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Monday, December 26, 2016

Fear

Fear, in reality, has multiple dimensions most of which are diametrically opposite .

Its major attribute as I see it is more to do with a certain amount of hesitation and vacillation oscillating as a door not knowing which side to let us move either forward or backward.

Some years back, one fine day this made me do this PPT

FEAR-the two way hinge


Friday, December 23, 2016

Words and USA

The United States and the word.

I enjoyed reading the article and it was really wonderful.


I have always believed that through a close study of words and languages and their evolution we can travel through cultures, histories and events of the past, imaginations of the mind and impacts of events.

All these are because every word and language record facts as well as aspirations and ideas.

They are the main bridges between the remote past and repository for posterity.

Language is the most powerful medium and it is the queen of sciences and king of arts because all arts and sciences can be expressed and explained fully; enjoyed and experienced at least to a certain extent through langue.


Words are its main hardware


And articulation is the art of carrying and conveying thoughts, ideas for multiple purposes using words and language to great effect.



In true analysis I always loved and place my loyalty to British English but the American English has made a very great contribution through its unfettered freedom to express freely and frankly the thoughts and feelings without any constraint of hypocritical diplomatic restraint and this has enriched the English language with a vast ocean of vocabulary and highly flexible expressions and new combinations whose etymology unravel the myriad facets of modern life and its emerging aspirations.

Feel really and think purposefully

There are a few things which must not be clouded by mere words or used superficially as a verbal filigree work.

They must be allowed to shine in all their brilliance as real feelings in heart and as thoughts in head so that the vibrations inside us and outside us will pick them up and offer the best combination that we want or are necessary for us.

One may go through these links at leisure and try to grasp the crux of the matter.



Thursday, December 22, 2016

The untreated cancer of Main Stream Media

The untreated cancer of Main Stream Media

The Main Stream Media [MSM] all over the world is imbued with left liberals with anti-national agenda in every nation be it in UK, USA, India, China.

They have their own petrified ideologies, putrefied perspectives and puerile propaganda which are getting ignored by the growing number of discerning population and pervasive social media [which these MSMs prefer to call as 24/7 echo chambers ] wherein  facts seep in real time and spoil the pre scripted slogans of MSM.

This is the reason why MODI has won for the long term prosperity of India despite collective anti- Modi tirade and false propaganda by MSM.

This is the reason Brexit happened in the long term interest of  Britishers.

This is the reason Trump won for the long term good of Americans.

This is the reason Putin is powerful for the self prestige of  Russians.

This is the reason some leaders in Middle East may continue.

This is the reason why such a great nation with a proud ancestry like Greece had to beg and survive at the mercy of other European nations.

These MSM’s must come out and accept reality or they will become as relevant as old type writing machines.



What happens when a single ideology or activity dominates?

What happens when a single ideology or activity dominates?

It is a very important point and this is what happens when one ideology dominates all discourse and permeates into all realms.

This happened due to religion long time ago, now it happens through over politicization of everything.

So, in ancient Indian literature was imbued with mythologies and religious discourses, now all news and periodicals are imbued with too much of politics.

These things imprint an identity which then takes over everything including our perspective, attitude, thinking, perception or at least frames of reference in our perception etc.

They then go on to dominate our choices and decision making process.

It becomes a vicious circle where the industry provides what the consumers prefers and the consumer prefers what the industry publicizes and we end up with lack of variety, rationality and gulp repetitive  non sense ad nausea like bollywood films.








Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Leadership















KARMA, DHRAMA, LEADERSHIP 
LEADERSHIP IS
Linking  [synergizing]
Everyone’s [synthesizing based on interrelatedness]
Abilities/ Aspirations [inherent attributes and skills]
Dharmically [value based on wholesome perception]
Emotionally [compassionate attitude-feel at heart ]
Rationally [reason with head]
Soulfully [ realization of oneness in spirit and purpose-spiritually]
Highlighting the [ prioritizing]
Importance of [contextual relevance of]

Performance. [karma-activities based on all the above]

Everyday wish

What you wish to do every day, a good question. 

Well, honestly make efforts to enable peaceful and prosperous life for all and live life meaningfully in as many aspects as possible. 

Rather than merely pass through the motions of existence of passive survival. 

Realize that life is a constant process of learning and adjustment which involves some contribution from me in whatever way as one more species in the universe where everything and everyone are interrelated and interconnected and therefore find possibilities of synthesis and synergy for betterment and thus ensure that I actively participate in the constant churning process of evolution of life philosophically.
























Thursday, December 15, 2016

History –is it an important subject, if so, why?

History –is it an important subject, if so,  why?

History for a united world by E.H. Dance is a very interesting history book that I have read along with a list of many useful books for all those interested in knowing world History in general with least amount of prejudice.

When we talk of history, obviously it cannot be divorced from individuals, institutions, issues, ideologies that have formed and framed a major part of history.

This includes predominantly the multiple social systems that have been experimented; the political systems that have been tried and tested; the socio-religious cultural systems that have prevailed; and the multitude of economic and trade activities that have shaped the survival of human beings and in some or many case improved life in many aspects.

Therefore, it is not easy to brush aside history as some unwanted report of the facts of the past because the trails of impact and influence the events have left are enormous.

At the same time, as a subject of study, it is also vulnerable to the onslaught of ideological prejudices of all hues and certain distortions of some historians.
Unfortunately, for want of highly authenticated and accepted versions of events we are forced to rely on some available records.

However, through collating multiple methods of advanced scientific tools like DNA proofs, Archaeological evidences, literary references etc we can arrive at some facts.

Here I would like to share some links to my articles written at different times on History followed by a list of books recommended for studying world history.

Having said all that, the best way to know true history is to study the evolution of culture, traditions and language of the region or nation whose history one wants to study.

History involves not only mere reporting of prosaic information of events but the insights into what, who, how and why such events were generated and their contextual relevance and whether they also offer lessons for us now and all of these require interpretation of those events in proper perspective with relevant comparisons too.








List of useful and interesting World History books that I have enjoyed reading and would therefore boldly recommend

1. The Story of Civilization (11 Volume Set) by Will Durant

2. Ideas: A history from fire to Freud by Peter Watson

3. Guns Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond covers the history of human societies over the past ten thousand years over all the continents - all in one book.

4. Norman Lowe - it is a short and extremely interesting book. 'Mastering Modern World History' by Norman Lowe is an excellent source for learning important events of world history during 18th, 19th and 20th centuries


5. Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind 5th Edition-by David Buss (Author)


6. The Times Complete History of the World-by Richard Overy


7. A history of the World-by Andrew Marr

8. The Measure of Civilization: How Social Development Decides the Fate of Nations (Ian Morris)

9. A Little History of the World by E.H. Gombrich and also

A Short History of the World by H.G Wells

10. For a longer read History of the World by J.M. Roberts (updated as New History of the World)


Sunday, December 11, 2016

Leadership

I am planning to write a detailed book on leadership not as any over generalized fit all contexts phenomenon or reference manual but what type of leadership is expected in different contexts.

Leadership too, like many things, is contextual and obviously there are vast differences between a political leader, business leader, religious leader etc.

This, I feel is much required because leadership is mix of many things and skill sets both of which are acquired over time through many ways.

Leadership also involves effective unbiased observation, unconditioned grasp and perception of the pulse of the domain at a particular time and place in which one is a leader.

Leadership is brief is a very delicate mixture of instincts, impulses, inculcated intelligent methodologies, intrigues, interpretations, innate responses and many other important things.

Besides, even within specific domains and contexts we also have multiple nuances to be adopted and executed depending on the evolving situations.

Among the many aspects required of a leader the predominant features may preferably be an attitude of flexibility, proper perspective and involved commitment with total intensity and intense totality, the perception of multiple nuances of existing contexts and situations along with a cleverness, alertness and capabilities to predict and to be prepared to deal with emerging and evolving situations.

Leadership is a wholesome package of multiple facets all of which are responsible to ensure maximum possible happiness, peace and prosperity to the maximum number for/to whom the leadership is answerable.

However, for all types of leadership there could be certain common and broadly defined universal aspects of wisdom which in my humble opinion could be like the following list, irrespective of whether they are sanctioned or sanctified by any ideological, social or religious isms.

The following list is based on the view that wisdom is the work shop where works of evolutionary trends and experiences of everyone in it emerge to express wisely the essence of everything to enlighten everyone;

A wisdom which prioritizes living in the present context and along with practicing certain time tested values which have relevance in present context but with global perspective to bequeath a livable planet, a lovable society with lovely infrastructures and improved living conditions;

A wisdom that evaluates everything and everyone with contextual relevance and based on the inherent attributes or merits of what or who is being evaluated without extrapolating any presumptions, opinions, judgments, perceptions, expectations, ideologies, doctrines, identity based ideology and so on;


A wisdom which is willing to make minor adjustments, small compromises, spontaneous cooperation to create compatible and conducive atmosphere with humility devoid of any egocentric or ethnocentric pride;

A wisdom with the realization and a perspective that must be aware that life is a constant process of learning of the multiple dimensions of many things and the various dynamics of those dimensions involving the constant interaction and interrelationship with everyone and everything.

A wisdom that is willing to accommodate multiple methods or means of life with some overall tolerant attitude embedded on humanitarian concerns towards all human life and environmental or natural concern towards all other species.

A wisdom that gets its clarity of understanding through a churning process that takes into consideration several aspects from the practical to the philosophical to the all fantasies of the mind.


So, leadership is a package and pact and the script of leadership may be embedded with certain repetitions as leadership has to be constantly and repeatedly reminded of its priority of  the role and responsibilities rather than the mere position of authority though that is also an important component of leadership. 

I shall explain the pact in detail later on.


Monday, December 5, 2016

Division and Oneness

                                    Division and Oneness

















Division are merely the visible manifestations of  some deep rooted causes like excessive identity veneration of all hues which are enhanced by constant emphasis on differences and further fueled by multiple vested interest institutions to manipulate like some media houses, some political leaders, some religious leaders and various ideology peddlers.

What is needed is an unbiased understanding of reality and a better realization of oneness among all; what in reality is whole and not divided; and a conscious effort towards generating synergy to create unity among inherent and inevitable polarity not paradoxes; generate synergy amid contradictions and variety.


We need to see and accept what are the differences and find solutions within them to create unity. I would like to visualize an acronym of DIVISION like this:-

Differences are
Inevitable;
Variety is
Inherent and
Synergy is
Indispensable to
Offer
Nicely the Oneness of all. 


  
The following links give a glimpse into topics related to identity, variety, unity, wholeness, polarity principle, realization of oneness etc.
   









Plans and decision making

Neither Shewag nor anyone bowling to him can plan for his late cuts but the impact and execution are a delight to watch.

Plans by themselves, if we brush aside the management books could be predictable plans, prescribed pattern of plans, unorthodox plans, unexpected plans, incomprehensible plans etc.

Modern economy and politics are too complicated because the flexibility required for accommodating emerging trends, contexts and tackling crooked players of all hues and types.

Media or stereotyped academicians fixing terminologies and labels and expecting everyone to accept them with axiomatic certitude and consider them as an eternal constant like the North Star is just plain stupidity.

I wish, instead that these media persons start their scripts with a better understanding of the prevailing contexts and roll out relevant material.

Recently in the past two few days I have been countering unending tirade of suggestions from academically well qualified people.
The replies are in the following two links:-

Sunday, December 4, 2016

Is it possible to de-clutter the unending debates on demonetization? Or is it possible to oversimplify certain things in ‘Black and White’?


Is it possible to de-clutter the unending debates on demonetization? Or is it possible to oversimplify certain things in ‘Black and White’?

Getting into the kerfuffle of the much mussed up subject of most of the happenings in political and economic fronts especially in present scenario would be risking reputations and exposing lack of lucid understanding.

It is dangerous to over simplify something referred to by a single word or term for convenience of easy recognition but in reality is something that involves multiple factors of various hues and colors- clear, vague, intentionally masked etc-all very clumsily and inextricably interwoven and messily struck together.

Some of the things are not even distinctly visible threads for us to decipher the knotty spots, rather it is has no slubs and a clueless clew of knotted messy lump of  multicolored threads [நூல் கண்டு சிடுக்கு] soaked in thick mud of politicization further rendered fuzzy by the muddy waters of media interpretations.

What is predominantly being done is reacting to reactions and presumed repercussions.

While some are trying to sincerely decipher the long term implications and impacts for which certain difficult measures [I do not want to even qualify them as economic, financial or political] are primarily introduced.

The pity is most of the self styled or proclaimed specialists in various realms who have been in great slumber for more than six decades are demanding definition for ‘how long will it take to see long-term impacts’.

I think the visual presentation below will explain what is happening in modern day economics, politics and the cyber world.



















Thursday, December 1, 2016

What decides decision making?

                                   What decides decision making?

A well documented data, survey and scientific study based neural research like the one presented in your article is very interesting and may throw lot of light and also give more insights into understanding better the decision making process.

Having said that, however, when the very expression ‘decision making’ flashes across my mind there are many things that cross my mind.

At the outset I would like to make it clear that I am neither an academically accomplished person nor a scientist nor interested in getting into heated debates or question anything or anyone.

Let me also make it clear that I am not trying to over simplify the art of decision making which gave the world a wonderful philosophical scripture like ‘Bhagawad Geetha’ and has provided the theme for many stories and scripts in all languages and cultures.

This has also made me wonder whether there is or there are any universally applicable readymade templates to decision making either from what base[s] it should emanate? How it must evolve?  What must be its ultimate purpose? And so on.

Here are some of the things that cross my mind, not necessarily in order, precisely because I feel they are interconnected, often inseparably interrelated and most importantly interacting as well.

They could very broadly be mentioned [for want of time and avoid unnecessary diversion into Details] as the following: - Context, Choice, Observation, Frames of reference, Perspective and so on.

Decision like everything else are made in some specific ‘context’ and it definitely involves choosing between or among some options available and prioritizing certain things over the rest or to the exclusion of the rest.

This is perhaps the reason why in some contexts different people or different institutions make/take different decisions.

There is always some element of suspense, unsolved mystery and uncertainty in at least some aspect of every aspect of life and this is what drives human curiosity in multiple ways.

A curiosity to proceed beyond all sorts of vast references of existing great ideas, observations and thoughts into better or at least newer observations, philosophical inquiries, refined rational approaches, lateral thinking and unending seeking and searching for answers in manifold ways.


Here are some links to certain observations that I have made in the past.





Since, you have referred to Bhawad Geetha I would like to place here what I very often repeat in many of write ups, “In fact the whole of Bhagawad Gita, one of the reasons why it became more popular among the 28 Gitas, is that all its 700 stanzas are sand- witched between two words the starting word 'Dharma' and the last word ‘Mama’.

It must be actually read as ‘Mama Dharma’= my dharma- does not mean either Krishna’s or Arjuna’s Dharma, rather  when everyone reads it becomes ‘his Dhrama’ and all these 700 verses [ subjected to all sorts of excellent, enlightening as well as, often used as tool to justifying traditional practices, explanations by many] primarily are about attitudes to be adopted, actions to be executed and reactions to show at different situations taking into consideration the overall welfare of all [humanism].”

This one on the importance of ‘Observation’ I wrote to an old student of mine who was sharing some approaches and parts of his research


This I wrote to a clinical psychiatrist friend of mine when she wrote something about ‘Seeking’


How frames of reference can influence our perception


I also happen to write one Attitude Calendar in 2009 which I posted later on in 2009 wherein I gave an acronym to Decisions and Attitudes- the link to that calendar is also given here. Slide number 152 in that.

ATTITUDE CALENDAR