Tossing Through The Centuries !

Logic must govern all our activities, as far as feasible. And we must change a system if the logic changes with time. Do you agree? Yes? Good, I proceed then.

In this era of logic-based e-commerce, let us question as to why are we still tossing the ‘outdated’ coin till date!

One of the first symbols of commerce invented by the man was the coin. When the coin was first invented, it had to have on one of the sides the face of the emperor to authenticate it. So, it had the head of the ruler embossed on one side and was, rightfully, called, "the Head". Fine, but what about the other side? Why is it called the "Tail"? Let us try and delve in the mind of our forefather who would have started this trend.

Animals may have been the initial source of the inspiration to the Man. It can be surmised that it must have been the case here too. He must be scratching his bald head (did they lose hair then too?) thinking aloud, "what is the opposite of Head?" Somehow, the idea of ‘Foot’ being opposite to ‘Head’ did not appeal to him. At this time an animal would have passed in front of him.

And the nickel would have dropped! Eureka!! The opposite of ‘Head’ was, obviously, ‘Tail’! And the Man conveniently started calling this opposite side -The "Tail". He forgot that while the head was not of an animal but of a man, in fact the Head of the state, the tail belonged to an animal! Surely, Man would have reached the stage of minting coins only after his ‘tail’ ('Avatar' days) would have vanished while undergoing evolution!

And it continued. Centuries after century’s. Countries after countries. It has become so much a part of our life that it seems ridiculous that I should question it now!

But it is relevant today? Is a ‘tail’ really opposite of a ‘head’ as far as the Man is concerned today? As it is not, we must change it - please remember that we have agreed in the beginning of this article that the systems must be changed if logic changes with time.

So, one of the sides of the coin should be called something other than the "Tail". It must be renamed. Here, I have a suggestion. Why not rename it the "Heart". Not from the pack of playing cards but one of the most important organs of the human body.

Let me give some reasons for this suggestion. Most decision making in our lives is generally a toss-up between the head and heart. We are, at times, in a dilemma which organ of the body, head or heart, should be ruling in case we are confronted with a tricky decision. Any number of examples can be given, like-

• Your two- year old son is badly insisting for an ice cream at 2 AM in night. He has severe cold and is on antibiotics for two days. You know that it would increase his difficulties if you concede. He is crying hoarse. Decision by head or heart? 
• Your subordinate is just not coming up to your expectations. ‘Head’ says fire him, throw him out of the job as he was given sufficient time and would never improve. Get a better replacement who is expected to deliver. ‘Heart’ counters, "But you have been together for some time now; how can you! And what about his family? Won’t they be on road? You have shared good times with him. He is just going through a bad phase. He may reform. Delay the decision, if not cancel!" Who scores, head or heart?
• Your wife insists that you must accompany her to see the distant, elderly aunt who is not keeping well for some time. You are badly tied down in the office and know that it just can not be done! Wife loves her aunt very much refuses to go alone. Which part of your anatomy should decide, the top or the central one?

Likewise, it’s a continuous struggle between the Head and the Heart while making the decisions in our professional as well as personal lives. So why not make the coin mirror this contest with one side "Head" and the other the "Heart"?

If a particular decision is really tough to arrive at, one can leave it to the chance factor; just toss up the coin "Head" or "Heart"! And follow what the coin says. Unless, of course, the coin is also equally indecisive and stands on its edge! (Remember "sholay"?)

On lighter side, this suggestion coming from an army guy (with no fears of ‘Brain’ fever and ‘Heart’ attack - who is not supposed to have these organs! ) may itself be illogical!