At a Sotheby’s auction in New York, a golden commode was sold for twelve point one million dollars. Yes, you read that right. Not a diamond. Not a painting. Not even a sculpture made by a genius who starved for his art. A toilet commode. As I heard the news, I found myself wondering where the proud new owner plans to exhibit this masterpiece of modern madness. In his sitting room, where guests can admire it while sipping their tea. Or in his bathroom, where he can sit on the world’s costliest throne and contemplate the mysteries of life.
But perhaps this is not just about the golden commode. Maybe it is simply a symptom. A sign of a world that once climbed the ladders of culture, courtesy and class and now seems to be sliding down with the enthusiasm of a child on a playground slide.
Look around. You will see crass where there was once class. You will hear noise where there was once music. You will see books that celebrate the basest instincts instead of storytelling that stirred the mind and heart. Or if you dare look deeper; lies which have replaced truth. Till today it’s fashionable to tell lies in the name of personal enhancement, diplomacy or nationalism.
Lies spoken with a confidence that would shame even a seasoned pickpocket. The lies that leaders utter with a straight face. The lies that march across podiums and parliaments as if they are honoured guests, while truth, poor fellow, stands outside Sotheby’s with no bidder willing to bid for him.
We once valued truth as the foundation of civilisation. We held it dear because we knew societies crumble when lies become the national anthem. Today lies are so common they do not even bother to dress up.
The same society that gasps at a golden commode also applauds golden lies. Lies, crafted with the same care as an auction piece. Lies that are polished till they shine. Lies that are paraded before the public with the confidence of a priceless masterpiece. Our leaders, and we are talking of those in our country, do not just tell lies. They exhibit them. They auction them. They expect us to bid for them with our trust.
A commode is meant to remove waste. Truth is meant to remove falsehood. Yet here we are, placing waste on a pedestal and letting falsehood run free.
It is time we stop this downslide and climb back to what humanity has always aspired for. Upliftment. Truth. Beauty. And Wisdom to know that a commode, whether golden or not, is still only a commode. Maybe after we do that we will discern that the lies we are hearing and which we like parrots repeat, is not the truth at all, but lies as crass as a commode..!
The Author conducts an online, eight session Writers and Speakers Course. If you’d like to join, do send a thumbs-up to WhatsApp number 9892572883 or send a message to bobsbanter@gmail.com
