One Size Fits One Size!

If you go to buy socks, you will find that there are some types that are labeled: one size fits all. I bought one of those the other day, but it turned out to be too big. Naturally, this got me thinking: how can the socks producers claim that one size fits all?

In my mind, claiming that one size of socks fits all requires that the socks be tried on all sizes of feet. If any foot size fails the test, then the basic premise of "one size fits all" fails. Seems to be simple enough, right?

So what about those people who insist that one size fits all even though I've tried it and I'm sure it doesn't fit me? Proud of having acquired the "one size" sock, they point at my feet and say, "it fits... you just think it doesn't!" So supposedly, I should believe them and ignore how I feel about the sock, right? In fact, I'm not really believing them... I'm believing the sock producer who made the sock in any size then programmed these people to believe that one sock really does fit all. Bearing into consideration that this claim plays directly into the interest of the sock producer, I have problems believing in their objectivity towards the "one size fits all" premise.

Let's pursue this further... As I said, in order to make sure that a sock fits all sizes, it must be tested on a representative sample of the human race. The question is: how many people would you have to have to test a sock to make sure all foot sizes and shapes are represented in the sample? Seems to me to an impossible sample to create - probably not the approach sock producers follow. The more likely scenario is that they use an elastic material which expands to wrap the exact size of the foot. Brilliant, eh? But then what happens a year later? If my little brother (don't have one actually) tries to wear my elastic sock, it won't fit because over time, it would have lost part of its elasticity to the shape of my own adult foot. It is probably safe to say that no sock can absolutely fit all sizes of feet at any given moment in time. It is probably safe to say that despite the fact that we may wear same sizes of socks, each person has one size which fits them exactly - but we choose to go with a close match to simplify life.

So until a sock has been tried on ALL human feet continuously for a century or so, I will not accept that one size fits all. As far as I am concerned, "one size fits all" is a myth that has not existed anywhere except in the minds of people brainwashed by sock producers. I don't even think sock producers believe it.

Oh, and in case you're concerned with where this blog is going, our next article is NOT about underwear!

Image courtesy of Hippie Shop

My Thoughts on Thoughts…

As I write this particular post, I feel depressed and lonely. With me is a good friend who I am sure cannot help but feel the same…

A week ago, I was sitting at my favorite hang-out, Cilantro Zamalek branch. The place is too small and so you inadvertently become partner to each and every person's conversation. I was sitting next to a group of two girls and two guys. The conversation that ensued was intolerable to me… I did something against my nature – I actually interfered. It went as follows:

Tarek: Sometimes I start to think about why Allah created us

Islam: Don't think. You shouldn't think about these things. Some things you must take for granted. If you start asking questions, you have no idea where you mind will lead you. You should not ask.

Tarek: But Allah created us with a mind to think…

Islam (interrupting): To think about useful things… not about these things. Why don't you focus on thinking about things which may be more useful to your life?

I don't quite remember the point at which I interfered. I know why I did… This seems to have become a common occurrence for me: people calling for others or me to stop thinking. One person told me it was a sense of romanticism that is not very useful. Another told me that the mind seduces you into the wrong direction and that you should control what you think. Yet another fine young lady told me that I bring myself useless headaches. There is a consensus: we should narrow our framework of acceptable thoughts.

Now had this come from people who were of mediocre education, I would have let it pass. But these reactions have come from people who are well-educated, who belong to Egypt's social and cultural elite – some of them even had their share of education abroad. Everyone seems protective of the framework in which they found themselves, and the thought of the sanctity of this framework being violated is very disturbing to them.

I claim to have a deep respect for other people's ideological and spiritual choices. To take this respect to another dimension, I also respect the depth at which people choose to reach in their ideological and spiritual wanderings. I am very happy for all those who have found their framework and no longer feel the need to pose any questions. This is indeed a blessing. But unless members of this group have answers to my questions, they should respect my choice to continue to question. It is conceivable that I choose to have much less of my beliefs as off-limits for my mind. In the end, any form of spiritualism requires a leap of faith, but I can choose to make my leap of faith narrower.

The dear friend of mine sitting with me introduced me to a great thinker: Ibn Ata'a Al-Sakandary. Why do I choose to think? I believe he has the answer. Ibn Ata'a once said:

إرادتك التجريد مع إقامة الله لك في الأسباب من الشهوة الخفية

This roughly translates to: "Your choice to fail the means provided to you by Allah answers an internal desire". What does this mean: it means that each of us has a role, and failing this role can only take place due to a lack of courage. It is the role of some to think… and out of those many who think, some will come up with original thoughts that will change this world (not me off course). This is how the greatest ideas in the world (including the world of Islam) came to existence.

For those who have found all the answers they need: hope to join you soon. For those who haven't: keep trying and never let anything stop you. Do not fail your courage.