)

“Major Major” is a simple amiable officer who is liked by everyone – officers and enlisted men.  

One day – the Squadron Commander Major Duluth is killed in action – and – “Major Major” is appointed the Squadron Commander.

Suddenly – everything changes for “Major Major”.

The very same people who earlier loved “Major Major” – now – their attitude towards “Major Major” changes drastically – and – everyone starts resenting his success

Many of his fellow officers have feelings of envy and animosity towards “Major Major” once he is promoted to Squadron Commander.

The most acrimonious and spiteful of them is Captain Black – who believes that he himself was the logical choice to replace Major Duluth as Squadron Commander – and – grave injustice has been done by appointing “Major Major” as Squadron Commander.

Captain Black makes every effort to discredit and disparage “Major Major”

Captain Black uses various stratagems to sabotage and humiliate “Major Major” – and – cut him down to size.

This is an example of the “Tall Poppy Syndrome”.

Thanks to his “success” – “Major Major” is a victim of the “Tall Poppy Syndrome” – which results in hostility towards successful people.  

The “Tall Poppy Syndrome” is a culture where “successful” people are resented, attacked, cut down or criticized because of their success.

Successful People are called “Tall Poppies”. 

And – cutting them down to size is called “Tall Poppying”…

In an organization – the “Tall Poppy Syndrome” can cause in destructive feelings in the colleagues of the successful person – which can lead to resentment, hostility – and “envy attacks” on the “successful” person. 

In the Defence Services – some “passed over” (superseded) officers feel a sense of resentment towards those successful officers who have been promoted – and sometimes – this resentment can metamorphose into “Tall Poppy Syndrome” (hostility towards the successful person). 

The “Tall Poppy Syndrome” is visible in personal relationships too – in families, friend-circles and in society – where we often see a tendency to resent and disparage successful people due to envy.

In a nutshell – the “Tall Poppy Syndrome” is hostility towards successful people and manifestations of that resentment.

HOW THE TERM “TALL POPPY SYNDROME” ORIGINATED 

There are many mythical stories about the origins of the term “Tall Poppy Syndrome”.

In one such apocryphal story – a young son of a King conquers a new land.

The young son asks the King for advice on how to deal with the newly conquered kingdom.

The King – who is strolling in the garden in a grove of poppies – draws his sword – and – with his sword – the King strikes off the heads of the tallest poppies in the grove.

The King’s son gets the message – and he methodically proceeds to kill all the prominent men (the “tallest poppies”) in the newly conquered land.

Once the influential men are eliminated – the son is able to easily govern the conquered land.

The term “Tall Poppy Syndrome” may have been probably derived from this apocryphal story.

Another fable hints that the underlying premise of the “Tall Poppy Syndrome” is that the tallest plants be cut down to the same size of all the others (cutting down to size)

So – in today’s world – “Tall Poppying” successful persons means trying to “cut them down to size”.

Don’t we see examples of the “Tall Poppy Syndrome” all around us…?

I saw plenty of instances of the “Tall Poppy Syndrome” in the Defence Services – where career prospects are limited due to the pyramidal hierarchy structure – and – it is very difficult to get promoted to high rank – which results in a large number of deserving officers getting “superseded” or “passed over” for promotion.

Many “superseded” officers feel a sense of resentment and envy towards their successful course-mates and try to “Tall Poppy” them.

You will see plenty of examples of the “Tall Poppy Syndrome” everywhere – in politics, in the corporate sector, in society, in families and personal life too.

The “Tall Poppy Syndrome” manifests at the societal level too.

One example is the cultural resentment against “migrants” who are more “successful” than the original inhabitants of a country.

Information Technology has been a catalyst in proliferation of the “Tall Poppy Syndrome”.

Nowadays – the Social Media has become a ubiquitous medium for “Tall Poppying”

People can easily express their resentment against “successful” persons on the Social Media – and such online “Tall Poppying” of an individual on the Social Media can go “viral” very fast and have a devastating effect on the victim.

What is the root cause of the “Tall Poppy Syndrome” …?

Is the “Tall Poppy Syndrome” a manifestation of “Crab Mentality” …?

(If I can’t have it – neither can you)

Or – is it an offshoot of “The Dog in the Manger” Syndrome …?

(People frequently begrudge something to others – that they themselves cannot enjoy. 

Even if it does them no good – they won’t let others have it – like the mythical dog in fable – the dog in the manger – who did not eat the grain – but – who nevertheless prevented the horse from eating the grain either...)

Or – is it just basic human nature…?

Well – I really don’t know – but – I have been on both sides of the fence as far as the “Tall Poppy Syndrome” syndrome is concerned.

Dear Reader:

Have you experienced the “Tall Poppy Syndrome” – as a “victim” – or – as a “perpetrator”…? 

Do you feel a sense of resentment against successful people...? 

If you are a successful person – do you feel others are hostile towards you...? 

Do tell us about it. 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved) 

Repost of My Article Written By Me in 04 Feb 2017 and Posted on My Blogs. Links to my original post in my Blog Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2017/02/tall-poppy-syndrome.html  and https://karve.wordpress.com/2017/02/04/immigration-tall-poppy-syndrome/  and https://www.quora.com/profile/Vikram-Karve/Writing-by-VIKRAM-KARVE/Human-Behavior-Psychology-%E2%80%93-Tall-Poppy-Syndrome etc 

Is “Utility Value” the only Value...?

IS THE “UTILITY VALUE” THE ONLY VALUE...?
Musings of a Veteran
By
VIKRAM KARVE

In materialistic world of today – you must have a motive for doing something. 

You must “gain” something from doing an activity.

After all – you are “investing” your precious time, talent and effort in the activity.

So – you must get your RETURN ON INVESTMENT (ROI)

If you spend your time and effort pursuing some activity – you must derive some material gain from doing that activity.

There is a “Utility Value” attached to everything.

You must “gain” something tangible – it can be POWER, WEALTH or FAME.

Mostly – it is Wealth or Money. 

Yes – in most cases the motive is MONEY (Wealth).

Many people ask me why I am wasting all my time and so much effort Blogging and Writing – when the same time and effort could be put to “good” use by me – doing something worthwhile to earn money. 

“You spend so much time and effort blogging...” they say. 

And then – they ask me: 

“What do you gain from blogging...?” 

Other well-wishers say: 

“Why don’t you monetize your blog...? At least you will earn some money for your efforts.” 

Do people write and blog only to earn money...? 

Can’t people do things for self-actualization...? 

Is the aim of education solely to get a job...? 

Yes – that is the “utility value” of education. 

But – what about the joys of learning...? 

Doesn’t education expose you to the joys of learning...?

Why can’t people understand that a person can do something for the sheer enjoyment of doing it – without any material gain or ulterior motive. 

Another person used to asked me why I spent so much time with my pet dog Sherry and why I looked after her so lovingly. (you can see Sherry with me in my profile picture)

“Are you making money by selling her pups..?” he asked – and he was surprised when I told him that I did not have any intention of mating my dog.

Maybe – he had seen some persons who keep dogs as a business – and use their dogs as a means to make money by breeding them.

He could not believe it when I told him that I keep a dog just for the sheer love the dog bestows on me.

“But – what is the use of love...? What do you “gain” from love...?” he asked me. 

This question got me thinking. 

What is the use of love...? 

What do I gain from love...? 

Well – love creates positive vibes in me – love generates inner happiness.

Why do we try and analyse the “utility value” in each and every thing – even love...?

Does love have a “utility value”...?

What is the “Utility Value” of Love...?

Let me quote an Urdu couplet I heard long back. 

(I cannot translate it exactly – but I will try to give you the gist)

Someone asked a lover:

इश्क का क्या फायदा  (What do you gain from love...?)

The lover replied:

फायदे का क्या फायदा  (What do you gain from gain...?)

Why do we look for profit or reward in anything we do...? 

Why do we have expectations in a relationship...?

Yes – even in relationships we see a “utility value”.

Why do we always expect a “RETURN ON INVESTMENT”...? 

Why can’t we do something just for the sake of doing it – for the sheer enjoyment of that activity – just like we do – in the case of true love or इश्क 

Do we look for “Return on Investment” when we love someone...? 

What do you gain from love...? 

What do you gain from “gain”...?

इश्क का क्या फायदा ...?

फायदे का क्या फायदा ...?

Would some connoisseur of Urdu Sher-Shairi (philosophical poet) be so good as to translate and interpret this couplet for us in a better way please. 

Dear Reader: 

Do you look for “utility value” in everything...? 

I eagerly await your comments. 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

This is a revised repost of my article written by me Vikram Karve around 8 years ago in 2010 and posted by me online earlier a number of times in my blogs including at urls: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/03/what-is-utility-value-of-love.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/05/what-do-you-gain-from-blogging.html  and  http://creative.sulekha.com/what-do-you-gain-from-love-why-do-we-have-expectations-in-a-relationship_88231_blog and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/12/does-love-have-utility-value.html etc

First Blog Post of 2018 – “Tonic” for “Losers” – Self-Consolation for the Unappreciated

Are you a “Loser”...?

Here is some “Tonic” for you...

“TONIC” FOR “LOSERS”
Self-Consolation for “Losers” “Failures” and the Unappreciated
Philosophical Musings of a Veteran “Loser” 
By
VIKRAM KARVE

I am a “Loser”. 

Are you a “Loser”...?

Do you feel frustrated because no one appreciates you...? 

Creative Persons are most vulnerable to frustration because of non-appreciation.

Yes – creative individuals like artists, playwrights, movie makers, sculptors, musicians, singers, creative writers are most sensitive to frustration due to non-appreciation of the work – because every creative person wants appreciation and recognition for their creative works.

Most Bloggers are Creative Persons – most Bloggers are Creative Writers – and all creative persons want their creative work to be appreciated.

Likewise – Bloggers want their Blogs to be read – and appreciated.

But – sometimes this does not happen – and – even your best blog posts go unappreciated. 

What do you do when you feel frustrated because no one appreciates your achievements...?

You console yourself.

Yes – “self consolation” is the best “self help”.

Here is some Self-Comforting “Tonic” for unappreciated “Losers” and “Failures” 

(I wrote this self-help article for myself – and for fellow creative writers and bloggers – but I am sure the concept will be relevant to all persons – especially for competitive children and their ambitious parents) 

“TONIC” FOR THE UNAPPRECIATED – Self Help by Vikram Karve

All persons – at some point in their lives – experience frustration blues. 

This is more so if you are engaged in some creative activity. 

There are many occasions when people just do not appreciate your work. 

Even if people criticize you and do not appreciate your creative efforts – you must not get disheartened – and – you must never stop doing what you want to do. 

The best way is to console yourself and “Bash on Regardless” – and continue to do whatever you are doing with renewed vigour and zeal.

Let me tell you one effective way to drive away frustration blues.

When I was in school – our Literature Teacher would often shout at us:

“I Am Casting Pearls Before Swine...”

I did not quite understand her anguish then.

But now – I can fully empathize with her – when I too sometimes feel the same way when my creative writing is not appreciated.

The idiom 

“CAST PEARLS BEFORE SWINE...” 

means 

“To offer something good to somebody who cannot appreciate the value of it...”. 

Yes – if you “cast pearls before swine” – you “offer something of value to someone who does not appreciate it and does not understand the value of what you are offering him” 

(the word “swine” is used metaphorically. Of course – you know – that “swine” means “pig”)

Suppose you are an artist – a painter. 

You show your painting to a person who knows nothing about art – a person who is not interested in the fine things of life.

Or – say you are a creative writer.

And – you show your fiction – or your poetry – to someone who is not interested in literature. 

Or – you do a makeover – you titivate and beautify yourself – and you make yourself beautiful – for someone who does not appreciate beauty.

Well – in such cases: 

“You are casting your pearls before swine...” 

Why are you trying to seek appreciation from persons who cannot appreciate you and your work – because – they have no knowledge of your art – or they have no interest in you...?

I was wondering – how do you translate this phrase “I AM CASTING PEARLS BEFORE SWINE” into Hindi...?

I suddenly remembered a blog post I had written a few years ago titled:

अन्धो के शहर में आइने बेच रहा हूँ  

I think this Hindi Phrase metaphorically expresses the same sentiment as the English Idiom:

I AM CASTING PEARLS BEFORE SWINE

Dear Fellow Writer and Blogger – do you know how I came across this equivalent metaphor in Hindi – this piece of wisdom:

SELLING “MIRRORS” TO THE “BLIND”

Let me tell you how I came across this Hindi idiom:

अन्धो के शहर में आइने बेच रहा हूँ  

Translated into English – this means:

I AM SELLING MIRRORS IN THE CITY OF THE BLIND

Here is the story how I heard witty wisdom for the first time.

A few years ago – one evening while surfing TV channels – I watched a program on Zee Classic Television Channel called “Classic Legends” hosted by Javed Akhtar.

The episode was based on the life of the famous poet and lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri.

Javed Akhtar narrated an incident and a quote ( शेर ) by Majrooh Sultanpuri. 

I will never forget this quote. 

The incident he narrated was as follows.

Javed Akhtar met Majrooh Sultanpuri in the evening of his life.

At that time – Majrooh Sultanpuri had passed his peak of popularity – and he was no longer as much in demand as a poet as in his earlier days – and new lyricists were ruling the roost in the film industry.

Javed Akhtar asked the famous poet Majrooh Sultanpuri how he was doing.

Majrooh Sultanpuri replied:

मैं अन्धो के शहर में आइने बेच रहा हूँ 

which roughly translated means:

I AM SELLING MIRRORS IN THE CITY OF THE BLIND 

(Though Javed Akhtar attributed this quote to Majrooh – I saw on the internet that this quote is attributed to Kabir – but – what matters more – is the meaning of the words – rather than who said it) 

मैं अन्धो के शहर में आइने बेच रहा हूँ 

I AM SELLING MIRRORS IN THE CITY OF THE BLIND

This quote is still perambulating in my mind.

The more I delve on it  – the more I realize how profound these words are – especially for a creative writer whose work is not appreciated.

So – now – whenever my novel manuscript is returned by a publisher with a rejection letter – or – if readers ignore my blog – or – whenever I feel unappreciated – I am going to console myself with the words:

 मैं अन्धो के शहर में आइने बेच रहा हूँ  

I AM SELLING MIRRORS IN THE CITY OF THE BLIND

And then – I am going to redouble my efforts – and “bash on regardless”.

Isn’t this a nice philosophy for creative persons and artists to adopt – rather than get frustrated when their work is not appreciated...? 

In fact – everyone can self-console themselves by this philsophical quote – whenever they feel unappreciated in any situation – if you are not given your due recognition at work – or – in relationships – where your partner does not appreciate you.

Isn’t it much better to drive away your frustration blues by a philosophical approach to life – rather than by indulging self-pity, getting depressed and doing harmful things like drowning your sorrows in drink...? 

So – whenever you feel frustrated that your efforts are not being appreciated – you must ask yourself:

“Are you casting your pearls before swine...?” 

And after that – you should continue your efforts with redoubled vigour and enthusiasm. 

Do not worry whether others appreciate your work or not. 

Do not crave for external appreciation. 

Do self-appreciation.

And – Bash on Regardless.

It is best to work for your own satisfaction.

Adopt this philosophy of life whenever someone does not appreciate you or your work – and say to yourself:

मैं अन्धो के शहर में आइने बेच रहा हूँ 

I AM SELLING MIRRORS IN THE CITY OF THE BLIND 

(...I AM CASTING PEARLS BEFORE SWINE...)

Is there any point in “casting pearls before swine”...?

What is the use of “selling mirrors in the city of the blind”...?

Think about it.

Stop seeking appreciation and recognition from others. 

Maybe – “you are selling mirrors in the city of the blind...” 

Or – maybe – “you are casting pearls before swine...” 

Just don’t bother for external appreciation.

Instead – you must appreciate yourself. 

Yes – do self-appreciation – be your own hero.

If you do this – even of you are a “loser” in the eyes of the world – you will be a “winner” in your own eyes.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. This article is a spoof, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh. The word “blind” is used in a metaphorical sense – and there is absolutely no disrespect towards the visually impaired.

2. All Stories in this Blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)

Updated and Revised Version of My Article I AM SELLING MIRRORS IN THE CITY OF THE BLIND First Posted Online by me Vikram Karve 7 years ago on 25 Dec 2011 in my blog at 12/25/2011 10:34:00 PM at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2011/12/i-am-selling-mirrors-in-city-of-blind.html and also at urls: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/03/cast-pearls-before-swine.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/07/tonic-for-frustrated-soul-consolation.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/05/tonic-for-losers-failures-and.html and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/08/tonic-for-bloggers-and-creative-writers.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/12/tonic-for-losers.html etc