The art and science of mutual back-scratching and its social implications
Note: Shortest thesis you may ever read (in case you are into thesis reading)
“You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours” assumes that everyone has an itchy back. Hang on! That sentence was, admittedly, just click-bait. It isn’t the actual message of this thesis.
My main research findings and conclusions revolve around the importance, or the lack thereof, of reciprocation to the first back-scratcher in the pair of mutual back-scratchers referred to in the quote above. (I know. Just laugh and move on. That’s what, I assume, a lot of thesis readers do)
Let me elaborate on that a bit. If you find someone who is happy scratching your back and they themselves don't have an itchy back or don't expect you to scratch their back, then hold on to them for dear life. So far, so good?
You’ll probably find only one or two such people in your entire life. I’ll now cautiously add that you don’t have to feel obliged to scratch their back in reciprocation. Simply because, they are angels who are NOT doing it for a profit or tangible return (to be scratched back) but for a purpose (to show kindness and shower affection on you).
At the same time, I need to remind you to not take them for granted. Please.
So, what do you do when there is no need for this mutual back-scratching arrangement? You pass on your services to someone else! Go find someone nice whose back needs to be scratched (and someone you will be happy to offer your scratching services to).
Important point here is to be aware that they, in turn, may not reciprocate. In other words, you must not expect them to scratch your back. You must let them be. Your back-scratching angel has done his/her job and you now are the back-scratching angel for another person. That’s the gist of this thesis. Wait.
I’ve got a compelling argument in favour of this concept of back-scratching not being positioned as a mutual and reciprocated activity but as a chain-based activity. If mutual back-scratching were the norm, the world will need to be deliberately paired up at all times and half the people might not get scratched at the end of the day or they may end up waiting for too long a time.
If it is designed and encouraged as a chain-based activity, more people are likely to get their back scratched. Also, it will be a faster process as anyone can pass on the service to any number of people they choose to help. So, what do we have?
A nation full of folks who are happy either getting their back scratched or scratching others’ back without expecting anything in return. Exactly what is advocated in the Gita. Do your (back-scratching) duty but do not look forward to the results or reciprocation.
Note: If you do not agree with this concept, please refrain from back-scratching of any sort. We do not want anyone engaging in back-scratching with pointy nails or sharp instruments. It is mandatory to use instruments that are gentle and yet effective. My apologies if you now feel like getting your back scratched, in the literal sense.
