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RSS FeedFebruary 11th, 2012
I am saving all my love for you – RIP Whitney
This was one of the very very very first songs that I was enamored with. (Was 9 when this song came out.) Feels so sad to know that an era has ended tonight.
Drugs – there is never a joke around them. When I was studying in Delhi, at least three of my friends, who were all *extremely* gifted people and top scientist material, lost their way after having “tried” drugs. Rest in peace Whitney.
January 22nd, 2012
Politics and Algorithms rarely mix, but when they do, they involve food stamps and bin packing
January 17th, 2012
The reality is as strong as you can perceive it
If you are the kind of person who is interested in these fuzzy topics like reality and perception, then you may want to consider watching the Adelson checkerboard video:
Here are a few more proofs of Adelson checkerboard illusion.
December 27th, 2011
Finally, a post about religion
In the past, I have largely stayed away from the very tricky topic of religion. No explanation really necessary. But now, I will make a few broad generalizations about religions, in the following limited sense. I publish following 3 MANDATORY CHARACTERISTICS of all religions, that is, the common denominator of characteristics that every religion should have, considering the multi cultural world that we all live in.
- You should be able to join that religion. In other words, a religion should not be a closed society. If you associate with it, you should be able to join it, after going through some sort of process.
- You should be able to leave that religion. So, if you decide to leave that religion, you should be able to do so.
- You should be able to marry outside that religion, and not force your partner to that religion.
November 21st, 2011
The Biggest Lie Ever Told
UC Davis Police Chief Annette Spicuzza told reporters Saturday that the decision to use the pepper spray was made at the scene. “The students had encircled the officers,” she said. “They needed to exit. They were looking to leave but were unable to get out.”
September 28th, 2011
Towards a visa free world
I continue to dream about a visa free world, where people will be able to travel from any country to any country without having a “visa” (or perhaps such a thing might continue to exist in back end systems, but become entirely invisible from the traveler’s perspective). The interesting issue that I have observed with visa regulations is not so much the requirement of getting one – the main problem usually is the lack of clarity around such things. Consider the case of an Indian national (such as myself), traveling to Quito, Ecuador. Airline says that no visa is required. Ecuador’s website says that a visa is required. So, I called the Ecuador consulate to confirm (on September 28, 2011), and they did confirm that indeed the airline is correct, and no visa is required.
This is not interesting stuff, I understand, and that you are barely staying awake, but that is the case with most practical “points of dissatisfaction” that we come across. This isn’t neutrinos at twice the speed of light stuff. This is boring policy talk. All right then, here is to John Lennon:
September 13th, 2011
Organic? Yes. Eco-friendly? I really don’t think so.
With a message that appeals to a very wide variety of audience, including the exceedingly important 20-35 demographic, Whole Foods has been a revolution, with its promise of saving the earth. While I am a fan (not a big fan) of Whole Foods, I still wonder about the following product available at my local Whole Foods in Fairfax, Virginia:
While I am sure this water is “organic”, I am not sure that the choice of bottling 948 ml of water, transporting water from New Zealand mountains, moving it to the port, transporting it thousands of miles to the US, then moving it on trucks to local distribution centers, then distributing it to local whole foods stores can be considered eco-friendly. How about just having local pure water, and that too, that does not waste as much plastic per ml?
Can we really schlep over to the Whole Foods, arrange for WATER to be transported thousands of miles on fossil fuel consuming ships and trucks in conveniently packaged plastic bottles, and not call ourselves hypocrites?
April 12th, 2011
What decides “Guilty or Not”? (Hint: Judge’s Lunch is #1)
According to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the judges’ lunch and the timing of your case may be more important than perhaps even your lawyer. If reading academic articles is your forte, then here is the link. Otherwise, here is a bit more attractive presentation, thanks to the hard working reporters who leave no stone unturned in bringing those astonishingly boring academic studies home for us lay people.
March 17th, 2011
Japan’s Year of Destruction, and Rejuvenation
When Jean-Marie Colombani of Le Monde wrote on September 12, 2001: “We are all Americans now”, little did he know that as the tragedies go around, the world will follow his example and express solidarity with many nations, even if one by one. Year 2011 undoubtedly belongs to Japan. The extent of damage caused by the twin disasters of earthquake and tsunami surpassed most recorded natural disasters in Japan, since the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake. The earthquake of March 11, 2011 was more than 100 times stronger than the Great Hanshin earthquake of 1995 which killed more than 6400 people.
Perhaps one of the best ways to understand the tragedy is from the following picture from Sendai airport in northeastern Japan, which really looks like a playground, but as your eyes struggle to find a plastic bottle, an empty play-dough box or the shadow of a boy alongside the seemingly toy planes and the toy cars, you are forced to accept the harsh reality that in this case it is the playground of destruction.
As bard would have put it:
As flies to wanton boys are we to th’ gods,
They kill us for their sport.
Still, Japan has received a standing ovation of sorts from the entire world due to its handling of such a calamity. While in similar situation, riots could have broken out elsewhere, the steady media coverage of Japanese people calmly queuing up for basic resources such as water, gas and groceries is a pleasant change to observe. This attitude outlines decades of confidence in their society and is a clear signal that rejuvenation cannot be much further behind. The physical, emotional and economic recovery will not be easy or overnight, but it will surely be there, most likely in 2011 itself.
[PS: I do not know the image copyright, received it in email. Please let me know if you know who is the copyright holder.]