Déjà Vu

If one reads and watches enough science fiction, it is possible that a person could chance upon several different explanations and definitions of déjà vu.

For some, it is the re-occurrence of a feeling triggered by vaguely similar instances (as opposed to experiencing something twice) or possibly meeting a person (or people) under certain circumstances.
Others may consider it a vastly more scientific prospect, such as dimensional branches and timelines that momentarily embrace each-other, creating memory shadows that are received at a later time.
Memories can, at times, play wonderful games and the more playful the memory, the more inventive the game.

An example of this would be the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix. I could have sworn that Rubens Barrichello won that particular Grand Prix, yet for some strange reason the statistics tell me differently.
Maybe my memory has decided to cheat me for a laugh; or alternatively the race swung from a hard fought win to a cheapened parade out of step with the common rules of competition. This happens sometimes, although my brain and I still manage to get along with little fuss.

One element of my Austrian memory is the distinct recollection of a booing, hissing and whistling crowd, contrasting with a very puzzled Michael Schumacher and Ferrari team on the podium and ground
Indeed, the Ferrari team seemed to be so oblivious to the reaction of a blatant race manipulation, that they did not and / could not comprehend the crowd’s negative reaction in any way, shape or form.
Last Friday, that lack of understanding of the real world rang true once again – and a sense of déjà vu hit me in the head like a red brick.

As news of reinstatement of the 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix began to filter through, the almost universal condemnation of the decision by fans everywhere could not quieten
Normally reasonable voices, such as Sir Jackie Stewart started spewing nonsense. Apparently, sport will unite the country – sorry Sir Jackie; that is not quite how the world works. The upset majority might be silenced to give the impression of togetherness amongst the well off and fortunate, but to think any sport – let alone Formula 1 – will unite a country is painfully naïve.

The lack of understanding showed that, like Ferrari in 2002, the FIA and World Motor Sport Council have misjudged the feelings of people across the globe.
Martial law was lifted last week, but that didn’t stop security forces firing on protesters with rubber bullets on Friday – just as the announcement was made by members of Bahrain’s political interior. It also didn’t stop security forces from opening fire (again with rubber bullet) and launching sound bombs on a religious march yesterday evening.

Like the former definition of déjà vu, this was a feeling governed a vaguely similar impact – it was the feeling of related entities that had misjudged the understanding of the world and the reaction it would provoke and the sad thing is, they still don’t seem to understand.