varna redux
re-imagining the varna system for 2024 & beyond. why? it's effective for productivity; personally, professionally, and socially. every system has it's time, purpose, based on context. but efficiency falls when context changes, becoming detrimental instead of beneficial.
location is context
the varna system is powerful in the subcontinent where people are aware of it & don't need to be taught. let's re-visualize, re-imagine, re-claim, & re-use it to recreate the ideal social efficiency it was originally designed for.
four archetypes: shudra (working class), vaishyas (business/merchant class), kshatriyas (warrior class), brahmanas (thinking class).
by default, one might assume you're born into a varna & continue executing duties till death. or your child would be born in the same varna. there's also the variable where each person can choose their varna for life. this debate is like nurture vs nature. systemic corruption and manipulation not withstanding.
archetypes exist
you might have traits of an archetype but choose to follow another. or follow an archetype for a phase of life & change later, more likely in today's times with lower attention spans, confusion about what to do, & lack of discipline to commit.
rethink how you want to play this game: stick to one archetype for life? play a role in a certain context for a certain time frame & switch again? or consider variables based on your phase of life chronologically? spend a period learning as a brahmin perhaps?
ethics as intentions
you might choose sudra ethic of diligence, hard work only at the gym. maybe brahmin ethic when at work. kshatriya ethic for security and safety of your home. vaishya ethic for your side gig hustle. so many ways to spin this framework, both personally and professionally.
in your workplace, in a certain project, you may choose to play a thinking role. or you don't want to play that role due to bandwidth, and instead execute the sudra ethic: running around doing basic logistics, being the support system for the project.
with only four archetypes, the game is easy to play without getting overwhelmed. traits can be used as per character availability in your project. objectively decided based on traits exhibited at that point in time and commitment needed for the project.
revisit. redefine. refine
considering the variables and flexibility it offers, the caste system can be an excellent framework for the subcontinent. everyone knows these archetypes deep within. just needs reframing for project management context. try it out in one project, decide if efficiency was worth executing or not.
all the archetypes are designed for efficiency. if you don't have what it takes, relinquish the role and let someone else play it. if you think you have what it takes but haven't been chosen, get up and dare to play. the onus is on you to showcase your worth and value thru action, not words.
realize this game can be played in different ways. if you think you have what it takes to play leader, go ahead and give it a shot. if you don't have what it takes, relinquish your role and find one in which you can flow with minimal effort.
the collective game
which role would you define for which member of your team? establish it for your team & see how they play the game with pre-determined character archetypes & pre-defined roles. it's like playing a video game. you select a character based on preference, but if you lack necessary traits, you won't win & your team suffers.
in a social context, people can give feedback & suggest alternative archetypes. this could help you settle into a comfortable role with less stress, more efficiency, greater productivity, & better social outcomes – a win-win for everyone!
this framework applies to complex sectors, management at any level, groups, teams, projects, & even individuals. feeling creative? play the brahman archetype and brainstorm new concepts. want mind-numbingly repetitive work? embrace the shudra archetype of mundane physical labor
choose the vaishya archetype for side gigs or projects you want to economically experiment with. choose the kshatriya archetype for when you need to protect and serve; self, family, or team.
that's how you play it, whether in solo mode or group mode.
gtfo+play
if confused, just give it a try instead of debating about it. this could be more exciting in action than in rabble rousing debate.
ps. as corrected by Priyank, i'm clarifying the difference between caste and varna (leaving it as caste in the url for seo sake):
"Varna is more conceptual more amenable to philosophy. Caste as such is rigid and generic. It's a social thing not philosophical."