Mirrors...

Being Angry...

Anyone can become angry - that is easy.

But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right reasons, and in the right way - that is not easy.

 

    -Aristotle

Empathy...

I think, we should always try to see things form other people’s perspective..This allows us to empathize even if we disagree.

Compassion, I believe, gives you room to relate with people because we no longer regard them as a drain/threat.

The alternate path is to be stubborn and adamant idiot…unwilling to consider anyone else’s opinions and needs…living in shear ignorance.  I have so many live examples around me..so don’t ask more.

On Money and Happyness...

 “Money and success don’t change people;

  They merely amplify what is already there.”

         -Will Smith

I believe, money, in itself, is a means to an end and not an end unto itself. (just like success is a journey and not a destination..)

This is an important distinction.

Have you heard of those really..really unhappy and *rich* people ? The ones that get depressed or get crazy and drink their lives away or kill themselves?

They are the people, at the first place, who thought that money would bring them happiness.

This is a myth.

Sure, money can help you buy nice things and open up all kinds of doors. But if you don’t have that happiness already, all money is going to do is...give you more sadness...or boredom.

It is an amplifier, and whatever you already feel(and have) will become more intense as you get more of it. This includes unhappiness.

I think...the pursuit of money is really silly.

Instead, it should be the pursuit of things and ideas that bring you money. And for the things that money can help you do or achieve.

To chase money for money’s sake...? Naah!

Do you believe the same?

Taking Inspirations...

"It is said that Sartre drank thirty cups of coffee a day in order to function correctly.

It is also said that Philip K. Dick used vast amounts of speed.

Picasso had a lot of sex.

Bandelaire surprisingly relied on routine, whilst Magritte preferred suburbia.

Charles Dickens was spurred on by deadlines.

Mozart liked solitude.

Some artists work late at night, others early in the morning.

Some are quiet, some talk a lot. Many drink a lot.

…

Clearly the whole issue of inspiration is unclear."

 

-- Storm Thorgerson, art director, Pink Floyd

Work is Important...

“ One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one’s work is terribly important..”

 

- Bertrand Russell

Asaflta Ek Chunauti Hain Savikar Karo...

Koshish Karne Walon Ki Her Nahin Hoti
 
Lahron Se Dar Kar Nauka Par Nahin Hoti

Koshish Karne Walon Ki Her Nahin Hoti
 
Nanhi Chiti Jab Dana Lekar Chalti Hai

Chadhti Deewaron Par Sau Bar Phislati Hain
Man Ka Viswas Ragon Mein Sahas Bharta Hain

Chadhkar Girna Girkar Chadhna Na Akharta Hain
Akhir Uski Mehnat Bekar Nahin Hoti

Koshis Karne Walon Ki Her Nahin Hoti
 
Dubkiyan Sindhu Mein Gotakhor Lagata Hai

Ja Jakar Khali Haath Laut Aata Hai
Milte Nahin Sahaj Hi Moti Gahre Pani Mein

Badhta Duna Utsah Isi Hairani Mein
Muthi Uski Khali Her Bar Nahi Hoti

Koshish Karne Walon Ki Her Nahin Hoti
 
Asaflta Ek Chunauti Hain Savikar Karo

Kya Kami Rah Gayi Dekho Aur Sudhar Karo
Jab Tak Na Safal Ho Nid Chain Ko Tyago Tum

Sangharshon Ka Maidan Chod Mat Bhago Tum
Kuch Kiye Bina Hi Jayjaykar Nahin Hoti

Koshish Karne Walon Ki Her Nahin Hoti

--Harivansh Rai Bachhan

Nobel Peace Prize Mystery...

So, finally the Nobel Peace Prize mystery solved.

Need not complain anymore..

Source: http://www.slowpokecomics.com/strips/terminatrix.html

Verbs and Noun...

We are all verbs. God is the only noun.

 

-Deepak Chopra

Leaders...

This is something I cant resist sharing...an old Dilbert classic:

Source: http://dilbert.com/fast/1995-02-05/

Courage...

Courage does not always roar.

Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying,

“I will try again tomorrow”

 

        - Marry Anne Radmacher

 

Older...

You're older than you've ever been
And now you're even older
And now you're even older
And now you're even older
You're older than you've ever been
And now you're even older
And now you're older still

Time is marching on
And time is still marching on

This day will soon be at an end
And now it's even sooner
And now it's even sooner
And now it's even sooner
This day will soon be at an end
And now it's even sooner
And now it's sooner still

You're older than you've ever been
And now you're even older
And now you're even older
And now you're even older
You're older than you've ever been
And now you're even older
And now you're older still

--They Might be Giants

Growth...

I liked this quote from Robin Sharma today:

 

“Growth occurs in your DISCOMFORT zone, not in your comfort zone.”

 

 

 

Koi Deewana Kehta Hai..

This is one of my favorites...






Update: On Popular demand, adding lyrics..

Lyrics:
Koi deewana kehta hai koi pagal samjhta hain,
magar dharti ki bechani ko bas badal samjhta hain,
Main tujhse dur kaisa hu,tu mujhse dur kaisi hain,
Yeh tera dil samjhta hain ya mera dil samjhta hain

Ke mohobbat ek ehsaason ki paawan si kahaani hain,
kabhi kabira deewana tha kabhi meera diwaani hain,
Yahaan sab log kehte hain meri aakho mein aasu hain,
Jo tu samjhe toh moti hain jo na samjhe toh paani hain

Mat poooch ki kya haal hai mera tere aage,
Tu dekh ke kya rang hain tera mere aage

Samandar peer ka andar hain lekin ro nahi sakta,
Yeh aasu pyaar ka moti hain isko kho nahi sakta,
Meri chahat ko dulhan tu bana lena magar sun le,
Jo mera ho nahi paaya woh tera ho nahi sakta

Bhramar koi kumudni par machal baitha toh hungama,
Humare dil mein koi khwaab pal baitha toh hungama,
Abhi tak doob kar sunte the sab kissa mohobbat ka,
Main kisse ko hakikat mein badal baitha toh hungama

Bada Hua to Kya Hua...

बडा हुआ तो क्या हुआ जैसे पेड़ खजूर।
पंथी को छाया नही फल लागे अति दूर ॥

Bada hua to kya hua, jaise ped khajoor,
Panthi ko chaya nahi, phal laage ati door.Regards,

Sai Itna Deejiye...

साईं इतना दीजिये, जा मे कुटुम समाय ।
मैं भी भूखा न रहूँ, साधु ना भूखा जाय ॥

 

Sai itna deejiye, ja mein kutumb samaye,

Main bhi bhooka na rahun, sadhu bhi bhooka jaye.

 

       --Kabir

Happyness..Epicurus Style...

Here you go again…happiness!

So it turns out that Epicurus was right about Happiness..almost.

http://www.spring.org.uk/2007/12/hedonist-philosopher-epicurus-was-right.php

"If a little is not enough for you, nothing is." –Epicurus

All the more..what’s amusing to me is the fact that philosophers..since ages..have been keen to tell the rest of us.. “how to live” and “how to be happy”.

And..if we go by it…the advice comes to us “with the lustre of intellectual achievement”…WTF?

Isn’t this in itself .. Being happy for them?

So..this is what the dude(err..I mean Epicurus) suggested..

1. Don't fear the gods (or fate, or blind chance)
2. Don't worry about death
3. What is good is easy to get
4. What is terrible is easy to endure

Philosophy: Study of philosophy is central to happiness…can help us deal with both..our fear of death and.. of the gods.

Friendship: Friendship is one of the most important aspects of the good life. Not only does it give us many benefits, it also benefits our friends as well.

Now, this is interesting.. Epicurus advised against getting married. He wasn't that impressed with sex either saying we should count ourselves lucky if sex didn't cause anyone any harm(!).

Prudence: is an excellent way of making decisions. All decisions can be seen as leading to pleasure or pain. Thinking ahead, planning for the future with these possible outcomes in mind will help lead a pleasurable life.

Security: Well you have to agree to it as-is…

 

And, according to the modern school of thought…

1. Epicurus was wrong about the detached life and commune living

2. Epicurus was wrong about avoiding marriage
3. Pleasure is not the opposite of pain

And this is what our dude got right…

1. Using cognitive strategies to deal with death and pain
2. Friendships matter more than status or money
3. Happiness comes from moderate varied pleasure

Hindi in Courts...

There's news about India lawyers want to speak in Hindi during the court proceedings.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/south_asia/8255620.stm

But this is only in Delhi High court that they are protesting for. I think it's a positive move which should be supported.

This leaves me wondering what would happen in states like Kerala and Karnataka and Andhra and Tamil Nadu..if it ever gets enforced country wide?

Zen...

I liked today’s Zen quote…

 

Spacious and content,

Without confusion from

Inner thoughts of grasping,

Effectively overcome habitual behavior

And realize the self

That is not possessed by emotions.

Be broad-minded,

Whole, without relying on others.

 

- Hongzhi Zhengjue (1091–1157)

If it's not OKAY, it's not the END...

They say..
Everything would be OKAY in the END,
If it's not OKAY...it's not the END.

source: I don't know..

Nature and Death...

I read this interesting quote today...

"Nature is God's way of killing you."

And it occurs that..
"Aging is Nature's way of killing you".

But, you might want to ask..
Why does God want me to die?

SONY VAIO Notebooks..NO! NO!

We have been searching for a perfect notebook for a while now..

Given the budget we have, Sony VAIO CS36/34 series had all the features we were looking for….

I almost had bought it...until...suddenly I noticed the following two things about VAIO notebooks…(while going through the product demo at Sony Center-Jayanagar, Bangalore):

1. Sony VAIO Notebook does not support Intel VT.

And they never will...PERIOD!

Even if they are shipped with Intel Core two Duo processors, they do not have VT enabled in the BIOS.

BIOS has all the features locked and there is no way you can enable them. (unless you hack your notebook and break support contract). Another how to: link.

I don’t care for the reason why SONY does this (DRM philosophy or saving cost on OEM partnership with Intel)…but I feel cheated even by considering SONY notebooks now.

The reason I am concerned about this is not just because…I will not be able to run 64-bit VMs on this notebook(and no virtualization), but also Windows-7 is around the corner.

Without VT, there is no chance I will be able to run the inbuilt XP mode in Win-7.

On top of that.. The sales guy at SONY Center-Jayanagar told me they are offering a discount for Win-7 for all the VAIO deals made before 10-Aug-09.

SONY, you want me to pay for Win-7 but not expect the full functionality..ha!

This is the SONY's official stance on this: KB C381809

This gets more interesting if you search for VT at SONY KB website. This is what I found.

<---snip---

„…The vPro logo sticker on VAIO computers indicates that the computer meets the requirements for the following vPro features:

Intel Active Management Technology (AMT)
Intel Virtualization Technology (VT)
Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT)…“
---snip--->

Well, yes, the CPU does truly support hardware virtualization...but it's disabled.

And..there is no posibility enable it...and this way the notebook really does *NOT* support VT.

There is another interesting thread at Intel's forum: link

2. SONY do not provide you any driver and OS media along with the Laptop.

It’s always assumed that all the drivers and OS media (for which customers have paid) will come along with the laptop. No..not with SONY...I have a lesson learnt…Don’t assume anything!

A notebooks are shipped with pre-installed Windows Vista and other VAIO software.

After probing more on this, the sales guy told me...customers themselves are supposed to take a backup of the notebook (on a 4.5GB DVD media) as soon as they receive it (using VAIO Backup software).

And in case of any issues...they can always re-image the notebook using the backup media.

What If I wish/need to re-configure my notebook (say..want to have different disk partitioning scheme)...or want to try any other OS.. I don’t have the OS media/drivers/licenses to do it myself.

After all I have purchased the hardware and I’m free to do anything with it ..right?

NO!....I’ll lose out on the support contract on trying to do anything on those lines.

And mind you…the above things were obviously not specified anywhere in the product website nor in the product documentation I was provided.

Both the above are true for all SONY VAIO notebooks.

Shame on you SONY and Intel ( if you are responsible or #1 above). !

Bhala kisi ka kar na sako to...

Yadi bhala kisi ka kar na sako to, bura kisi ka mat karna
Amrit na pilaane ko ghar mein to, zahar pilaate bhi darna.

Yadi satya madhur na bol sako to, jhoot kathin bhi mat bolo,
Yadi maun rakho sabse achha, kam se kam vish to mat gholo,
Bolo to pehle tum tolo, fir mukh-tala khola karna.

Yadi bhala kisi ka kar na sako to, bura kisi ka mat karna..

Yadi ghar na kisi ka baandh sako to, jhopdiyan na jala dena,
Yadi marham-patti kar na sako to, khar namak na laga dena,
Yadi deepak ban kar jal na sako to, andhkar bhi mat karna.

Yadi bhala kisi ka kar na sako to, bura kisi ka mat karna..

Yadi phool nahi ban sakte to, kaante ban kar na bikhar jaana,
Maanav ban kar sahla na sako to, dil bhi kisi ka dukhana na,
Yadi dev nahi ban sakte to, daanav ban kar bhi mat marna.

Yadi bhala kisi ka kar na sako to, bura kisi ka mat karna

Yadi sadaachar apna na sako to, paapo mein mat pag dharna,
Kintu na kabhi shaitaan bano, aur na kabhi haivaan bano,
muni-pushp agar bhagwan nahi to, kam se kam insaan bano.

Yadi bhala kisi ka kar na sako to, bura kisi ka mat karna...

Happiness...

Nothing new..but since I like talking about happiness...

Nothing is better than a drunken monkey...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYuIYNaKynI

This is another pretty old interesting story..

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3580626.stm

“Apparently a black bear broke into a cooler, guzzled 36 cans of beer, and then passed out. The irony is that the bear tried a can of Busch, but rejected it in favor of a local brand.”

'random' v/s 'equally distributed'...

I do this all the time…mistaking ‘random’ with ‘equally distributed'.

 

For instance, if you ask someone to select 5 ‘random’ people in a room..they will choose one/two from the middle..one from the front..one from the back..and the last one from some area of the room un-noticed yet.

They will also make the sex distribution as equal as possible…regardless of the proportion of males/females present in the room.

 

This is not being ‘random’, but actually being ‘equally distributed’.

 

Btw, can humans generate ‘random’ events?

 

I think..it’s impossible to come up with a random sequence just by pulling it out of your head. We can’t help stop thinking..

Blogging Makes You Happy...

Yes...it's proven..

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2009/02/16/can-blogging-make-you-happier/

This is why i blog (occasionally)..

Nerd?...Well I dont agree any more..

I just took this test online..which is supposed to compare your nerd'ness with the other people taking the test..and below are the results.
I seem not to agree with the results any more...specially after that I am married now..

http://www.nerdtests.com/ft_nq.php





Your Score Summary

Overall, you scored as follows:

4% scored higher (more nerdy),
1% scored the same, and
95% scored lower (less nerdy).

What does this mean? Your nerdiness is:

All hail the monstrous nerd. You are by far the SUPREME NERD GOD!!!

Sonoluminescence: Sound into Light...

This is interesting…

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonoluminescence

 

“Sonoluminescence is the emission of short bursts of light from imploding bubbles in a liquid when excited by sound.”

 

 

(Ignorant) Morons Can Save Us..

Obama government just passed a stimulus package in US.

As I have read, experts say..this package will (in any way) not directly stimulate anything in the short term (and that's when we need it).
But, with some luck...it would probably manage to bamboozle a hundred million morons into thinking that their government did something useful...and...that in turn would cause them to be more confident and spend more...resulting in stimulating the economy.

The funny thing about this scheme is that it just might work.
Another interesting thing is that no one is trying to hide the fact that the entire plan depends on bamboozling the aggressively ignorant mass.
Whole sole aim is...get those bozos spending again, and if it requires a fraudulent stimulus package to get it done..so be it.
Most people seem to be okay with that.

My theory says, smart people are actually(and ironically) incompetent if left to their own devices. They need stupids around to use their intelligence.
This is what is exactly happening here.
Just imagine...if the world was populated only with the smart and well-informed people..we would all sit waiting for someone else to spend money first...delegating risk..being smart.
Eventually..society would obviously crumble and all of us (geniuses) would be eaten by rats.
Now, if you throw a bunch of clueless ignorant morons into the mix...you will find economy is supercharged. Money flows...confidence warranted..and the economy flourishes.

Our past economic booms depended heavily on morons.
Those wonderful stimulators (morons) of the economy have to buy stocks in perpetually unprofitable companies..or invest in real estate when it is clearly overpriced.

Every economic boom is powered by the clueless.
I find no argument against why the next one should be different...except that the government is doing the bamboozling this time.

And...I like the word stimulus.

Story So far...

The story so far: In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move.

 

      -- Douglas Adams, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe

Bad Jokes...

GOD play cruel jokes with us..
He might allow you to be anything you can dream of..but there will always be a catch.

For instance, you might become a billionaire, but would end up loosing half of it somehow..or might have to serve jail for two years..

There is (and will) always be a catch.

Just before you read the whole story..consider the following conversation, almighty GOD might have had with still-born-to-be soul..

GOD: Its decided. You will be a billionaire.
Soul: wow!
GOD: But..you'll lose more than half of it... in few months.
Soul: ouch! .. I think it's fine..still a lot of money..I'll be rich anyways.
GOD: And...you'll have to go to jail for two years.
Soul: ??.. I knew it! It's a catch.
(Soul Thinking: It's only two years..so..)
GOD: No. that's not the catch.
Soul: oh!
GOD: And your name will be..Anurag Dikshit.
Soul: He he! Good one. Seriously, what will my name be?
Universe: We're done here, Mr. Dikshit.

Complete story here:
http://www.forbes.com/2008/12/22/billionaires-mitttal-ross-biz-billies-cz_lk_1222billieblowups_slide_7.html?partner=yahoo