Desicritics Author: BangaloreGuy

Book Review: The Way We Will Be 50 Years From Today

BangaloreGuy — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 07:56:27 EDT

Firstly, congratulations to the editor and to the authors. Writing a book about the future, especially a compilation of essays on what the future might hold from 60 brilliant minds is usually something that comes up from a governmental organization - carrying out the same in a private space is commendable. One wishes more such endeavours are undertaken!

The preview for the book was interesting enough. There was mention of Nobel Peace Winners writing about wars - not just any wars, but nuclear wars. There were mentions about forced marriages amongst other things!
Whoa! I wanted to review it already!

There's always this lingering taste of a "slip betwixt cup and the lip", and in this case, it kind of seemed true, on starting with the book. But then, I discovered that this book's like a hamburger, almost. The starting and ending parts are (almost) plain, boring and somewhat poorly written (relatively). Its the essays in the middle that provide the taste, and some of the more compelling reading.

If you're going to read the book, I suggest that you dump the first 30 pages or so, and you might want to consider a similar number to dump at the last too - they're just a conundrum of blase writing, wishing for horses, and some stupid Utopian dreams mixed with some serious over the top thinking - "you're not allowed to marry X 'cos your gene pool's bad". Hello?? Someone miss the Stallone movie? (Demolition Man)

So, almost a quarter of the book's plain bad. There, I said it. Bad. Oh but, don't run off, the rest of the book makes up for it. There are a few essays that really should be the only ones they should have published - and boy, they're good.

Some pieces like that of Craig Newmark, founder of "Craig's list", are a joy to read - funny, witty, and a peekaboo at the future. Some like the Internet co-founders' piece on how humans will transcend their, what he calls "biological barriers" are marvellous - its been lucidly written, backed up by facts known currently - and it doesn't go Utopian, or look at the glass being half-full, but points perceptively to a future.

The prescriptions/predictions written by these authors - the "meat" in this hamburger of a book, are marvellous - because they deal with our present, and project from there to the future. They're all futurologists - to extend the term, slightly. Very clear cut cases made for embracing the new technologies that will help feed the world, feed the growing economies' appetite for energy with energy from sources that will not damage the world. There are cases made that describe how and why the environment can be saved - rainforests in the amazon etc., - quite a few with sound logic, facts and examples to buttress their future projections.

In fact, I would think any responsible government of a large country would want to do a similar thingy - but make it large enough to pull government policy out of it. In fact, for India - a country which has been rather slow to change - except in the greed with which natural resources are being plundered - this sort of a book, or a study would be a wonderful way to set-up for the future.

Book Review: The Art of Black and White Photography

BangaloreGuy — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 02:17:50 EDT

The Art of Black and White Photography is the first serious book I have read on photography. As an amateur photographer with relatively less experience with the SLR camera (a little over a year), it was a booster in a lot of ways - and it really is a book one shouldn't judge by its cover (which, doesn't look too er, artistic)

Having long been fascinated by the visual landscape around me, and being persuaded to buy an SLR, my photography ability seemed to be finding its limitations in that from a passion it seemed to be turning into a boring hobby. The trouble with finding good guidance on photography is that most websites and people talk more about the technical details of the camera, and less about how a shot can be approached, planned for, anticipated - and then taken - and also on how post-processing is to be done.

That is where this book is so handy - and where it actually justifies the title's Artistic reference. Torsten Andreas Hoffmann is still new to me - he's still a fantastic teacher, decent author and superlative photographer. But most importantly, he's someone who helped me appreciate the art of photography even more than before, and to broaden my way of looking at images.

As the preface notes, the art of digital photography is about seeing images, about composing them, etc., - not about technicality, even though it does deal with in bits and pieces. To drive a Ferrari well, I need to know how to shift gears, where the pedals are etc., and not a PhD in automobile technology!

The book starts off at a very easy pace - which is especially useful for an amateur. Among the first pieces discussed are the need for selecting a good camera, why RAW mode is best for the B&W photos - and the use of filters. It's been amongst the best things I have learnt from this book - and initially transformed the way I look at things, of course the book has also helped me immensely in the way I approach photos as well- in composing them in my mind before I actually take the shot, in looking for "visual tension" as Hoffman puts it. The various forms of photography are covered in depth - and illustrated to telling effect via Hoffman's lens - and some seem to make even the more difficult forms of photography very easy, when the shot has been thought through and executed well!

Hoffmann writes in a very easy approach - although not all lessons can be learnt in a day, and not all of them are immediately apparent - some of them actually took me a while to figure out. (and some I still haven't!) The best part is that each of the lessons are imparted as though one's taken through distinct phases of learning - a first basic shot, a second improved shot, a 3rd shot with most things in place - and then the best shot. It is this which would be of most use to any reader - and that is really the crux of this whole book - the approach to taking a photo - where taking a photo isn't just a point-and-click, or point-make a thousand camera adjustments-click.

It is instead more of looking at life, through different lenses, analyzing the mood which that lens shows - and even changing it, for a better, more interesting view.

Don't buy the book because I'm recommending it. Buy it because it will help you look at things more visually, because you'll notice art in everyday life - even help you fall in love with the black and white medium - almost like I have.

Cash For Votes Allegations - No Surprises

BangaloreGuy — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:18:45 EDT

When Desicritics invited opinions on the "cash for votes" scam - my internet search engines hadn't picked up on the one crore rupees displayed by BJP MPs in Parliament for apparently abstaining from the Trust vote on the UPA Government - still a small sum, going by the recent talk of an MP's or an MLA's worth in the Karnataka Assembly.

That said, I think the average Indian is probably resigned to it - the horse trading, the relatively large sums of money exchanged etc; Shibu Soren, who got convicted for one such act for Narasimha Rao's government is still around, still an MP - and is being promised ministries while in the process of deciding this government's fate as well.

I don't see why people would be surprised about Horse-trading when we see murderers, rapists, arsonists and rioters as MLAs/MPs. At least 4 of those are prominently highlighted in the media with 3 currently in jail. Why would one expect any of those members not to be available for cash/positions - after all, those would help "cement" their illegal lifestyles. (Only self-interest, no national interest)

Even the not-so-tainted MPs would be available for sale, wouldn't they? After all, the honourable PMO no less sent 8 letters for a specific company's profit to one PSU oil company - there was nary a trust vote over that - some edits, some TV debates, Karan Thapar haranguing a couple of "TV politicians" (politicians with little other political 'base') - and that was about it.

On the specific issue that this trust vote is over, I can count on my fingers the number of times it came up for debate in Parliament, and the clarifications issued by the PM - twice that is, excluding the current debate. If my Prime Minister cannot brief Parliament on what is referred to as a "game-changing" agreement more than twice, or create a consensus why advocate for it - or go to a trust vote over it?

Another reason for actually needing to curry the MP's favour with cash is the ridiculous laws governing defection, lack of inner party democracy/meritocracy and the so-called "party whip". What's the point of the "party whip" - I mean, come on, if you need a "whip" to convince your party members that they need to vote for your government (or against the other party's government) - surely something's wrong there?

US Immigration - Stars & Stripes Lounges to Ease the Pain

BangaloreGuy — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:08:05 EST

If you have been on a visit to the US Consulate for a Visa appointment, or if you are planning one, you have no doubt heard about - or seen first hand - the long wait it entails in the hot sun. It also means you cannot carry most things you want to - a shoulder bag containing all your documents and other stuff neatly, a cell phone etc.,

Now, it seems that the US Government (or VFS Global rather, which provides services to many diplomatic missions) has finally woken up to this hardship and is doing something to address it. Well, at least in the cities of Mumbai and Chennai - among the hotter and busiest consulates in India.

They're calling it - surprise, surprise - the Stars and Stripes Lounge. The lounges are located fairly close to the Consulates and VFS provides free return shuttle services to the Consulate and back.

Among the interesting options is that one can purchase coupons to the lounge at the VFS offices in other cities as well - Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Pune - although it would probably be more convenient to do so at the VFS lounge itself.

The Stars and Stripes Lounges offer the following amenities:

* A comfortable air-conditioned waiting room protected from the weather.
* A Café Coffee Day counter which offers you a cup of tea or coffee and a sandwich at no extra charge.
* Free storage area for your baggage and items that cannot be taken inside the Consulate.
* Free use of changing rooms.
* Free use of clean restroom facilities.
* Free return coach transfers between the Lounge and the U.S. Consulate. Coaches leave the lounge every 30 minutes.
* Privacy and safety: The Lounge is protected by security staff, with access restricted only to visa applicants and accompanying persons
* Snack Bar for refreshments priced most reasonably

So if you want to talk to your sweetie, or loved ones for some last minute reassurances, you can do that and leave your cellphone in the storage area.

The eEntry charge is Rs. 200 per person, including food and drink coupons, plus the added convenience of air-conditioning in our hot weather.

Considering that I once had to shell out the same just to the darned security person to give me back my cellphone, I think its worth it! You can even plan for the interview with a change of clothes - change at the Lounge, attend the interview, and get back to your home city.

This is a very good business proposition, and definitely a case of win-win for VFS and the Visa applicant!

Boycotting Beijing Olympics: Will Pressurising China Over Burma Help?

BangaloreGuy — Fri, 5 Oct 2007 12:42:21 EDT

This was the question thrown up at the Desicritics group - If China does not pressurize Burma into letting up, into tolerating or making peace with the protesters and pro-democracy activists - should the Beijing Olympics be boycotted?

Should they, indeed?

Ah, the wonders of being in a networked - globalised, if you will - world. It is an interesting enough response - but what if China does not blink? Or what would the public say? Forget everyone else - one country's participation matters most - and it is the USA's. What would the average American's response be? Maybe something on the lines of "Is Bush going to boycott the Olympics over Myanmar but not our kids being exposed to faulty toys?" What would those poor chaps who represent them have in answer? The latest information suggests that millions of toys have been recalled in the past two months - with now quite a few of them in Asia as well. (link) Expect more recalls in the coming days.(link)

The boycott is however, an interesting response. Beijing apparently wants to show the world its arrived by how it hosts the Olympics (if the Visa ads are any indication) - if the world does push Beijing to also acknowledge the responsibilities that come with "arriving on the big stage" (so to speak) - would it have to be over Burma/Myanmar only?

There are a lot of subtexts to this - India government has practically ruled out sanctions - or apparently that's what Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said. So India is pussyfooting around the issue. Would the countries that might want to boycott the coming Olympics also "punish" India for its stance? If so - would the same apply around the world - USA for Saudi Arabia/Pakistan - China for Pakistan also etc.?

This is a lot tougher than a tightrope walk - and Burma is really not all that high on the public's watch list - how much does the average Indian know about his/her neighbour anyways - or even the average Chinese (much less the American)? It is a lot of political capital to invest in Burma - but then, there's never been a wrong time to do the right thing. And that would be to getting Burma to soften.

Today Burma, tomorrow China? Would that be the view the rulers in China take?

I guess the question is more whether this is the point in time - or event - where the world asks China to own up as big a stake in the regions it has influence in, as it does in world trade!

Movie Review: Ta Ra Rum Pum

BangaloreGuy — Fri, 18 May 2007 01:54:50 EDT

Ta Ra Rum Pum is almost typical of the kind of bull crap movies one used to get in the late 80s/early 90s. Reality is an illusion caused by lack of alcohol - or so some wise soul said. The movie lives up this maxim up. And apparently everyone was totally floating in alcohol there.

Well, we weren't on alcohol, so we had to deal with reality. And in reality, it's a nice premise but utterly butterly bad execution.

A Posh restaurant is next door to a slimy residential area. Racers race on 800bhp cars that can do 200mph and try to win by taking each other out. "I don't like you. I am gonna slam you into the next barrier, and NOT be penalized for it - so am gonna win!" And from eating a burger that was just then thrown into the garbage bin, the kid gets a piece of glass into the stomach. (Of course they only use styrofoam in that canteen is a different detail altogether)

Is there anything good about the movie? Hmm, Saif looks like he could really use some "toning down". Rani looks dead for a few scenes, then smiles, then looks dead.

Right, we were trying to see if there's anything good about the movie. It's the premise. It's that you have to have masti all the time - you have to be cheerful even when things are going down. That is the only saving grace of the movie. Pity, it can't save it much though.

Stay away from this one, go listen to some pep talk, or something like that.

Book Review: The Guide

BangaloreGuy — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 01:55:50 EDT

The Guide is one of my favourite books as well as movie. R K Narayan's book is a phenomenal one in terms of how it sticks to the simple, idyllic setting of Malgudi town yet propounds a very profound story on life and relationships.

It's not just a story on extramarital relationships or on a marriage gone wrong - the excitement the affair brings to the Guide's and Rose's life is palpable, and lets you peek into the story intimately. The vast changes the affair brings with it in the life of the Guide, Rose and the husband; the sense of betrayal that is shown, by the husband's character and then later by Raju himself: human emotions and their complications shown at their best and subtlest.

The lovely portrayal is summed up by the song in the movie -

Aaj phir jeene ki tammana hai
Aaj phir marne ka iraada hai!

I just love the way life is portrayed in all its naked glory - and with some resident pessimism. Somewhat unlike other books of Narayan, which generally go the (almost) total pessimist or optimist way, this has a healthy balance, one feels.

The Guide gains it all, only to lose it. And, when all is seemingly lost, he regains some hope and belief only because some poor village folks see goodness and heart in a man who himself either doesn't know or refuses to acknowledge it. A broken man seen as a savior by the village - itself nearly broken by a lack of water - and each saving the other. The village gains precious life saving water and the Guide, death. And peace within.

The Bajaj Pulsar 200

BangaloreGuy — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 01:12:45 EDT

It came up surreptitiously under the headlines of Bajaj releasing the 220, but the Pulsar 200 is now here - and available at a Bajaj ProBiking outlet* near you. So after getting a brief test ride from Khivraj's Indiranagar outlet in Bangalore, here are my first impressions.

It is a big step up from the P180 - and in all the right directions. Okay, maybe with just the seating.

Design and styling are in the by-now familiar Pulsar family mode. Although the P200 gets most of the same attributes of the 180DTSi, it sports some additional - and very welcome - changes. The foot-pegs are rear-set and this is heaven-sent to anyone like me who complained about the foot-pegs on the Pulsars -

I hate the way one has to twist their ankle towards the brake pedal, it should've been more straightforward, or at least, the recesses in the tank should've been better.

The rear-set pegs combined with just the toe-shifter meant shifting, and riding was a breeze, especially for the knee. The brake lever falls right into the space. It's the first time my legs have snugly fit around the Pulsar's tank and it made for delightful riding. The original Pulsar, or at least the DTSi, should have had all this. Better late than never?

The seat is split - and that robs some joy from the sweet riding position. There didn't seem to be enough cushioning or space - I wanted to move back slightly, but couldn't. There's a split grab rail as well - looks cool, hope it is useful too. Oh, there's the lovely looking Tank scratch pad too.

In sum, a sporty, comfortable design. Onto the engine and mechanicals then.

This is essentially a 20cc upgrade in terms of capacity from the P180, but boy! Does it seem like a different beast altogether! There's the nice growl when you accelerate. Now, you're talking, baby! There is definitely more power on tap on the 200 vis-a-vis the 180, even though it has a weight disadvantage - it accelerates harder.

The acceleration is smooth, comes in a hurry almost all the time and has the sweet exhaust note for company. The 'box is slick, and precise. No missed shifts, no false neutrals, nothing. The brakes are very good, both for bite and feel. There isn't the sudden bite one found in the 180 with the front brake: it is more linear. No vibes up until 8K rpm - that's all I pushed it to before shifting up.

One difference between the 200 and 180 was that the 200 wasn't screaming its guts out at 8k rpm; although that impression might change when more time's spent with the machine.

And the whole package is just Rs. 3000 dearer compared to a 180. In my opinion, well worth the money!

Movie Review: 300

BangaloreGuy — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 13:49:55 EDT

A war - 300 men versus a million. No hoper, right?

But then, that would be under normal circumstances, in a normal movie. And in this movie isn't, by any stretch of imagination, normal. Cliched at times, maybe. Biased, yes. Political, yes. But in the end, good entertainment.

Frank Miller's book, in its movie avatar runs like an arcade game with only shades of white and black in characterisation and striking but very Computer-game-ish colours. More cartoon book than movie.

This is a movie where the victor goes back home to lick his wounds - and quite thankful that he didn't have to take more mauling.

That, is just one aspect to it. There are others - by which I do not refer to somewhat graphic references to sex (without the actual act being shown). There's, for example the computer generated imagery, where at one point I wondered if I was actually playing Age of Empires on the big screen. It was real, yet unreal.

The movie tries to cover many bases but for the most part delivers on two facets - sound and visual effects, and well crafted fight sequences.

There's a cursory homage paid to storytelling - and, the now-ubiquitous homage to the concept of "freedom". Our hero is apparently fighting for freedom. Immense glorification of the Spartans is one of the main themes, along with vilification of the Persians. It seems to be in the 9/11 mould - "You're either with us or against us!"

The Spartan king is an idealist, stands for freedom, but yet pays homage to corrupt priests, and, as per the movie, is "more creature and less man". The King shocks and awes his way into the Persian camp, with Xerxes being shown as gay (and hence the worse for it).

If George Bush Jr. were to make a movie, this should fit in well with his constituency. And his politics, except for perhaps the dig at the priestdom.

Without the politics, it's mostly raw - and appealing - action. With it, is a sad, bad gimmick. The movie is a mish-mash of many things good, but doesn't make a fist of it.

Ignore the politics to enjoy the movie!

Product Review: Bajaj Pulsar 180 DTSi 2006 - Old vs. New

BangaloreGuy — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 00:06:52 EDT

Riding the new Pulsar is an interesting experience after having ridden the older model just before that. There are some important and interesting cosmetic changes which I'll come to later. But right now, lets talk about the more important bits which will surely add to the riding experience a lot more.

The gearbox - silken smooth. Knife through hot butter, call it what you will, but it's the slickest gearbox I have seen. And after having ridden the earlier Pulsars you'd be forgiven for thinking Bajaj stole someone else's gearbox! Shifts are very clean, precise. No judders, false neutrals.

Power delivery is very linear, although this author felt that Power wasn't coming with the hurry that one is used to on the older Pulsar - maybe it was just need for running-in on the test bike.

The engine has, I'm sorry to note, a very weak note (no pun intended). You can hardly hear it at times - which can be good sometimes, but wouldn't you wanna hear your baby screaming as you rev it up? I sure would!

The suspension seemed better. The bike's slightly heavier - about 4 kilos or so which might have helped matters just a wee bit.

Looks. The new fairing looks all the more aggressive. The tail-light is very unique, but looks kinda wimpy, and if my experience is any guide, one cant really see it, if one's in a taller vehicle. The illumination of the tail lamps is lovely.

The digital speedo looks great with orange backlight, but unfortunately the idiots that they are, folks at Khivraj (Bangalore) have disconnected the speedo cable - but NOT the rev-counter cable. So one could see the revs going up, but nothing on the very good-looking dash!

On the whole, a better bike indeed, although one hopes the note of the older(2005) model can either be retained or re-introduced on this model!