Re: [silk] Silkmeet Zoom Details (7pm IST on 21st May)
+1 Kiran On Thu, 20 May 2021 at 3:12 PM, Venkatesh Hariharan wrote: > Thanks for setting this up, Vinit. > > Venky > > On Thu, May 20, 2021 at 2:56 PM Vinit Bhansali wrote: > > > Dear fellow Silklisters, > > > > Looking forward to catching up and sharing a drink with you over Zoom. > > > > Topic: Silkmeet > > Time: May 21, 2021 07:00 PM IST > > Zoom Meeting : > > > https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88521426015?pwd=UnNwbDZtL2RLRGdUQXJTTlhHUGV3QT09 > > Meeting ID: 885 2142 6015 > > Passcode: 123456 > > > > See you all tomorrow! > > > > - Vinit Bhansali > > >
Re: [silk] Silkmeet on Friday (21st May, Zoom, 7pm)
On Tue, 18 May 2021 at 4:23 PM, Deepa Mohan wrote: > To make it nice and alphabetical (as you can see, I have nothing much to do > right now) > > So far > > Deepa > Kiran > Jayadevan > Peter > Surabhi > Uday > Venkat > Vinit I seem to have broken the English alphabet. Kiran
Re: [silk] Silkmeet on Friday? (21st May, Zoom)
On Tue, 18 May 2021 at 11:28 AM, Udhay Shankar N wrote: > So we have so far > > Vinit > Surabhi > Udhay > Peter > > who else? +1 Regards, Kiran
Re: [silk] What are the things you splurge on that are worth the money?
On Tue, 8 Dec 2020 at 7:45 AM, Udhay Shankar N wrote: > > I assume you mean the version marketed for men. I recommend the original > Light Blue, marketed at women, but which I use often. Wonderful > apple/citrus fragrance. > Yes. I love the original as well (which they have started marketing to men), which is the only reason this caught my attention and I ended up trying it. Kiran
Re: [silk] What are the things you splurge on that are worth the money?
On Mon, 7 Dec 2020 at 11:32, Radhika, Y. wrote: > > One nice place amongst a bunch of modest accomodations when traveling > Something I discovered a while ago was the pleasure of staying at a really nice place in the city you live in. You can pack light, relax and not worry about making plans to visit a landmark/doing an activity wherever you are. It is an absolutely wasteful indulgence, but so far has been worth every paisa. My parents, for whom traveling is difficult have taken to this with gusto. Regards, Kiran
Re: [silk] What are the things you splurge on that are worth the money?
On Mon, 7 Dec 2020 at 23:06, Thaths wrote: > What are some of your favorites? > My experiments in this area have usually led to bitter disappointment. However, I have over time bought most of what D&G make and have loved all of them. I particularly liked the Light Blue Sun that I bought on a whim at a duty free for a great price. If that is a sufficient indication of what I like - would be interested in recommendations. Kiran
Re: [silk] What are the things you splurge on that are worth the money?
On Mon, 7 Dec 2020 at 10:14, Udhay Shankar N wrote: > Like it says. I know there are similar threads out there on reddit etc - > this question is for silklisters. :) > > My list: > - Computers. Every 5 years or so I replace my computer with the best specs > I can afford. > - Fragrance. I look at these as art and collect them for regular use. > - Good gin/vodka. Nuff said. > Computers Game console and games TV - for gaming, watching movies and I splurge on Blurays of movies I really like Noise cancelling headphones. Also stereo system though I'm quite happy with what I have right now Phones - apps are how I make my living Whiskey/Gin - usually the Japanese for whiskey and British for gin Good food Regards, Kiran
Re: [silk] The Need for Guaranteed Basic Income or why Kiran is worried sick
On Tue, 22 Mar 2016, 2:02 am Kiran K Karthikeyan, < kiran.karthike...@gmail.com> wrote: > Posting this [1] on the only place I know where there are better minds > than mine who can tell me not to worry so I can sleep better at night. > > Kiran > > [1] > https://medium.com/basic-income/deep-learning-is-going-to-teach-us-all-the-lesson-of-our-lives-jobs-are-for-machines-7c6442e37a49#.4mn452rn9 > > This [1] gives me hope. Kiran [1] Andrew Yang's Powerpoint Presentation: https://youtu.be/Dyf6cW5DU78
Re: [silk] What did you change your mind about in 2019?
On Thu, 9 Jan 2020 at 10:52, Venkatesh H R wrote: > I realised that ‘good journalism’ is often bad as well because of deep > structural issues in the industry, and that the news as we know it might > need to die in order for something better to take its place. I also > realised that it’s time to stop reading the news as I do. Once a week is > probably fine. And this is coming from a current, practising journalist! > You're specifically referring to the 24 hour TV news cycle or changes journalism being consumed online has wrought or the changes in people's reading habits? Regards, Kiran
Re: [silk] Silklist Anniversary Meetup
On Thu, 12 Dec 2019 at 10:44, Anil Kumar wrote: > > I’m for December 14. Where and when? > > Anil > December 14th it is. I'm generally fine anywhere but if those attending haven't been to Yauatcha yet - it is a must try. Better for lunch. https://www.zomato.com/bangalore/yauatcha-mg-road I'm coming from Haralur and have a driver, so if anybody needs a ride from Sarjapur/Koramangala area, let me know. Regards, Kiran
[silk] Silklist Anniversary Meetup
On Mon, 2 Dec 2019 at 13:43, Udhay Shankar N wrote: > Bangalore folks, one of our own is launching a book on 12th. An impromptu > meetup at the venue, perhaps? > > Also, Silklist's 22nd birthday is coming up. Ideas? > 12th is my birthday and 13th is the winter party at work, but I'm game 14th or 15th. What say Bangalore folks? Kiran
Re: [silk] War on Science?
On Sun, 3 Feb 2019 at 16:49, Kiran K Karthikeyan < kiran.karthike...@gmail.com> wrote: > > Or treating scientists as priests, which is possibly worse (Jordan Peterson). Even worse is when reputation in one field somehow confers scientific credentials (Gwyneth Paltrow). Saw this [1] on my feed today and thought it relevant to this discussion. Kudos to Hathaway. [1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2019/03/10/what-anne-hathaways-prank-on-the-ellen-show-said-about-pseudoscience/ Kiran What Anne Hathaway's Prank On 'Ellen' Said About Pseudoscience Y. Lee Hathaway concluded by explaining,"The takeaway of this is do not put something in your mouth just because a celebrity tells you to." Here is one situation where you should definitely listen to a celebrity. No, not the part about Dr. Q or citrus healing. There was no real Dr. Q. No, not the part about blowing into fruit to help you meditate. What part of "made the whole thing up," do you not understand? Rather, listen to what she said about not simply swallowing anything that celebrities tell or give you. Hathaway could have easily used the show as a platform to launch some new pseudoscientific health practice or potion. She certainly has the star power to do so. Hathaway is a very accomplished actress, having won an Oscar for her role in Les Misérables and starred in a wide range of movies such as The Princess Diaries, Brokeback Mountain, The Devil Wears Prada, Rachel Getting Married, Love & Other Drugs, and The Dark Knight Rises. Plus, how many people can say that they played the Catwoman, as she did? She can sing too, as demonstrated by this segment on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon: Heck, if she told people to converse with or even argue with fruit, you might find some takers. After all, if a celebrity-run website can convince you to buy and use coffee enemas, as I have written before for Forbes, why not the Catwoman Clementine Colonic? Instead, Hathaway used her time on the show to do something commendable: warn people about celebrities peddling pseudoscience. As I have written before, pseudoscience ain't a Phil Collins song (that's Sussudio) but instead is defined by dictionary.com as "any of various methods, theories, or systems, as astrology, psychokinesis, or clairvoyance, considered as having no scientific basis." What do celebrities have to do with pseudoscience? Ask Timothy Caulfield, a professor of health law at the University of Alberta, Canada, and author of the book Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything? He explained how celebrities have fueled the amazing rise in pseudoscience in an article by Wendy Glauser entitled "How celebrities have fueled the amazing rise in pseudoscience," and appearing in the New Scientist. Just because someone is a terrific actor, singer, or whatever reality stars do, doesn't mean that he or she knows anything about science and health. Therefore, you shouldn't buy a "health" product or do something "for your health" just because a celebrity, who is not a real health expert, tells you to do so. That would be akin to liking a song just because a Nobel Prize winner in Medicine told you that it is a good jam. Instead, think critically. Think scientifically. Look for real scientific explanations and evidence that something works. "I am famous and therefore, you should listen," should never be a reason to do something for your health. Kudos again to Hathaway for raising more awareness about the growing problem of pseudoscience. This suggests that Hathaway has a healthy respect for science. Indeed, she once told Jonathan Heaf who was writing an article about her for GQ magazine that "Any spare time I have I bury my head in a physics textbook," which alone raises her several dozen points on the coolness scale in my book. Her prank on The Ellen Show certainly added to those points. Orange you glad that she didn't simply use her fame to get you to buy some baloney, as in pseudo-scientific mumbo-jumbo and not the lunch-meat? Or in this case, some clementines?
Re: [silk] War on Science?
On Tue, 5 Feb 2019 at 12:56, Srini RamaKrishnan wrote: > So is the placebo effect science? It is greater than expected by chance, > isn't it? > AFAIK, most (all?) drug trials have control, experiment *and* placebo[1]. Authorities don't approve drugs that underperform the placebo. I'm not sure of the specific criteria with regards to statistical significance and practices worldwide. Cursory reading tells me that there is significant debate on the ethics of giving patients a placebo treatment. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placebo-controlled_study Kiran
Re: [silk] War on Science?
On Mon, 4 Feb 2019 at 01:50, Heather Madrone wrote: > It's also the reason to question science and its findings, warts and > all. It's the scientific method all the way down. Checking past work and > assumptions is part of it. > > "Measure three times and cut once" is from carpentry, not science, but > it's a valid practice when making any irreversible change. New evidence > comes in all the time. It's worth taking a breath to ask whether we are > on course. > > This gets muddier when you have interested actors (and we always do) on > both sides of the scientific equation. There are always people who try > to force-map available data to get the conclusions they want, and it can > be very difficult to tell when they're doing so. > > Pharmaceutical companies have a long history of massaging, suppressing, > and manufacturing results so they can bring drugs profitably to market. > > I did my vaccine research after my daughter had a life-threatening > reaction to the whole-cell pertussis vaccine. > > I discovered that vaccines are not a monolithic issue. The tetanus > vaccine, for example, is a safe and effective preventative of a horrible > disease that lies in wait in the soil everywhere around us. It's usually > quite long-lasting as well. WWII soldiers who were vaccinated against > tetanus exhibited immunity over 50 years later. > > The crowd disease vaccines, on the other hand, share the distinction of > being much less effective at conferring immunity, shorter-lived, and > with more side effects. Many of the crowd diseases are largely benign in > healthy children and confer lifelong immunity. The diseases are bad news > for pregnant women and people with immune disorders, but it's not clear > that vaccinating healthy children against these diseases is our best > public health option. > > Some public health officials agree that it might be better policy to > vaccinate against many diseases at puberty and again in early adulthood, > but they can't enforce vaccination of teens and adults. Young children > are a captive audience, though, so they are repeatedly vaccinated > against the crowd diseases, which don't pose a particular threat to > their health, and also against hepatitis B and HPV, which they are > extremely unlikely to contract. Meanwhile the adults who should be > vaccinated against those diseases mostly aren't. > > We don't yet have longterm data on the effects of our current aggressive > vaccine policy. How do repeated doses of a wide variety of vaccines > affect the health of individuals over 50, 75, 100 years? How long do the > vaccines confer immunity? What percentage of the population remains > susceptible to the disease after aggressive vaccination as opposed to > after natural immunity to the endemic disease? > > About 15 years ago, we discovered a bat colony inside our chimney as > well as a bat bite on my shoulder. The rabies vaccine is not > particularly safe. It requires 6 doses that cause flu-like symptoms over > the course of a month. Rabies was then invariably fatal. The whole > family received all six doses of the rabies vaccine, and we were > grateful for it, flu-like symptoms and all. > > When I was a child, doctors ordered up x-rays for every minor mishap and > handed out antibiotics like candy. "Better safe than sorry," they'd say, > completely unaware of the effects of overindulgence in those particular > kinds of medical technology. > > So let's see, what is the experiment and what is the control? In > adopting a new medical technology, should we err on the side of over- or > under-prescribing it? How much data do we need before we decide that a > technology is safe and effective? How long do we need to follow patients > to determine whether there are deleterious side effects? > > These aren't easy questions to answer. > > It's not unscientific to want new medical technologies to prove > themselves before submitting one's self and one's children as > experimental animals. We do our research and make the best choices we > can, knowing that Mother Nature always bats last. > > --hmm It is not unscientific, but then we are faced with the question of whether we have time. While an individual might hold oneself responsible for making choices for their children, I'm not sure there are serious enough repercussions if they cause the death of somebody who is immune compromised because of their decision. So are the individual parent(s) the best place to make the decision on whether to vaccinate or not? We could legislate so that vaccination is mandatory like Australia, but legislation numbs the debate paving the way for somebody to make that their campaign platform against government overreach. They might win, and over time get the legislation revoked and then round and round we go. I agree there aren't easy answers, but unless everybody is as concerned about the rest of humanity as they are about their own children - all kids should be vaccinated. We can debate individual vaccin
Re: [silk] War on Science?
On Sun, 3 Feb 2019 at 16:25, Alok Prasanna Kumar wrote: > Thanks Kiran. I think that's a really great way to put things. I've been > thinking about this in multiple contexts, especially when scientific > research and findings are reported in mass media. It's quite easy for > people to "debunk" claims when they haven't understood them in the first > place and that's why I guess it's really important to understand how the > scientific method works. > > Although the scientific world has made the world comprehendable, I do feel > a section of the populace have replaced priests in their lives with > scientists. Or treating scientists as priests, which is possibly worse (Jordan Peterson). Even worse is when reputation in one field somehow confers scientific credentials (Gwyneth Paltrow). > That instead of understanding the method and the principles > behind a finding, they rely on the authority of the person or the prestige > of the institution carrying out the research. > Name dropping should prick up everybody's ears. Being a successful practitioner of the scientific method does not (and should not) allow you to subvert it at your convenience or to your advantage.
Re: [silk] War on Science?
On Sun, 3 Feb 2019 at 16:14, Kiran K Karthikeyan < kiran.karthike...@gmail.com> wrote: > This thread has had me huffing and puffing (or perhaps hand wringing) for > a while, but the topic is such that any response can be countered. A proper > discussion on the various nuances of each cited instance where science has > apparently failed is one I am woefully inadequate for. Therefore, I say my > piece: > > One of the few things that has stuck with me since my school days is the > concept of significant figures [1]. There are more details to this concept, > but in the context of this discussion what is relevant is that an accurate > measurement [2] would run into infinite significant figures. In other > words, we would need infinite resolution in the measuring instrument to > make an accurate measurement. > > So the fact that science is approximate, imprecise etc. is a fair > complaint if the goal is accuracy, but accuracy is not practical. I am glad > some wise humans decided I should be told this sooner than later. Instead > we have the scientific method, peer review etc. which is probably the best > that we humans have come up with to deal with the infinitely complex > universe we live in. > > This leads me to the point I'm trying to make - the reason to accept > science and its findings, warts and all, is simply because we are human and > the scientific method is the best method of enquiry we have at our > disposal. This obviously doesn't mean blind acceptance, but it does mean we > ask for a preponderance of evidence which peer review (sometimes) supplies. > The system is not perfect but that is a problem with actors in it who are > unfortunately human. > Should add here, just in the interest of completeness, that time is also an actor here that leads us to accept approximations i.e. should we wait 10-20 years for conclusive data on a vaccine for a disease that will become a pandemic in months. > Add to this the last para of Heather's response on whether we can ever > truly know something. > > [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Significant_figures > [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accuracy_and_precision >
Re: [silk] War on Science?
This thread has had me huffing and puffing (or perhaps hand wringing) for a while, but the topic is such that any response can be countered. A proper discussion on the various nuances of each cited instance where science has apparently failed is one I am woefully inadequate for. Therefore, I say my piece: One of the few things that has stuck with me since my school days is the concept of significant figures [1]. There are more details to this concept, but in the context of this discussion what is relevant is that an accurate measurement [2] would run into infinite significant figures. In other words, we would need infinite resolution in the measuring instrument to make an accurate measurement. So the fact that science is approximate, imprecise etc. is a fair complaint if the goal is accuracy, but accuracy is not practical. I am glad some wise humans decided I should be told this sooner than later. Instead we have the scientific method, peer review etc. which is probably the best that we humans have come up with to deal with the infinitely complex universe we live in. This leads me to the point I'm trying to make - the reason to accept science and its findings, warts and all, is simply because we are human and the scientific method is the best method of enquiry we have at our disposal. This obviously doesn't mean blind acceptance, but it does mean we ask for a preponderance of evidence which peer review (sometimes) supplies. The system is not perfect but that is a problem with actors in it who are unfortunately human. Add to this the last para of Heather's response on whether we can ever truly know something. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Significant_figures [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accuracy_and_precision
Re: [silk] Mumbai meetup?
On Sun, Aug 12, 2018, 10:15 Simmi Sareen wrote: > > Boteco it is! I have made reservations for 7 pm tomorrow. > See you all there. I might be delayed due to traffic. Hope it isn't too difficult to hold our table. Kiran > -- Regards, Kiran
Re: [silk] Mumbai meetup?
On Thu, 9 Aug 2018 at 15:09, Simmi Sareen wrote: > Should we do 7 pm in BKC then? Top options: > 1. O Pedro > 2. Soda bottle openerwala > 3. Smokehouse Deli > > Of the three, Smokehouse is most likely to be flexible on availability. The > other two tend to get busy and need reservations. > Meat lovers and Keto diet followers might like Boteco. Last I went was during a weekend and wasn't too crowded. https://www.zomato.com/mumbai/boteco-restaurante-brasileiro-bandra-kurla-complex Kiran
Re: [silk] Mumbai meetup?
On Thu, 9 Aug 2018 at 11:24, Devdas Bhagat wrote: > 13th seems to work for everyone, so 13th August it shall be. > > Simmi, could you please choose a venue? I would prefer something along the > western line, but I can commute to the central side if necessary. > > Devdas Bhagat Apologies for the late response. For some reason this thread went into spam. Making it on Monday depends on where. Late evening gives me enough time to get there from Ghansoli (Navi Mumbai). Kiran
Re: [silk] Bump in the road, or end of the road?
On Sat, Oct 15, 2016, 8:53 PM Srini RamaKrishnan wrote: > Comments? > Response from Mohandas Pai http://m.ndtv.com/opinion/no-obit-needed-our-software-industry-is-alive-and-kicking-1474789 Kiran -- Regards, Kiran
Re: [silk] The Deadpool List
On Tue, Aug 9, 2016 at 4:14 PM Simmi Sareen wrote: > This is sheer coincidence but as a first time entrepreneur, 2 years is the > mark I have set for myself to evaluate whether the business/idea really > works or not. If my first six months of entrepreneurship experience are > anything to go by, there must be some gems on deadpool list - the > experience is both more enriching and quite different from a day job, no > matter the outcome! > Congrats on possessing the will power to stick with it. A consultancy I had floated around 7 years back survived all of 3 months. Given I had only been working for about 5 years, had minimal savings and no real network to start a B2B business - I got spooked perhaps too easily. But what really hit the proverbial nail was other tech startups (who were my target customers) refusing to pay even 1/10 of what an established firm (if they managed to find one for all of what I was offering) would have charged them. If the two customers I had cracked had, I would have probably stuck to it. Kiran -- Regards, Kiran
Re: [silk] The Deadpool List
On Tue, Aug 9, 2016 at 11:53 AM Mohit wrote: > Thank FSM you didn't say "if anybody on the list has the list, please list > it on the list" ;) > I don't think the list would look too kindly on that and I would have ended up depriving the list of the list, but more importantly myself. Kiran -- Regards, Kiran
Re: [silk] The Deadpool List
On Tue, Aug 9, 2016 at 11:29 AM Udhay Shankar N wrote: > I suspect this 'deadpool list' would be a similarly rich mine for any > recruiter. > If anybody on the list has the list (see what I did there), please connect with me offline. Kiran -- Regards, Kiran
Re: [silk] Maacher Jhol
On Fri, Aug 5, 2016 at 2:01 PM Valsa Williams wrote: > Koorka is not Arbi😃 > Koorka is a tuber consumed I think only in Kerala and Tamil Nadu > Arbi is Chembh in Malayalam. > Hope this is helpful 😃 > Glad you cleared that up! I couldn't for the life of me remember Chembh - mostly because I hate it. Kiran -- Regards, Kiran
Re: [silk] Maacher Jhol
On Fri, Aug 5, 2016 at 9:01 AM Thejaswi Udupa wrote: > > This. > https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plectranthus_rotundifolius Called Koorka in Kerala. The mezhukupuratty [1] made with koorka is beautiful. Kiran [1] http://mariasmenu.com/spicy/koorka-mezhukkupuratty-chinese-potato-stir-fry/2 -- Regards, Kiran
Re: [silk] Maacher Jhol
On Thu, Aug 4, 2016 at 12:15 PM Suresh Ramasubramanian wrote: > My dear chap, with all three of these you might substitute paneer, or > maybe even a bathroom sponge, with no perceptible difference in taste. > > --srs > Yes, if the fish has been boiled in the curry beyond what fish should ideally be cooked for. But if done right, the flavor and texture remains without the smell so many people find offensive - the turmeric takes care of that. But if you love smaller fish (which are far more healthy, and have less mercury), I can completely understand your sentiment. Kiran -- Regards, Kiran
Re: [silk] On having goals
On Thu, Aug 4, 2016 at 11:37 AM Venkat Mangudi - Silk < s...@venkatmangudi.com> wrote: > Wake up, survive, go to bed. Only goal that makes sense! > > Cheers. > I would just add have good food if possible. Kiran -- Regards, Kiran
Re: [silk] Maacher Jhol
On Thu, Aug 4, 2016 at 10:20 AM Deepa Mohan wrote: > http://www.sawandutta.com/#!macherjhol/kf04t > > Are there equivalent "fish stews" in other parts of India? > > Deepa. > If you don't enjoy fish much, which for most people I know is because of the smell, then you should try Fish Molee[1]. The origin is debated, but given the incorporation of coconut milk, it is probably from the Mangalore coast or Kerala (I don't put much stock in it coming from Portugal, other than perhaps it being a local variation of a Portuguese dish invented in Goa). I like it best when made with Ney Meen (Seer Fish) or Aikoora (King Fish). The fact that these are bigger fish and the addition of turmeric dampens means it doesn't smell very fishy, which is probably why its so popular. Kiran P.S. If any restaurant serves you fish molee with Basa fish, please leave the place immediately. [1] http://mariasmenu.com/fish/fish-molly/2 -- Regards, Kiran
Re: [silk] Holy Cow!
On Thu, May 12, 2016 at 1:25 PM Thaths wrote: > > http://www.reuters.com/video/2016/05/11/indian-prayers-for-a-donald-trump-victor?videoId=368454988 > > Either this is some high concept performance art, or The Donald is bringing > out the crazies from around the world. > > Isn't Mahishasura Mardini stortram a more appropriate prayer for Hillary to > slay the demon? > I have some anecdotal evidence that most Indians in the US vote Republican out of immediate self interest. Given they are the richest ethnic group, this is not too surprising. That said, haven't heard of pujas for a candidate before though I wouldn't be surprised if Dubya got some puja action. Kiran -- Regards, Kiran
Re: [silk] The Need for Guaranteed Basic Income or why Kiran is worried sick
On Wed, Mar 23, 2016 at 12:33 PM Vinay Rao wrote: > > > The concept of a Universal Comfortable Life (as an inference from Universal > Basic Income) is interesting. I'm reminded after long, of this - now old - > initially dystopian, and then hopeful story from Marshall Brain. > http://marshallbrain.com/manna1.htm Any silklister in Infosys top management who can confirm if the article shared by Vinay is the inspiration for the name Infosys picked? http://tech.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/corporate/infosys-launches-artificial-intelligence-platform-mana/52036896 Kiran -- Regards, Kiran
Re: [silk] The Need for Guaranteed Basic Income or why Kiran is worried sick
On Wed, Mar 23, 2016 at 12:33 PM Vinay Rao wrote: > Few of many 'Future of Work' articles that is centred around creating a > universal basic income. Considering that 70% [Unsure of source, but I have > read this somewhere] of 'workforce' anywhere are 'disengaged' (bored, for > one. Tired, for another) or 'actively disengaged' (walk in to a government > office :)), maybe it is time bots and smart contracts put them out of their > disengagement misery. > > Is it erroneous to think that people cannot be 're-purposed' to life and > perform in the modus of their time, to participate in their contemporary > world, having been released from antiquated tasks, and monotony and the > meaningless? Once we're removed from mundanities, will the future of work > be derived from our barely tapped wells of creativity? You are assuming that the machines will take longer to learn to perform these tasks so that humans can tap into such creative avenues and create something of value. I don't think we can assume that given the article. > At the same time we > would still need super-specialist developers to create and maintain the > (march to) technological singularity, and several more to regulate and > sustain life in the eco/bio/sphere. > Before the machines go rogue (singularity), I think what concerns me more is humans who control the machines going/allowed to go rogue and acting purely in their self interest. I think this is more likely than the machines going rogue. > The concept of a Universal Comfortable Life (as an inference from Universal > Basic Income) is interesting. I'm reminded after long, of this - now old - > initially dystopian, and then hopeful story from Marshall Brain. > http://marshallbrain.com/manna1.htm Good read. I don't remember it being covered, but you don't get to save your credits I'm guessing and everything that can be bought costs less than 1000 credits per week or in total. You also don't get to give credits to anybody else, on interest or otherwise. Whether this is a model for Universal Comfortable Life I'm not so sure. What do you tell the guy who wants to ride on the space elevator all day alone? Kiran -- Regards, Kiran
Re: [silk] The Need for Guaranteed Basic Income or why Kiran is worried sick
On Tue, Mar 22, 2016 at 2:55 AM Bruce A. Metcalf wrote: > 1. Make UBI work. The burden of ensuring that corporations pay > sufficient tax to keep their nations populace alive will be great, but > it's preferable to option 2. If done carefully, this will cushion the > blow by increasing the cost of automation while lowering the salary > demands of workers. It may well be that automation (and its associated > taxation) will prove to have a higher cost than simply hiring humans. > > This is also important because even a fully automated business needs > customers, especially in a consumer-driven economy like most of us > occupy. Henry Ford was cited for paying his workers more than the > prevailing wage so that they could afford to buy his products. Had he > not lead the way to higher industrial wages, his enterprise would have > foundered for lack of sales. Automated industry must similarly be > concerned that even with their economies they do not price themselves > above a falling market. > Assuming there is a straightforward way of figuring out the number of humans needed to perform the same work at comparable quality and speed, taxing your way out of this is an obvious solution. Might work for large developed economies, but developing economies like India would find it difficult to counter more advanced high quality products from developed nations. Wealth and income disparity in India is sustained primarily because of lack of basic education in the masses, but I don't expect the next generation to suffer the same handicap. So yes, pitchforks, lots of them. Perhaps space colonisation might allow something similar to the social stratification we have today because a lot of them might die on the trip and sending the precious minds that can maintain such systems over the long trip given the odds of survival might not make much sense. Perhaps getting used to zero G and being able to subsist on freeze dried foods might be a good skill to have - but mostly for the next generation. Those in their 20s to 40s now are probably screwed, yours truly included. Kiran -- Regards, Kiran
Re: [silk] The Need for Guaranteed Basic Income or why Kiran is worried sick
On Tue, Mar 22, 2016 at 2:02 AM Kiran K Karthikeyan < kiran.karthike...@gmail.com> wrote: > Posting this [1] on the only place I know where there are better minds > than mine who can tell me not to worry so I can sleep better at night. > > Kiran > > [1] > https://medium.com/basic-income/deep-learning-is-going-to-teach-us-all-the-lesson-of-our-lives-jobs-are-for-machines-7c6442e37a49#.4mn452rn9 > > If we do beat this, an article I read a while back might point towards what our future could look like. https://medium.com/@RickWebb/the-economics-of-star-trek-29bab88d50#.lj3cdvr20 Kiran -- Regards, Kiran
[silk] The Need for Guaranteed Basic Income or why Kiran is worried sick
Posting this [1] on the only place I know where there are better minds than mine who can tell me not to worry so I can sleep better at night. Kiran [1] https://medium.com/basic-income/deep-learning-is-going-to-teach-us-all-the-lesson-of-our-lives-jobs-are-for-machines-7c6442e37a49#.4mn452rn9 -- Regards, Kiran
Re: [silk] intro
Yes. You are also on the other thread where we spare the rest of Silk from our logisticals. We've also shared our mobile numbers in case you want to get in touch for directions. Kiran On Sat, Jan 30, 2016, 12:02 PM maia sauren wrote: > did we decide on a time? > > On 29 January 2016 at 19:13, Indrajit Gupta wrote: > > > PLEASE use something civilised like text messages. bonobashi > > > > On Friday, 29 January 2016 3:48 PM, Thaths wrote: > > > > > > > > Habanero would be perfect. I'd love to check out the Hyderabadi version > of > > Mexican. Also, it sounds like it is quite close to Westin. > > > > Unfrotunately, I don't use Whatsapp. So gChat it has to be. I'll all send > > you an off-list[1] email with my number. Please feel free to sms on it. > > > > Thaths > > [1] So that it doesn't get stored in the Silk list web archive and get > > crawled by some some phone number harvesting spider. > > > > On Fri, Jan 29, 2016 at 12:31 PM Mohit wrote: > > > > > That's practically every place in Hyderabad ;) > > > We're thinking of Habanero. Send your no. We'll add you to the Hyd > > > whatsapp group > > > > > > Regards, > > > Mohit > > > > > > > On 29-Jan-2016, at 01:34, Thaths wrote: > > > > > > > > Monday evening it is. Now let's pick a place. My preference is > > > > somewhere I can easily Uber to/from the Westin. > > > > > > > > Thaths > > > > > > > >> On Thu, Jan 28, 2016 at 11:17 PM Mohit > wrote: > > > >> > > > >> I can't do tuesday - also ghmc elections that day - let's do monday > > > evening > > > >> > > > >> Regards, > > > >> Mohit > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> On Thu, Jan 28, 2016 at 5:38 PM, Kiran K Karthikeyan < > > > >> kiran.karthike...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > >> > > > >>> I'm up for a meetup in Gachibowli either Monday or Tuesday. > > > >>> > > > >>> Not sure if Hyderabad has dry days for Municipal elections, but > this > > > city > > > >>> seems to be second only to Mumbai in dry days so I'm wary. > > > >>> > > > >>> Kiran > > > >>> > > > >>>> On Thu, Jan 28, 2016 at 4:25 PM Mohit > wrote: > > > >>>> > > > >>>> I don't understand why anyone needs to go home before midnight ;) > > > >>>> > > > >>>> Regards, > > > >>>> Mohit > > > >>>> > > > >>>>>> On 28-Jan-2016, at 15:50, Ekta Bahl wrote: > > > >>>>>> > > > >>>>>> On Thu, Jan 28, 2016 at 1:59 PM, Thaths > wrote: > > > >>>>>> > > > >>>>>> I am going to be in Hyderabad from mid-day Monday to late > evening > > on > > > >>>>>> Thursday. Are people up for a silklist meetup in the Gachibowli > > > >> area? > > > >>>>>> > > > >>>>>> Monday and Tuesday both work for me. Mohit has indicated that he > > is > > > >>> good > > > >>>>>> for Monday. IG, 7:30 pm is not too bad. Come to the office and > we > > > >> can > > > >>>> head > > > >>>>>> to Gachibowli together. > > > >>>> > > > >>>> -- > > > >>> Regards, > > > >>> Kiran > > > >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- Regards, Kiran
Re: [silk] intro
I'm up for a meetup in Gachibowli either Monday or Tuesday. Not sure if Hyderabad has dry days for Municipal elections, but this city seems to be second only to Mumbai in dry days so I'm wary. Kiran On Thu, Jan 28, 2016 at 4:25 PM Mohit wrote: > I don't understand why anyone needs to go home before midnight ;) > > Regards, > Mohit > > > On 28-Jan-2016, at 15:50, Ekta Bahl wrote: > > > >> On Thu, Jan 28, 2016 at 1:59 PM, Thaths wrote: > >> > >> I am going to be in Hyderabad from mid-day Monday to late evening on > >> Thursday. Are people up for a silklist meetup in the Gachibowli area? > >> > >> Monday and Tuesday both work for me. Mohit has indicated that he is good > >> for Monday. IG, 7:30 pm is not too bad. Come to the office and we can > head > >> to Gachibowli together. > >> > > -- Regards, Kiran
Re: [silk] Politics and 'telepathy'
On Thu, Jan 28, 2016 at 1:24 PM Udhay Shankar N wrote: > 2016 is a Presidential election year in the United States, and I make no > predictions as to the outcome. However, a lot of my friends and > acquaintances are looking at the Republican party primary debates in > slack-jawed disbelief and coming out with variations on, "OMG, we're > doomed! Did he really say that?" > My singular fear is that invoking such strong reactions in moderates usually leads to more of them not voting/participating in democracy + converting a good bunch of the moderates on the cusp to vote for them. I think Modi pulled it off beautifully dangling hindutva to those already right wing and economic progress to those on the cusp. I think what Trump is doing is very very different and his success baffles me. Kiran -- Regards, Kiran
Re: [silk] Hyderabad Meet
On Thu, Aug 20, 2015 at 7:26 PM Ekta Bahl wrote: > Anyone game for a Hyderabad meet sometime this week or next? > > Ekta > I'm leaving for Onam day after and back on 2nd. Can meet after that. Kiran -- Regards, Kiran
Re: [silk] Does The Landline Telephone Need An Heir In The Modern Age?
On Wed, Jun 24, 2015 at 5:49 PM Ramakrishnan Sundaram > You need an app. Also, the price on amazon.com is $92, so usual Indian > vendor markup applies. > The app does make things a little harder, but I've realised I hardly need to make landline calls from my mobile or tablet. Most people I know have my mobile and have learned to ignore calls coming from landlines (though that is getting more difficult these days) The pain is finding where the handset is when a call rings. My mobile I usually have handy so problem solved. Also means you don't have to invest in buying more handsets around the house which adds to clutter. The app also needs some work in the design department, but it works without issue so I can suffer the eyesore. Kiran
Re: [silk] Does The Landline Telephone Need An Heir In The Modern Age?
On Wed, Jun 24, 2015 at 11:15 AM Rajesh Mehar wrote: > Isn't Skype already doing exactly this in countless Indian families? Other > than the sentimental philosophising, I actually can't see the value add > from this new product. > Same here. I have thought long and hard about what the humble landline could become when I wanted to buy a cordless phone replacing the default set provided by my ISP+Landline Provider. What I settled on was this - http://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B00ISKW1J2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00 It basically makes your mobile phones and tablets another landline phone when you're connected to the same WiFi. Also lets you send contacts from your mobiles to the phone eliminating another task of manually entering contacts into this phone and keeping them in sync. Also, when you get calls on you mobile or tablet, it shows caller id based on the contacts you have on that device. For video calling, I have found the best experience to be Skype on the new Smart TVs. You can't send doodles and it needs a lot of refining, I would choose that over buying this device. If you have a dumb TV, just buy a Nexus Player and you get pretty much the same experience. Our parents weren't so savvy on Skype before, but once our daughter was born, they picked up quick to see her regularly. For her, seeing them life size meant she was more interactive. Kiran
Re: [silk] The one word that drives our senseless habits
On 6 April 2015 at 21:50, Udhay Shankar N wrote: > It was 1977 and, although nobody knew it at the time, psychologist Ellen > Langer and her research team at Harvard University were about to conduct a > study that would change our understanding of human behavior. It all started > when Langer asked her research assistants to cut in front of innocent > peo... > > > http://thenextweb.com/lifehacks/2015/04/03/why-we-act-irrationally-the-one-word-that-drives-our-senseless-habits/ > > -- > ((Udhay Shankar N)) ((via phone)) > Very interesting. Wonder how different the results would be in India, or any other culture where saying no is generally avoided. Kiran
Re: [silk] Why shouldn't the Internet be regulated?
On 24 March 2014 21:12, SS wrote: > On Mon, 2014-03-24 at 18:49 +0530, Udhay Shankar N wrote: > > Indeed. Facebook, twitter and youtube are private entities, and you > > are (typically) a free user of their offering. They can make whatever > > rules they want, consistent with their legal and fiduciary > > responsibilities. > > By the same token, private individuals and private companies all come > under national or sometimes what is (laughably) called "international" > law. Entities who make and implement those laws (typically governments) > are free to impose whatever rules they want. And if they choose to crack > down on certain activities of certain private individuals or companies, > it can be seen in the same spirit of "freedom to make and impose rules" > that private companies enjoy. > There was a similar debate regarding holocaust denial groups on Facebook a while back[1]. Perhaps given a critical mass of members and enough funding, they might become as bad as Al Qaeda but they are fairly benign in comparison AFAIK. Anti-vaccination groups are perhaps the most dangerous of all of these, and I hope they are stopped from organizing and spreading their idiocy [2]. Kiran [1] http://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2009/may/11/facebook-holocaust-denial [2] http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/19/nyregion/measles-outbreak-in-new-york-may-have-spread-in-medical-facilities.html?_r=0
Re: [silk] Life is a game. This is your strategy guide.
On 7 March 2014 08:42, SS wrote: > On Tue, 2014-03-04 at 11:00 +0530, Kiran K Karthikeyan wrote: > > > > Don't agree with this observation by the Kerala HC, but the article > > below[1] posted by Madhu yesterday on Facebook demonstrates how > > ingrained > > playing as a team is in India. > > > > Kiran > > > > [1] > > > http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/Parents-Have-a-Say-in-Marriage-of-Their-Children-Kerala-HC/2014/03/01/article2083620.ece#.UxVkDvmSx8H > > > Same? Or different? > > http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/High-school-girl-who-sued-parents-loses-first-round/articleshow/31511168.cms > > High school girl who sued parents loses first round > Shared this with my wife and as new parents (our daughter is 4 months old), this ruined both our days. *sigh* What surprises and disgusts me is the sense of entitlement that would have motivated a suit like this. Kiran
Re: [silk] Life is a game. This is your strategy guide.
On 4 March 2014 10:30, SS wrote: > On Mon, 2014-03-03 at 13:00 -0800, Raj Shekhar wrote: > > What I see here is that you are using the model laid out in the Indian > > texts (I assume the Hindu religious texts). Using this model has > > benefits, but the bias that might creep in there is that the good of > > many outweigh the needs of few. > > In fact I have not read a single Hindu religious or non religious text > in my entire life which will soon hit six decades. Note that I did not > even mention the word Hindu in my post. I base my views solely on my > observations of society in India and they apply to Indians - meaning > Hindus, Muslims, Jains, Sikhs and Christians. That is the way life has > been lived in Indian society and continues to a great extent. > > There is a curious way in which things that are common to a whole lot of > Indians are attributed to Hindus alone - and this is one example of a > type of cognitive bias. Parents looking after children looking after > elderly parents, collective family decision making, mandatory > heterosexual marriage, fixing marriages within a community > Don't agree with this observation by the Kerala HC, but the article below[1] posted by Madhu yesterday on Facebook demonstrates how ingrained playing as a team is in India. Kiran [1] http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/Parents-Have-a-Say-in-Marriage-of-Their-Children-Kerala-HC/2014/03/01/article2083620.ece#.UxVkDvmSx8H
Re: [silk] Easily forgotten phrases
On 23 February 2014 11:26, SS wrote: > > > Imagine a car with a "fuel scoop" continuously sucking up fuel as it > > drove. > > The area above is the diameter of the column of fuel it would have to > > suck > > up in order to be just enough to keep moving. > > "A column of fuel with some area" That is a 3D concept, not an area. I > suspect that this problem will need a face to face meeting and a paper > and pen. > > shiv > Assume that this 'area' is the same as that of the cross-section of the fuel combustion chamber. Then if you add up the height of the columns of fuel that was combusted during the 100km journey, it would be exactly 100km if the car was an ideal machine[1] (and the chamber was empty at the beginning and end of the journey if you want to nitpick). I hope that helped or at the least didn't make it worse. Kiran [1]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ideal_machine
Re: [silk] Into the 5th power circle
On 20 December 2013 13:26, Udhay Shankar N wrote: > > You get a beer, congrats! Thanks! > You'll have to come to Bangalore to collect,though I hope this is because you don't expect to be in Hyderabad anytime, and not any prejudice against drinking beer in Hyderabad. Kiran
Re: [silk] Into the 5th power circle
On 20 December 2013 06:58, Udhay Shankar N wrote: > I didn't mean to sound quite so maudlin, so here's a lightener: the > first person to explain the subject line gets a beer. :) The number of years Silk has existed when expressed as a power of 2 would be higher than 4? Kiran
Re: [silk] On self-improvement
On 28 August 2013 18:19, SS wrote: > Interesting observation and here is my explanation > > The person/s who pushed such books were "fairly successful" in your > eyes, but they might feel that they are not successful enough. I have > seen this among several colleagues of mine, who have, from time to time > referred to self improvement books or courses they have attended. > Either that or self-affirmation is the motive. Kiran
Re: [silk] On self-improvement
On 27 August 2013 19:02, Thaths wrote: > Why the dichotomy? Are you suggesting that personality/character is not > trainable/malleable? Trainable - perhaps Malleable - absolutely Kiran
Re: [silk] On self-improvement
On 27 August 2013 15:53, Srini RamaKrishnan wrote: > I can't speak to your experience of course, but it's my experience > that everyone was a stumbling beginner once upon a time. > I wasn't denying this. > > It might be impossible to believe that a good cook was ever a novice, > but maybe they just learned that they could use help pretty early. Of > course, some stubbornly learn only from burning their way through > every pan in the kitchen, but to each his own. There's nothing wrong > or shameful in turning to a recipe book as long as they follow > instructions properly. > Technical books to increase knowledge and hone skills are not in the same category as self-help, which deal in subjects usually ascribed to one's personality or character.
Re: [silk] On self-improvement
On 23 August 2013 23:23, Srini RamaKrishnan wrote: > On Fri, Aug 23, 2013 at 9:05 PM, Thaths wrote: > > I began to wonder if hipster life hacking was different from self-help. > > Maybe the difference between the two is socio-economic? > > Are you saying being socio-economically backward might help in > preventing the development of a large ego? An ego that doesn't refuse > help when offered at cut rate prices? > > I think confidence stemming from a good education, early success, good > looks or brains comes with the following baggage: > a) I am perfect as I am, no self help guru is going to help me improve > b) My self image would be hurt if a self help book could teach me > something, my success is all my own > c) The trash that the commoners read couldn't possibly be also > applicable to me, I'll need something written to my level of elegance > d) I'm supposed to know all this, so I'll assume I do > > Everyone reaches out for help in self development at some point in > their lives. It can be via expensive therapists, religion, a soul > mate, friends, mentors, hobbies, adventures or self help books. The > age at which they reach for help usually depends on their lack of > failure until then. > Perhaps I've just met the wrong demographic among those who read self-help books, but most of those who have pushed such books at me were fairly successful - and I wasn't aware of any failure that prompted them to read such books. Kiran
Re: [silk] Fwd: [costiima] Rajeev Srinivasan on how Indians are satisfied with illusions, not reality.
On 20 August 2013 18:55, Thaths wrote: > On Mon, Aug 19, 2013 at 10:42 PM, Vinayak Hegde > wrote: > > > We still follow socialistic policies when they have failed the world > over. > > > > Really? Have they now? That the Nordic Model is failed must come as a > surprise to the Scandinavians. > > Thaths > > Isn't that a very republican view of the world? The Nordic model is perhaps the best amalgamation of capitalism and socialism, but not socialist - which is how it figures into most republican rants. As for the Scandanavians, they sometimes call the Nordic Model too capitalistic. Kiran
Re: [silk] Fwd: [costiima] Rajeev Srinivasan on how Indians are satisfied with illusions, not reality.
On 19 August 2013 18:56, Venkatesh Hariharan wrote: > Powerfully written. > > Venky > And sadly all true. Combine the above with rising real estate prices and you've completed the illusion of progress. Kiran
Re: [silk] Why Are American Kids So Spoiled?
On 27 June 2012 09:17, Biju Chacko wrote: > I wonder where we Indians stand in the spectrum of spoiledness? I know > my father was much easier on me that his father was on him. I'm a lot > easier on my kids than my father was on me. > > On the other hand, this article seems to think that anecdotal data is > sufficient to draw generalizations on -- so I'm a little skeptical. > > -- b > My pet theory here is that the more developed a society is, the lesser the social interactions with a broader age group. It is obviously a generalization, as I've only lived in the US and India but I can say that the 4 years I spent in the US, I met and interacted with far fewer people outside my age group than I did when I was in India. Perhaps this is true only for immigrants as the extended family is not present (though in the small university town I lived in, Indians congregated with no regard to language or religion), but I'm pretty sure it applies to all kids in the US. The obvious contradiction to this theory is that in the past decades, more people in the US have opted to stay in their home town whereas India its quite the opposite. Perhaps we'll see kids as mean to each other and other age groups that was on display in the Karen Klien video in big urban centers in India soon. Kiran
Re: [silk] Help!--linguistic brain-tapping needed, please
On 25 May 2012 02:09, Udhay Shankar N wrote: > > Moccasin? > > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moccasin > > > > Totem? > > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totem > > Suresh already pointed out that John said "excluding those that have > been appropriated in to English", but your parse error is rather deeper > than that - he actually claims to KNOW words in "Cherokee, Sioux, > Apache, Wampanoag, Hopi, Navaho, Iroquois, etc" - so your examples are > erroneous. > > Udhay > Apologies. I read his examples as the ONLY category of words (i.e. proper nouns) appropriated into English. Kiran
Re: [silk] Help!--linguistic brain-tapping needed, please
On 24 May 2012 21:46, John Sundman wrote: > > > Actually I don't know a single word in any Indian language -- excluding > those that have been appropriated in to English -- other than, of course, > Cherokee, Sioux, Apache, Wampanoag, Hopi, Navaho, Iroquois, etc -- so this > whole thread is entirely fascinating, but in a totally abstract sense. > > jrs > > Moccasin? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moccasin Totem? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totem Kiran
Re: [silk] Introduction
On 8 April 2012 08:51, Deepa Agashe wrote: > Hello all, > > I am Deepa Agashe, evolutionary biologist/ecologist, and I just moved to > Bangalore. Welcome Deepa. This must be right up your alley. Thoughts? http://animalreview.wordpress.com/2008/05/04/pandas/ Animal Review: Pandas Last week’s passing of Ling Ling, Japan’s most famous panda, at the age of 22 presents an occasion for a long-overdue review of the species Ailuropoda melanoleuca (literally, ‘black and white black cat foot bear who suffers depression’). After food with lead in it and human organs harvested from executed political prisoners, pandas are China’s third-largest export, best known for sitting dumbly in zoos around the world while visitors fawn over them and their adorable Chinese names. These names are always one syllable repeated twice (see ‘Ling Ling’, above). While fewer than 1,600 pandas are alive in the wild, the vast majority (27) live in foreign zoos, where most of their time is dedicated to not mating. There are also some pandas in Chinese zoos, which makes as much sense as opening a Taco Bell in the middle of Mexico City: You’ll get a few tourists, but the locals know where the authentic, non-mass-produced food (pandas) is (are). Much ado is made about the plight of the panda. Pandas are endangered due to habitat destruction, the Chinese tradition of poaching, and their hilariously low birth rate. While their exact fertility rates are unknown, the best estimates are that pandas reproduce once every thousand years. This has prompted aggressive captivity breeding programs. These never work. The reality is that getting pandas to mate is like launching a satellite into orbit. Pandas will do anything to avoid mating, like Quakers avoiding a military draft. Zookeepers have even resorted to showing them pornography in the hopes of getting them to mate, which is more a measure of desperation than scientific training. However, every so often captive pandas will mate (always by accident), and the local news then runs endless loops of a gross panda cub in an incubator, already planning a life of not mating. Pandas’ problems come from their basic refusal to act like real bears. First of all, real bears like to mate. Brown bears, black bears, and polar bears are all famous for their robust drive to procreate. Not so pandas. It’s just very low on their list of priorities. In addition, real bears eat what they’re supposed to. Again, not so with pandas. Even though they have the digestive tract of a carnivore and cannot digest cellulose effectively, they insist on keeping to a diet that is 90 percent bamboo. This means that they have to feed constantly, subtracting from time that could otherwise be spent not mating. In fact, it is entirely likely that pandas don’t ever mate because they don’t have enough energy after long days of eating their really inefficient food source. Also, they’re legally blind. So while everyone worries about the panda’s future, any objective observer is led to the conclusion that perhaps the panda’s time has passed. Nature is clearly trying to give them the hint that they need to go the way of the Dodo, and maybe we should spend our time on a species that at least wants to survive. In the meantime, pandas occupy valuable zoo space while bringing little to the table. We’re not even allowed to name them. If we could give the pandas that China lends us names like Babcock or Slider, they might be ever-so-slightly more interesting. Instead we’re left wondering how to pronounce ‘Gao Gao.’ In conclusion, pandas are literally a dying breed, and whatever their charms or ability to symbolize goodwill between us and a brutal Communist regime, the panda species leaves much to be desired. GRADE: F
Re: [silk] Listers in New York city?
Soups and Salads? You could try this guy's place - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2lfZg-apSA:) Incidentally NYC does have a lot of vegan places which are quite good (I hear, nothing can persuade me to go to one). Kiran On 2 April 2012 11:53, Indrajit Gupta wrote: > This is NBG. Sandhya, who is vegetarian, is visiting NY for about a week > or ten days, and will be staying in Manhattan, in the flat of friends who > are conveniently absent for the duration. What do impoverished vegetarians > do, apart from picking up bread and stuff from the nearest store and eating > sandwiches for ten days? > > bonobashi > > ---------- > *From:* Kiran K Karthikeyan > *To:* silklist@lists.hserus.net > *Sent:* Monday, 2 April 2012 11:14 AM > *Subject:* Re: [silk] Listers in New York city? > > On 2 April 2012 01:37, ashok _ wrote: > > if you are into sea-food ...the basement of grand central station has > a really incredible 'oyster bar' ...you can sit on a counter and > select which kind of oysters you want and they bring it on ice. > > > Some of the memorable restaurants I went to during my last trip, which > also happened to be during restaurant week: > > Esca - http://www.esca-nyc.com/ > Breslin - lamb burger is to die for, so is their seafood > http://thebreslin.com/ > Queen of Sheeba - Ethiopian, just get the veg or non-veg platter, both if > you're with a friend http://www.shebanyc.com/ > Avra Estiatorio - http://avrany.com/ > Rosa Mexicano - http://www.rosamexicano.com Get the guacamole they make > at your table. Also pick up their specialty salsa made with some > wonderfully smoky chillies - > https://rosamexicano.com/ShopGiftCardsOnlineStore/ProductDetail/ProductLanding/tabid/315/ProductID/34/Default.aspx > > Kiran > > > >
Re: [silk] Listers in New York city?
On 2 April 2012 01:37, ashok _ wrote: > if you are into sea-food ...the basement of grand central station has > a really incredible 'oyster bar' ...you can sit on a counter and > select which kind of oysters you want and they bring it on ice. > Some of the memorable restaurants I went to during my last trip, which also happened to be during restaurant week: Esca - http://www.esca-nyc.com/ Breslin - lamb burger is to die for, so is their seafood http://thebreslin.com/ Queen of Sheeba - Ethiopian, just get the veg or non-veg platter, both if you're with a friend http://www.shebanyc.com/ Avra Estiatorio - http://avrany.com/ Rosa Mexicano - http://www.rosamexicano.com Get the guacamole they make at your table. Also pick up their specialty salsa made with some wonderfully smoky chillies - https://rosamexicano.com/ShopGiftCardsOnlineStore/ProductDetail/ProductLanding/tabid/315/ProductID/34/Default.aspx Kiran
Re: [silk] Hello
On 16 January 2012 21:48, Srini RamaKrishnan wrote: > I avoid it like a bad disease. > +1 Not that I don't watch content made for TV. The Wire[1] is one series I was drawn into completely and recently ran through the entire 5 seasons in a week. I feel like visiting Baltimore now. Movies and games also keep me in the front of the TV. Kiran [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wire
Re: [silk] Freedom of Speech
On 14 December 2011 10:36, Venky TV wrote: > It makes next to no financial sense for a newspaper to cater to me. > And this is where I disagree. Are you making the argument as follows: 1. I have the right to free speech, and have therefore started a newspaper 2. People don't want proper news, just what passes for a news 3. I will therefore provide what the people want, while still being a newspaper, and enjoying all the constitutional and legal protection provided for newspapers to do proper news 4. Its not my fault, but what the people want and I have the right to be in business as a newspaper/the press. You see where the argument falls in its face? If not enough people want proper news, increase the cost to what people who want it are ready to pay for it and work within that or else go out of business. Don't continue to call yourself a newspaper and feed the people koolaid. Tags do mean a lot. It means you are qualified and expected to discharge your duty honorably and is someone that can be trusted. If a guy in plainclothes stops your car and asks to see your license and registration, would you or would you not ask to see his badge? Kiran
Re: [silk] Freedom of Speech
On 13 December 2011 21:33, Udhay Shankar N wrote: > On 13-Dec-11 9:24 PM, Kiran K Karthikeyan wrote: > > Censoring is perhaps the wrong word, I admit. But a report that > > misrepresents/omits facts to swing opinons, etc. should bar the > > journalist from the press association and make sure nothing he or > > she writes is published again. > > Swinging opinions is a crime? > Not a crime, but against the professional code, especially when you misrepresent and intentionally omit facts. > > > Professional ethics should be enforced somewhere, or we wait till a > > country of more than a billion wisen up and stop drinking the kool aid. > > Enforced by? And they in turn? > I don't know Udhay. The buck has to stop somewhere. Or do you think something else will work in a country where the information asymmetry (heck, even access to information) is probably much greater than the economic disparity? And thank you Salil for comparing it to Lokpal. Reductio ad Hazareum? Kiran
Re: [silk] Freedom of Speech
On 13 December 2011 19:31, Venky TV wrote: > On 13 December 2011 15:45, Kiran K Karthikeyan > wrote: > > On 13 December 2011 11:57, Venky TV wrote: > Bringing in the only point I was trying to make of people not wanting > to pay for what *might* be good for them, I assume you expect doctors > to chase down every body over 50 and give them colonoscopies for free, > irrespective of whether the "patients" want the treatment or not? > Uh-no. In my mind they're doing their job well if they treat those who do come to them. Similarly, nobody who doesn't want to read a newspaper can be well informed regardless of how well journos do their job. > > >> So, how is this going to be achieved? By -uh- censoring the ToI's of > >> the world? > > > > -uh- Yes. The independence as well as the ethics and morals of journalism > > should be constitutionally protected/enforced legally or through a > > professional body. > > > > Does that clear up the confusion or were you confused about something > else? > > Ah, so you protect the freedom of the press by censoring the > newspapers you figure are bad for society. That *does* clear things > up, yes. > Censoring is perhaps the wrong word, I admit. But a report that misrepresents/omits facts to swing opinons, etc. should bar the journalist from the press association and make sure nothing he or she writes is published again. Professional ethics should be enforced somewhere, or we wait till a country of more than a billion wisen up and stop drinking the kool aid. Don't know about you, but its pretty clear to me its not happening within my lifetime. There are only two countries with populations of that size with a similar level of economic and social disparity. Take your pick. Kiran
Re: [silk] Freedom of Speech
On 13 December 2011 11:57, Venky TV wrote: > I'm a little confused. If the logic of giving people what they want > to pay for is "grievously mistaken", I guess you are suggesting people > should instead be given what they "need" (and I will not, at the > moment, split hairs about who gets to define what this need is). > Perhaps an allegory that Cheeni made and never took the idea to completion should be used here. So a doctor is allowed to prescribe a pill which has better taste, but not as effective compared to another because a patient doesn't like it? Perhaps, if most patients vomit out the not so good tasting drug consistently after taking it. Is it OK for him/her to prescribe a drug that has side-effects because it gives the clinic/hospital he works for gets higher margins? Perhaps, if the side-effects are minor or can be alleviated through another drug which in turn doesn't cause other side effects. Broad spectrum antibiotics come to mind which change the levels of gut flora, prescribed not always for the specific cases it was meant for. I can't imagine the ethics and morals of the journalistic profession not being similar to those of the medical, in principle at least. 'It costs money' is not the only argument here. > So, how is this going to be achieved? By -uh- censoring the ToI's of > the world? > -uh- Yes. The independence as well as the ethics and morals of journalism should be constitutionally protected/enforced legally or through a professional body. Does that clear up the confusion or were you confused about something else? > > Venky (the Second). > >
Re: [silk] BLR Meetup?
I stay pretty close to HSR. Can pickup/drop anybody from this part of town. Kiran On Oct 31, 2011 11:38 PM, "Biju Chacko" wrote: > I'm in Koramangala, if that's any help. If you can get close to Forum I > can pick you up. You'd have to return with someone else because I'll be > going back home another way. > > -- b > On Oct 31, 2011 10:15 PM, "divya manian" wrote: > >> Okay this seems far from where I stay (HSR Layout), is there anyone >> going there from near abouts HSR Layout? Would be grateful for a list >> for me and Deepak Jois (who lurks here). >> >>
Re: [silk] BLR Meetup?
I'll be there. 7 pm sounds good. Kiran On 31 October 2011 08:46, Udhay Shankar N wrote: > On 31-Oct-11 8:42 AM, Ashwin Kumar wrote: > > > Is this happening? When and where its the meetup? > > It's happening. Based on what I've heard it is at The Biree Club: > > > http://bangalore.burrp.com/listing/the-biere-club_vittal-mallya-road_bangalore_bars-pubs-restaurants/18715253722 > > Shall we say 7pm? > > Udhay > -- > ((Udhay Shankar N)) ((udhay @ pobox.com)) ((www.digeratus.com)) > >
Re: [silk] cool idea: ebay for science
On 4 September 2011 17:00, Udhay Shankar N wrote: > > http://www.fastcompany.com/1776830/ebay-for-science-promises-to-transforms-how-research-is-done > > An "Ebay For Science" Promises To Transform The Business Of Research > BY Michael J. Coren > Fri Sep 2, 2011 Innocentive[1] is doing pretty much the same I thought, and its been around for years. [1] http://www.innocentive.com/ Regards, Kiran
Re: [silk] Red-letter day: I agree with Arundhati Roy
On 22 August 2011 22:24, Vinayak Hegde wrote: > > > http://www.facebook.com/notes/mahesh-murthy/my-counter-to-those-who-think-the-hazare-movement-and-jan-lok-pal-bill-are-a-bad/10150299409542138 > > > 5. "This is draconian" > > And you believe anything less than draconian will work here where > politicians slime out of even murder cases in our current legislative > system with impunity? > > Come on, you have to do better than that. I thought we were having a serious debate here and not just for consumption of those already caught up in the idea. If the undelying motivation of your post is that let's see where this goes, because this has a chance of going somewhere we've never got to before and the only way to get something is to lay out a proposition so outrageous, you might get what you want at least. Its a nice negotiating tactic I use with vegeatable vendors, but are you sure AH will wind down this charade once a saner bill passes through? If you have such inside information from a reliable source, even I might join the party. Kiran
Re: [silk] India's Selective Rage Over Corruption
On 19 August 2011 18:52, Chetan Nagendra wrote: > Kiran, > > Why do you view this as mass-hysteria and nonsense? And why do you impose > your generalisation on the people of this list? > > Are all viewpoints you don't agree with generalisations? Kiran
[silk] India's Selective Rage Over Corruption
Makes a very valid counterpoint to the mass hysteria around AH/Lokpal nonsense. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/18/world/asia/18iht-letter18.html Kiran India's Selective Rage Over Corruption By MANU JOSEPH NEW DELHI — The best thing about Indian politicians is that they make you feel you are a better person. Not surprisingly, Indians often derive their moral confidence not through the discomfort of examining their own actions, but from regarding themselves as decent folks looted by corrupt, villainous politicians. This is at the heart of a self-righteous middle-class uprising against political corruption, a television news drama that reached its inevitable climax in Delhi on Tuesday when the rural social reformer Anna Hazare was about to set out for his death fast — the second one he has attempted this year to press his demand for a powerful anti-corruption agency. He was arrested by the police, ostensibly in the interest of law and order. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in his Independence Day address to the nation on Monday, took digs at Mr. Hazare and his tactic of using hunger strikes to twist the arm of an elected government. Mr. Singh said that he did not have “a magic wand” to end corruption in India. The anti-corruption movement has the simplicity of a third-rate fable. There are the good guys (the reformers and the average Indian citizen) and the bad guys (the politicians). But the real story is not a fable but art cinema. Indians have a deep and complicated relationship with corruption. As in any long marriage, it is not clear whether they are happily or unhappily married. The country’s economic system is fused with many strands of corruption and organized systems of tax evasion. The middle class is very much a part of this. Most Indians have paid a bribe. Most Indian businesses cannot survive or remain competitive without stashing away undeclared earnings. Almost everybody who has sold a house has taken one part of the payment in cash and evaded tax on it. Yet, the branding of corruption is so powerful that Indians moan the moment they hear the word. The comic hypocrisy of it all was best evident in the past few months as the anti-corruption movement gathered unprecedented middle-class support. When Mr. Hazare went on a hunger strike in April to protest against political corruption, the film stars of Mumbai added much glamour to his cause by coming out in unambiguous support. Two months later, when a yoga instructor called Baba Ramdev went on a fast demanding that the government investigate “black money” hidden in foreign accounts, the film stars went silent. For good reason. The film industry is much cleaner today than it was more than a decade ago, but, revenue officials say, huge quantities of secret wealth are still a part of its system. One reason the mafia could get such a firm hold on the film industry in the 1990s was that it had established a business relationship with producers and actors and functioned as an efficient conduit for illicitly transferring their money to safe foreign havens. Following Mr. Ramdev’s fast, when the government agreed to investigate Indian money hidden in foreign banks, The Times of India ran an intriguing essay that argued that the law should make a distinction between the “black money” of corrupt politicians, earned through kickbacks, and the “black money” of businessmen who had moved their cash abroad years ago to save themselves from unreasonably high tax rates in socialist India. The essay implied that corrupt politicians were the real evil and that the tax-evading businessmen were just smart. Corruption is such an integral part of Indian society that the chief economic adviser to the government, Kaushik Basu, has suggested legalizing the payment of bribes. He received enthusiastic corporate support, which is to be expected since the largest bribe-payers in India are corporations. Mr. Basu’s reasoning is that if the payment of bribes were legalized, the bribe-payer could be persuaded to reveal the recipient. This would inject fear into the hearts of politicians and officials who expected bribes. N.R. Narayana Murthy, founder of the Indian software company Infosys, said in a television interview that Mr. Basu’s suggestion was “a great idea.” In an informal way, Indian society does grant legitimacy to the bribe-payer because “bribe-payer” is a description that fits most of the country, including many of Mr. Hazare’s nicely dressed supporters. This legitimacy is a bit absurd when extended to corporations. If the lament of Indians is that political corruption pilfers public resources, then who are its chief beneficiaries? It is the companies that secure licenses at discounted rates in exchange for kickbacks. But the public rage is directed only at the middlemen — the politicians. There are several reasons for this. Among them is the plain fact that many of the new supporters of the anti-corruption movement are corporate executives themselves, an
Re: [silk] Subramanian Swamy
On 11 August 2011 03:09, Charles Haynes wrote: > On Thu, Aug 11, 2011 at 3:36 AM, Kiran K Karthikeyan > wrote: > > On 10 August 2011 03:52, Charles Haynes > wrote: > > >> Religionists are welcome to teach their children whatever they please. > > > This breaks the idea of a secular society. > > How if it is is in addition to whatever standards are mandated by the > government? "You can teach whatever you want, but we require teaching > of the following." You are welcome to tell your children that what the > government is teaching is wrong, but the government still teaches it. > Exactly, and if you apply the same model to various scenarios, you would pretty much get what I prescribed earlier. Essentially, the government creates laws, mandatory school curricula, divorce laws etc. etc. in complete ignorance of what any religion or religious establishment prescribes. You are free to practice any religion, hold any belief etc. in your own head and participate in any religious activity as long as you don't break any law. That includes sending kids to school to be lectured on the rationale behind what their loony family calls blasphemy. Now this would be secularism, and I'm also fairly certain there isn't a country which practices it. Kiran
Re: [silk] Subramanian Swamy
On 10 August 2011 23:51, J. Andrew Rogers wrote: > Individual opinions on non-religious matters are frequently as dogmatic as > their religious views. There is little about a religious view that is > materially different than the other views most people hold in practice. The > problem is not religious views per se. Most secular opinions are based on an > equal paucity of analysis. > > A great many people hold scientifically reasonable opinions as articles of > faith; evolution is a good example of this. Most people that support the > idea of evolution cannot explain the reasoning behind their opinion, it is > simply what they were taught all right thinking people should believe. There > is no more rationality informing their opinion than the people raised to > believe creationism is correct. I do not see any merit in believing > something that, by coincidence, happens to be a reasonable. > The merit is the appreciation that this belief is a result of somebody's analysis that a lot of others who do similar analysis for a living agree with, but also that it leaves room to the possibility that this might change later as technology and the collective understanding of the sciences involved increase. At least I hope so. Not looking forward to the time when Feynman's lectures are used as the basis of a religious cult. Kiran
Re: [silk] Subramanian Swamy
On 10 August 2011 03:52, Charles Haynes wrote: > Religionists are welcome to teach their children whatever they please. > This breaks the idea of a secular society. Appeasement of every religion is not the same as ignoring its existence. I also fundamentally disagree that the government needs to recognize the religious custom that one's children belong to the same religion and hence the religious establishment is free to mold their brains as they please. Marriage, divorce, inheritance, education, criminal law, abortion, genetic research, space exploration, history, psychiatry and psychology etc. are areas where one or more religions have a vested interest to prop up their scripture/religious establishment and this might just be a shortlist. You cannot equate religious views to an individual's opinions since the latter is arrived at from some form of evidence analyzed and interpreted by the individual, whereas the other is dogma handed down and forced upon the individual since birth. Respecting both in a dialogue between two individuals is possible and healthy, but not in a dialogue between the government and the individual. Kiran My karma ran over your dogma...
Re: [silk] Subramanian Swamy
On 9 August 2011 19:12, Charles Haynes wrote: > On Tue, Aug 9, 2011 at 11:24 PM, Kiran K Karthikeyan > wrote: > > > Therefore, if religion is not considered while framing laws, these > > laws impinge on one's religious beliefs. > > Not if the law is broad in what it allows, and narrow in what it > compels or forbids. > How exactly do you apply your prescribed framework to not contradict the belief that the universe is a few thousand years old and was created by god over a week? Not spend tax payer money on space exploration, large telescopes? Evolution and astronomy not being taught in schools or giving these loons the ability to set up schools that don't teach it and take society back a few hundred years? The above is nothing compared to a guy believing that he will go to heaven for killing a non-believer. The law can neither be broad or narrow in his case. > > Basically, there is no way to merge the two i.e. for secularism to be > > implemented to its true meaning requires the majority of society to > relegate > > religion to their "personal" space. Obviously some religions make this > > easier than others, some are outright impossible. > > Religions in a secular society need not be restricted to a personal > space, people are welcome to practice their religion with their > co-religionists as much as they like. What is restricted is requiring > non-believing people to participate in your religion. > Does that include bursting firecrackers into the night not allowing you to sleep regardless of your religious compulsion? Or blaring over a 4 square block area the call to prayer/devotional songs? Or not license psychological/psychiatric practice? > > > While individuals can respect other citizens' religious views as long as > > they restrict it to their personal space, the constitution/government > cannot > > to be truly secular. > > Untrue. There is plenty of room between the personal and the official. > > -- Charles > >
Re: [silk] Subramanian Swamy
On 9 August 2011 18:19, Charles Haynes wrote: > Indeed it is. Secularism is a problem for anyone who wants government > assistance in imposing their religious views on the unwilling. > This is an over simplification of the fact that most religions extend well beyond one's personal space. This could be what has been expressly codified in religious texts, or what the entire paraphrenilia around a religion prescribes. Who you should marry, whether you can charge interest, inheritance rights, what your children are taught etc. etc. are in some form or fashion prescribed or implicit for one of the faith. Add to the fact that one is born into a faith, not opt into one. Opt out is pretty much not possible unless one is an orphan, doesn't plan to marry or have children as you opting out impacts others as well. Therefore, if religion is not considered while framing laws, these laws impinge on one's religious beliefs. Basically, there is no way to merge the two i.e. for secularism to be implemented to its true meaning requires the majority of society to relegate religion to their "personal" space. Obviously some religions make this easier than others, some are outright impossible. While individuals can respect other citizens' religious views as long as they restrict it to their personal space, the constitution/government cannot to be truly secular. Regards, Kiran
[silk] S&P Goes Tea Party
Not a detailed analysis, but a viewpoint nonetheless. Thoughts? http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/08/06/s-p-downgrade-how-the-ratings-agency-is-now-partnering-with-the-tea-party.html Kiran S&P Goes Tea Party Math-challenged and politically driven, S&P’s Friday night credit demotion puts the ratings agency on par with the Tea Party. Zachary Karabell on why that’s dangerous. Aug 6, 2011 12:09 AM EDT Big headlines for a Friday night: “U.S. Loses Top Credit Rating!” Yes, as most now know, Standard & Poor’s went ahead with its warnings of the past weeks and downgraded the sovereign debt of the United States government from its pristine triple-A to a still stellar but one notch less so AA+. And after a miserable week in global equity markets that was almost as ugly as it gets, a week that began with the conclusion of a universally reviled debt-ceiling deal, the late-night downgrade was the fitting end. The symbolism is undeniable. This is the first downgrade in history, as commentators rushed to remind us. But of course, that history goes back only to the late 1930s, when the ratings agencies began to hold sway. And S&P is the only one of the major three—Fitch, Moody’s, and S&P—to downgrade. So this was big bad news, a bad coda to a bad week, but only as news and not as a trenchant analysis of the creditworthiness of the United States or its ability to meet its debt obligations going forward. Let’s be clear: Congress and the White House did not cover themselves with glory during the debt debate throughout July. The United States has a stalled economy and a large amount of debt. But on so many levels, this downgrade is absurd. First there is the question of math. When S&P informed the White House of its intention to downgrade on Friday afternoon, the Treasury Department took issue with S&P’s math and claimed that their assessment of the trends of the U.S. debt burden and its ratio to GDP was off by trillions of dollars. No matter. After a brief review, the wizards at S&P went ahead and removed an A. Second, what’s with the fetish for a so-called proper ratio of debt-to-GDP. Academic economists have done no favors here. Carmen Reinhart and Kenneth Rogoff have become the go-to economists for their work showing how countries that reach a 90% ratio slide into recession and see slowing growth well before. The U.S. current level according to S&P is 74% and will rise to 85% by 2021. The explanation of the downgrade closely tracks this academic logic. Olympic judges rule on athletic aptitude, not the politics of the athletes. I have no criticism of an academic theory about how nations function economically. But when debatable theories become the underpinnings of decisions by unelected individuals who run organizations with significant sway (sway ceded to them by governments throughout the 20th century), then we have a problem. We have a problem when that argument gives short shrift to the debt-servicing burden. The current interest rate that the U.S. government pays to service its massive debts is hovering around 2.5%, which makes interest payments as a percentage of GDP as low as they have been since the mid-1970s. Servicing the debt does not enter into the analysis, yet that and current interest rates make all the difference. Dismissing that counterargument, warning that rates will of course rise (yet even if they double, that will still leave the U.S. more than able to meet its obligations), and drawing on theories about the “right” level of debt puts S&P in a strange bedfellow alliance with the Tea Party. The people who run the ratings agencies are welcome to their analysis, as is the Tea Party. But if Rogoff and Reinhart or the Tea Party announced that they were downgrading U.S. sovereign debt, they would be laughed for their audacity. Yet when it is one of the anointed ratings agencies, there is this sudden need to genuflect. This is largely because covenant after covenant in both SEC rulings and institutional money management (pensions especially) dictate that many types of capital can only be invested in credit-worthy instruments as determined by Moody’s, S&P and Fitch. The downgrade doesn’t remotely begin to threaten the “investment grade” status of U.S. debt, and there is little reason to suspect that borrowing costs will go up as a result. Still, the reason we are in this situation of having to genuflect to S&P is because an entire structure of credit and investments, and the issuance and purchase of bonds above all, has been built on the shaky and questionable foundation of the ratings agencies. The worst part of the downgrade is this: S&P spent considerable time in the body of their explanation about debt and GDP and growth. But they didn’t lead with that. That wasn’t the kicker. No, this was: “the downgrade reflects our view that the effectiveness, stability, and predictability of American policymaking and political institutions have weakened at a time of ongoing fiscal and economic chall
Re: [silk] Bitcoin
On 16 May 2011 15:36, Alaric Snell-Pym wrote: > > What do you folks think about Bitcoin? It looks interesting, in that > it's a digital currency with no trusted third parties, and all the > "rules" (such as: you can't just print your own money) enforced by the > fact that only transactions which the majority of computers in the > system accept get considered "accepted" globally. > > There's a process to create new money, which is basically allocated to > people via a lottery (and you increase your chances of winning by > contributing more CPU power to the algorithms that prevent people > cheating, so there's a nice feedback loop), such that the amount of > money in the system will, in the long run, tend towards a fixed amount, > that will just increases in value by deflating as the economy grows. > > I've written some thoughts on the implications: > > http://www.snell-pym.org.uk/archives/2011/05/12/bitcoin-security/ > > http://www.snell-pym.org.uk/archives/2011/05/16/lords-of-a-new-economy/ > > http://www.snell-pym.org.uk/archives/2011/05/13/aurum/ I don't understand how this can be used for transactions other than where the cost of an item in bitcoins can be calculated based on the item's price in dollars. This might work in the US, Canada, and some European countries where the 'value' of a dollar remains more or less constant across borders. This of course cannot be true in most other countries as the degree of connectedness (?) between the economy of that country and most of the developed world is low i.e. the value of a dollar in the UK would not be the same as in India, especially for smaller transactions (less than about a million). So if bitcoin is ever to replace the dollar as the international standard, you're assuming that it would be used only for large transactions where such arbitrages disappear quite quickly. And of course, unless there is enough trading on the currency (precisely such large transactions), it is hard to determine its value vis-a-vis other currencies of the world. And no, this can't be accomplished by just converting using the dollar as the base and using the exchange rate of that currency to the dollar (I'm pretty sure of this, those more learned in the finer points of economics might be able to confirm). Kiran
Re: [silk] A crisis of confidence
While I agree with your premise, I believe the lack of confidence stems from the dread of being upstaged by another Indian. Unfortunately, India provides far too many shortcuts in life that this fear never achieves healthy competition, but a frenetic search for the next shortcut. Kiran On 29 March 2011 22:15, Srini RamaKrishnan wrote: > The average Indian isn't a very confident animal, how else can one > explain the absurd popularity of self help books? Poverty is evil. > > Poverty leads to a lack of control over one's life. This is true in > India and much of the third world where even if you are lucky enough > to be rich as an individual, most events are unpredictable. > > When life seems stochastic to you and to people around you there is a > general crisis of confidence caused by the uncertainty, and naturally > people turn to self help books, charms, religion and other sources of > succor. > > A voice bold and true no matter how stupid is the surest symbol of > hope for people in these circumstances. > > Cheeni > >
Re: [silk] The greatest rock song of all time
On 9 February 2011 10:13, Lahar Appaiah wrote: > Q: "What are you missing"? > A:" The Greatest Rock Song of all time". Also known as "Sweet Child o > Mine", as opposed to the stuff we had to endure in that video. > My personal favorite is "Set the controls for the heart of the sun", but for many it is not classified as a rock song. Kiran
Re: [silk] Stochastic Terrorism
On 17 January 2011 21:39, Nikhil Mehra wrote: > On Mon, Jan 17, 2011 at 1:24 PM, Kiran K Karthikeyan < > kiran.karthike...@gmail.com> wrote: > >> On 15 January 2011 12:36, Nikhil Mehra wrote: >>> >>> I think that this kind of identity-based politics is imperative for >>> India's survival. Whether identity came first or identity politics is not a >>> chicken-and-egg kind of question. Identity definitely came first, and it is >>> practical for our politics to reflect it. >>> >> >> Are we the only country with multiple identities? Your statement almost >> makes it sound as if the other who do have got it all wrong. >> >> I think there is something wrong if pandering to these identities is the >> only way to make this country tick. >> > > Kiran, I'm out of town till late tonight. I'll post a more detailed > response either later tonight when I get in or tomorrow. Suffice to say for > now I completely disagree with your usage of the word "pandering". I think > you've confused my conception with a system which doles out benefits based > on identities. Like reservations in India or affirmative action in the > United States. Both of which I am in favor of, but other similar freebies > might bother me. Anyway, till later. > My usage of the word is exactly in keeping with the definition of the word in the context of politics [1] which is *Pandering* is the act of expressing one's views in accordance with the likes of a group to which one is attempting to appeal. The term is most notably associated with politics <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics>. In pandering, the views one is verbally expressing are merely for the purpose of drawing support up to and including votes and do not necessarily reflect one's personal values. Reservations obviously play a part, but when you state identity politics as the defining/main characteristic of Indian politics, I'm assuming you meant much more and my reply was in that context. Look forward to your reply. Kiran [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandering_(politics)
Re: [silk] Stochastic Terrorism
On 15 January 2011 12:36, Nikhil Mehra wrote: > > I think that this kind of identity-based politics is imperative for > India's survival. Whether identity came first or identity politics is not a > chicken-and-egg kind of question. Identity definitely came first, and it is > practical for our politics to reflect it. > Are we the only country with multiple identities? Your statement almost makes it sound as if the other who do have got it all wrong. I think there is something wrong if pandering to these identities is the only way to make this country tick. Kiran
Re: [silk] Close the Washington Monument
On 24 December 2010 09:31, ss wrote: > For a western politcian who has made his life in this secular environment, > bending to the > demands of Islam under the guise of "religious freedom" could wake up an > old, > dormant and perhaps even more deadly adversary - the Christian right wing. > Perhaps you're not acquainted with this wonderful individual [1]. They are hardly dormant. [1] http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/tobyharnden/100053829/christine-odonnell-republican-senate-nominee-campaigning-against-mastrubation/ Kiran
Re: [silk] Silk meet in Bangalore
Just ask for Vasant Nagar, Kodava Samaj. The pub is right next to it. Kiran On 11 December 2010 16:58, Danese Cooper wrote: > Me too please. > > Sent from my iPhone > > On Dec 11, 2010, at 4:36 PM, gabin kattukaran > wrote: > > > Can someone give me directions to get to Windsor Pub from the airport? Do > any of the airport volvos go that way? If not an address that is usable with > the cabbies would suffice. > > > > thanks, > > > > gabin > > > > -- > > > > measure with a micrometer, mark with a chalk, cut with an axe > >
Re: [silk] Triskaidekaphilia
On 8 December 2010 22:53, Deepa Mohan wrote: > How many arms does Udhay have? And can a person with twisted arms pay the > bill? > IOUs? It is the oldest running currency... Kiran
Re: [silk] Antimatter
On 29 November 2010 13:07, Deepa Mohan wrote: > > I googled IIRC: > > AcronymDefinitionIIRCIf I Recall/Remember/Recall Correctly IIRCInteractive > Illinois Report CardIIRCIf I Read CorrectlyIIRCIf I Really Cared IIRCImage > and Identity Research CollectiveIIRCImpedance Imaging Research Center > (Korea)IIRCIf It Really Counts > IIRCInternational Internet Recruiting Consultants, Inc.IIRCInternational > Inter-Society Research Committee (on Nuclear Codes and Standards) IIRCInternet > Information Research CenterIIRCImmunity and Infection Research > CentreIIRCInterstate > Insurance Receivership Compact IIRCInformation Integrity Research Centre > (UK)IIRCInternational Interpretation Resource Center IIRCInternational > Interdisciplinary Research ColloquiumIIRCIraqi Islamic Reconciliation > ConferenceIIRCInactive Item Review Code (US DoD) IIRCIsn't It Really Cool > IIRCIVF & Infertilty Research Centre (Calcutta, India) IIRCIn Internet > Relay Chat > I hope you were not talking about infertility research > Er..no..the third one on your list. > > Who are the ones who believe in God, on this list? The atheists? The > agnostics? > Atheist. We are apparently based on this research[1], the best of humanity :) Some excerpts: In the U.S. states with the highest percentages of atheists, the murder rate is lower than average. In the most religious U.S. states, the murder rate is higher than average. Only 0.2% of U.S. prisoners are atheists. Atheists are more tolerant towards women's and homosexuals' rights. Atheism and secularism correlate with high levels of education, and low levels of racial prejudice. Atheists physically abuse their children less often than others, and more often encourage them to think independently. In Sweden, the most secular country in the world according to Zuckerman, the charitable aid given is the highest as a proportion of GDP. [1] http://www.pitzer.edu/academics/faculty/zuckerman/Zuckerman_on_Atheism.pdf Kiran
Re: [silk] Antimatter
On 28 November 2010 11:08, Sriram Karra wrote: > On Sat, Nov 27, 2010 at 10:56 PM, Sriram Karra wrote: > >> > >> Even Einstein believed in God. > >> > >> Kiran > >> > > > > If "God" refers to a supernatural power who created and sustains the > > world and listens to prayers and doles out favours to the faithful, > > then Einstein certainly did not believe in God. > > > > Richard Dawkins' God Delusion goes into this very misconception in some > detail. > > Now that I have my copy with me, I can give the following Einstein > quotes reproduced by Dawkins: > > "It was, of course, a lie what you read about my religious > convictions, a lie which is being systematically repeated. I do not > believe in a personal God and I have never denied this but have > expressed it clearly. If something is in me which can be called > religious then it is the unbounded admiration for the structure of the > world so far as our science can reveal it." > > "I am a deeply religious nonbeliever. This is a somewhat new kind of > religion. > > I have never imputed to Nature a purpose or a goal, or anything that > could be understood as anthropomorphic. What I see in Nature is a > magnificent structure that we can comprehend only very imperfectly, > and that must fill a thinking person with a feeling of humility. This > is a genuinely religious feeling that has nothing to do with > mysticism. > > The idea of a personal God is quite alien to me and seems even naive." > > Dawkins refers to Max Jammer's "Einstein and Religion" as his source > for these, and other, Einstein quotes. I have not read Jammer. > I am aware of the fact that Einstein didn't believe in the standard definition of God. IIRC his major issue was with the Uncertainty Principle, which as far as I know hasn't been disproved. Once you accept that science, even his definition of God seems superstitious and starts sounding like that of those who advocate Intelligent Design. Kiran
Re: [silk] Antimatter
On 26 November 2010 22:34, Deepa Mohan wrote: > > > On Fri, Nov 26, 2010 at 10:27 PM, Kiran K Karthikeyan > >> Isn't that the whole point of science? To investigate without these >> encumberances? So that one day all of them fall within the realm of science >> and there are no more et ceteras? >> >> > I firmly believe that there will always be et ceteras and ifs, buts, > perhapsesI love the story of the sage who kept asking the god of death > for more time to live so that he could complete his knowledge. At last Yama > asked him collect all the earth there was on earth, and he could get only a > fistful. > Possibly. In the current day and age (and my limited knowledge of science) thats more of a philosophical or ideological statement than a scientific one (heh!). "there are no more et ceteras" is the goal that every scientist works towards is it not? Even if they each have their own et ceteras, they must believe the phenomenon they are trying to explain can be thoroughly explained by science? Even Einstein believed in God. Kiran
Re: [silk] Antimatter
On 26 November 2010 21:54, Deepa Mohan wrote: > How do we deal with our discoveries? When does science start thinking >> about spirituality? etc etc etc. > > Isn't that the whole point of science? To investigate without these encumberances? So that one day all of them fall within the realm of science and there are no more et ceteras? Kiran
Re: [silk] What's the strangest thing you've eaten?
On 25 November 2010 20:16, Deepa Mohan wrote: > Top post: The battle has been joined! SSS v. KKK. > Well, I'm actually Korandattil Kiran Kumar Karthikeyan from Kakkanad, Kochi, Kerala. When in school in the US, I avoided initialing anything as KKK for obvious reasons and used KK (Kiran Kumar) instead. My excuse at the time was that I was Korandattil Kiran Kumar Karthikeyan from Kaloor, Kochi, Kerala (because thats where my family used to live before Kakkanad), that the name of the place where you are from is usally added to your name, but dropped when signing any official documents or initialing. Now, I live in Koramangala, Bangalore, Karnataka. I was really hoping they would change the name to something starting with K. More K's usually bring me more luck. Kiran
Re: [silk] What's the strangest thing you've eaten?
On 25 November 2010 20:07, ss wrote: > On Thursday 25 Nov 2010 5:27:05 pm Kiran K Karthikeyan wrote: > > > > > That should explain the "prejudice" > > > > No it doesn't. > > > > A prejudice is a prejudgment, an assumption made about someone or > something > > before having adequate knowledge to be able to do so with guaranteed > > accuracy. (Source: Wikipedia) > > > > Now *that* explains. > > > > Kiran > > > > No. It does not explain the prejudice of vegetarians. It explains YOUR > prejudice when you said > > > > > No. They're just prejudiced in my opinon. > > :D Cheers > Touché ** Kiran
Re: [silk] What's the strangest thing you've eaten?
On 25 November 2010 16:51, ss wrote: > On Wednesday 24 Nov 2010 1:33:31 pm Kiran K Karthikeyan wrote: > > On 24 November 2010 12:47, Sriram Karra wrote: > > > Are vegetarians just plain dull?! > > > > No. They're just prejudiced in my opinon. > > That should explain the "prejudice" > No it doesn't. A prejudice is a prejudgment, an assumption made about someone or something before having adequate knowledge to be able to do so with guaranteed accuracy. (Source: Wikipedia) Now *that* explains. Kiran
Re: [silk] Triskaidekaphilia
On 24 November 2010 18:39, Madhu Menon wrote: > On 24-11-2010 18:34, Gautam John wrote: > >> > Any thoughts on stuff we could do? >>> >> Too early to take over the world? >> >> > Not shadowy enough for that. ;) > > I propose Udhay buys us all drinks. > Seconded :) Kiran
Re: [silk] What's the strangest thing you've eaten?
On 24 November 2010 18:39, Suresh Ramasubramanian wrote: > Pica. Calcium deficiency. > Pica is quite common among pregnant women. I'm assuming only food consumed non-compulsively is to be added to this list. Kiran
Re: [silk] What's the strangest thing you've eaten?
On 24 November 2010 12:47, Sriram Karra wrote: > Are vegetarians just plain dull?! > No. They're just prejudiced in my opinon. Kiran
Re: [silk] What's the strangest thing you've eaten?
On 23 November 2010 22:35, Udhay Shankar N wrote: > I think we had a similar thread lo, these many years ago, but still. > > Inspired by a friend's status message about lutefisk, I ask silklisters > to let us know what is the strangest thing they've eaten. > Forgot rabbit. Cuteness does not equal gastronomic delight. Mahesh might concur. Kiran
Re: [silk] What's the strangest thing you've eaten?
On 23 November 2010 22:35, Udhay Shankar N wrote: > I think we had a similar thread lo, these many years ago, but still. > > Inspired by a friend's status message about lutefisk, I ask silklisters > to let us know what is the strangest thing they've eaten. Snake Frog Legs Brain Fry Sushi + Wasabi for the strangeness I felt eating it for the first time Kiran
Re: [silk] IPaidABribe.com
On 1 November 2010 21:41, Srini RamaKrishnan wrote: > Don't bother, Microsoft is fixing this by killing Silverlight as it > happens. > > Cheeni > I thought they were going to continue with it for Windows Phone 7, though they are concentrating on HTML5 for the web/browser. Kiran
Re: [silk] Kindle your children?
On 28 October 2010 14:06, Udhay Shankar N wrote: > Amit's latest column is thought-provoking. I agree with the basic > premise (reading is good, getting kids to read is excellent), but have > a fairly major quibble: having effectively infinite choice is more > likely to induce gridlock than exploration. This may not be true for > everyone, of course, but it is something to consider. There are a > couple of ways around this I can think of - but would rather see what > Amit (and others) have to say first. > > Thoughts? > I found a lot of resonance with the idea of giving them a budget and letting them buy any book they want. My uncle who was an English literature prof followed a similar approach with me, though I had the luxury of an unlimited budget. Everytime he visited, he would take me to the only decent bookstore in Cochin at the time, Pai and let me buy any book I wanted. Infinite choice, I feel, is something anybody who grows up with Google, torrents, and rapidshare has an instinctive way around anyway and you don't need to enforce it in any way. I wasn't exactly spoiled for choice at the Pai bookstore in Cochin, I admit, but public libraries and the university library when I moved to the US at 11 years old were very vast. Then there were card catalogues, today there is Google and keyword search. Kiran
Re: [silk] Techno-literacy and its implications
On 4 October 2010 19:01, ss wrote: > On Monday 04 Oct 2010 9:24:43 am Biju Chacko wrote: > > > My gut feel is that with increasing numbers of parents who are > > dissatisfied with the education that they received, simple economics > > is going to drive development of more "progressive" schools. > > Unfortunately, as with most so-called progress in India this will > > probably benefit only us -- the rich, well educated elite. > > -- b > > > > > > I wish your child luck. I presume you have actually seen a child reach std > 10 > in India before writing your conclusions about the Indian education system. > You are not required to have the Std. 10 exam certificate (not sure about 12th). I did my 10th in the US and got a certificate from IAU (Indian Association of Universities) that stated by 10th education in the US was equivalent to the 10th standard exam. I haven't faced any issues in getting admission to undergrad or post grad courses in India because of this. I am assuming a school could just get a blanket certification for all their students if their system differs from the standard syllabi. I should mention that competing with other students on the entrance exams of course is a different matter. I somehow managed because I went through 11th and 12th in India and the standard crash course for engineering entrance exams. Kiran
