Of Powder, fake Einstein quote, Zamani and technology

He was called Powder because of his powder white skin; his body is hairless, including his head. Reed is extremely intelligent; however he is not welcomed into the community.

Children and adults found him weird and scary, especially frightened of his bizarre ability to harness extrasensory perception and heal the sick.

When I found out about the video of the singer, Zamani who got more than he expected when he was nabbed by the police for drug abuse, I had the image of Powder in my head.

Like Powder, Zamani was victimised by the senseless mind of a man who is heartless.

When we don't have faith in the figure of authority appointed to serve us, then really, who can we trust?

In the video, Zamani's wide round eyes and stick-like figure, hands cuffed together touched the souls of many who have had viewed it, just like Powder.

And that voice, that beautiful voice of his - screams for help in the form of humanity.

In the film too, I remember so well, a quotation that was acclaimed to Einstein:

Although there were debates on whether this quote actually came from Einstein or a fake, however the truth is, this quote is true.

Einstein or whoever said this can predict the future. And the movie Powder represents our society in this century.

Our society today is the kind where:

We pacify our children with tablets and smart phones so they won’t trouble us with their cries, questions and demands.

We do not make eye contact during meals anymore or ask each other how the day went.

We forgot what family means because we constantly convey messages via free message services in our phones, having all sorts chat groups, categorising family members and friends than sitting down together and have small talks.

We don’t know who our neighbours are because we'd rather answer or read endless emails or messages than having to look up and smile when we are in the lift together.

We talk to God and send prayers through our social network so the whole world knows what's in our heart.

We sometimes do the same with our spouse, occasionally abusing them with words, exposing the most private details behind closed doors just to seek approvals, 'likes' and comfort from strangers.

We play judge and jury, constantly punishing others and putting blames on their shoulders without even having the slightest clue of the truth.

We play God and decide who is the sinner, or who is the apostate just by skimming through the things we read online.

We use profanity, we glorify violence, we make fun of others just to get 'viral' responses from people who means nothing.

Technology is like a double-edged sword. It can build you and it can kill you. Ultimately the choice is yours.

In the final scene of the movie, Reed ran across the field and got lifted up to the sky by a series of thunder, depicting the connection between human and God.

To the people, like Zamani, who were ‘attacked’ by the monster that hides cowardly behind the anonymity of the computer and telephone screen, be strong and carry on because in due time life will hit them harder in the face, more than you can ever imagine.

Just like Powder.