Outliers

I was really impressed by the The Tiping Point by Malcolm Gladwell  . It was purely based on social epidemics . Now this book Outliers by him is simply awesome . One thing i really like about him is his abilty to draw unfathomable  connection between things which turns out to be perfectly logical and present it in powerful narrative . Must say ,  great storyteller of non fiction literature .

Now , it is pretty much ingrained in our culture the myth of self made man . That a person in order to succeed needs nothing but hardwork and talent and his innate cpacity and vision . Having heard numerous rags to riches stories we believe that a  man can reach anywhere by sheer hardwork . This book  deftly debunks this myth  .  Success according to Gladwell is result of cumulative advantage .    Though hardwork is crucial factor , but things like timing  , circumstances ,  genetic factor and sheer coincidence has  as well contributed to success saga of great persoalities .

Take for instance – Bill Gates .    In 1968, when Bill Gates was 13 years old, his school, Lakeside Academy in Seattle, Washington, acquired a computer, a terminal on which Gates could program non-stop for the next few years, a once in a lifetime opportunity to practice something that would have unforseen value. At the age of 16, Gates learned that a mainframe computer was available for free in the middle of the night at the nearby University of Washington. Unbeknown to his parents, the young Gates snuck out each night to write code between 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. Good fortune played an critical role in Bill Gates’ success by allowing him significant programming practice time that very few others his age had during a critical juncture in computer history.

I think somewhere there were the series of coincidences , circumstances and  oppurtunities  which lead those great people  to greatness . Difficult to digest , bot its true .  Ofcourse their own conviction and hardwork were important too .

The Tipping Point

Ever thought that why few brands do much better than other ones ?

Why  some movies do well while others don’t ?

And why a serial like Balika Vadhu became instant while other just fizzle out soon ?

NO , its not just just about the quality , content or the substance as we had always thought . It is about change in perception we always had and triggering an epidemic by changing small details . It is Tipping point , when a simple tinkering with the social pattern , trends and behaviour can bring in dramatic results . Yes this is it .

Tipping point is not just a book but a phenomenon . It tells you how small thing can really make a big difference . We are always biased with are inherent predispositions . But the world around us as much as we want it to does not accord with are intuition . Such eccentricities are as much inconceivable as it is to reach the sun by folding a piece of paper  50 times .

Malcolm Gladwell has supported his rules with well established case studies and researches . In his Law of Fews , he says that in order to trigger an epidemic  only few people are required – Connector ( people who know almost everyone ,  have big social circle and have their influence on lives of their friends ) , maven  ( few know- it- all  guys  , everybody seem to take their advice ) and not to forget salesmen  . By reaching these special people we can  change the course of social epidemic .

Stickiness Factor -  Its all about the way we present our message  and its persistence . By merely manipulating the size of the group we can improve the receptivity to new ideas  .

This book is not just for business leader or marketing guys  , but for every person who wants to change the things the way they are  , who want to make it big in this world .

And I thought …..

Sometimes it so happens that our beliefs and convictions  which were pretty much ingrained in our mindsets are refuted  and our beloved  ideals are beaten to dust . Lot has been happening around . Racially motivated attacks on our countrymen  ,  looming terror attacks  ,  war upsurge in neighbourhood .  Somewhere out there we humans are responsible for this state of affairs. Do we have taste for catastrophe ? May be .

Somewhere it is darkness of our own mind which is unleashed every  now and then . Why don’t we rise up above the narrow considerations of caste , creed , race and religion . We are infuriated when  Indians are assaulted in other parts of the world . But where does that unity goes when a young man seeking livelihood in some other state  is lynched by the mob .  We take pride in saying that India is one of those few countries in the world who never attacked any other country but has been attacked many times by foreigners  . But this is because we never got free from our own discord . And look we turned the largest democracy into the most hopeless and suffocating democracy . Its time to introspect and get our way through our internal strength , compassion , truth and justice .

I recently finished Mein Kampf  by Adolf  Hitler .  Autobiographies are the most invigorating and inspiring form of literature . Though book seems outdated to many but it espouses the elements of era when it was written , particularly French Revolution .  It is difficult to believe that just 70 years  ago ,  some of the most seemingly intelligent  , artistic and thoughtful people in the world handed over their country and  themselves to Adolf Hitler . He could have been a great leader but for his  ultranatianalistism  , anti parliamentarian policies  and  unjustified hatered for jews which resulted in the most inhuman slaughter and the greatest genocide in entire human history . Even if you have contempt or hatred for a race ,  you don’t wipe out that race for that .

The post seems pretty desultory to me . But i think i can take liberty this time   because this how my mind works . Can’t help it . And by the way  … The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell is good .

Disgrace

Disgrace is a novel written by South African writer J M Coetzee . The author was winner of noble prize in literature in 2003 and book itself won booker prize in 1999 . The plot is set up in post apartheid South Africa where shift of power has its repercussions on socio economic life of people  .  It depicts the catharsis of people who have been oppressed from centuries . This is the story of rage , retribution ,race, rape and relationships .

The protagonist, David lurie is professor of romantic poetry . He falls for one his students and establishes physical intimacy with her and has no qualms for it . Later the same student slaps the charges of sexual harassment against him . David accepts the charges but does not repents for it because  that was what he desired . He gave no nonsense answers in proceedings and is forced to leave university in ignominy . He decides to live with his daughter Lucy who is lives in countryside and does farming over there . There she is raped and robbed  by three black men . David feels guilty for being helpless in these circumstances  . David repents for his sins by working in a place where he is supposed to take care of sick dogs and dispose them when they are dead  . His life is reduced to that of an animal .

The story raises question whether a men should feel apologetic for sins which he does not consider sins at all . We might punish him although but cannot forcefully draw apology . The story poignantly describes the impact of changing power equations in Africa on day to day life of its citizens . This kind of social upheaval is observed in society whenever the centre of power is shifted .

The book is dark with gray shaded character and is not recommended for pleasure reading . The plot though sublime leaves you disturbed .

Who moved my cheese ..?

Who moved my cheese ? This is  probably what BJP and allies are feeling right at the moment .  Indian people voted decisively for Congress this time . In the current environment of uncertainity courtesy  global recession and security threats  ,  anti incubency factor was ruled out  and gave way to stability . Seeing the track record this time  Congress  government did’nt came near the kind of leadership displayed  by Narsimha govt during 1991 crisis . Mr Manmohan Singh has got tough challenges ahead . First to insulate India from affects of global economic slowdown  . And then to protect India form lurking terrorist threats  in future emanating from  neighbourhood . Well thats from great  Indian political circus .

Was going through the some write up and came across these lines by AJ Cronin :

” Life is no straight and every corner through which we travel is’nt free and unhampered  but is a maze of passages through which we must seek our way lost and confused now and again checked in a blind alley .

But always if we have faith , god will open the door for us , Not perhaps one that we ourselves would ever have thought of, but one that will ultimately prove good for us “

If the things have changed around us , it is of  no use  overanalyzing  things and burdening our mind with complex beliefs . Because if we don’t change , then we extinct .

Election 2009

Indian Premier League or rather Indian Pardesi league as described by some has started with all its glitz , but  more importantly at home Indian political league  has embarked on . The Grand Indian political circus  this time will be known  for hate speeches , communalisation and criminalisation of politics , and mundane manifestos with lots of empty rhetoric .  Its kind of strange that our political parties don’t see any serious issues and challenges faced by the country . We are facing what could possibly be called worst economic recession of all times . Unemployment is taking its toll  . Half of our population still lives below poverty line . Our kids are malnourished and are deprived of education . We had Kandhamal incident which is setback to our secular ethos . Just 5 months back our economic capital faced major terrorist attack . It was then our cities woke up from i am like shanghai dreams . But sadly our leaders have’nt .   But brushing these insignificant issue under the carpet our leaders are discussing more important weak leader-strong leader issues , making hate speeches now and then … … freedom of speech after all .

And then these parties  release so called manifestos too . Some political party talk of giving rice at Rs 2/kg  , some at Rs 3/kg , some talk of loan waivers , some  of loan exemption . I would just say  … Hey leaders  .. what do you think , are we Indian some freaking beggars or what . As far as government money is concerned it comes from what people pay as taxes  . So why don’t you let people decide .Why don’t you talk about empowerment of a common man .    Sorry to say , but in India we don’t have rulers , we have representative . So be like some and let people voice their opinion .

Economy

Sensex crossed the pchycologically important mark of 10,000 today . Experts have their opinion that market would undergo such turbulent corrections with elections round the corner and G-20 summit in the foreground . I just hope this time , more than prudery prevail upon people . Only sound policies and smart execution is the key which can  sail us through . Portfolios having reputation of  misgovernance and non governance can cause more than harm this time .

Globalisation for developing countries

Globalisation as we all know is the process of integrating the economy of a country with that of the world .In Indian context during the post independence era we followed Nehruvian economic policy which was somewhat insulated to the world , relied mainly on agriculture and had 3% rate of growth which most people call Hindu rate of growth . During eighties we opened doors of our economy to those of the world and opened the cocoon of protectionism .

It included following measures -

• removing constraints for MNCs to enter in India
• allowing FDIs to invest in India.
• massive import liberalisation steps , reducing import duties
• allow Indian enterprises to trade outside and have joint ventures with foreign companies
• exchange rate adjustments in the wake of which Rupee was devalued twice in 1991                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              ADVANTAGES
• Our foreign currency reserves have been rising ever since we switched to LPG
• Our country boast of one of the highest rates of growth in the world next only to China.
• Dismantling of barriers has resulted into new era of relationships between nation, people and economies .
• IT revolution is particularly the product of globalisation .There is no need to mention the significance of IT sector for Indian economy .                                                                                                                                                                                      DRAWBACK
• Globalisation in its present form is driven by Trans National Corporation(TNCs) .Globalisation has enormously increased financial prowess of these  mega corporations which in turn influence the policy making process in developing countries . This has resulted into a kind of subjugation of developing economies to monopolistic tendencies .
• It does not help in eradicating poverty in developing countries as it is limited to industrialised nations .
• Developing countries have not been able to take its benefits due to aggressive pursuit of regionalism and market access barriers .
• There is this rise of East India syndrome  as MNCs are at more advantageous position as compared to their Indian counterparts .
• In the globalised world impact slowdown in one part of the world can be felt in other parts of the world . This is what is happening now. The Great depression 2 in US has triggered the wave of recession in all over the world.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  The process therefore needs a serious and thorough review to rid it of racial and other discriminations against the developing countries .

Atlas Shrugged

Did Atlas really shrugged ? Well , don’t know . But yes i shrugged . Pretty voluminous book .  Anyways  this is  not just the novel , but it is the very  soul  of   modern philosophy of post industrial era . Coming from Ayn Rand , this book makes more sense to me as compared to fountainhead and is an experience in itself .  This book has affected many American policies and has inspired people during The Great Depression .

Now , Atlas as we know is a Greek god which supports the entire earth on its back . So what would happen if he shrugs . Unfathomable . Similar is the case with the world  where we have people who toil and create the value on which the entire  human   life depends . Then there are people who depends on toilers for their existence and do not use their own mind . “I am therefore i’l think “is a phrase which espouses the very purpose of existence for a person . If you are one of the few productive minds of the world and second handers depend on you for fulfillment of their needs and they rob you in the guise of socialism and charity , then this book is tribute to you . John Galt , the protagnist who suffered plunders and pillages by such parasites declared a strike and drained the world of its productive capacity by taking all the creators away . The motor of the world was left to rot . I think this is the  root of all the misery in the world . Lets not go behind , in recent Mumbai attacks ,we engaged in downright mugslinging and brickbating . Had each person in the chain performed his/her duty with sincerety without , the catastrophe could have been averted .

I loved the honesty of the characters particularly Danny Taggart . She declared that her sole aim was to make money because it gave her satisfaction of creation . There is no harm in living for yourself . The hardwork  of  individual should not be available for free distribution . This is the book which tells why to use your mind not to outsource its thinking .

Atlas shrugged is the story of man wo said that I swear by my life and by the love of it , that i would never exist for and neither would i ask anyone to exist for me . John Galt , Hank Rearden and Francis De’conia who were the men of action who believed in brilliance of mind and its rationale .

A is A . In order to command the nature , we must obey . Any rational and reasonable mind would accept this fact rather than distort it to suit its needs . A   man is an end to himself . A man is an individual and works alone for his betterment and then earn rewards for it . When a man depends on other , then he cease to exist . Politics of liberty implies that Give me liberty or give me death . A man can perform to his full capaacity only when he is assured that all the profits and rewards generated by him are his own . He should not have any obligation to feed the society with his gain.

Well all said and done , this book helps a person to raise questions and to introspect his soul and search answers to them . If you don’t , well ignorance is a bliss .

Jottings.

Mid semesters are approaching in a week . So I am hurriedly writing this one . Being busy is a kind of thing which NSITians conveniently stay away except during the exams  and i am no exception . Strange but true . In recent days ,  I had to  suffer allegations of being more philosophical and critically analysing things around me   .  I could have gladly taken this one but  still i need to be cautious .

Finally completed Atlas Shrugged . 855 pages . Was wondering how Ayn Rand wrote this one?

My brother gifted me an i- pod with strict instructions not to ask him for anything during next 5  years . For the first time in my life i felt younger  brothers are not pain .

I was reading something on leadership . So i would like to make note of this . Leadership is not a quality . It is an experience that an individual who has undergone personal growth and transformation radiates . A true leader is the one who is ready to take responsibility conciously and is not constantly dependent on past . A true leader is a visionary and is able to respond spontaneously to the situations . He is ready to recraft himself and restructure his thought process according to problems in hand . He is fresh in his ideas . Leadership is the state and not the status or designation . Our inner space should be mature enough to handle the responsibility which we assume . Leadership is simply a concious choice made by an individual to act out of deep sensitivity awareness to one’s situation and surroundings. Then automatically , th inner space will start transforming and send right response .

I know this was the one of the worst and the most desultory post  i  ever  wrote . But it can be forgiven keeping in mind onus under which i am living these days . Good luck to me .

Jai ho !!!