Disclaimer : The views expressed in this post and subsequent similar posts are personal impressions of digital media and in no way represent the general public opinion. Just one way for me to keep track of the good things in life every week.
Movie of the week :
No good hindi movies coming along. Neither are any of the hollywood ones any good this past month. But then again I havent been to the screens for 3 weeks now!!!! So I thought I would mention a old release which I caught up with.
Ahista Ahista (2006) - Those of you who have Abhhay deol movies should know not to expect anything conventional. If you are a fan like myself, then don't miss this one. Also, the ending takes the cake, since its not the sort of endings that you would expect. Music is decent (even though himesh reshamiya is involved). "Ishq ne Tere" by K.K. is a awesome track.
Episode of the Week :
Again due to thanksgiving, there wasn't much TV going on. However, "Slapsgiving" episode from "How I met Your Mother" is the clear winner this week. After a long time, it was a lot of fun.
Song of the Week :
Don't know how many listened to the track of "Aao Wish karein", but i liked it. "Tum mere ho" was a favourite. Nice melodious songs.
Quote of the week :
"If you want to find out how many of your friends disagree with the way you think, write a blog."
Note : The quotes in these posts are sole intellectual property of the author of this blog and are not to be used or copied without the author's permission ;).
Monday, November 30, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
A new "social life"
How many times have you heard from people that you have no social life whatsoever? How many times have you told people that you have no "social life"? If you are reading random blogs like these then I am guessing a lot ;).
Let's reassess the definition of this so called "social life". what does it mean to have social a life?
Correct me if I am wrong, but from I have heard from people all my life, it means having a social presence, meeting new people and keeping in touch with the old ones. Hang out with your buddies. Going out and interacting with public as much as possible. Basically, the one thing that remains common in all conventional methods of being social is that you have to leave the house or invite others to your house. Why do i bother with the definition u may ask? Because according to me its interpretation needs serious adjustment in this increasing digital world.
Now lets take a common example like facebook and gtalk. We keep in touch with our friends both old and new all the time. With constant status updates people now know more about their friends at any moment in the day than they previously new through phones or even meeting in classes. You are in better touch with your cousins in other cities. heck you make friends half way around the world and talk to them. I will reference another of my favourite shows "The big bang theory". They always make geek jokes, with the lead talking about having 500 facebook friends so he has nothing to worry about in that department ;) . I know its not that big a deal to have 500 friends as he thinks but it isnt insignificant either. If you have a personnel relationship with most of the people in your facebook friend list, enough for you guys to laugh and tease each other about, in my book that accounts for quite a social person. If you look at it you can do most interactions better and most frequently than you used too. So what makes you a geek and not a socialite. Is the gap between the digital and real world the only reason for this distinction?? In this increasingly changing world is it a long strech to call the facebook network your very own society?
Personally, I could easily compare a facebook network to a classroom we used to attend and some of us still do. The players are the same. the rules are the same (you like some you ignore some ), even the behaviour is same (the attention seekers still try seeking attention, the ones to talk less still type a lot less, the hyper active ones still comment more than they need too, you even make fun of certain people online with your friends,just like with groups in a class room.). Only thing that changes is the environment. Should the environment alone count for everything??
Maybe my 10,000+ hours of online existence has skewed my view or maybe people still haven't realised how things have changed so quickly?? tell me what you think.
Let's reassess the definition of this so called "social life". what does it mean to have social a life?
Correct me if I am wrong, but from I have heard from people all my life, it means having a social presence, meeting new people and keeping in touch with the old ones. Hang out with your buddies. Going out and interacting with public as much as possible. Basically, the one thing that remains common in all conventional methods of being social is that you have to leave the house or invite others to your house. Why do i bother with the definition u may ask? Because according to me its interpretation needs serious adjustment in this increasing digital world.
Now lets take a common example like facebook and gtalk. We keep in touch with our friends both old and new all the time. With constant status updates people now know more about their friends at any moment in the day than they previously new through phones or even meeting in classes. You are in better touch with your cousins in other cities. heck you make friends half way around the world and talk to them. I will reference another of my favourite shows "The big bang theory". They always make geek jokes, with the lead talking about having 500 facebook friends so he has nothing to worry about in that department ;) . I know its not that big a deal to have 500 friends as he thinks but it isnt insignificant either. If you have a personnel relationship with most of the people in your facebook friend list, enough for you guys to laugh and tease each other about, in my book that accounts for quite a social person. If you look at it you can do most interactions better and most frequently than you used too. So what makes you a geek and not a socialite. Is the gap between the digital and real world the only reason for this distinction?? In this increasingly changing world is it a long strech to call the facebook network your very own society?
Personally, I could easily compare a facebook network to a classroom we used to attend and some of us still do. The players are the same. the rules are the same (you like some you ignore some ), even the behaviour is same (the attention seekers still try seeking attention, the ones to talk less still type a lot less, the hyper active ones still comment more than they need too, you even make fun of certain people online with your friends,just like with groups in a class room.). Only thing that changes is the environment. Should the environment alone count for everything??
Maybe my 10,000+ hours of online existence has skewed my view or maybe people still haven't realised how things have changed so quickly?? tell me what you think.
Multi - touch Mouse (Apple vs microsoft)
If you havent heard already then you should check out the new apple 'Magic Mouse' the very latest from them. Sleek, stylish and the first multi touch mouse!!!!(check it on youtube). Though as a cautionary measure has not scored well with regards to ergonomics.
Seems like microsoft is experimenting with multi touch mouse too. Not 1 but 5 types of them!!!
http://www.engadget.com/2009/
Seems like microsoft is experimenting with multi touch mouse too. Not 1 but 5 types of them!!!
http://www.engadget.com/2009/
The friendship Algorithm
Well remember when I said i would talk about anything and everything.
Don't know how many of you watch "The Big bang theory". If you do then you know what I am talking about and If you don't then go to youtube right now and check it out. I guarantee that you won't be disappointed.
Who doesnt like having friends? Well what if you had a sure shot way of making them ;)
whats better, what if you had the instructions on your shirt!!!
Go to : http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/unisex/popculture/cb55/
P.S. Check the reamining site while you are there.
Don't know how many of you watch "The Big bang theory". If you do then you know what I am talking about and If you don't then go to youtube right now and check it out. I guarantee that you won't be disappointed.
Who doesnt like having friends? Well what if you had a sure shot way of making them ;)
whats better, what if you had the instructions on your shirt!!!
Go to : http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/unisex/popculture/cb55/
P.S. Check the reamining site while you are there.
Xbox vs PS3 vs Wii
Well I did say there would be tech. So lets start a little low key.
Being a computer gamer since i was 5 1/2 yrs old, I feel like I can comment on this topic.
Lets see each one in turn
PS3
In this moderm world or IR tracking and camera tracking, I feel this console has been left far behind in terms of innovation. It may boost the larget game collection. But, I am no longer satisfied with improved versions of the same type of games. I think the LCD screen has gotten as clearer and life like as it can. These guys need to add something new.
Xbox
Well. You could prefer this if you were a die hard microsoft games fan. But seriously who is?
You might buy this because you think you can finally use NATAL(chk it out on youtube) when it comes out. Sorry to burst your bubble but there a few problems with that logic. First of all it is not going to come before last quarter of 2010 which is still a year away. Also it is foolish to buy any new tech as soon as it comes out without waiting to see how it fares. Not to mention the cost , if microsoft sells its controller for 40$ and a wifi steering wheel for 80$ then you can expect the NATAL accesory to be no less than 200$. Also there are rumors that the NATAL accessory would actually be part of the next generation of Xbox, which would really suck for Xbox users.
Wii.
Hmm. Probably my choice of the 3. with its impressive accesory kit Wii has made gaming more reall than ever before. Not to mention the accesories are cheap as compared to the other 2 consoles.Sure it has the least games in its arsenal and they are not as life like in terms of graphics as PS games. But seriously guys who cares. Its what you would call a right step towards the future of gaming tech. I would rather prefer trying out something new rather than play the same games with a better design.
Being a computer gamer since i was 5 1/2 yrs old, I feel like I can comment on this topic.
Lets see each one in turn
PS3
In this moderm world or IR tracking and camera tracking, I feel this console has been left far behind in terms of innovation. It may boost the larget game collection. But, I am no longer satisfied with improved versions of the same type of games. I think the LCD screen has gotten as clearer and life like as it can. These guys need to add something new.
Xbox
Well. You could prefer this if you were a die hard microsoft games fan. But seriously who is?
You might buy this because you think you can finally use NATAL(chk it out on youtube) when it comes out. Sorry to burst your bubble but there a few problems with that logic. First of all it is not going to come before last quarter of 2010 which is still a year away. Also it is foolish to buy any new tech as soon as it comes out without waiting to see how it fares. Not to mention the cost , if microsoft sells its controller for 40$ and a wifi steering wheel for 80$ then you can expect the NATAL accesory to be no less than 200$. Also there are rumors that the NATAL accessory would actually be part of the next generation of Xbox, which would really suck for Xbox users.
Wii.
Hmm. Probably my choice of the 3. with its impressive accesory kit Wii has made gaming more reall than ever before. Not to mention the accesories are cheap as compared to the other 2 consoles.Sure it has the least games in its arsenal and they are not as life like in terms of graphics as PS games. But seriously guys who cares. Its what you would call a right step towards the future of gaming tech. I would rather prefer trying out something new rather than play the same games with a better design.
Success. Is it only for those with "Acumulated advantage"?
My first topic. Always tricky you know. Trying to go with something thought provoking over here. But again, that which provokes my thoughts might not provoke other's. Aaarrgggh!! look at me already digressing from the topic in my first post.
I guess I should start by explaining "Accumalated advantage". Well I just started reading the "The outliers" and this books tries to explain the reason behind the success of successful people. It argues that people who are extraordinarily successful (The outliers) are not only successful because of their extraordinary talent, grit and determination and hardwork but also another major factor that nobody considers. It says success also depends on where these people came from, where they were born, who their ancestors were even as far as when they were born!!! It disagrees with those autoboigraphies that talk about "self made" successes. It charts the example of sportspersons from every game in almost every country. How their success is dependent on their ealier pickings into junior squads which ultimately depends on their date of birth in relation to the cut-off dates for entrants. So naturally, people with birthdays just after the cut-off date would be more older and mature and hence more equiped than their peers. Same can be applied to education in many countries. It tells you that at the time of their first picking they only had a slight advantage, but gradually after getting picked in successive squads because of the same advantage they get more incentive. Sort of like rich getting richer and poor staying poor. This in sociology is called "Accumulative advantage".
Do you agree with the authors view? Personally, I am a quite skeptical. I mean throughout my life I have seen people with all the comforts and advantages (yours truly included) squander them, whereas people who have quite a few hindrances to success are all the more motivated and to achieve it. Applying the same concept I figure wouldn't the other kids be more motivated to perform seeing that they are competing with marginally older and mature kids. Would they not be more inclined to prove themselves.
But again there are comprehensive statistics to back the authors claims - I could say "statistics never give the whole picture" but then like a really good TVshow says ;) "Number's don't lie" I have to respect that too.
What do you people think?
I guess I should start by explaining "Accumalated advantage". Well I just started reading the "The outliers" and this books tries to explain the reason behind the success of successful people. It argues that people who are extraordinarily successful (The outliers) are not only successful because of their extraordinary talent, grit and determination and hardwork but also another major factor that nobody considers. It says success also depends on where these people came from, where they were born, who their ancestors were even as far as when they were born!!! It disagrees with those autoboigraphies that talk about "self made" successes. It charts the example of sportspersons from every game in almost every country. How their success is dependent on their ealier pickings into junior squads which ultimately depends on their date of birth in relation to the cut-off dates for entrants. So naturally, people with birthdays just after the cut-off date would be more older and mature and hence more equiped than their peers. Same can be applied to education in many countries. It tells you that at the time of their first picking they only had a slight advantage, but gradually after getting picked in successive squads because of the same advantage they get more incentive. Sort of like rich getting richer and poor staying poor. This in sociology is called "Accumulative advantage".
Do you agree with the authors view? Personally, I am a quite skeptical. I mean throughout my life I have seen people with all the comforts and advantages (yours truly included) squander them, whereas people who have quite a few hindrances to success are all the more motivated and to achieve it. Applying the same concept I figure wouldn't the other kids be more motivated to perform seeing that they are competing with marginally older and mature kids. Would they not be more inclined to prove themselves.
But again there are comprehensive statistics to back the authors claims - I could say "statistics never give the whole picture" but then like a really good TVshow says ;) "Number's don't lie" I have to respect that too.
What do you people think?
Welcome
waaaaaaaassssssssssssuuuuuuuppppppp!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is me, Rohan Dargad, a CS grad student somewhere in the US finally getting around to having my own blog. Those who know me should know this is a lot of work for me ;)
What will this blog be about?
Hmm. well it will be about everything from technology to sociology to TV and practically anything my small mind can think off.
Why should you visit this blog?
Well. If you are on any of the same chat clients as i am and have actually chatted with me then by now you are pretty much harassed by my constant pinging about everything and nothing. Well, this blog would mean that most of my nonsense can now go over here (and you can comment about it over here at your own leisure). Though, I do expect those comments, otherwise i am still on ur chat list ;)
Why Now?
I read somewhere that to be good at something you have to clock 10,000 hours for that activity. Since I am pretty sure I have clocked in 10,000 digital chat hours comfortably, I have ventured into this enterprise.
Also for the longest time could not think of a Blog title whenever I sat down to write my first post. But then just the other day I was sitting in the laundry room staring at the machine that felt like it was going to explode, and it suddenly struck me like a lot of things often do.
My fears about this blog
Getting blasted for my personnel views. You see, by some weird co-incidence, I happen to know a lot of really smart people. My only request is that blast me but gently :) .
Now that introductions are over, lets get to the good part, MY NONSENSE.
This is me, Rohan Dargad, a CS grad student somewhere in the US finally getting around to having my own blog. Those who know me should know this is a lot of work for me ;)
What will this blog be about?
Hmm. well it will be about everything from technology to sociology to TV and practically anything my small mind can think off.
Why should you visit this blog?
Well. If you are on any of the same chat clients as i am and have actually chatted with me then by now you are pretty much harassed by my constant pinging about everything and nothing. Well, this blog would mean that most of my nonsense can now go over here (and you can comment about it over here at your own leisure). Though, I do expect those comments, otherwise i am still on ur chat list ;)
Why Now?
I read somewhere that to be good at something you have to clock 10,000 hours for that activity. Since I am pretty sure I have clocked in 10,000 digital chat hours comfortably, I have ventured into this enterprise.
Also for the longest time could not think of a Blog title whenever I sat down to write my first post. But then just the other day I was sitting in the laundry room staring at the machine that felt like it was going to explode, and it suddenly struck me like a lot of things often do.
My fears about this blog
Getting blasted for my personnel views. You see, by some weird co-incidence, I happen to know a lot of really smart people. My only request is that blast me but gently :) .
Now that introductions are over, lets get to the good part, MY NONSENSE.
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