Saturday, September 27, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
NDTV and its english
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080064436&ch=9/7/2008%2010:12:00%20PM
I wonder if Kalam's english is that bad or this is some reporter's shorthand notes published as it is!
I wonder if Kalam's english is that bad or this is some reporter's shorthand notes published as it is!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Causations and Correlations
The effect may be due to the cause, but may not be due the cause alone. They may even be totally unrelated, or related enough to the termed the cause and effect.
One day you see an article which talks about how someone eating a tomato everyday over 3 months has much less chance of catching a cold or developing resistance to a certain kind of cancer. The very next day you see an article in the same paper which details how consuming excess tomatoes result in kidney stones. By this time our reader is totally confused. Same goes for alcohol - the french paradox which argues that wine reduces the risk of heart ailments, someone else says alcohol leads to brain,liver and neural damage. We are continuously bombarded by conflicting information.
Our obsession with seeing a pattern is so much that we naturally correlate and declare one as the cause for the other. Per the famous phrase - Correlation does not imply causation, the reason we see a pattern between A and B does not mean that A is the cause of B. I had one interesting argument with my friend the other day. In US, the insurance companies have proved statistically that a person owning/driving a red coloured vehicle has to pay more for car Insurance. Why? Seems that they are statistically and psychologically more prone to accidents. This is because, many of these companies would have invested millions of dollars on this research. If you call the most credible expert and pay him/her enough money, he/she can prove or disprove anything for you. When I heard about this insurance rule, it sounded ridiculous.
What if I prove, by some weird statistical/Psychological model that anyone eating french fries on Friday evenings are more prone to accidents on Tuesday mornings? There are two more tuesdays in 2008 than 2007, so a million people would have to pay more insurance!! Well the real reason I started writing about this is, the more hours I put in my job, or the more money I make doesnt always cause more peace or happiness. Cause of happiness is correlated with my making money, but money-making is not the happier part of it..
One day you see an article which talks about how someone eating a tomato everyday over 3 months has much less chance of catching a cold or developing resistance to a certain kind of cancer. The very next day you see an article in the same paper which details how consuming excess tomatoes result in kidney stones. By this time our reader is totally confused. Same goes for alcohol - the french paradox which argues that wine reduces the risk of heart ailments, someone else says alcohol leads to brain,liver and neural damage. We are continuously bombarded by conflicting information.
Our obsession with seeing a pattern is so much that we naturally correlate and declare one as the cause for the other. Per the famous phrase - Correlation does not imply causation, the reason we see a pattern between A and B does not mean that A is the cause of B. I had one interesting argument with my friend the other day. In US, the insurance companies have proved statistically that a person owning/driving a red coloured vehicle has to pay more for car Insurance. Why? Seems that they are statistically and psychologically more prone to accidents. This is because, many of these companies would have invested millions of dollars on this research. If you call the most credible expert and pay him/her enough money, he/she can prove or disprove anything for you. When I heard about this insurance rule, it sounded ridiculous.
What if I prove, by some weird statistical/Psychological model that anyone eating french fries on Friday evenings are more prone to accidents on Tuesday mornings? There are two more tuesdays in 2008 than 2007, so a million people would have to pay more insurance!! Well the real reason I started writing about this is, the more hours I put in my job, or the more money I make doesnt always cause more peace or happiness. Cause of happiness is correlated with my making money, but money-making is not the happier part of it..
Monday, September 15, 2008
Apathy and Lethargy
http://features.ibnlive.com/chat/view/166.html
I read that question answer session and felt so pathetic to call myself an Indian. If it was Israel or US or even Sri Lanka there would be more reaction than just empty rhetoric. What the hell is wrong with our government?
I don't blame the intelligence agencies as much as I blame the government. We are looking impotent against these kids with a few kilos of fertilizers and nuts/bolts. Why is the individuals right to live such a costly commodity to ask for? Is it because we are second most populous nation? How long do you think it will take these terrorist to swap ammonium nitrates with rdx and other higher yield explosives? Those B-tards are sending a message - they are capable of striking when they want, where they want. And what does the government do? brush it under the carpet and congratulate the people for being so resilient.
"this is what is expected of us - live like a common man, bear it like a common man, die like a common man. Our resilience is taken for granted.......... We are resilient by force, not by choice" - quote from movie A Wednesday.
Holding militants in jails till his cousin brothers hijack a plane to Kandahar, and make you like a jack-ass. Banning an organization that has suspected terror links and lifting that ban (Because of f*cking political reasons and minority vote bank; Not even the dumbest of countries would do it) and against reinstating the ban. Here too, the court is thinking hundred times whether to reapply the ban - f*ck the decision is being contested for god sake!!! Do they even care about an individuals well being? May be not. A few bombs here and there may not be much. But wait till the corporates and multinationals associate India with bomb blasts. May be THAT will turn a few heads.
From that above interview, I learnt that the intelligence agencies don't have jurisdiction for arrests etc on domestic areas. These guys gather intelligence, and they have to wait for the local police to make the arrests. How ridiculous is that? We have this bad habit - we just look at this terror strikes on TV, papers etc, feel sorry for the ones involved and then get on with our lives as though nothing happened. Unless you are personally affected, they is an everlasting apathy and lethargy when it comes to other people's suffering. Is that what we should wait for? for our relative or friend to die due to terrorism before we start considering it OUR problem?
"For various reasons, we are operating in a defensive mode. There is a need to have a re-look at overall strategy to tackle terrorism. - Ajit Doval"
Situation is already way out of hand. It needs some kind of mass disinfecting to be done pretty soon. The attitude of submission, tolerance and compromise should be banished when dealing with terrorists. Anybody found a threat to national security or abetting terrorists, should automatically deserve death penalty - no conformance to established civil laws and human rights. They have just earned their tatkal first class ticket to their afterlife...
I read that question answer session and felt so pathetic to call myself an Indian. If it was Israel or US or even Sri Lanka there would be more reaction than just empty rhetoric. What the hell is wrong with our government?
I don't blame the intelligence agencies as much as I blame the government. We are looking impotent against these kids with a few kilos of fertilizers and nuts/bolts. Why is the individuals right to live such a costly commodity to ask for? Is it because we are second most populous nation? How long do you think it will take these terrorist to swap ammonium nitrates with rdx and other higher yield explosives? Those B-tards are sending a message - they are capable of striking when they want, where they want. And what does the government do? brush it under the carpet and congratulate the people for being so resilient.
"this is what is expected of us - live like a common man, bear it like a common man, die like a common man. Our resilience is taken for granted.......... We are resilient by force, not by choice" - quote from movie A Wednesday.
Holding militants in jails till his cousin brothers hijack a plane to Kandahar, and make you like a jack-ass. Banning an organization that has suspected terror links and lifting that ban (Because of f*cking political reasons and minority vote bank; Not even the dumbest of countries would do it) and against reinstating the ban. Here too, the court is thinking hundred times whether to reapply the ban - f*ck the decision is being contested for god sake!!! Do they even care about an individuals well being? May be not. A few bombs here and there may not be much. But wait till the corporates and multinationals associate India with bomb blasts. May be THAT will turn a few heads.
From that above interview, I learnt that the intelligence agencies don't have jurisdiction for arrests etc on domestic areas. These guys gather intelligence, and they have to wait for the local police to make the arrests. How ridiculous is that? We have this bad habit - we just look at this terror strikes on TV, papers etc, feel sorry for the ones involved and then get on with our lives as though nothing happened. Unless you are personally affected, they is an everlasting apathy and lethargy when it comes to other people's suffering. Is that what we should wait for? for our relative or friend to die due to terrorism before we start considering it OUR problem?
"For various reasons, we are operating in a defensive mode. There is a need to have a re-look at overall strategy to tackle terrorism. - Ajit Doval"
Situation is already way out of hand. It needs some kind of mass disinfecting to be done pretty soon. The attitude of submission, tolerance and compromise should be banished when dealing with terrorists. Anybody found a threat to national security or abetting terrorists, should automatically deserve death penalty - no conformance to established civil laws and human rights. They have just earned their tatkal first class ticket to their afterlife...
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Twin Extemes
I have two friends, but don't wish to name them. Each is a mirror image of one another when it comes to matters of love..
The first guy, lets call him A is totally outgoing. He is a typical North Indian, cares a lot about good looks, dances well, parties a lot etc. I don't know how serious he meant it.. but he used to propose to every beautiful girl he could find. Thats not a problem as long as these girls don't know each other. If they are all working in the same office with him, it is a little difficult. Needless to say, mostly his requests will generally get a negative response (you know, girls like to talk about guys, so word gets around pretty quickly). But our hero is unperturbed by setbacks - much like Gazhni Mohammad (it is an honest complement.).
The second guy, B, is the exact mirror. More conservative, introvert types. He too finally found the love of his life, had some fun times. Then there came a breakup. Now he is all sad, philosophical and against marriage. He is too scared to commit or get married. Fortunately for him, he has other responsibilities which are delaying his marriage for the time being. But I do not think this kind of trend is healthy.
I am just perplexed by the complexity of their characters. How similar incidents invoke entirely different reactions from two different people. For me, I just like to observe people. Hence I am a good listener, very keen in reading signs, analyzing them, generally gravitating towards complex/sophisticated characters. But some matters of the heart always elude me...
The first guy, lets call him A is totally outgoing. He is a typical North Indian, cares a lot about good looks, dances well, parties a lot etc. I don't know how serious he meant it.. but he used to propose to every beautiful girl he could find. Thats not a problem as long as these girls don't know each other. If they are all working in the same office with him, it is a little difficult. Needless to say, mostly his requests will generally get a negative response (you know, girls like to talk about guys, so word gets around pretty quickly). But our hero is unperturbed by setbacks - much like Gazhni Mohammad (it is an honest complement.).
The second guy, B, is the exact mirror. More conservative, introvert types. He too finally found the love of his life, had some fun times. Then there came a breakup. Now he is all sad, philosophical and against marriage. He is too scared to commit or get married. Fortunately for him, he has other responsibilities which are delaying his marriage for the time being. But I do not think this kind of trend is healthy.
I am just perplexed by the complexity of their characters. How similar incidents invoke entirely different reactions from two different people. For me, I just like to observe people. Hence I am a good listener, very keen in reading signs, analyzing them, generally gravitating towards complex/sophisticated characters. But some matters of the heart always elude me...
Nuke Deal - A Recap
Well, now that most of the drama around the deal is complete, the following are the possible repercussions.
- For all practical purposes India cannot test a nuclear device from here on
- China's true color showed. More than India getting the deal, a strong message was sent that Pakistan would never get a similar deal.
- US goes back on said terms calling it legally non-binding. Totally expected, India need not care or worry.
- Dual use technologies can be freely imported. Good for our space industry, military research and nuclear efficiency. Implications are profound - India will leap decades and would be able to catch up with others
- France has offered fuel with re-processing rights also. US should realize that it is a customer driven market now. Obviously US companies are ones who will lose, thanks to the Hyde Act. Ironic that USA's Hyde is against the free market philosophy of Capitalism
- India's promise that they wont sign agreements with other countries before 123 gets through the congress must be broken. US didn't hold up its end of the bargain, we are not bound to hold up our end. It should not be legally binding on India.
- The IEAE and NSG are international bodies, US did help abolish the nuclear apartheid. hence we should show some loyalty. But it is important to realize that further co-operation should be multi-pronged, not US centric.
- Well, we also become the only country, who has a active nuclear weapons program, not part of the NTP or CTBT and still enjoying international nuclear trade. Also we do reserve the right to keep specific research reactors out of IEAE's supervision.
- 123 or no 123? Potentially, India can back out of 123 now, which for all practical reasons, is not advisable/smart. So this wont happen.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
There It Is - Next Step In Mobility
http://www.informationweek.com/news/hardware/desktop/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=210600653
A HP laptop which runs for full 24 hours..
A HP laptop which runs for full 24 hours..
Sunday, September 07, 2008
A Wednesday - Hindi movie
I am not a big fan of Hindi movies, but do try to cover really good ones. On my friend's suggestion, I watched "A Wednesday". I should say my respect for Bollywood is slightly increased.
93 minutes of no-nonsense, no-songs entertainment of the highest caliber. For all those of you who are bored with the "usual masala" movies with the same formula, and those who complain that movie as a media is doing nothing constructive or thought=provoking, can watch this one. As an industry, Bollywood has a lot to catch up with Hollywood. But we are showing the right signs - we are getting there, though slowly. I believe India has sophisticated audience, who can accept and appreciate radically different stories (than the usual hero loves heroine, has trouble with villain, 5 songs, 4 fights and 3 sentiment scenes with a climaxing in bombs destroying of huge sets).
As the movie is a thriller, and as I hate reviewing, I am not going into the story. With Anupam Kher and Nasruddin Shah doing the lead roles and every actor playing their part to perfection, it is a treat to watch. Do not miss this one!
93 minutes of no-nonsense, no-songs entertainment of the highest caliber. For all those of you who are bored with the "usual masala" movies with the same formula, and those who complain that movie as a media is doing nothing constructive or thought=provoking, can watch this one. As an industry, Bollywood has a lot to catch up with Hollywood. But we are showing the right signs - we are getting there, though slowly. I believe India has sophisticated audience, who can accept and appreciate radically different stories (than the usual hero loves heroine, has trouble with villain, 5 songs, 4 fights and 3 sentiment scenes with a climaxing in bombs destroying of huge sets).
As the movie is a thriller, and as I hate reviewing, I am not going into the story. With Anupam Kher and Nasruddin Shah doing the lead roles and every actor playing their part to perfection, it is a treat to watch. Do not miss this one!
Friday, September 05, 2008
Famous Alumnies Of Madras University
Source: Hindu
C.W. Thamotharam Pillai was the first graduate in 1858. A Tamil scholar, he served as a judge.
Abusha Bibi Marikar was the first Muslim woman to be awarded an MBBS degree in the university.
S. Radhakrishnan started the long list of Indian Presidents who came out of the University of Madras.
C. Rajagopalachari studied at Law College and was the first Indian Governor-General of independent India.
Neelam Sanjiva Reddy was India's sixth President and first Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
C. Subramaniam served as State and Central Minister and is acclaimed as a father of the Green Revolution.
R. Venkataraman India's eighth President took his Masters degree in Economics and later Law from the University.
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam India's eleventh President, studied at the Madras Institute of Technology.
C.W. Thamotharam Pillai was the first graduate in 1858. A Tamil scholar, he served as a judge.
Abusha Bibi Marikar was the first Muslim woman to be awarded an MBBS degree in the university.
S. Radhakrishnan started the long list of Indian Presidents who came out of the University of Madras.
C. Rajagopalachari studied at Law College and was the first Indian Governor-General of independent India.
Neelam Sanjiva Reddy was India's sixth President and first Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
C. Subramaniam served as State and Central Minister and is acclaimed as a father of the Green Revolution.
R. Venkataraman India's eighth President took his Masters degree in Economics and later Law from the University.
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam India's eleventh President, studied at the Madras Institute of Technology.
Some even more significant names that were left out..
Nobel laureates
Sir C.V.Raman
Subramaniam Chandrasekar
One more president - VV Giri
Film Icons - M.G.Ramachandran and Mani Ratnam
Politicians (restricted to few) - M.G.R, Rajagopalachari, Chidambaram Subramaniam (CS) and P.Chidambaram (current FM)
Completed 150 proud years in 2007-08.
Nobel laureates
Sir C.V.RamanSubramaniam Chandrasekar
One more president - VV Giri
Film Icons - M.G.Ramachandran and Mani Ratnam
Politicians (restricted to few) - M.G.R, Rajagopalachari, Chidambaram Subramaniam (CS) and P.Chidambaram (current FM)
Completed 150 proud years in 2007-08.
Monday, September 01, 2008
Move Slow...
Sometimes I feel if there is a strong relationship between how fast we live and how soon we die. It is like everyone has a certain number of tasks to be completed in his lifetime after which the battery runs out....
Consequently, people who walk/talk faster, act faster, work faster etc seem to die faster. People travelling faster are more prone to die in accidents. Those trying to achieve more, rise and fall faster in life. It is like superimposing multiple personal temporal frames - one for each individual. Those belonging to a slower frame seem to be relaxed and calm about their actions - naturally. Hence they have less tension, directly or indirectly lets them live longer. But most of us fall somewhere in-between - but always aiming to fit the faster time frames
Even in animals, slow movers like tortoises, whales and elephants have the maximum life spans. Consider one generation previous to your own. Those people did not live is such a fast paced life as you and me. They tend to age more healthier and live longer than us. No doubt the generation before them lived even longer/healthier. It is ironic that people trying to get more out of the allotted 24 hours end up lesser multiples of those 24 hours.
Who doesn't want to live longer? Some for doing good to others, some for good being done to them. Anyways, the current software engineer's lifestyle needs a lot of slow down. So started taking things more slowly.. for a start, a few minutes of Yoga into my daily routine. As Brad Pitt says in the movie Fight Club, " You know why they put oxygen masks on planes?, Oxygen gets you high. In a catastrophic emergency, you're taking giant panicked breaths. Suddenly you become euphoric, docile. You accept your fate. It's all right here. Emergency water landing - 600 miles an hour. Blank faces, calm as Hindu cows." (Sorry, I have seen so many movies, now I can't finish a blog without a movie quote)
So decided to test that theory, no drugs, with just some deep breaths - even if it doesnt help me slow down, it will get me high.
Consequently, people who walk/talk faster, act faster, work faster etc seem to die faster. People travelling faster are more prone to die in accidents. Those trying to achieve more, rise and fall faster in life. It is like superimposing multiple personal temporal frames - one for each individual. Those belonging to a slower frame seem to be relaxed and calm about their actions - naturally. Hence they have less tension, directly or indirectly lets them live longer. But most of us fall somewhere in-between - but always aiming to fit the faster time frames
Even in animals, slow movers like tortoises, whales and elephants have the maximum life spans. Consider one generation previous to your own. Those people did not live is such a fast paced life as you and me. They tend to age more healthier and live longer than us. No doubt the generation before them lived even longer/healthier. It is ironic that people trying to get more out of the allotted 24 hours end up lesser multiples of those 24 hours.
Who doesn't want to live longer? Some for doing good to others, some for good being done to them. Anyways, the current software engineer's lifestyle needs a lot of slow down. So started taking things more slowly.. for a start, a few minutes of Yoga into my daily routine. As Brad Pitt says in the movie Fight Club, " You know why they put oxygen masks on planes?, Oxygen gets you high. In a catastrophic emergency, you're taking giant panicked breaths. Suddenly you become euphoric, docile. You accept your fate. It's all right here. Emergency water landing - 600 miles an hour. Blank faces, calm as Hindu cows." (Sorry, I have seen so many movies, now I can't finish a blog without a movie quote)
So decided to test that theory, no drugs, with just some deep breaths - even if it doesnt help me slow down, it will get me high.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)