Even when we have NOTHING TO LOSE, do we LOSE SOMETHING?

Even when we have NOTHING TO LOSE, do we LOSE SOMETHING?

Many years ago, when I was still a student, my cousin recommended my name to one of the leading advertising agencies as a trainee copywriter. I had no idea what it meant and what I was expected to do. “ What should I do there. I will get disqualified even before I say ‘hello’.” I had groaned out a reply.

She had given me one of her wise-senior-sibling smiles. “ So what?” She had said, “ You can always go ahead. You have nothing to lose.”

I kept that in mind, drew up courage, went ahead with the test. It was a nice try. And I failed in it, miserably. And somehow that made me sad. My career had not yet begun and I didn’t even know what I wanted to do back then. I still don’t know , for sure. But something did hurt. I had liked the office, the dynamic young workers, the smart man who took my test ( that too matters, you see). Failing the test meant I would never be a part of that ambience. I felt sad. Even though, technically speaking, I had NOTHING to lose.

Over the years, many a crap and failure older, I realise that even when you have nothing to lose, moving on and moving ahead, ain’t that easy, sweetheart.

Gullu, my friend and I often get into these conversations. Moving ahead vs. Staying stuck. And invariably comes up the debatable premise of “ having nothing to lose.” 

Just like god and ghost, Mayawati and Mulayam, Modi and Tata, Trump and clowns, LOSS and GAIN are strung invariably together in the same cord...pull one, and the other one comes up , jingling all the way, following the rule of inevitability, irritating you no end, till you squint your eyes and pay a closer look.

Casting a cursory glance at the newspaper will establish this almost mathematically sound premise.

Here are a few proven points:

Losing EURO = Gaining TORY LEADERSHIP

Losing IGNORANCE= Gaining SADNESS

Losing CONFIDENCE in the Pedagogy of teaching = Gaining a degree in B.ED

Losing AGRICULTURAL LANDs + TATAs = Gaining INDUSTRY + Corporate BUY BUYs

Losing RIVERS= Gaining DAMS (spellcheck, DAMNs)

Losing whatsitsname SECULAR BLOGGERS = Gaining COPYRIGHTS OVER GODS.

The list continues...

Therefore, the conclusion

If, LOSS =GAIN

Then, NOTHING TO LOSE =NOTHING TO GAIN...

I suppose, and I repeat, I suppose, we have something or the other AT STAKE ALL THE TIME. Something that lurks behind every loss and every gain... And that is when Mathematics becomes Literature..and Equations become nothing short of a terrible, charming, inescapable 007 game...called LIFE.