Most of life's conundrums are usually covered by the blanket answers of bhakti - "Have faith, He solves all problems in his own time." "God sees the truth, but waits."
Simple answers, requiring nothing more from me than that I smile beatifically at an idol, and ask an inanimate object to fix all my troubles.
Don't get me wrong- I do believe in a higher spirit, a universal energy that can guide and protect and solve all problems. I believe in places of power, where eons of energy lie stored, and if the connections are strong enough, each of us can reach those stores. I just don't buy into the idea that a shiny sticker of a goddess on my computer will give me greater wisdom. So what would you do, if your mentor told you to have faith in God, for he solves all problems and will give you your due?
The situation is a simple one, something we've all faced to some extent since we started school. A copies the work that B did, and passes it off as his own. Not just that, he's quite nice about it, telling B- look, we can say we did this project together, and you can share the credit.
If it were only a question of A and B, I would wage righteous crusades and make sure B got his due. The realization that morality is so much easier in the third person makes me cringe.
But this is my work, three years of research. I fought tooth and nail to prove my hypothesis, worked on a single protocol for more than a year, spent endless nights writing it all up. Through qualifiers and exams and conferences I slaved over it, and came close to quitting my Ph.D over this project. This isn't a grade on a class project at stake, it's a lot of research money, the careers of several people, possible collaborations.
Should I stick up for myself, demand my due- "Our group did the work, we should get the credit and screw the others"? Or should I choose a middle road, share the credit and diminish the value of everything that we did? Doesn't that in some cosmic way condone the wrong, say that it's acceptable to copy and demand credit for it?
What would you do, if you were me?
7 comments:
Standing up for what's right is not necessarily hard, but it's very hard to sustain the fight without faith. Fight for what is right and hold onto faith to be steadfast on your conviction. The world out there is full of such wolf-packs, please don't let them get to you! My fervent prayer that things work in your favor.
wow! what do other people in your group think? I think you should not let all your hard work go away...
good luck & hope things work out!
Thanks, both of you.. I've said my piece, both here and elsewhere- Now it's time to sit back and have faith in the workings of the universe, I guess :).
Neeraja, doesn't this boil down to a question of altruism as well? I could be nice, share my 'cup of cocoa' with the other person who chose to jump out of the boat.. :) (Now I'm wondering whether this question should be on my blog or yours!)
Fight for yourself, trust me you will regret not standing up for yourself in the long run
Oh now I see what you mean by cross-comment :). I definitely don't think your situation can be likened to altruism, or the boat scenario! It's a matter of morally right and wrong... It's morally wrong to copy and take credit. This guy was trying to push you off the boat, not requesting for cocoa! The woman on the boat didn't purposely jump off the boat to inconvenience the rest. If she had been lucky enough to get rescued earlier she might be on the boat rightfully sipping her share of cocoa, as part of her ticket fee!
Anonymous- thank you, I did.. now lets hope it works out well !:)
Neeraja - thank you, your comment makes me feel less guilty about what I'm demanding !!:)
Reading all your posts and knowing what I gather from those, i believe u will fight for what's right!
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