"Beating water in the mortar
Monday, August 15, 2005
Doğu ERGIL
People engaging in serious things like taking and giving life and making larger-than-life political statements on complicated matters during vacation seasons have both amazed and bothered me. July and August are vacation months, and for serious people vacation is a serious business without which one cannot generate the energy to carry on a successful and creative working year. Those people who do not take vacations either take themselves more seriously than others or take their work less seriously than those who take vacations for a more productive year. I have always been suspicious of people who don't take vacations to diversify their lives and interests. A limited life with fixed agendas is an invitation to stereotypes and perhaps to fanaticism. Fixed agendas are like beating water in mortar. This is a lovely Turkish expression meaning to do futile things with no zest."
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