Category: Random Draws

Public sentiments determine social welfare, especially in a democracy. Perceptions are based on beliefs and what we believe to be true. This is a small, unpretentious, unscientific survey of popular political sentiments to find out how some people feel about what’s going on in India. It is a sample survey but is definitely biased: only those who read this blog (and other associated social media) are possible respondents. So this sample selection bias ensures that this cannot be generalized for the whole population. But I am interested in precisely that sample: those who read/write blogs and tweets. I need your help: please spread the word around.
Continue reading “A Survey of Popular Political Sentiments”

The first of the Four Noble Truths expounded by the great Gautam Buddha — the Enlightened One, the One Who Went Thus or Tathagata — is the truth about the existence of dukkha. It is an empirically verifiable claim that all sentient beings are subject to suffering of some type or another. In other words, bad stuff happens and good stuff does not happen all the time.
Continue reading “P. Sainath on the Evils of Neo-classical Economics”

I am not easily impressed by TED Talks but this one is a “must watch.” Mr Viravaidya — I kid you not — is funny as all hell. The subject is serious but he brings a refreshing light touch. Watch the embedded video below the fold.
Continue reading “Mechai Viravaidya: How Mr. Condom made Thailand a better place”

Yesterday while brewing my morning cup of coffee I saw through the kitchen window a huge plume of thick black smoke rising from the neighboring housing complex. A massive fire was evidently under way. The column of smoke ominously rose into the clear blue sky and I wondered what caused it. Perhaps it started as a kitchen fire or an electrical fire, I could not tell. Within minutes a dozen fire fighting units came rushing down the street, their wailing sirens shattering the morning calm. A little while later, the black plume started getting shades of white, indicating that the water jets from the fire tenders were working to control the blaze. Within an hour, the fire was over. The episode led me to reflect on the nature of fire and the visceral human reaction to it.
Continue reading “We Don’t See Rants on Fire on YouTube. Thankfully.”

It’s an easily verifiable unpalatable fact that there are oppressed and oppressors in our world. That we should help those oppressed is both a moral obligation and a practical necessity because it has enormous implications for social welfare. But manufacturing discontent out of thin air is neither morally right or practically useful. It is more than just wrong-headed: it harms precisely those who are the least able to bear any more injustices. Yet, there’s an industry solely dedicated to manufacturing discontent against the very instruments and institutions which hold the promise of alleviating material human suffering.
Continue reading “Manufacturing Discontent”

I have neglected my blog for weeks, even months. A couple of people — which just about covers the entire readership of this blog — noticed and even wrote to me asking after my health. I wish to apologize to the two of you and say, “Sorry, but it’s not my fault.” You may find it somewhat incredible but allow me to explain.
Continue reading ““Sorry, but it’s not my fault””

I am, generally speaking, quite sanguine about the long-term prospects of the world. I believe with good reason that the trends are positive, and I entirely dismiss the chicken littles that claim that the sky is falling. But my optimism tends to disappear when I have to travel. For all intents and purposes, it appears to me that the world is going to hell in a hand basket whenever I am forced to be a customer of the US air transportation system, like I was in the last few weeks when I went first to Mexico and then to the East coast. Most people in the US are unfortunately quite familiar with the unwelcome attention of the “Homeland Security” apparatus. It appears to be a farce but I fear that it will end up as a tragedy because the people have abdicated their basic civic responsibility of being watchful of their government. Therein lies a lesson which I will come to presently.
Continue reading “Traveling in these Politically Correct Times”

My colleague Rajesh Jain was a speaker at the the Eight Annual India Business Conference 2012 at Columbia University on 14th April in New York City. It was held at the Low Library, a US national historic landmark building (picture on the right.) I was at the conference and had the opportunity to meet Prof Jagadish Bhagwati and Prof Arvind Panagariya. I am pleased to say that Rajesh’s talk was very well-received. Here’s what he said.
Continue reading “Rajesh Jain at the India Business Conference at Columbia University”

If you have been reading my blog, what Justice Katju said recently will not come as a surprise to you. “India is a nation of more than one billion fools.” Go read it. I will later put in links to those specific blog posts which make the same points that Mr Katju makes.

I supported Narendra Modi in the 2012 Time 100 Poll. May I request you to support Mr Modi? Thank you.