This thought came to me when I was watching the movie "xxx". An interesting movie that talks about how a guy, tries to make a Japanese run factory return to his hometown. Though a funny way, it shows the clash the two different cultures. The Western or more correctly American, where more emphasis is given on individual satisfaction and creativity, and the oriental where your society and the duty towards it (Indian "Karma"), is given more emphasis to. So where else on one side we have American families loosing their job but having better family life, on the other hand the Japanese Manager, who works his ass out, finds himself ridiculed by his wife comparing him with the American families. Though at this level things are fine, but at economic constraints, it brings an important question that has troubled me for most of my existence here. That of being how this country in the first hand became so rich and powerful, and what sort of suture entails this country. Geographic and mineral richness can not be the only reason, as India also has them and maybe so many other country that are languishing in poverty. I believe it is in history and more important culture. And for certain period my search in it has thrown some answers. One thing could be the entrepreneurial spirit or as others will say Capitalism, that this country encouraged. The classical example could be the putting railroad connecting California to the east, is a good example (see Ken Burns "American stories The West: The Grandest Enterprise under God"", I think PBS has always been enlightening especially if one comes from another country). As can be seen in these and other stories from past American power came from its creative people be it the people who settled in west or be it FDR's social reforms or Einshower's National highway act. All creative answers, to hurdles plaguing this relative new country.
But what future entails this country. Somehow I do not see some breaks in Economic Fundamentals. First the two aspects where American excelled at, people from other places are sort of doing better. In manufacturing atleast at large scale areas, China at simpler stuff and Japan at more complicated areas area are doing better. In scientific temper, years at stretch American student’s antipathy towards science and engineering are point of concern to organization like NSF. And it is no surprise that visionaries like Bill Gates are even questioning how US will fare in future (see the discussion on this matter by Bill Gates, Shirley Tilghman: President Princeton, David Dreier, U.S. Representative (R-California) ). So how will America fare in future? One of the thing which I found which I find could be the hardest hindrance is the change in culture. America was made by entrepreneurial and hardworking people. Unfortunately American today lacks it today. Americans because of years of prosperity have lost the hard working aspect of their forefathers. Also because of aspects like Insurance and especially the growth of middle class stereotypes as a socialist would call or suburban dysfunction, especially after 1950's among other things make more American avoid taking too many risks with their lives. And thus we are seeing people from other portions doing better than Native American born people. Classical examples are Asians who excel Native American even Caucasian whites both in education as well as in Economic terms. Especially with low labor gone to Spanish, manufacturing gone to China, Service and IT industry being outsourced to India and other countries what are then American’s doing. It is no doubt American are managing the show, but for how long. As we are seeing in IT, because of lack of American doing the lower level work, I do not think American can produce high class managers in future, if today’s young generation do not dirty themselves with manual work.
Though I do think it is as grave as I might be projecting. One of the aspects of America is its recover from its problem. The aspect of creation of "xxx" after the great dustbowl, FDR's workers plan to Einshower’s National highway act are classical aspects how American meet depressing time and turned it to an advantage. The other aspects are the intellectual might of this country as well as the premier university it has. And all this I suppose makes US what it is now.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
The underdog phenomenon called Rocky
So yesterday I did with some anxiety went to see Rocky Balboa. And the movies brought in many varied emotions.
Rocky has like many of us born in that era envokes a nostalgia. Especially growing in India of 80's, the movie when I first saw, and with teenage curiosity and fascination menat the movie weaved the silver screen super hero wit elan. And when we saw the movie I could still see the magic of the dream in the middle aged women who saw the whle movie on he edge of her seat. And no doubt this movie as lot of others have also said it's the among the best sequel the epic Rocky.
But one of the enduring theme that this movie certianly catures is the cajoling the underdog feeling and then streaching oneself to achieve an almost impossible dream. The Rocky and its sequel gives a human perspective to this enduring theme. Everytime an ordinary mortal who is certainly is not an intelegencia ( "his comment about steps father's lineage being european as he is from Caribean"), and who comes in limelight not because he wants fame but because he has to prove to himself("as said to his son after the insecure son devours his insecurity of being brought up under the shadows of Rocky").
And all these appeals to the good portions of life. Living for something bigger. And as good and esecially poular movies are, one identifies with the movie and lives the Balboa vicariously. To some degree enamouring the the american spirit of "man for himself".
And so at the end even though one knows that movie certianly will be any masterpiece like a Kubrik Rocky will forever make a person feel happy when he comes out of
Rocky has like many of us born in that era envokes a nostalgia. Especially growing in India of 80's, the movie when I first saw, and with teenage curiosity and fascination menat the movie weaved the silver screen super hero wit elan. And when we saw the movie I could still see the magic of the dream in the middle aged women who saw the whle movie on he edge of her seat. And no doubt this movie as lot of others have also said it's the among the best sequel the epic Rocky.
But one of the enduring theme that this movie certianly catures is the cajoling the underdog feeling and then streaching oneself to achieve an almost impossible dream. The Rocky and its sequel gives a human perspective to this enduring theme. Everytime an ordinary mortal who is certainly is not an intelegencia ( "his comment about steps father's lineage being european as he is from Caribean"), and who comes in limelight not because he wants fame but because he has to prove to himself("as said to his son after the insecure son devours his insecurity of being brought up under the shadows of Rocky").
And all these appeals to the good portions of life. Living for something bigger. And as good and esecially poular movies are, one identifies with the movie and lives the Balboa vicariously. To some degree enamouring the the american spirit of "man for himself".
And so at the end even though one knows that movie certianly will be any masterpiece like a Kubrik Rocky will forever make a person feel happy when he comes out of
Sunday, May 07, 2006
The Enigma of Bengali Culture
Today I discovered some old songs, songs from Past with memories. Sonar Kella, Goopy and Bagha Byne. But what was interesting was how much it mesmerized me. So what is the charisma of these songs or attraction of Bengali music/culture to me? An attraction which still remains an enigma to me. It certainly is not the physical aspect of Calcutta or Bengal I saw or grew up in, but it the aura of a culture with its refined taste, of the evangelic desire of people. And funnily when I grew up or was growing up i.e. late or mid 80’s, the time when I could assimilate the world around me, much of the stuff which I admired had been or was being lost to the economical realities of times. But still the charm remained, propagated by the movies shown or Puja or trips to College Street or listening to Rabindra Sangeet or JibonMukhi.
But the decadence of an edifice which certainly repelled most of my close Non-bengali friends and relatives (including my brothers and cousins) never seemed to touch me. I always and have remained a staunch admirer of Bengali culture much to disbelief of many of my UPite friends, who felt I had very little allegiance to my other connection.
And though trips to the place (now that I am a visitor to the place however I would like not to be otherwise) I see all the decadence, the music, the films keep in me the charm of the disappeared “Bhadrolok” Culture.
But the decadence of an edifice which certainly repelled most of my close Non-bengali friends and relatives (including my brothers and cousins) never seemed to touch me. I always and have remained a staunch admirer of Bengali culture much to disbelief of many of my UPite friends, who felt I had very little allegiance to my other connection.
And though trips to the place (now that I am a visitor to the place however I would like not to be otherwise) I see all the decadence, the music, the films keep in me the charm of the disappeared “Bhadrolok” Culture.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Two Concepts that made America Cleverer and Stronger
When people see a country they sometime are profoundly moved by dominace and superiority of certain societies, and coming from developing nation like India it certaily was one of stuffs that piqued me about USA. And as I started looking more into sociological and historical reasons on the process of why it happened, it amazed me how small changes and some enterpreneurship made this society so much Cleverer (American produces more graduates than any other country) and Stronger (America wins more Olympic medals) than any other.
How America became Smarter
• The GI Bill and emergence of UC System, SUNY and Texas State College.
o Funding: especially Teaxas College which unlike the other state schools or private schools that depend to some degree on students fees gets its funding from “Oil Money”. Donors donated Oil field to these colleges and though in 1950’s or 40’s these oil were nothing but today and in near future it is almost like sitting on pile of Gold which you can bank whenever you are short of funds.
o Education for the Rednecks of the country: Unlike the private schools which elitist (costly as well by fraternity system made middle or lower middle class financially and sociologically out of bounds) it helped educate the mass of people.
How America become Stronger
• Free time and industry that has built around it
o Sports industry: A very recent phenomenon, mainly as after shot of industry looking into how to utilize two things that had come in American society, less working hours after Eisenhower’s 50 and then 40 hour week and mobility via cars, gave birth to people liking sports and lot of money being put into it. The after shot is the elaborate system of sports and people seeing it as an avocation, unlike few decades back when even the best Basketball player used to look for jobs inn off season. The magnanimity of it can be seen in the Career Dome of SU, when during football or basketball season it gets 10 K crowd every weekend for the games. Even a major city in India like Nagpur could feel happy to get that many people for once a year cricket One Day International game.
o Amusement Industry: Again after shot of the stuff. The enaction of cartoon characters and emergencies of amusement parks or concept of thrill like six flag which almost killed the old timers like the Atlantic city (was to a high degree marginalized in 79’s)
How America became Smarter
• The GI Bill and emergence of UC System, SUNY and Texas State College.
o Funding: especially Teaxas College which unlike the other state schools or private schools that depend to some degree on students fees gets its funding from “Oil Money”. Donors donated Oil field to these colleges and though in 1950’s or 40’s these oil were nothing but today and in near future it is almost like sitting on pile of Gold which you can bank whenever you are short of funds.
o Education for the Rednecks of the country: Unlike the private schools which elitist (costly as well by fraternity system made middle or lower middle class financially and sociologically out of bounds) it helped educate the mass of people.
How America become Stronger
• Free time and industry that has built around it
o Sports industry: A very recent phenomenon, mainly as after shot of industry looking into how to utilize two things that had come in American society, less working hours after Eisenhower’s 50 and then 40 hour week and mobility via cars, gave birth to people liking sports and lot of money being put into it. The after shot is the elaborate system of sports and people seeing it as an avocation, unlike few decades back when even the best Basketball player used to look for jobs inn off season. The magnanimity of it can be seen in the Career Dome of SU, when during football or basketball season it gets 10 K crowd every weekend for the games. Even a major city in India like Nagpur could feel happy to get that many people for once a year cricket One Day International game.
o Amusement Industry: Again after shot of the stuff. The enaction of cartoon characters and emergencies of amusement parks or concept of thrill like six flag which almost killed the old timers like the Atlantic city (was to a high degree marginalized in 79’s)
Monday, May 01, 2006
Changing Cricket
Changing Cricket
I still remember it was one of the heydays of Tendulkar. It was one of the games played in Sharjah where by the sheer might of his batting genius he was able to accomplish a victory. It was followed by more of them in test as well as ODI. And I always along with other Tendulkar fans all around the world felt happy to be part of witnessing a batting genius. The effortless force by which a person could walk as a Mammoth and making everyone look so pale in comparison was something everyone looked forward in every game. And one thought that came especially looking in cricket retrospection till then was that it might take ages before I could witness another batting extraordinaire like him.
And it came out to be so wrong as within a decade we all would witness episodes which would to a degree pale even Tendulkar’s batting demolition. Atleast when it came to runs scoring abilities. First Sehwag and then Dhoni. Both improving upon what others could do and others notably Jaysuriya, as they put the turf on fire. The recent score of 72 by Dhoni out of 42 balls is a glaring example.
But I suppose this is a part of a larger change in cricket of which Tendulkar was a part also. The redefining of cricket as a more aggressive game loosing the gentlemanliness or yesteryears and transcending it from an elitist British game to more populist game mainly of South Asian. And in that transition it also becoming as the second most watched game only after football/soccer.
And there are many effects of this transition; the biggest for sure is the batting abilities of the whole team. We now can not say anyone as tail. And as has been shown even in tests that now the tail can also score equal to sometimes even better than the top order. And the runs each
One of the biggest reason of it could be the diminishing role of bowlers. Gone are days when bowlers had a fear attached with them. These days even tail enders can smack a bowler like Akthar for a six. An unheard act sometime back. The biggest contributor being the bouncer restriction put in both types of cricket.
The other certainly is the emergence of fielding. Though many argue it is mainly because of the ODI effect, I would more correctly say it is glamorizing act of cricket which is making it so popular. A great catch or great save is as much a crowd puller as a great stroke by a batsman. Immortalized by Jonty Rhodes effected what is now a world famous run out of Inzamam-Ul-Haq it set a trend, and being teenagers then it suddenly made a lot of sense trying to “FLY AS JONTY” does. The cementing of this phenomenon was certainly done by the South African and then the Australin teams of the 90’s.
I still remember it was one of the heydays of Tendulkar. It was one of the games played in Sharjah where by the sheer might of his batting genius he was able to accomplish a victory. It was followed by more of them in test as well as ODI. And I always along with other Tendulkar fans all around the world felt happy to be part of witnessing a batting genius. The effortless force by which a person could walk as a Mammoth and making everyone look so pale in comparison was something everyone looked forward in every game. And one thought that came especially looking in cricket retrospection till then was that it might take ages before I could witness another batting extraordinaire like him.
And it came out to be so wrong as within a decade we all would witness episodes which would to a degree pale even Tendulkar’s batting demolition. Atleast when it came to runs scoring abilities. First Sehwag and then Dhoni. Both improving upon what others could do and others notably Jaysuriya, as they put the turf on fire. The recent score of 72 by Dhoni out of 42 balls is a glaring example.
But I suppose this is a part of a larger change in cricket of which Tendulkar was a part also. The redefining of cricket as a more aggressive game loosing the gentlemanliness or yesteryears and transcending it from an elitist British game to more populist game mainly of South Asian. And in that transition it also becoming as the second most watched game only after football/soccer.
And there are many effects of this transition; the biggest for sure is the batting abilities of the whole team. We now can not say anyone as tail. And as has been shown even in tests that now the tail can also score equal to sometimes even better than the top order. And the runs each
One of the biggest reason of it could be the diminishing role of bowlers. Gone are days when bowlers had a fear attached with them. These days even tail enders can smack a bowler like Akthar for a six. An unheard act sometime back. The biggest contributor being the bouncer restriction put in both types of cricket.
The other certainly is the emergence of fielding. Though many argue it is mainly because of the ODI effect, I would more correctly say it is glamorizing act of cricket which is making it so popular. A great catch or great save is as much a crowd puller as a great stroke by a batsman. Immortalized by Jonty Rhodes effected what is now a world famous run out of Inzamam-Ul-Haq it set a trend, and being teenagers then it suddenly made a lot of sense trying to “FLY AS JONTY” does. The cementing of this phenomenon was certainly done by the South African and then the Australin teams of the 90’s.
The Sociological Effects of Birth Pills
Ideas on Birth Pill
The idea of how pill has lead to such sociological changes
• Women liberation
• Women becoming more independent as marriage did not mean the end of their career
• Parents becoming more comfortable with daughters ( combined with nuclear family which are less patriarchal) and thus american parents more comfortable with daugthers
• This all leads different way of looking at women especially the way of looking to them as more as asset ( so less of virginity: as women gives birth to child who is going to own the man’s property, do not want to someone else child get man’s property. Again also element from Biblical stuff where old testament had so much to do with Land: including Jerusalem)
Personal level: Women having less children and independent and career growth
o Immigration problem
o Future dominance by India and China ( fresh blood from economy)
o More alone women in developed country: again independence of women and discord as men not changing a lot from the Cowboy style.
The idea of how pill has lead to such sociological changes
• Women liberation
• Women becoming more independent as marriage did not mean the end of their career
• Parents becoming more comfortable with daughters ( combined with nuclear family which are less patriarchal) and thus american parents more comfortable with daugthers
• This all leads different way of looking at women especially the way of looking to them as more as asset ( so less of virginity: as women gives birth to child who is going to own the man’s property, do not want to someone else child get man’s property. Again also element from Biblical stuff where old testament had so much to do with Land: including Jerusalem)
Personal level: Women having less children and independent and career growth
o Immigration problem
o Future dominance by India and China ( fresh blood from economy)
o More alone women in developed country: again independence of women and discord as men not changing a lot from the Cowboy style.
Outsourced Medical Insurance to India
Not a bad idea of using India trip to save on health Insurance ....
Actually when I went this time, I had a full Health checkup and all tooth thing done (one tooth removed and two fillings), and it full cost came to 10,000. Now that is like $200, which is the cost I would have only paid for insurance if I would have taken dental plan only for just one month. that is the price differential.... Only bad thing quite some time went in seeing doctors.... But as was going after 3.5 years had a whole lot of stuff to be taken care of..
My idea is why not go to India for a short break, i.e. unpaid leave for Health Checkup and save on Health Insurance cost....
See the cost stuff..
If you take the minimum plan i.e. when you only take of emergency like mine it costs $70 if you take minimum including dental it will cost $250, so extra $150 per month adding that on an average you will visit a doctor 1 time so 20$.
So you save $200.
Now in a year if you take this health cum visiting family break... It costs $ 1200 + $300 ( for heath stuff), so total cost $ 1500.
Assuming you took a cheap insurance then you almost get that money in 6 months so why take a full borne insurance when you can go to India take vacation meet family as well get your health checkup... Note here it takes more time to visit doctors as they do not work on Sat/ Sunday, there in India you can also utilize Sat/Sun...
I am seriously thinking of utilizing this stuff..
Will save a lot of money as well will be from a spiritual sense a better stuff, I think even if my company pays me better insurance I think I can ask them to pay me that money so I can utilize the
"OUTSOURCED MEDICAL HEALTH STUFF"
Actually when I went this time, I had a full Health checkup and all tooth thing done (one tooth removed and two fillings), and it full cost came to 10,000. Now that is like $200, which is the cost I would have only paid for insurance if I would have taken dental plan only for just one month. that is the price differential.... Only bad thing quite some time went in seeing doctors.... But as was going after 3.5 years had a whole lot of stuff to be taken care of..
My idea is why not go to India for a short break, i.e. unpaid leave for Health Checkup and save on Health Insurance cost....
See the cost stuff..
If you take the minimum plan i.e. when you only take of emergency like mine it costs $70 if you take minimum including dental it will cost $250, so extra $150 per month adding that on an average you will visit a doctor 1 time so 20$.
So you save $200.
Now in a year if you take this health cum visiting family break... It costs $ 1200 + $300 ( for heath stuff), so total cost $ 1500.
Assuming you took a cheap insurance then you almost get that money in 6 months so why take a full borne insurance when you can go to India take vacation meet family as well get your health checkup... Note here it takes more time to visit doctors as they do not work on Sat/ Sunday, there in India you can also utilize Sat/Sun...
I am seriously thinking of utilizing this stuff..
Will save a lot of money as well will be from a spiritual sense a better stuff, I think even if my company pays me better insurance I think I can ask them to pay me that money so I can utilize the
"OUTSOURCED MEDICAL HEALTH STUFF"
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Firefox and its Phonetic Rise
Being a programmer who learned the programming stuff during late 90's and to had my understanding got introduced during one of the best times and certainly best place (in the idylic Charm of Goa). One of the biggest reason I think it was because was seeing the growth of the Open Source Movement. Especially being from the socialistic mindset of being an Indian as well as ecnomic realities of being an Indian Student Open Source movement was something that appealed to all of us. The mindset was certainly helped by presence of a towering fugure of My Gurunandan Bhatt (http://www.codesutra.net/), many of us did treat him like Genius which to very high degree I also give credence to. From seeing what Collaborative effort could give especailly the Linux OS (some of the stuff we say in Linux would be put in Windows years after we saw it) and seeing the code was more like giving some matter to dark hole, we gobbled whatever came our way.
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