Matchmakers: Are they still around?

The first thing that comes to my mind when I hear the word "matchmaker" is a "go between" person whose profession is to find a match for a person (man or woman) who is seeking help in finding a person to marry.

Without delving deep into the origins and history of the matchmaker profession, I think it is safe to say that it has existed in different cultures over many centuries. Their existence was, and, in some cultures still is, driven by the fact that opposite sexes were/are not allowed to mingle either unsupervised or at all. That's when the services of a matchmaker becomes indispensable as she/he will have all the "vital" information pertaining to individuals of both sexes, and which, upon request by their match-seeking customers (usually parents of the bride or groom to be), they would share the information for a negotiated fee in the form of a retainer and/or commission to be paid at the successful conclusion of a match or matrimony to be precise!

The aforementioned "vital" information was often tweaked by the matchmakers to enable them to conclude the transactions for which their services were sought. Effectively, as a con(sequence) they may end up being the sole beneficiary of the deal!  In my life I've seen many movies where this type of crooked behavior was exercised. Most notably, some of you may recall the matchmaker character in "Fiddler on the Roof" but there are many other examples!

This brings me to the question: Have matchmakers evolved in time to cover non-matrimonial type matchmaking?  To address this question, let me review here a few activities and professions that are ubiquitous to us today.

Headhunters and/or Recruiters: Their job, much like the matchmakers of the past, is to connect a recruiting organization to a candidate whose credentials (like the previously mentioned vital information) are aligned. Retainers and commissions are typically paid by the hiring organization to the headhunters at the successful conclusion of their hiring the job seeking candidate.

Online Dating: I'm sure you'll agree that this fits the matchmaking function, of course with the exclusion of parents interference or control! Like matchmakers of the past, online dating organizations use vital information (hopefully without manipulation) to bring individuals together, however, matrimony in their case may not necessarily be the only motivating force!

Other credible and legitimate examples that, in part, bear some resemblance to the old matchmaking technique, with the caveat that they do not match individuals with other individuals, include service providers such as financial and insurance brokers and real estate agents aka as realtors.

In conclusion, I think that the matchmaking job and/or technique has continued to evolve and morph and, yes, matchmakers are still very much around!

Hani Badawi
January 1, 2017

Change!

This note is about the verb "change" and not the noun change (e.g. coins of low denomination, fresh set of clothing, etc. )!

We often talk about the need to change, adapting to change, change of attitude, mind or ways. In all these examples we are talking about self motivated change that in most cases is driven by circumstances that have unfolded in our lives and potentially resulting from emulating people we admire.

A change in our lives may occur either slowly (over the years) or rapidly as a result of a single-event upset. Rate of change will differ from one individual to another and therefore I will leave that statement in its present form rather than attempting to break it down further!

It is a fact of life that as we grow older we will slow down in performing several activities that we were previously able to do. However, because of our changing world and technological innovations, we may also continue to learn new skills and, as a result, we may perform activities which were previously unavailable!

Arguments for and against whether or not change in our lives is preordained has posed itself over the centuries. Whereas I am not sufficiently versed in either religious or philosophical dogma to unequivocally answer that question, my instinct, coupled with my acquired with age logic, prompts me to conclude that, like light, which has a dual nature of wave and particle, change must have a similar duality in nature too.

After all, if all change is preordained, what control do we have over our lives? Whether we believe in a Supreme power or in forces of nature, fairness dictates that we must have a clear choice in many aspects of change in our lives, and, of course, by the same token, you can make your own choice as to what to believe!

Hani Badawi

December 4, 2016

Howling Politicians

When vociferous careless politicians howl out statements in all directions, ultimately some of them are bound to stick. The ones that don't resonate are often forgotten until they reappear and manifest themselves as the ones that pertain to the core of the howler!

Hani Badawi
November 17, 2016

Time for Electoral College Reform?

This round of US presidential elections coughed up 2 unpopular candidates and the one who instilled fear and promoted hateful feelings and divisive ideas won! To determine whether the winner meant to do that out of personal belief or was it a ploy that he used to win the elections, we will have to wait for a few months!

The system of electoral college is in need of major reform but the resistance to change remains in effect because of many reasons, most of which pertain to special interests. 

Begs the question: What is a better system, not only to bring about the success of the better candidate, but to present without exorbitant expenses the best candidates who will propel the country forward?

The simple answer lies in the possibilities of amendments to the US constitution, a constitution that undeniably, to date, remains the best one that was put together by any country in the world. 

The more complex answer lies in economic reforms, ones that will ultimately prevent financial tycoons from muscling their way to the top without the necessary political and ethical qualifications.

Bottom line: We are witnessing a work in progress and another chapter in the history of a great country that, because of it's great potentials and its built-in checks and balances, will, in time, overcome the obstacles that continue to pose themselves from time to time.

Hani Badawi

November 10, 2016

Is The World Changing?

In the ongoing rally by the US presidential contenders to gain people's trust and support, I thought I should reflect a little about the thoughts that go on in my mind. They are thoughts that extend well beyond the scope of the forthcoming US presidential elections. 

I strongly support the notion of patriotic selfless, dedicated non-politicians taking the helm and presiding over the affairs of a nation.

What I have an issue with is when selfish, self serving, pretentious, unscrupulous bullies assume that they are worthy of that position and when sadly they succeed!  

More than two thousand years ago the collapse of the Roman Republic occurred at the hands of military individuals who used their military might to secure political power and prominent leadership positions. It is noteworthy that accumulation of wealth in those days was almost exclusively achieved via gains from spoils of war. It is also noteworthy that history shows that personal ambition and devious manipulation by the political leaders had much to do with the collapse of the Roman Republic!!

Fast forward to the 20th and 21st Century AD (Aka as CE), I wonder if, apart from the tremendous evolution in Science and Technology and diverse ways of accumulating wealth, has the world witnessed a true reform in the methods and ways adopted by those seeking to get to the helm and those who've succeeded in getting there?

Devious rhetoric by politicians and gullibility of the masses over the years seems to indicate that the answer to that last question is a resounding "absolutely not!!!"

So, is the world changing? 

Well, let me put it this way: The world continues to rotate around its axis once a day and revolves around the sun once every 365.25 days without any noticeable change. 

Perhaps the power seekers believe that, like the rotation and revolution of the world, their world is unchangeable. Alas, perhaps in their assumption, they are right too!!!

Hani Badawi
October 2, 2016

A Reflection on Radicalism

When the identity of a country is tainted and/or influenced by radical ideas it reflects a deficiency and weakness in its educational structure and historic awareness. A dearth in economic resources is a byproduct of the above shortcomings and cannot be used as an excuse.

Hani Badawi
September 1, 2016

With Hilary Or Donald Life Will Go On!

If we believe in the power of free elections then we must heed what Plato, the Greek Philosopher (c. 428-348 BCE) intimated many centuries ago: “This City is what it is because our citizens are what they are.”

Even though Plato’s words ring true today, one must reflect on the past and ponder whether “free elections” ever lived-up to its meaning and/or promise!

Fast forward from the days of Plato to the Roman Philosopher Cicero (106-43 BCE) who, in addition to being a philosopher, was a, lawyer, orator and politician. Cicero had a seemingly different view from the one held by Plato about citizens, when he professed: “Nothing is more unreliable than the populace, nothing more obscure than human intentions, nothing more deceptive than the whole electoral system.”

In actuality, the two great philosophers were not in conflict in their thoughts, they only reflected upon what they observed in their respective eras. Needless to say, they were prophetic in their thoughts too.

One thing we can say, apart from the passing of time, nothing much has changed!

Hani Badawi

Sptember 1, 2016