Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Programmers and Accountability
Programmers have it easy.
The software has a bug? Fix it in the next release. No big deal.
But a new bridge develops a crack? Sue the engineer.
Just a thought.
The software has a bug? Fix it in the next release. No big deal.
But a new bridge develops a crack? Sue the engineer.
Just a thought.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Master Builder
I recently saw a Malayalam movie 'Akashagopuram' which is an adaptation of the play 'Master Builder'. Though the original play is more than a century old, the concept still has relevance in the real world in my opinion.
It basically concerns an Architect heading a firm who is worried about a new generation architects dethroning him from his lead in the profession. He eventually relents upon pressure and makes way.
What does this convey?
To me, it says that we should do what we love and not for the results and the prestige associated with the result. When we do that there is not only a tendency to keep learning and thereby stay on top but also develop true respect for peers who do well.
Now, isn't this what the Gita says?
It basically concerns an Architect heading a firm who is worried about a new generation architects dethroning him from his lead in the profession. He eventually relents upon pressure and makes way.
What does this convey?
To me, it says that we should do what we love and not for the results and the prestige associated with the result. When we do that there is not only a tendency to keep learning and thereby stay on top but also develop true respect for peers who do well.
Now, isn't this what the Gita says?
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Why?
This is something that irritates me to no end. Don't try to fix other people's things until you fix your own.
In a state grappling with power, traffic, bad roads and water crisis, the honorable chief minister of Tamil Nadu is hypersensitive to what is going on in an neighboring country. He even called a strike in the state to show protest.
This reminds me of a strike in Kerala to protest the death sentence of Saddam Hussein.
Have the people of India given up? Why do we put up with these hypocrites?
In a state grappling with power, traffic, bad roads and water crisis, the honorable chief minister of Tamil Nadu is hypersensitive to what is going on in an neighboring country. He even called a strike in the state to show protest.
This reminds me of a strike in Kerala to protest the death sentence of Saddam Hussein.
Have the people of India given up? Why do we put up with these hypocrites?
Monday, November 3, 2008
Obama
The US election comes to a close in 2 days and puts an end to 2 years of debates, rhetorical speeches and news and analysis and politics.
I am an Indian and have no vote, but I have been following the US election process. Watching Obama throughout the campaign makes you wishes you had similar leaders in your own country. Watching him, you really think whether he is a human. After all, the way he has conducted himself is impeccable. Whether it was brushing aside Hillary's jabs early on or dealing with McCain's fear mongering, he really comes across as a role model.
So like everyone else, I am also waiting for the verdict on Obama's audacity of hope versus McCain's politics of fear. Reminded me of Batman - The Dark Knight.
I am an Indian and have no vote, but I have been following the US election process. Watching Obama throughout the campaign makes you wishes you had similar leaders in your own country. Watching him, you really think whether he is a human. After all, the way he has conducted himself is impeccable. Whether it was brushing aside Hillary's jabs early on or dealing with McCain's fear mongering, he really comes across as a role model.
So like everyone else, I am also waiting for the verdict on Obama's audacity of hope versus McCain's politics of fear. Reminded me of Batman - The Dark Knight.