Modelling GOD as an API

 

Few weeks back I had chance to watch the movie The Man Who Knew Infinity which is based on the life of the great Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. This is the second movie that I have seen about him and there is not much new in it in terms of the life incidents depicted.

However, there is a profound scene towards the end which left a mark. This is when Prof. Hardy comes to visit the ailing Ramanujan in hospital to break the news to him that he has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). Ramanujan is touched by the efforts put by Prof. Hardy to get the recognition due to him. In this moment of deep gratitude, he says to Prof. Hardy:

"You had asked me how I know these formulas. It is the Goddess I worship. She writes them on my tongue in my dreams. An equation for me has no meaning unless it represents a thought of God."

Ramanujan attributed his acumen to the Goddess of Namagiri whom he worshiped. In his dreams, he would get answers from the deity to the problems he was working on.

In the culture I belong to, there are other examples of men and women who could converse with GOD. And these were not some lunatics but people who were acknowledged as leading lights in their respective fields. Many of the spiritual texts of the thought tradition have been structured as conversations with GOD. In the west, there is an example of this approach in Neale Donald Walsch's series Conversations With GOD.

While it is easy to mock at this approach and disregard it, there is an alternative way to look at it and may be even explain it. For the last 2 years I have been doing extensive work on APIs. Designing, implementing, testing, managing, exposing and consuming APIs has been at the center of all the work I have done. And therefore I'm tempted to draw a parallel between GOD and APIs.

"What if we model GOD as an API ?"

If an API gives a structured and simple way of getting data or function, then isn't GOD a structured and simple way of getting what you are seeking (peace, joy, knowledge, strength, wealth, power, ideas, formulas, ...) ?

Assuming yes at least for this discussion, let us see where it gets us.

Q1) Why do I need GOD ?

A1) For the same reason as why you need APIs. API in itself is neither the data or function that you are seeking but is an easy access to it. So is GOD.

Q2) Which GOD is better ? My GOD, your GOD or some other GOD?

A2) Choose the API which works for you. Same with GOD. At the same time remember that others may be using different APIs which are working for them. Respect that. People who fight over APIs are wasting time. What is more important is the thing which an API delivers and what you do with it.

Q3) Why do people read religious texts and perform rituals for their GOD ?

A3) Why developers read API documentation, set input parameters as documented and invoke API as documented ? These are also rituals which exist for a reason and need to be followed to the letter.

Q4) Why are there so many GODs in some religions ?

A4) Do you know how many APIs are there in programmable web ?

Q5) Who is a Guru ?

A5) He is someone who knows how to use the API and can teach you do the same. A cognitive Try it Now button. Or a developer who has spent his life working on that API, knows its in and outs,  and can get you started very fast.

Q6) What if I'm an atheist ?

A6) It is OK to not believe in API. But do you want to access the data and functions? If yes, what you use to get that access is your GOD. If you don't access data and function, how will you write your cool app ? No GOD => No App.

Q7) Can I create my own GOD ?

A7) Why not if your API delivers the goods you seek.

I would like to end with a quote I came across but am not able to recollect the source:

"What I told you may not be the absolute truth. But it is a powerful place to stand."

Would love to hear your thoughts and comments. Cheers till then !

PS. Originally published on May 22, 2016 on LinkedIn