Rajshekhar at http://www.fracturedearth.org/ says that this
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/08/magazine/08elephant.html?
is one of the best pieces of ecological journalism he had read in a long time.
I
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Reversing outsourcing
From the age newspaper.
"Last month was a milestone in Satyam's new graduate program, with the return home of its first crop of Australian graduates from a six-month training project in India.
And with the announced expansion of the program, Satyam's Australia-New Zealand managing director Deepak Nangia says he has a long-term plan to keep Australian faces and voices at the forefront of local projects, despite a shortage of indigenous skilled manpower.
The company is keen to highlight its progress as an IT trainer as media reports highlight the trend to send work offshore."
As somebody who believes in the cross fertilization of cultures and disciplines, I think that this is a good move and will be benefitial for better understanding in future.
"Last month was a milestone in Satyam's new graduate program, with the return home of its first crop of Australian graduates from a six-month training project in India.
And with the announced expansion of the program, Satyam's Australia-New Zealand managing director Deepak Nangia says he has a long-term plan to keep Australian faces and voices at the forefront of local projects, despite a shortage of indigenous skilled manpower.
The company is keen to highlight its progress as an IT trainer as media reports highlight the trend to send work offshore."
As somebody who believes in the cross fertilization of cultures and disciplines, I think that this is a good move and will be benefitial for better understanding in future.
Some non-American blogs
I find that I have been reading too many American blogs. Some others I found recently which seem interesting:
http://psom.blogspot.com/
http://www.cognition.ens.fr/%7Ealphapsy/blog/
http://timharford.com/
http://www.the-rathouse.com/
http://the-mouse-trap.blogspot.com/
and
http://richarddawkins.net/
http://psom.blogspot.com/
http://www.cognition.ens.fr/%7Ealphapsy/blog/
http://timharford.com/
http://www.the-rathouse.com/
http://the-mouse-trap.blogspot.com/
and
http://richarddawkins.net/
Another gender difference?
From http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/10/061009031253.htm
Drug May Help Women Stop Smoking
Adding the opiate blocker naltrexone to the combination of behavioral therapy and nicotine patches boosted smoking cessation rates for women by almost 50 percent when assessed after eight weeks of treatment, but made no difference for men, report researchers from the University of Chicago in the October 2006 issue of the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research.
Naltrexone helped reduce the craving for cigarettes and lessened the discomforts of withdrawal for women in the study. It also reduced the weight gain often experienced by men and women in the first month after quitting.
"Women have historically had less success than men in giving up cigarettes," said study author Andrea King, Ph.D., associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Chicago. "In this small study, naltrexone seems to have closed that gap."
See also:
http://health.yahoo.com/news/167458
which says that colamay be bad for women and
http://www.discover.com/issues/oct-06/rd/genetic-sex-differences/
about gender differences in the mice which suggests that different medicines may have to be developed foe men and women.
Drug May Help Women Stop Smoking
Adding the opiate blocker naltrexone to the combination of behavioral therapy and nicotine patches boosted smoking cessation rates for women by almost 50 percent when assessed after eight weeks of treatment, but made no difference for men, report researchers from the University of Chicago in the October 2006 issue of the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research.
Naltrexone helped reduce the craving for cigarettes and lessened the discomforts of withdrawal for women in the study. It also reduced the weight gain often experienced by men and women in the first month after quitting.
"Women have historically had less success than men in giving up cigarettes," said study author Andrea King, Ph.D., associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Chicago. "In this small study, naltrexone seems to have closed that gap."
See also:
http://health.yahoo.com/news/167458
which says that colamay be bad for women and
http://www.discover.com/issues/oct-06/rd/genetic-sex-differences/
about gender differences in the mice which suggests that different medicines may have to be developed foe men and women.
Peter Norman
From http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/10/09/1160246071527.html?from=top5
"We knew that what we were going to do was far greater than any athletic feat. He said, 'I'll stand with you'." Carlos said he expected to see fear in Norman's eyes. He didn't. "I saw love. Peter never flinched (on the dais). He never turned his eyes, he never turned his head. He never said so much as 'ouch'. You guys have lost a great soldier." Carlos said that Norman deserved to be as well-known as Steve Irwin. "Go and tell your kids the story of Peter Norman," he said.
"We knew that what we were going to do was far greater than any athletic feat. He said, 'I'll stand with you'." Carlos said he expected to see fear in Norman's eyes. He didn't. "I saw love. Peter never flinched (on the dais). He never turned his eyes, he never turned his head. He never said so much as 'ouch'. You guys have lost a great soldier." Carlos said that Norman deserved to be as well-known as Steve Irwin. "Go and tell your kids the story of Peter Norman," he said.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Brad De Long returns to Landes
In '98, Brad De Long reviewd David S. Landes' "The Wealth and Poverty of Nations" followed by commments of various experts: http://www.j-bradford-delong.net/Econ_Articles/Reviews/landes.html#anchor2077092
He returns to the topic in his blog:
http://delong.typepad.com/sdj/2006/10/why_no_industri.html#comments
with comments by a new set of people. .
There are more interesting reviews with comments in
http://www.j-bradford-delong.net/Econ_Articles/Reviews/variousbookreviews.html
Pomeranz's book "The Great Divergence" which figures in both discussions is reviewed in:
http://www.cscs.umich.edu/~crshalizi/reviews/
He returns to the topic in his blog:
http://delong.typepad.com/sdj/2006/10/why_no_industri.html#comments
with comments by a new set of people. .
There are more interesting reviews with comments in
http://www.j-bradford-delong.net/Econ_Articles/Reviews/variousbookreviews.html
Pomeranz's book "The Great Divergence" which figures in both discussions is reviewed in:
http://www.cscs.umich.edu/~crshalizi/reviews/
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Fred Hallows work continues
From http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061004/hl_afp/afplifestylenepalaustraliahealth_061004141851
"A massive picture of Hollows dominates the corridor leading to the high-tech lens lab named after him that adjoins the clinic, and Ruit's affection for the New Zealand-born Australian remains firm.
"He was not only a mentor, he was a good friend. He was very straightforward and he loved people from developing countries," Ruit said.
Poverty-stricken Nepal is riven with profound caste, political, gender and ethnic divisions. But Ruit has never let it get in the way of his work.
"With all the political upheaval he has never turned a hair. For him the priority has always been the next person in line to be given back their sight," said Gabi Hollows, who continues to be involved in the Fred Hollows Foundation.
In June, Ruit was given the Ramon Magsaysay award, popularly known as the Asian Nobel prize."
More about Fred Hollows Foundation at:
http://www.hollows.org/content/FrontPage.aspx?s=3
"A massive picture of Hollows dominates the corridor leading to the high-tech lens lab named after him that adjoins the clinic, and Ruit's affection for the New Zealand-born Australian remains firm.
"He was not only a mentor, he was a good friend. He was very straightforward and he loved people from developing countries," Ruit said.
Poverty-stricken Nepal is riven with profound caste, political, gender and ethnic divisions. But Ruit has never let it get in the way of his work.
"With all the political upheaval he has never turned a hair. For him the priority has always been the next person in line to be given back their sight," said Gabi Hollows, who continues to be involved in the Fred Hollows Foundation.
In June, Ruit was given the Ramon Magsaysay award, popularly known as the Asian Nobel prize."
More about Fred Hollows Foundation at:
http://www.hollows.org/content/FrontPage.aspx?s=3
Clean sweep of Nobels in science
From http://www.physorg.com/news79203936.html
"But as long as the money wheel turns and the unique culture of excellence remains intact, there seems little evidence for suggesting America's superiority will end any time soon.
Many of the present wave of US Nobel laureates have Jewish names, for they are German Jews, or their descendants, who fled Nazi persecution. The safe bet is that the next waves will have Korean, Chinese or Russian names -- people who also came to America, and found no reason to go home."
"But as long as the money wheel turns and the unique culture of excellence remains intact, there seems little evidence for suggesting America's superiority will end any time soon.
Many of the present wave of US Nobel laureates have Jewish names, for they are German Jews, or their descendants, who fled Nazi persecution. The safe bet is that the next waves will have Korean, Chinese or Russian names -- people who also came to America, and found no reason to go home."
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Globalization, Development discussions
are taking place in several sites. There seems to be some disenchantment with 'shining' stories and rethinking about development without subscribing to particular ideologies. Some of these are:
http://www.opendemocracy.net/arts-Literature/ulysses5_3938.jsp
http://www.geocities.com/wgfs2004/Iowa_is_not_far_from_Telengana.pdf
These two papers give background on subsidies in different countries and discuss
the effects of globalization on farmers in different countries. Discussions at:
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/foreign/peterfoster/sept06/capitalism.htm
http://curiousstall.blogspot.com/
http://www.theotherindia.org/rural/indias-farmers-bear-brunt-of-globalisation.html
http://www.passtheroti.com/?p=218#comment-1146
http://alternativeperspective.blogspot.com/
In addition Madhkar Shukla is discussing the changing attitudes about business and markets in:
http://inspired-pragmatism.blogspot.com/
Some quotes from the second paper above:
"Many of the crops grown by Indian farmers come to a market place where the prices for these crops are
undermined by the agro-businesses and the subsidies they enjoy in their home countries. Take the case of
King Cotton. Between 1999 and 2002, the US agro-business share of the world cotton market grew to 40%
from 25%. This was entirely because of the $12.9 billion subsidy paid by the US tax-payer to the cotton
industry. In the same period, India’s imports of cotton grew by almost 29%, while India’s production of
cotton has fallen. The US cotton crop, meanwhile, has grown to its largest amount since 1927. An
enormous impact is on West and Central Africa, where farmers would stand to gain at least $250 million
if the US stopped its subsidy. The loss to Indian farmers from US subsidies is calculated to be about $1.3
billion (in 2001). US cotton farmers would not remain competitive without the subsidy, and according to
the World Bank, less than a tenth of the farmers would remain in business."
From the first paper:
" 'Because you are, by a long way, the biggest seller of cotton on the planet - forty per cent of all exports. Your system is destroying the market!'
Mark Lange smiles without evincing the slightest impatience. He has heard this argument a thousand times and answered it a thousand times. But repeating and repeating again, smiling and smiling again are the two main jobs of the lobbyist. He quotes research. Serious research. Big professors. The best universities. 'You have good universities in France? This research comes to a clear conclusion: the world price doesn't depend on us. Let's be precise: we have a negligible influence, barely quantifiable.'
Later, in the charming motel we are staying in, French Quarters, a staging point much appreciated by clandestine lovers, I shall consult other figures. The subsidies artificially sustain unprofitable production. Without them, American farmers would stop planting cotton. With supply diminishing, prices would pick up: a rise of between five and seventeen per cent according to the experts. "
And so on. Similar stories about corn and sugar. This does not seem to be the 'invisible hand' where markets seemlessly adjust.
Erik Orsenna cocludes:
"In the field of agriculture, as elsewhere, multinational firms try to lay down the law. But here, more than elsewhere, families fight back. On this struggle depends what remains of humanity on our planet.
......
This leading role of time is something the lovers of the market wish to deny. Throughout the whole of history, national economies have been protected in their early years by customs barriers. This was the role of so-called 'infant industry' protectionism. They were left to face competition only when they had reached adulthood. That is to say, once they had acquired strength. This respite is forbidden to them today. Globalization, which obliterates space, wants also to kill time. Perhaps the increase in the price of energy, by making us pay properly for transport once again, will restore reality to space and resuscitate time."
http://www.opendemocracy.net/arts-Literature/ulysses5_3938.jsp
http://www.geocities.com/wgfs2004/Iowa_is_not_far_from_Telengana.pdf
These two papers give background on subsidies in different countries and discuss
the effects of globalization on farmers in different countries. Discussions at:
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/foreign/peterfoster/sept06/capitalism.htm
http://curiousstall.blogspot.com/
http://www.theotherindia.org/rural/indias-farmers-bear-brunt-of-globalisation.html
http://www.passtheroti.com/?p=218#comment-1146
http://alternativeperspective.blogspot.com/
In addition Madhkar Shukla is discussing the changing attitudes about business and markets in:
http://inspired-pragmatism.blogspot.com/
Some quotes from the second paper above:
"Many of the crops grown by Indian farmers come to a market place where the prices for these crops are
undermined by the agro-businesses and the subsidies they enjoy in their home countries. Take the case of
King Cotton. Between 1999 and 2002, the US agro-business share of the world cotton market grew to 40%
from 25%. This was entirely because of the $12.9 billion subsidy paid by the US tax-payer to the cotton
industry. In the same period, India’s imports of cotton grew by almost 29%, while India’s production of
cotton has fallen. The US cotton crop, meanwhile, has grown to its largest amount since 1927. An
enormous impact is on West and Central Africa, where farmers would stand to gain at least $250 million
if the US stopped its subsidy. The loss to Indian farmers from US subsidies is calculated to be about $1.3
billion (in 2001). US cotton farmers would not remain competitive without the subsidy, and according to
the World Bank, less than a tenth of the farmers would remain in business."
From the first paper:
" 'Because you are, by a long way, the biggest seller of cotton on the planet - forty per cent of all exports. Your system is destroying the market!'
Mark Lange smiles without evincing the slightest impatience. He has heard this argument a thousand times and answered it a thousand times. But repeating and repeating again, smiling and smiling again are the two main jobs of the lobbyist. He quotes research. Serious research. Big professors. The best universities. 'You have good universities in France? This research comes to a clear conclusion: the world price doesn't depend on us. Let's be precise: we have a negligible influence, barely quantifiable.'
Later, in the charming motel we are staying in, French Quarters, a staging point much appreciated by clandestine lovers, I shall consult other figures. The subsidies artificially sustain unprofitable production. Without them, American farmers would stop planting cotton. With supply diminishing, prices would pick up: a rise of between five and seventeen per cent according to the experts. "
And so on. Similar stories about corn and sugar. This does not seem to be the 'invisible hand' where markets seemlessly adjust.
Erik Orsenna cocludes:
"In the field of agriculture, as elsewhere, multinational firms try to lay down the law. But here, more than elsewhere, families fight back. On this struggle depends what remains of humanity on our planet.
......
This leading role of time is something the lovers of the market wish to deny. Throughout the whole of history, national economies have been protected in their early years by customs barriers. This was the role of so-called 'infant industry' protectionism. They were left to face competition only when they had reached adulthood. That is to say, once they had acquired strength. This respite is forbidden to them today. Globalization, which obliterates space, wants also to kill time. Perhaps the increase in the price of energy, by making us pay properly for transport once again, will restore reality to space and resuscitate time."
Secret of the Chinese
From http://www.opendemocracy.net/arts-Literature/ulysses5_3938.jsp
What, then, is the secret of these Chinese, the weapon that makes them so strong?
'I've thought about this a long time and I'll give you my answer. The Chinese have invented the ideal worker. In other words, the worker who costs even less than the absence of a worker.'
This Ulysses series article " Journey to the Lands of Cotton: A Brief Manual of Globalisation"
by Erik Orsenna is a an excellent read for people interested in globalization and farmers' problems.
What, then, is the secret of these Chinese, the weapon that makes them so strong?
'I've thought about this a long time and I'll give you my answer. The Chinese have invented the ideal worker. In other words, the worker who costs even less than the absence of a worker.'
This Ulysses series article " Journey to the Lands of Cotton: A Brief Manual of Globalisation"
by Erik Orsenna is a an excellent read for people interested in globalization and farmers' problems.
More from Brad DeLong and others
From
http://delong.typepad.com/sdj/2006/09/state_of_denial.html
“As depicted by Mr. Woodward, this is an administration in which virtually no one will speak truth to power, an administration in which the traditional policy-making process involving methodical analysis and debate is routinely subverted.”
Have we heard similar stories before about Indira Gandhi and others?
What were journalists doing?
From
http://delong.typepad.com/sdj/2006/09/why_oh_why_cant_26.html
“First, the most prominent people in the journalism world did more than peddle stuff about Bush's neo-Churchillian grandeur that they knew to be tripe, while they dined out in private on insider gossip about Bush's incompetence, malevolence, mendacity, and disconnection from reality. They also denounced and dismissed those who did say back then what Bob Woodward is saying now--people like Paul Krugman--as shrill.
Second, reporters continue to believe they are under some obligation to put Bush's thumb on the scales. Why... why... thirty minutes ago a correspondent sent me a link: over at Slate right now, John Dickerson—
…..
As a policy matter, the book undermines Bush's attempts to strengthen the national will for the long and drawn-out fight ahead...”
And so the US has a new bill:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/28/opinion/28thu1.html?
Any parallels?
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/30/opinion/30harris.html?
http://delong.typepad.com/sdj/2006/09/state_of_denial.html
“As depicted by Mr. Woodward, this is an administration in which virtually no one will speak truth to power, an administration in which the traditional policy-making process involving methodical analysis and debate is routinely subverted.”
Have we heard similar stories before about Indira Gandhi and others?
What were journalists doing?
From
http://delong.typepad.com/sdj/2006/09/why_oh_why_cant_26.html
“First, the most prominent people in the journalism world did more than peddle stuff about Bush's neo-Churchillian grandeur that they knew to be tripe, while they dined out in private on insider gossip about Bush's incompetence, malevolence, mendacity, and disconnection from reality. They also denounced and dismissed those who did say back then what Bob Woodward is saying now--people like Paul Krugman--as shrill.
Second, reporters continue to believe they are under some obligation to put Bush's thumb on the scales. Why... why... thirty minutes ago a correspondent sent me a link: over at Slate right now, John Dickerson—
…..
As a policy matter, the book undermines Bush's attempts to strengthen the national will for the long and drawn-out fight ahead...”
And so the US has a new bill:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/28/opinion/28thu1.html?
Any parallels?
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/30/opinion/30harris.html?
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Climate refugees
From http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5344002.stm:
" Harsh conditions await those who are forced to move to the slums
"Climate refugees is a term we are going to hear much more of in the future," observes Saleem-ul Huq, a fellow at the London-based International Institute of Environment and Development (IIED).
He says many Bangladeshi families escaping floods and droughts have already slipped over the Indian border to swell the shanty towns of Delhi, Bombay and Calcutta.
"The problem is hidden at the moment but it will inevitably come to the fore as climate change forces more and more people out of their homes.
"There will be a high economic cost - and countries that have to bear that cost are likely to be demanding compensation from rich nations for a problem they have not themselves caused," Mr Huq predicts. "
" Harsh conditions await those who are forced to move to the slums
"Climate refugees is a term we are going to hear much more of in the future," observes Saleem-ul Huq, a fellow at the London-based International Institute of Environment and Development (IIED).
He says many Bangladeshi families escaping floods and droughts have already slipped over the Indian border to swell the shanty towns of Delhi, Bombay and Calcutta.
"The problem is hidden at the moment but it will inevitably come to the fore as climate change forces more and more people out of their homes.
"There will be a high economic cost - and countries that have to bear that cost are likely to be demanding compensation from rich nations for a problem they have not themselves caused," Mr Huq predicts. "
Microbes to solve drinking water problems?
From http://www.ecofriend.org/entry/microbes-can-solve-worlds-drinking-water-contamination-crisis/
"Australian scientists have discovered a comparatively cheaper and environment-friendly solution – microbes! Yes, microbes found in old waste sites in Australia. They can not only tolerate lethal soil and water cocktails created by waste petroleum and chlorine, but can also break them down to a non-toxic matter for humans, the scientist informed.
Megha Mallavarapu, from a government-backed environmental research centre based in South Australia state, told Reuters,
"We have isolated bacteria which can live on those waste compounds… Anywhere there has been a fuel dump, a munitions store, an old chemical factory or heavy manufacturing plant, there is potential for toxic substances to leak into groundwater underneath." "
http://www.ecofriend.org has several articles of this type ( the blog is run by Irani Sen). Search under 'Irani on bacteria' gave several artcles on the uses of bacteria including possibilties of cleaning nuclear waste:
http://www.ecofriend.org/search.php?q=Irani+on+bacteria&submit.x=1&submit.y=9&submit=Search
Irani has also various artcles on sources of bio-fuel;
http://www.ecofriend.org/entry/11-most-amazing-sources-of-bio-fuel-part-i/
"Australian scientists have discovered a comparatively cheaper and environment-friendly solution – microbes! Yes, microbes found in old waste sites in Australia. They can not only tolerate lethal soil and water cocktails created by waste petroleum and chlorine, but can also break them down to a non-toxic matter for humans, the scientist informed.
Megha Mallavarapu, from a government-backed environmental research centre based in South Australia state, told Reuters,
"We have isolated bacteria which can live on those waste compounds… Anywhere there has been a fuel dump, a munitions store, an old chemical factory or heavy manufacturing plant, there is potential for toxic substances to leak into groundwater underneath." "
http://www.ecofriend.org has several articles of this type ( the blog is run by Irani Sen). Search under 'Irani on bacteria' gave several artcles on the uses of bacteria including possibilties of cleaning nuclear waste:
http://www.ecofriend.org/search.php?q=Irani+on+bacteria&submit.x=1&submit.y=9&submit=Search
Irani has also various artcles on sources of bio-fuel;
http://www.ecofriend.org/entry/11-most-amazing-sources-of-bio-fuel-part-i/
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Discussion on capitalism
Marginal Revolution's latest post discusses capitalism:
http://www.marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2006/09/xxxxxxxxxxxx.html#comments
The best comment (in my opinion) so far is my one m :
"capitalism is an abstraction, albeit useful, that helps
modeling some aspects of human relationships. in pure
form it has never existed for extended periods of time
because of inherent problems (like externalities) that
plague it. studying its moral grounds is nonsense.
kinda like studying moral grounds of classical
thermodynamics."
http://www.marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2006/09/xxxxxxxxxxxx.html#comments
The best comment (in my opinion) so far is my one m :
"capitalism is an abstraction, albeit useful, that helps
modeling some aspects of human relationships. in pure
form it has never existed for extended periods of time
because of inherent problems (like externalities) that
plague it. studying its moral grounds is nonsense.
kinda like studying moral grounds of classical
thermodynamics."
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Immortal bacteria
From http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn10154-ageing-may-be-a-lifestyle-choice-for-bacteria.html
"Bacteria were long thought to enjoy a sort of immortality, because they simply divide symmetrically into identical "daughter" cells, neither of which is more likely to contain older components. This sets them apart from multi-cellular organisms, which contain non-reproductive cells that are doomed to age.
Then last year, microbiologists in France found that Escherichia coli bacteria divide asymmetrically, with one daughter cell receiving older components than the other. Over many generations, the “older” cells grow more slowly and eventually die (see Bacteria death reduces human hopes of immortality).
Long live immortality
Now, researchers led by Milind Watve at Abasaheb Garware College in Pune, India, have run a mathematical model that simulates the success of cells that develop either symmetrically or asymmetrically. This predicts that whether bacteria age or become immortal may depend on how well fed they are.
Under good growth conditions with lots of nutrients, asymmetric division is favoured because the “old” cells die off but the “young” ones grow faster. When nutrients are scarce, however, symmetric cell division gives better overall survival and growth across both daughters.
“Natural selection can favour symmetric division under certain conditions, so immortality is not dead,” says Watve. "
"Bacteria were long thought to enjoy a sort of immortality, because they simply divide symmetrically into identical "daughter" cells, neither of which is more likely to contain older components. This sets them apart from multi-cellular organisms, which contain non-reproductive cells that are doomed to age.
Then last year, microbiologists in France found that Escherichia coli bacteria divide asymmetrically, with one daughter cell receiving older components than the other. Over many generations, the “older” cells grow more slowly and eventually die (see Bacteria death reduces human hopes of immortality).
Long live immortality
Now, researchers led by Milind Watve at Abasaheb Garware College in Pune, India, have run a mathematical model that simulates the success of cells that develop either symmetrically or asymmetrically. This predicts that whether bacteria age or become immortal may depend on how well fed they are.
Under good growth conditions with lots of nutrients, asymmetric division is favoured because the “old” cells die off but the “young” ones grow faster. When nutrients are scarce, however, symmetric cell division gives better overall survival and growth across both daughters.
“Natural selection can favour symmetric division under certain conditions, so immortality is not dead,” says Watve. "
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Eight Americas
From http://www.livescience.com/humanbiology/060912_ap_life_expectancy.html
" The study also highlights that the complicated tapestry of local and cultural customs may be more important than income in driving health disparities, said Richard Suzman of the National Institute on Aging, which co-funded the research.
“It's not just low income,'' Suzman said. “It's what people eat, it's how they behave, or simply what's available in supermarkets.''
Murray analyzed mortality data between 1982 and 2001 by county, race, gender and income. He found some distinct groupings that he named the “eight Americas:''
—Asian-Americans, average per capita income of $21,566, have a life expectancy of 84.9 years.
—Northland low-income rural whites, $17,758, 79 years.
—Middle America (mostly white), $24,640, 77.9 years.
—Low income whites in Appalachia, Mississippi Valley, $16,390, 75 years.
—Western American Indians, $10,029, 72.7 years.
—Black Middle America, $15,412, 72.9 years.
—Southern low-income rural blacks, $10,463, 71.2 years.
—High-risk urban blacks, $14,800, 71.1 years.
Longevity disparities were most pronounced in young and middle-aged adults. A 15-year-old urban black man was 3.8 times as likely to die before the age of 60 as an Asian-American, for example.
That's key, Murray said, because this age group is left out of many government health programs that focus largely on children and the elderly."
" The study also highlights that the complicated tapestry of local and cultural customs may be more important than income in driving health disparities, said Richard Suzman of the National Institute on Aging, which co-funded the research.
“It's not just low income,'' Suzman said. “It's what people eat, it's how they behave, or simply what's available in supermarkets.''
Murray analyzed mortality data between 1982 and 2001 by county, race, gender and income. He found some distinct groupings that he named the “eight Americas:''
—Asian-Americans, average per capita income of $21,566, have a life expectancy of 84.9 years.
—Northland low-income rural whites, $17,758, 79 years.
—Middle America (mostly white), $24,640, 77.9 years.
—Low income whites in Appalachia, Mississippi Valley, $16,390, 75 years.
—Western American Indians, $10,029, 72.7 years.
—Black Middle America, $15,412, 72.9 years.
—Southern low-income rural blacks, $10,463, 71.2 years.
—High-risk urban blacks, $14,800, 71.1 years.
Longevity disparities were most pronounced in young and middle-aged adults. A 15-year-old urban black man was 3.8 times as likely to die before the age of 60 as an Asian-American, for example.
That's key, Murray said, because this age group is left out of many government health programs that focus largely on children and the elderly."
Dawkins takes on religion
Richard Dawkins has a new site"Foundation for Reason and Science":
http://richarddawkins.net/ and a new book "The God Delusion".
See http://www.economist.com/books/displaystory.cfm?story_id=7939629 for a review of the book.
A comment from the review:
"If nothing else, his book should help bring the atheists out of the closet."
The site has links to articles by others; there are a couple of articles on the recent speech by the Pope:
http://richarddawkins.net/mainPage.php?bodyPage=article_body.php&id=171
http://richarddawkins.net/mainPage.php?bodyPage=article_body.php&id=172
http://richarddawkins.net/ and a new book "The God Delusion".
See http://www.economist.com/books/displaystory.cfm?story_id=7939629 for a review of the book.
A comment from the review:
"If nothing else, his book should help bring the atheists out of the closet."
The site has links to articles by others; there are a couple of articles on the recent speech by the Pope:
http://richarddawkins.net/mainPage.php?bodyPage=article_body.php&id=171
http://richarddawkins.net/mainPage.php?bodyPage=article_body.php&id=172
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Scavengers in India
Frontline (http://www.flonnet.com/ vol.23, number 18) and the otherindia group
http://www.theotherindia.org/caste/a-day-job-at-a-dry-latrine.html
are bringing the plight of scavengers to the attention of the public.
http://www.ambedkarscholarships.org/ has information about scholarships to students from scavenging families.
Please have a look at these.
I remembered Gandhi's 'infatuation' about cleaning toilerts and googled 'Gandhi on cleaning toilets' and found several articles which seem to substantiate Annie Zaidi's core assertions. Some links and excerpts below.
From http://www.gandhiinstitute.org/Library/LibraryItem.cfm?LibraryID=755
"Gandhi had deliberately not permitted toilets in private homes, so that everyone had to use the row of public toilets at one end of the ashram. Gandhi’s reasoning was that cleaning public toilets was the contentious issue on which the caste oppression was based. So, the best way of getting rid of the prejudices, equalizing society and teaching people a lesson in humility was to make them do the work they so despised.
Millions in India are labeled "untouchables" because of the work they are forced to do by the caste system. Only the low castes must do the lowly jobs like street cleaning, garbage pick-up and cleaning public toilets. Because the jobs are menial and considered "unclean" the pay is negligible, forcing the "low caste" to live in abject poverty and ignorance, the vicious cycle that condemns them forever.
Untouchability, and the seeming inability of Hindus and Muslims to get along, are the two major conflicts that divide the Indian community. Both these issues were given appropriate emphasis in the training schedule at the ashram.
Everyone, without exception, was required to participate in the cleaning of the toilets. Each person, like the "untouchables", had to carry buckets of nightsoil and urine to the fields, empty them in trenches, cover the trenches, wash the buckets clean and replace them for use. Sometimes this work had to be done twice a day, which meant having a second bath and this time washing your own clothes.
The first time I was assigned this duty at the age of 12 I found it revolting. But, when everyone, including grandfather, was doing it who could you complain to? I performed the chore obediently and found that with time the work became less revolting. It helped me, and the others, understand the value of work and become truly humble.
Shriman Narayan once confessed his extreme revulsion at having to do this work. He was born into a rich Brahmin family and had just returned from England with a doctorate from the London School of Economics. His family members, like millions of others, were ardent followers of Gandhi. He came to Sevagram Ashram to pay homage to Gandhi and seek guidance for future work. However, like everyone else, from the day he stepped into the ashram Shriman was assigned the duty to clean the toilets. Gandhi did not spare anyone. Shriman was not used to this type of work, or any work for that matter, since he came from a home where they had servants for each member of the family. However, not even he could refuse to do this work. The first day he did it with utmost reluctance.
Then he sought an excuse. "I hold a doctorate from the London School of Economics," he argued. "I am capable of doing great things. Why do you waste my time and talents on cleaning toilets?"
Gandhi replied: "I know of your capacity to do great things but I have yet to discover your capacity to do little things. So, if you wish to seek my guidance and blessings you will have to observe all the rules of the ashram." "
From http://www.goodnewsindia.com/index.php/Magazine/story/sulabh/
"A clean-up caste:
There have been some persuasive arguments to pin the origin of the scavenger class on Muslim conquerors of India: it started for the convenience of their ladies in purdah. There is some truth that they used captured warriors as porters of night-soil. There are clear references however, in ancient Naradiya Samhita and Vajasaneyi Samhita to designated slaves —Chandals & Paulkasas, for example— for cleaning up toilets. Those two castes are referred to in Buddhist times also. The Mughals may however have introduced the bucket-privy and created a new caste label called Mehtars. Finally, the catch-all, derisory name, Bhangi for these abused people emerged."
...
"And softly, he adds: "Gandhiji used to be furious about our treatment of scavengers. "In my next birth I want to born a Bhangi," he raged. I am working to make sure he need not be born again for this." There's a good chance Gandhi is less angry today."
From http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/GL06Ad01.html
"Middle class Indians in cities, flushed with metro and mall-generated excitement, are wont to dismiss the caste system as a relic that no longer holds sway, at least in urban areas. Yet, the steady stream of jamadars who spend their days cleaning out the toilets of houses both modest and grand, a job that other domestic staff resolutely refuse to consider, is indicative of just how deeply rooted caste consciousness is. Gandhi himself identified toilet cleaning as key to revolutionizing society. He stressed repeatedly that in a society's approach to private and public sanitation lay its commitment to true freedom and dignity. But if Gandhi was correct in his beliefs, then it is authoritarian China, not democratic India that has in fact achieved self-respect for its citizens.
Yu Bao Ping started work as a public toilet cleaner and attendant in Beijing's Jiao Dao Kou neighborhood last September. Originally a rice farmer from Anhui province, the 38-year-old is ecstatic at having landed such a good job. He says that compared to the backbreaking labor of farming, cleaning toilets is a cinch. It gives him a stable income, and more importantly, a chance to broaden his horizons in the big city.
"I have made so many friends through the toilet," he says. In several older sections of Beijing, homes still lack private bathrooms and an entire lane uses the communal facilities. Yu works in one such community latrine. "Everyone in this neighbourhood comes through these doors," he says, "and I have met so many different kinds of people, including foreigners.
UPDATE:
1) http://paddlesweep.blogspot.com/ has this to say about Sulabh (second link above):
Sulabh International is a social service organization which works to promote human rights, environmental sanitation, health and hygiene, non-conventional sources of energy, waste management and social reforms through education, training and awareness campaigns. The organization has developed the Sulabh Shauchalaya-technology, which is technologically appropriate, socio-culturally acceptable and economically affordable.
2) Annie Zaidi mentioned that Gandhi’s opinions on the above issue were controversial and that he had differences with Ambedkar. From
http://india.indymedia.org/en/2003/02/3339.shtml
"Ambedkar told Gandhi in October 1932 "that I have no interest in the temples being thrown open, common dinners and the like, because we suffer thereby.... I only want that social and economic hardships should end". Ambedkar said, "It is a mistake to suppose that it (untouchability) is only a religious system.... It is also an economic system, which is worse than slavery.... History shows that where ethics and economics come in conflict, victory is always with economics”.
Mahatma Gandhi wanted the `untouchables' to continue as helots but better helots with improved knowledge of their work and greater devotion to their "sacred duty" -- more contented, cleaner, and free from weaknesses like drinking and meat-eating, for which he often upbraided them. He said, "I would, therefore, suggest to reformers that they should not persuade Bhangis and Chamars to leave their occupation but they should, on the contrary, give them proper knowledge about their work”. "Under Gandhism", said Ambedkar, "the untouchables are to be eternal scavengers”. "
This seems to be due to Gandhi’s adherence to some sort of profession related caste system for a long time. Gandhi’s opinions on several issues seem to have evolved and changed over time. After his often bitter discussions with Ambedkar, Gandhi seems to have finally changed his opinions on caste. Here are a couple of Gandhi quotes taken from “Castes of Mind” by Nicholas Dirks, Priceton Uni. Press , 2001 (page 234).
” When, years later, Gandhi defended himself against attacks by Ambedkar over his views of caste, he wrote that “Caste has nothing to with religion. It is a custom whose origin I do not know and do not need to know for the satisfaction of my spiritual hunger. But I do know that it is harmful both to spiritual and national growth.” At roughly the same time, he stated that “Caste has to go”"
These statements of Gandhi do not seem to be well known. The references that Dirks gave are: Gandhi, Collected works, vol. 63, p.153, vol. 62, p.121
http://www.theotherindia.org/caste/a-day-job-at-a-dry-latrine.html
are bringing the plight of scavengers to the attention of the public.
http://www.ambedkarscholarships.org/ has information about scholarships to students from scavenging families.
Please have a look at these.
I remembered Gandhi's 'infatuation' about cleaning toilerts and googled 'Gandhi on cleaning toilets' and found several articles which seem to substantiate Annie Zaidi's core assertions. Some links and excerpts below.
From http://www.gandhiinstitute.org/Library/LibraryItem.cfm?LibraryID=755
"Gandhi had deliberately not permitted toilets in private homes, so that everyone had to use the row of public toilets at one end of the ashram. Gandhi’s reasoning was that cleaning public toilets was the contentious issue on which the caste oppression was based. So, the best way of getting rid of the prejudices, equalizing society and teaching people a lesson in humility was to make them do the work they so despised.
Millions in India are labeled "untouchables" because of the work they are forced to do by the caste system. Only the low castes must do the lowly jobs like street cleaning, garbage pick-up and cleaning public toilets. Because the jobs are menial and considered "unclean" the pay is negligible, forcing the "low caste" to live in abject poverty and ignorance, the vicious cycle that condemns them forever.
Untouchability, and the seeming inability of Hindus and Muslims to get along, are the two major conflicts that divide the Indian community. Both these issues were given appropriate emphasis in the training schedule at the ashram.
Everyone, without exception, was required to participate in the cleaning of the toilets. Each person, like the "untouchables", had to carry buckets of nightsoil and urine to the fields, empty them in trenches, cover the trenches, wash the buckets clean and replace them for use. Sometimes this work had to be done twice a day, which meant having a second bath and this time washing your own clothes.
The first time I was assigned this duty at the age of 12 I found it revolting. But, when everyone, including grandfather, was doing it who could you complain to? I performed the chore obediently and found that with time the work became less revolting. It helped me, and the others, understand the value of work and become truly humble.
Shriman Narayan once confessed his extreme revulsion at having to do this work. He was born into a rich Brahmin family and had just returned from England with a doctorate from the London School of Economics. His family members, like millions of others, were ardent followers of Gandhi. He came to Sevagram Ashram to pay homage to Gandhi and seek guidance for future work. However, like everyone else, from the day he stepped into the ashram Shriman was assigned the duty to clean the toilets. Gandhi did not spare anyone. Shriman was not used to this type of work, or any work for that matter, since he came from a home where they had servants for each member of the family. However, not even he could refuse to do this work. The first day he did it with utmost reluctance.
Then he sought an excuse. "I hold a doctorate from the London School of Economics," he argued. "I am capable of doing great things. Why do you waste my time and talents on cleaning toilets?"
Gandhi replied: "I know of your capacity to do great things but I have yet to discover your capacity to do little things. So, if you wish to seek my guidance and blessings you will have to observe all the rules of the ashram." "
From http://www.goodnewsindia.com/index.php/Magazine/story/sulabh/
"A clean-up caste:
There have been some persuasive arguments to pin the origin of the scavenger class on Muslim conquerors of India: it started for the convenience of their ladies in purdah. There is some truth that they used captured warriors as porters of night-soil. There are clear references however, in ancient Naradiya Samhita and Vajasaneyi Samhita to designated slaves —Chandals & Paulkasas, for example— for cleaning up toilets. Those two castes are referred to in Buddhist times also. The Mughals may however have introduced the bucket-privy and created a new caste label called Mehtars. Finally, the catch-all, derisory name, Bhangi for these abused people emerged."
...
"And softly, he adds: "Gandhiji used to be furious about our treatment of scavengers. "In my next birth I want to born a Bhangi," he raged. I am working to make sure he need not be born again for this." There's a good chance Gandhi is less angry today."
From http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/GL06Ad01.html
"Middle class Indians in cities, flushed with metro and mall-generated excitement, are wont to dismiss the caste system as a relic that no longer holds sway, at least in urban areas. Yet, the steady stream of jamadars who spend their days cleaning out the toilets of houses both modest and grand, a job that other domestic staff resolutely refuse to consider, is indicative of just how deeply rooted caste consciousness is. Gandhi himself identified toilet cleaning as key to revolutionizing society. He stressed repeatedly that in a society's approach to private and public sanitation lay its commitment to true freedom and dignity. But if Gandhi was correct in his beliefs, then it is authoritarian China, not democratic India that has in fact achieved self-respect for its citizens.
Yu Bao Ping started work as a public toilet cleaner and attendant in Beijing's Jiao Dao Kou neighborhood last September. Originally a rice farmer from Anhui province, the 38-year-old is ecstatic at having landed such a good job. He says that compared to the backbreaking labor of farming, cleaning toilets is a cinch. It gives him a stable income, and more importantly, a chance to broaden his horizons in the big city.
"I have made so many friends through the toilet," he says. In several older sections of Beijing, homes still lack private bathrooms and an entire lane uses the communal facilities. Yu works in one such community latrine. "Everyone in this neighbourhood comes through these doors," he says, "and I have met so many different kinds of people, including foreigners.
UPDATE:
1) http://paddlesweep.blogspot.com/ has this to say about Sulabh (second link above):
Sulabh International is a social service organization which works to promote human rights, environmental sanitation, health and hygiene, non-conventional sources of energy, waste management and social reforms through education, training and awareness campaigns. The organization has developed the Sulabh Shauchalaya-technology, which is technologically appropriate, socio-culturally acceptable and economically affordable.
2) Annie Zaidi mentioned that Gandhi’s opinions on the above issue were controversial and that he had differences with Ambedkar. From
http://india.indymedia.org/en/2003/02/3339.shtml
"Ambedkar told Gandhi in October 1932 "that I have no interest in the temples being thrown open, common dinners and the like, because we suffer thereby.... I only want that social and economic hardships should end". Ambedkar said, "It is a mistake to suppose that it (untouchability) is only a religious system.... It is also an economic system, which is worse than slavery.... History shows that where ethics and economics come in conflict, victory is always with economics”.
Mahatma Gandhi wanted the `untouchables' to continue as helots but better helots with improved knowledge of their work and greater devotion to their "sacred duty" -- more contented, cleaner, and free from weaknesses like drinking and meat-eating, for which he often upbraided them. He said, "I would, therefore, suggest to reformers that they should not persuade Bhangis and Chamars to leave their occupation but they should, on the contrary, give them proper knowledge about their work”. "Under Gandhism", said Ambedkar, "the untouchables are to be eternal scavengers”. "
This seems to be due to Gandhi’s adherence to some sort of profession related caste system for a long time. Gandhi’s opinions on several issues seem to have evolved and changed over time. After his often bitter discussions with Ambedkar, Gandhi seems to have finally changed his opinions on caste. Here are a couple of Gandhi quotes taken from “Castes of Mind” by Nicholas Dirks, Priceton Uni. Press , 2001 (page 234).
” When, years later, Gandhi defended himself against attacks by Ambedkar over his views of caste, he wrote that “Caste has nothing to with religion. It is a custom whose origin I do not know and do not need to know for the satisfaction of my spiritual hunger. But I do know that it is harmful both to spiritual and national growth.” At roughly the same time, he stated that “Caste has to go”"
These statements of Gandhi do not seem to be well known. The references that Dirks gave are: Gandhi, Collected works, vol. 63, p.153, vol. 62, p.121
Free Wiki Textbooks Project
Pl. check http://scienceblogs.com/purepedantry/2006/09/university_of_georgia_starts_p.php
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
A mathematician funds math. education
James Simons pledges anoth 25 million dollars to Math for America. See
http://www.seedmagazine.com/news/2006/09/putting_his_money_where_his_ma.php
Excerpts:
"Math for America addresses a simple, but profound problem: Nearly 40 percent of all public high school math teachers do not have a degree in math or a related field. Even the best curriculum in the world, the reasoning goes, isn't going to inspire students if unqualified individuals are teaching them. (In a recent round of testing, the U.S. placed 24th out of 29 nations in math proficiency.) If knowledgeable teachers exude passion for the subject, they stand a greater chance of pushing students toward careers in math in science that are the technical backbone of the country's economy."
"Simons' idea for persuading more graduates to become educators is a no-brainer: Pay them more."
"Together, Simons and his colleagues devised a plan to pay for each of the program's participants (known as "fellows") to receive a master's degree in education and also provide them with stipends of $90,000 each, on top of their salaries, spread over their first five years in the program."
MfA Executive Director Irwin Kra, Simon's long-time friend and colleague in the mathematics department at SUNY-Stony Brook says:
"This is a problem that doesn't just affect education, but also the economy, our security, and, because I am an old Jeffersonian, I believe it affects our democracy,"..."People should know basic concepts in math and science in order to make informed decisions about the issues."
http://www.seedmagazine.com/news/2006/09/putting_his_money_where_his_ma.php
Excerpts:
"Math for America addresses a simple, but profound problem: Nearly 40 percent of all public high school math teachers do not have a degree in math or a related field. Even the best curriculum in the world, the reasoning goes, isn't going to inspire students if unqualified individuals are teaching them. (In a recent round of testing, the U.S. placed 24th out of 29 nations in math proficiency.) If knowledgeable teachers exude passion for the subject, they stand a greater chance of pushing students toward careers in math in science that are the technical backbone of the country's economy."
"Simons' idea for persuading more graduates to become educators is a no-brainer: Pay them more."
"Together, Simons and his colleagues devised a plan to pay for each of the program's participants (known as "fellows") to receive a master's degree in education and also provide them with stipends of $90,000 each, on top of their salaries, spread over their first five years in the program."
MfA Executive Director Irwin Kra, Simon's long-time friend and colleague in the mathematics department at SUNY-Stony Brook says:
"This is a problem that doesn't just affect education, but also the economy, our security, and, because I am an old Jeffersonian, I believe it affects our democracy,"..."People should know basic concepts in math and science in order to make informed decisions about the issues."
A mathematician goes public
S.T.Yau goes public http://www.doctoryau.com/ and asks The New yorker to apologize. More details in
http://asymptotia.com/2006/09/18/yau-fights-back/
and the post 'Some Links' of http://www.math.columbia.edu/~woit/wordpress/
I hope that a similar discussion will take place on Tarski problems on free groups; if those results are correct I can probably use some of them.
http://asymptotia.com/2006/09/18/yau-fights-back/
and the post 'Some Links' of http://www.math.columbia.edu/~woit/wordpress/
I hope that a similar discussion will take place on Tarski problems on free groups; if those results are correct I can probably use some of them.
Farmers' problems
http://paddlesweep.blogspot.com/ has continuous updates on farmers' problems in India. There is a quick overview in New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/19/world/asia/19india.html?
Monday, September 18, 2006
Pankaj Mishra's response to Martin Amis
Pl. check:
http://books.guardian.co.uk/departments/politicsphilosophyandsociety/story/0,,1874132,00.html
Excerpts:
"For the 'war on terror' is not just a political and military fiasco but also an intellectual one, combining fatally the arrogance of power with the arrogance of mind."
"Shocked, like many Europeans, by the ferocity and unexpectedness of the First World War, French poet and essayist Paul Valery was one of the first to warn against intellectual over-reaching in a world grown bewilderingly complex and intransigent. 'The system of causes,' he wrote, 'controlling the fate of every one of us, and now extending over the whole globe, makes it reverberate throughout at every shock; there are no more questions that can be settled by being settled at one point.'
Valery could sense that the West was no longer the sole engine of global history. 'Nothing,' he asserted, 'can ever happen again without the whole world's taking a hand and for this reason no one will ever be able to predict or circumscribe the almost immediate consequences of any undertaking whatever.' "
(Pointer from Jo. I rarely read Martin Amis))
http://books.guardian.co.uk/departments/politicsphilosophyandsociety/story/0,,1874132,00.html
Excerpts:
"For the 'war on terror' is not just a political and military fiasco but also an intellectual one, combining fatally the arrogance of power with the arrogance of mind."
"Shocked, like many Europeans, by the ferocity and unexpectedness of the First World War, French poet and essayist Paul Valery was one of the first to warn against intellectual over-reaching in a world grown bewilderingly complex and intransigent. 'The system of causes,' he wrote, 'controlling the fate of every one of us, and now extending over the whole globe, makes it reverberate throughout at every shock; there are no more questions that can be settled by being settled at one point.'
Valery could sense that the West was no longer the sole engine of global history. 'Nothing,' he asserted, 'can ever happen again without the whole world's taking a hand and for this reason no one will ever be able to predict or circumscribe the almost immediate consequences of any undertaking whatever.' "
(Pointer from Jo. I rarely read Martin Amis))
S.N.Bose on popular science in vernacular
From http://www.vigyanprasar.gov.in/scientists/snbose/bosenew.htm
"Bose was a great populariser of science. He strongly felt that it was duty to present science to the common man in his own language. For popularizing science Bose wrote in Bengali. This is the reason why his contribution in popularizing science is not known outside Bengal. It were largely Bose’s efforts which led to the establishment of the Bangiya Bijnan Parishad (Science Association of Bengal), a registered society with the sole objective of promoting and popularizing science through the vernacular. The Parishad was formally inaugurated on January 25, 1948. The circular announcing the formation of the Parishad stated: “We need science at every step, but our system of education does not prepare us for it, so that we are not able to utilize science in our everyday life. The main obstacle so far was a foreign language through which education was being imparted. Today the ties have changed. New hopes and aspiration are emerging. Now it is the duty and the responsibility of our scientists to popularize science through the medium of vernacular and thus help to create a healthy scientific attitude among the people. As a first step to this effort it has been resolved to form a `Bangiya Bijnan Parishad’. It was mainly through the inspired leadership of Professor Satyendranath Bose.” The Parishad started a monthly magazine on popular science in Bengali, Jnan O Bijnan (Knowledge and Science). As part of his attempt in popularizing science through the vernacular Bose even started teaching Relativity to post-graduate students in colloquial Bengali."
( I omitted a bit from the quotation which seemed to be a repetetion).
"Bose was a great populariser of science. He strongly felt that it was duty to present science to the common man in his own language. For popularizing science Bose wrote in Bengali. This is the reason why his contribution in popularizing science is not known outside Bengal. It were largely Bose’s efforts which led to the establishment of the Bangiya Bijnan Parishad (Science Association of Bengal), a registered society with the sole objective of promoting and popularizing science through the vernacular. The Parishad was formally inaugurated on January 25, 1948. The circular announcing the formation of the Parishad stated: “We need science at every step, but our system of education does not prepare us for it, so that we are not able to utilize science in our everyday life. The main obstacle so far was a foreign language through which education was being imparted. Today the ties have changed. New hopes and aspiration are emerging. Now it is the duty and the responsibility of our scientists to popularize science through the medium of vernacular and thus help to create a healthy scientific attitude among the people. As a first step to this effort it has been resolved to form a `Bangiya Bijnan Parishad’. It was mainly through the inspired leadership of Professor Satyendranath Bose.” The Parishad started a monthly magazine on popular science in Bengali, Jnan O Bijnan (Knowledge and Science). As part of his attempt in popularizing science through the vernacular Bose even started teaching Relativity to post-graduate students in colloquial Bengali."
( I omitted a bit from the quotation which seemed to be a repetetion).
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Deepavali songs in Telugu
Sreenath jonnavithula, one of the persons responsible for oldtelugusongs and Ghantasala sites, wants to know of Telugu film songs about deepavali for the coming Deepavali celebrations. I know only four, two from Shavukaru (around 1952) and Pellikanuka (around 1960). Those who know more recent ones can post at
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtelugusongs/
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtelugusongs/
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Logos
From a recent speech of the Pope http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=46474
"Logos means both reason and word-- a reason which is creative and capable of self-communication, precisely as reason."
" “Not to act reasonably (with logos) is contrary to the nature of God”, said Manuel II, according to his Christian understanding of God, in response to his Persian interlocutor. It is to this great logos, to this breadth of reason, that we invite our partners in the dialogue of cultures. To rediscover it constantly is the great task of the university."
UPDATE: Two commentaries, one by Johann Hari and another by Sam Harris are available at the Dawkins site:
http://richarddawkins.net/
"Logos means both reason and word-- a reason which is creative and capable of self-communication, precisely as reason."
" “Not to act reasonably (with logos) is contrary to the nature of God”, said Manuel II, according to his Christian understanding of God, in response to his Persian interlocutor. It is to this great logos, to this breadth of reason, that we invite our partners in the dialogue of cultures. To rediscover it constantly is the great task of the university."
UPDATE: Two commentaries, one by Johann Hari and another by Sam Harris are available at the Dawkins site:
http://richarddawkins.net/
Marshall on mathematics in economics
Greg Mankiw has a post on mathematics required in economics: http://gregmankiw.blogspot.com/
Long ago Marshall said (taken from 'Economics for Mathematicians' by J.W.S. Cassels, Cambridge University Press):
"But I know I had a growing feeling in the later years of my work on the subject that a good mathematical theorem dealing with economic hypotheses was very unlikely to be good economics: and I went more and more on the rules-(1) Use mathematics as a shorthand language, rather than an engine of enquiry. (2) Keep to them till you know you are done. (3) Translate into English. (4) Then illustrate by examples that are important in real life. (5) Burn the mathematics. (6) If you cannot succeed in 4, burn 3. This last I did often."
I wonder how many in these days of 'Publish or Perish' are prepared to do (6). Long ago, I was asked to learn and lecture on a sophisticated piece of mathematics ('iterated maps of interval', Sarkowski's Theorem etc.) by some economist friends to understand a paper by a professor from a prestigious American University. Finally, when we read the paper, we found that the conclusion was ' in a market economy with a certain utility function, poor people's choices are rational whereas the rich people's choices are whimsical'.
Long ago Marshall said (taken from 'Economics for Mathematicians' by J.W.S. Cassels, Cambridge University Press):
"But I know I had a growing feeling in the later years of my work on the subject that a good mathematical theorem dealing with economic hypotheses was very unlikely to be good economics: and I went more and more on the rules-(1) Use mathematics as a shorthand language, rather than an engine of enquiry. (2) Keep to them till you know you are done. (3) Translate into English. (4) Then illustrate by examples that are important in real life. (5) Burn the mathematics. (6) If you cannot succeed in 4, burn 3. This last I did often."
I wonder how many in these days of 'Publish or Perish' are prepared to do (6). Long ago, I was asked to learn and lecture on a sophisticated piece of mathematics ('iterated maps of interval', Sarkowski's Theorem etc.) by some economist friends to understand a paper by a professor from a prestigious American University. Finally, when we read the paper, we found that the conclusion was ' in a market economy with a certain utility function, poor people's choices are rational whereas the rich people's choices are whimsical'.
Friday, September 15, 2006
A charity group for profit
According to The Age, Google hasstarted a charity group which will try to make profits and spend it on attempts to tackle poverty, disease and global warming. Pl. see:
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/googles-spin-on-charity/2006/09/14/1157827090890.html
Excerpt:
"Ventures that grow out of Google.org could be seen to have a competitive edge because they do not need to show a financial profit.
But financial returns from a project like the high-mileage car are not necessarily the aim.
"I think how you count profit is the issue here," said Peter Hero, president of Community Foundation of Silicon Valley, a charitable foundation with about $1 billion in assets.
"Google.org is measuring return on cleaner air and quality of life. Their bottom line isn't just financial. It's environmental and social.""
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/googles-spin-on-charity/2006/09/14/1157827090890.html
Excerpt:
"Ventures that grow out of Google.org could be seen to have a competitive edge because they do not need to show a financial profit.
But financial returns from a project like the high-mileage car are not necessarily the aim.
"I think how you count profit is the issue here," said Peter Hero, president of Community Foundation of Silicon Valley, a charitable foundation with about $1 billion in assets.
"Google.org is measuring return on cleaner air and quality of life. Their bottom line isn't just financial. It's environmental and social.""
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Madhukar Shukla has another blog
Pl. check http://inspired-pragmatism.blogspot.com/
The first post is "Revisiting the 'Bottom of the Pyramid'".
The first post is "Revisiting the 'Bottom of the Pyramid'".
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
A common paradox
About 2-3 years ago I tried to learn some Statistics and got stuck in Simpson's Paradox at the very beginning. This seems to be a very common paradox which still causes problems in various arguments:
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=65634
A very simple example is in Pearle's article http://singapore.cs.ucla.edu/R264.pdf
It is this: A drug tried on 30 males and 18 recovered and with no drug in a sample of 10 males 7 recovered.. So the recovery rate is 60% with drug and 70% without the drug.
The drug was tried on 10 females of whom only 2 recovered and in a sample of 30 females with no drug 9 recovered giving success rates of 20% and 30% respectively.
Now if we take the total number of both males and females for the trials with and without drug, it is 40 in both cases. With the drug, 20 out of 40 recovered giving a success rate of 50% and without the drug 16 out of 40 recovered giving a success rate of 40%.
So, even though the recovery rate for both males and females separately is 10% better without the drug, yet it seems beneficial to population as a whole.
Apparently this was first observed by the geneticist Pearson who warned about looking upon correlations as cause and effect in mixed populations.
I could not understand the rest of Pearle's article. If anybody does pl. let me know.
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=65634
A very simple example is in Pearle's article http://singapore.cs.ucla.edu/R264.pdf
It is this: A drug tried on 30 males and 18 recovered and with no drug in a sample of 10 males 7 recovered.. So the recovery rate is 60% with drug and 70% without the drug.
The drug was tried on 10 females of whom only 2 recovered and in a sample of 30 females with no drug 9 recovered giving success rates of 20% and 30% respectively.
Now if we take the total number of both males and females for the trials with and without drug, it is 40 in both cases. With the drug, 20 out of 40 recovered giving a success rate of 50% and without the drug 16 out of 40 recovered giving a success rate of 40%.
So, even though the recovery rate for both males and females separately is 10% better without the drug, yet it seems beneficial to population as a whole.
Apparently this was first observed by the geneticist Pearson who warned about looking upon correlations as cause and effect in mixed populations.
I could not understand the rest of Pearle's article. If anybody does pl. let me know.
Monday, September 11, 2006
100th anniversary of satyagrapha
For a brief recall and an interview with Arun Gandhi, pl. check:
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/09/08/1349257
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/09/08/1349257
Sunday, September 10, 2006
On education
A blog around the clock is wondering about education and teachers:
http://scienceblogs.com/clock/2006/09/teacherphilosophers_in_a_fastc.php
Owen Dixon, a justice in the Australian Supreme Court reminded in 1954 that a university's responsibility remained unchanged: to produce people whose " minds have become better instruments of thought, whose intellectual interests have been stimulated and will often be sustained, and above all who can combine knowledge with reason and both with experience so as to meet the problems of real life."
I think that remains a good descrption of the aims of education and what teachers should strive for. Awareness of the lack of this in current education in most countries and the opportunities provided by internet may be why lot of people are flocking to blogs. But many popular blogs seem to be contesting with each other popularity and reacting to each other. I hope that some of them will take the new found opportunities to become more responsive teacher-philosophers.
http://scienceblogs.com/clock/2006/09/teacherphilosophers_in_a_fastc.php
Owen Dixon, a justice in the Australian Supreme Court reminded in 1954 that a university's responsibility remained unchanged: to produce people whose " minds have become better instruments of thought, whose intellectual interests have been stimulated and will often be sustained, and above all who can combine knowledge with reason and both with experience so as to meet the problems of real life."
I think that remains a good descrption of the aims of education and what teachers should strive for. Awareness of the lack of this in current education in most countries and the opportunities provided by internet may be why lot of people are flocking to blogs. But many popular blogs seem to be contesting with each other popularity and reacting to each other. I hope that some of them will take the new found opportunities to become more responsive teacher-philosophers.
Academic blogging
I have not gone through this carefully yet but Abi and others may be interested:
http://www.michaelberube.com/index.php/weblog/comments/741/
There also discussions in http://madisonian.net/ a blog about law etc. I do not understand many things here but browse through once in a while after Crazyfinger convinced me (http://www.crazyfinger.org/2006/03/its_the_law_not.html#comments) that legal studies are imortant and that a large variety of “free-market failures” are really failures of the law.
http://www.michaelberube.com/index.php/weblog/comments/741/
There also discussions in http://madisonian.net/ a blog about law etc. I do not understand many things here but browse through once in a while after Crazyfinger convinced me (http://www.crazyfinger.org/2006/03/its_the_law_not.html#comments) that legal studies are imortant and that a large variety of “free-market failures” are really failures of the law.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
What made them different?
Some periods in history seem to be throw up groups of remarkable people, who are different from each other but can work together, can see beyond their times and show some wisdom relevant in all ages. India and USA have seen such a groups during their freedom struggles and as one would expect many more studies are available about the Americans and Tom Paine. Gore Vidal has written extensively about the founding fathers. There is a recent book by Gordon Wood "Revolutionary characters: What made the founders different" which gives a clue. From the excellent review
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/19295
by Fred Anderson ( this needs subscription):
"Wood finds the key to the Founders' leadership in the hierarchical world into which they had been born. Eighteenth-century British America, like Britain itself, was dominated socially and politically by "gentlemen" —a comparatively tiny minority of men whose liberal education and public spirit, so it was thought, enabled them to perceive the common good, and whose fortunes gave them the leisure to pursue it without compromising their livelihoods. Such advantages of wisdom and wealth obliged gentlemen to take the lead in public life. Those who did so demonstrated their "virtue," or ability to rise above the self-interest that absorbed the energies and limited the views of lesser men. All of the Founders, Wood argues, aspired to this kind of leadership, and all the more intensely because none was a gentleman by birth."
"The Founders' consciousness that they acted on a public stage, defending the common good and pursuing fame, explains much about their leadership in the 1770s and 1780s. Unfortunately for them and their values, Gordon Wood writes, the Revolution released acquisitive, individualist energies that no one had foreseen, and which could not be contained. As the nineteenth century began and ordinary Americans seized the opportunity to pursue private interests without restraint, the disinterested aristocratic ideal central to the Founders' identity crumbled. In a scrambling, self-interested, petit-bourgeois America, the common good became a concept that somehow arose from the sum of all individual strivings. The self-sacrificing political virtue that had been the supreme attribute of a gentleman fragmented into the private virtues of honesty, temperance, charity, prudence, and piety."
I hope that there will be a similar study about the Indian stalwarts.
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/19295
by Fred Anderson ( this needs subscription):
"Wood finds the key to the Founders' leadership in the hierarchical world into which they had been born. Eighteenth-century British America, like Britain itself, was dominated socially and politically by "gentlemen" —a comparatively tiny minority of men whose liberal education and public spirit, so it was thought, enabled them to perceive the common good, and whose fortunes gave them the leisure to pursue it without compromising their livelihoods. Such advantages of wisdom and wealth obliged gentlemen to take the lead in public life. Those who did so demonstrated their "virtue," or ability to rise above the self-interest that absorbed the energies and limited the views of lesser men. All of the Founders, Wood argues, aspired to this kind of leadership, and all the more intensely because none was a gentleman by birth."
"The Founders' consciousness that they acted on a public stage, defending the common good and pursuing fame, explains much about their leadership in the 1770s and 1780s. Unfortunately for them and their values, Gordon Wood writes, the Revolution released acquisitive, individualist energies that no one had foreseen, and which could not be contained. As the nineteenth century began and ordinary Americans seized the opportunity to pursue private interests without restraint, the disinterested aristocratic ideal central to the Founders' identity crumbled. In a scrambling, self-interested, petit-bourgeois America, the common good became a concept that somehow arose from the sum of all individual strivings. The self-sacrificing political virtue that had been the supreme attribute of a gentleman fragmented into the private virtues of honesty, temperance, charity, prudence, and piety."
I hope that there will be a similar study about the Indian stalwarts.
A meeting of stalwarts
Seed magazine has a transcript http://www.seedmagazine.com/news/2006/09/noam_chomsky_robert_trivers.php
and a video of a discussion between Noam Chomsky and Robert Trivers. When two such stalwarts meet one expects sparks of insights to fly. The conversation is interesting but a bit tame. Some excerpts:
Chomsky: "And that's a large part of what I think education is—it's a form of indoctrination. You have to reconstruct a picture of the world in order to be conducive to the interests and concerns of the educated classes, and this involves a lot of self-deceit."
Interesting and mostly true, I think. But, did not Gramsci say such things before? what are the alternatives?
There is a quite a bit about self deception, a topic about which Trivers had some insights in the 70's but never really got down to a careful analysis.
Trivers: "So let me ask you, when you think about the leaders—let's say the present set of organisms that launched this dreadful Iraq misadventure—how important is their level of self-deception? We know they launched the whole thing in a swarm of lies, the evidence for which is too overwhelming to even need to be referred to now. My view is that their deception leads to self-deception very easily."
Chomsky's reply:" I agree, though I'm not sure they launched it with lies, and it's perfectly possible they believed it."
Is Chomsky getting old?
and a video of a discussion between Noam Chomsky and Robert Trivers. When two such stalwarts meet one expects sparks of insights to fly. The conversation is interesting but a bit tame. Some excerpts:
Chomsky: "And that's a large part of what I think education is—it's a form of indoctrination. You have to reconstruct a picture of the world in order to be conducive to the interests and concerns of the educated classes, and this involves a lot of self-deceit."
Interesting and mostly true, I think. But, did not Gramsci say such things before? what are the alternatives?
There is a quite a bit about self deception, a topic about which Trivers had some insights in the 70's but never really got down to a careful analysis.
Trivers: "So let me ask you, when you think about the leaders—let's say the present set of organisms that launched this dreadful Iraq misadventure—how important is their level of self-deception? We know they launched the whole thing in a swarm of lies, the evidence for which is too overwhelming to even need to be referred to now. My view is that their deception leads to self-deception very easily."
Chomsky's reply:" I agree, though I'm not sure they launched it with lies, and it's perfectly possible they believed it."
Is Chomsky getting old?
Moral sense
There seem to be continuous discussions about whether there is a universal sense of right and wrong ( usually more discussions if there is a review in The New YorK Times):
http://scienceblogs.com/transcript/2006/09/the_moral_instinct.php
There seems to be universal sense of right and wrong ( though the content may be different for different groups. What is right for Bush and many Americans does not seem right to me):
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn10022-physical-washing-may-help-clean-your-conscience.html
An excerpt:
"Those who were given an opportunity to wash their hands after recalling incidents of immoral behaviour showed signs of a clearer conscious than those who had not washed."
Do they mean Conscience?
"This final experiment establishes a link between moral and physical cleanliness, says Philip Tetlock, a psychologist at the University of California, Berkeley, US, who was not involved in the study.
“When you have been associated with something immoral, there are two ways you can cleanse yourself – engaging in moral behaviour or physically cleaning yourself,” Tetlock says. “We talk about things being dirty, slimy, or rotten. A lot of people would say those are just metaphors, but this study shows that there is a connection on a visceral level.”"
What about consciousness? I have my own doubts. Just like Russell's paradox in set theory, there may be questions that one cannot ask in a system.
http://scienceblogs.com/transcript/2006/09/the_moral_instinct.php
There seems to be universal sense of right and wrong ( though the content may be different for different groups. What is right for Bush and many Americans does not seem right to me):
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn10022-physical-washing-may-help-clean-your-conscience.html
An excerpt:
"Those who were given an opportunity to wash their hands after recalling incidents of immoral behaviour showed signs of a clearer conscious than those who had not washed."
Do they mean Conscience?
"This final experiment establishes a link between moral and physical cleanliness, says Philip Tetlock, a psychologist at the University of California, Berkeley, US, who was not involved in the study.
“When you have been associated with something immoral, there are two ways you can cleanse yourself – engaging in moral behaviour or physically cleaning yourself,” Tetlock says. “We talk about things being dirty, slimy, or rotten. A lot of people would say those are just metaphors, but this study shows that there is a connection on a visceral level.”"
What about consciousness? I have my own doubts. Just like Russell's paradox in set theory, there may be questions that one cannot ask in a system.
Friday, September 08, 2006
On math. topics
I will post on some mathematics topics here:
http://www.arunn.net/scienceblog/
Some blogs that I follow regularly:
http://www.reason.com/
http://www.tompaine.com/
http://delong.typepad.com/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
http://www.physorg.com/
I follow and comment often here:
http://nanopolitan.blogspot.com/
http://www.arunn.net/scienceblog/
Some blogs that I follow regularly:
http://www.reason.com/
http://www.tompaine.com/
http://delong.typepad.com/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
http://www.physorg.com/
I follow and comment often here:
http://nanopolitan.blogspot.com/
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Some friends
Pl. check this http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn9916
and http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/story/0,,1865918,00.html
These seem to happen in our family on a regular basis.
and http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/story/0,,1865918,00.html
These seem to happen in our family on a regular basis.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Devaluing the race card
It seems to me that the feeling that one is underprivileged while growing up may contribute to poor performance. The following study, still in preliminary stages, seems to support the view. It may also be useful in experimenting with strategies to improve the lot of underprivileged classes in India.
From http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2006/831/2?etoc
( via Evolutionary-Psychology group)
Devaluing the Race Card
By Yudhijit Bhattacharjee
ScienceNOW Daily News
31 August 2006
The life of African-American middle-school students can be pretty stressful. From the moment they step into the classroom, some must contend with not only coursework but also the anxiety that performing badly might confirm negative stereotypes. That fear can itself lead to poor performance, researchers have known for a while; now they've come up with a simple antidote: getting students to reflect on their sense of self-worth by writing a personal essay about what they value.
Geoffrey Cohen, a psychologist at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and his colleagues tested the strategy among 243 seventh graders at a northeastern U.S. school that had a roughly 50:50 ratio of African-American and white students. Each student was asked to complete a 15-minute writing assignment that included a page with a list of values such as one's relationships with friends, athletic ability, and creativity. Students circled their top two or three values. On the next page, they wrote a few sentences explaining their choices and describing moments when they had felt the importance of the chosen values. The researchers designed a similar assignment for a control group in which students had to circle the value they thought was least important to them and explain why that value could be important to other people. The students were not told the purpose of the assignment.
At the end of the term, the researchers found that African-American students in the treatment group got significantly better grades than same-race students in the control group. Low-performing African Americans seemed to have benefited the most. The assignment didn't have any effect on white students. Overall, the intervention closed the racial achievement gap by 40%, the team reports tomorrow in Science. "The results exceeded our expectations," says Cohen. "It was remarkable."
To find out how the treatment worked, the researchers had the students complete 34 word fragments, seven of which--such as _ACE--could be completed to form either a stereotype-relevant word such as RACE or a stereotype-irrelevant word such as FACE. African-American students who got the intervention formed fewer stereotype-relevant words than did African Americans in the control group. This suggests that the intervention allowed students to distance themselves from racial stereotypes, Cohen says.
The researchers also found that African Americans in the control group did progressively worse as the academic term went on, while those in the treatment group stabilized or started improving after the intervention. "There is something about the stereotype threat that feeds off its consequence: You are stressed that you'll do badly, and so you do; then you get even more stressed and do even worse," Cohen explains. "Our intervention seems to halt this downward spiral."
"These are very exciting results," says Claude Steele, a psychologist at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, who was among the first to show that the threat of reinforcing negative stereotypes can impair performance among minority students. "They suggest some powerful and simple ways of fixing things in American education." Cohen warns, however, against viewing the intervention as a silver bullet for improving minority-student performance. "It worked in this particular school," he says. "Whether it'll work in a predominantly minority school or at a different grade level, we can't say."
From http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2006/831/2?etoc
( via Evolutionary-Psychology group)
Devaluing the Race Card
By Yudhijit Bhattacharjee
ScienceNOW Daily News
31 August 2006
The life of African-American middle-school students can be pretty stressful. From the moment they step into the classroom, some must contend with not only coursework but also the anxiety that performing badly might confirm negative stereotypes. That fear can itself lead to poor performance, researchers have known for a while; now they've come up with a simple antidote: getting students to reflect on their sense of self-worth by writing a personal essay about what they value.
Geoffrey Cohen, a psychologist at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and his colleagues tested the strategy among 243 seventh graders at a northeastern U.S. school that had a roughly 50:50 ratio of African-American and white students. Each student was asked to complete a 15-minute writing assignment that included a page with a list of values such as one's relationships with friends, athletic ability, and creativity. Students circled their top two or three values. On the next page, they wrote a few sentences explaining their choices and describing moments when they had felt the importance of the chosen values. The researchers designed a similar assignment for a control group in which students had to circle the value they thought was least important to them and explain why that value could be important to other people. The students were not told the purpose of the assignment.
At the end of the term, the researchers found that African-American students in the treatment group got significantly better grades than same-race students in the control group. Low-performing African Americans seemed to have benefited the most. The assignment didn't have any effect on white students. Overall, the intervention closed the racial achievement gap by 40%, the team reports tomorrow in Science. "The results exceeded our expectations," says Cohen. "It was remarkable."
To find out how the treatment worked, the researchers had the students complete 34 word fragments, seven of which--such as _ACE--could be completed to form either a stereotype-relevant word such as RACE or a stereotype-irrelevant word such as FACE. African-American students who got the intervention formed fewer stereotype-relevant words than did African Americans in the control group. This suggests that the intervention allowed students to distance themselves from racial stereotypes, Cohen says.
The researchers also found that African Americans in the control group did progressively worse as the academic term went on, while those in the treatment group stabilized or started improving after the intervention. "There is something about the stereotype threat that feeds off its consequence: You are stressed that you'll do badly, and so you do; then you get even more stressed and do even worse," Cohen explains. "Our intervention seems to halt this downward spiral."
"These are very exciting results," says Claude Steele, a psychologist at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, who was among the first to show that the threat of reinforcing negative stereotypes can impair performance among minority students. "They suggest some powerful and simple ways of fixing things in American education." Cohen warns, however, against viewing the intervention as a silver bullet for improving minority-student performance. "It worked in this particular school," he says. "Whether it'll work in a predominantly minority school or at a different grade level, we can't say."
Why are breast pumps so expensive?
In Australia it costs abpout 30 dollars to rent one for a month. they do not seem to be cheap in USA either:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/01/health/01nurse.html?
As more and more women work at various levels, there is a need to produce these cheaply and for lactation centres in work places.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/01/health/01nurse.html?
As more and more women work at various levels, there is a need to produce these cheaply and for lactation centres in work places.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Left and right
After Daniel Bell, I thought that the division between left and right is over and it is only arguments between different defenders of 'truth'. Dilip D'Souza has this blurb on his blog; 'I am not leftist, I am not rightist, I am a typist". But looking at the alignment in Indian blogs, there seems to be a division. Apparently in USA too. Greg Mankiw in the post "Are rich a form of pollution?" (http://gregmankiw.blogspot.com/) says
"Brad DeLong reveals his inner Veblen:
"I'm enough of a touchy-feely sociology-lover to believe that a good chunk of the utility the rich derive from their conspicuous consumption is transferred to them from the poor."
This quotation goes to the heart of one reason left-leaning economists like Brad and right-leaning economists like me differ in their policy views".
"Brad DeLong reveals his inner Veblen:
"I'm enough of a touchy-feely sociology-lover to believe that a good chunk of the utility the rich derive from their conspicuous consumption is transferred to them from the poor."
This quotation goes to the heart of one reason left-leaning economists like Brad and right-leaning economists like me differ in their policy views".
"The Age" on Indian women
The Australian newspaper "The age" has a couple of articles on Indian women. The first
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/stare-wars-indian-file-for-lechers/2006/09/01/1156817099394.htmlis about Jasmeen Patheja and her project http://blanknoiseproject.blogspot.com/ fighting back against the 'Eve teasers'. An excerpt:
"At first, in her own personal revolt, Mr Patheja would yell at any men who stared at her. She refused to avert her gaze and suffer passively as most Indian women did.
But it had little impact. The perpetrator would grin at her, amused. "It was only when I took out my camera and photographed them that the dynamics changed and the power situation was reversed," she says. "The camera instantly transfers power to the woman. Instead of being amused, the man felt threatened." She remembers the humiliation of being on a crowded bus once where a man cupped her breast. Furious, she whipped out her camera and started clicking. A few stops later, he got down and apologised.
Apart from her "lechers' gallery" on the website, Ms Patheja is collecting the clothes that women were wearing when they were pestered, squashing the idea (popular among Indian males) that women "ask for it" by wearing skimpy clothes.
Blank Noise has another weapon — the "street performance", which its members put on in busy places. Reversing the normal situation in which groups of men stand around and stare at the women, it is Ms Patheja's female "warriors" who do the staring.
They stand in a group, about a dozen of them, wearing T-shirtswith the slogan "Y R U Looking At Me?". When a man leers, they surround him silently and stare right back.
Most men, faced with a dozen pair of eyes boring into them,retreat. When a camera is trained at them, most panic and beg the women to put the camera away, insisting they are "family men withchildren".
Curious onlookers are given leaflets, explaining how sexual harassment violates a woman's self-respect and dignity. Blank Noise activists also board buses to read out letters from victims ofsexual harassment. With the permission of the bus conductor, agroup of women get on and start reading out loud the testimony that victims of sexual harassment have posted on the website.
A Bangalore journalist, Nirmala Ravindran, who witnessed a bus reading, says the men were shell-shocked.
"Sometimes women would jump up and applaud," she says. "They said that their own experiences were identical."
The official statistics support these personal testimonies— 90 per cent of female college students suffer harassment.
Government figures released in June show that a woman is raped every half-an-hour in India.
Such behaviour is primarily the outcome of a sexually repressivesociety, which segregates the sexes from childhood onwards,forbidding even innocent contact.
Laura Neuhaus, 23, a Texan who works in Bangalore and supports Blank Noise, is appalled at the Neanderthal habits of many Indian men.
"Because they've had so little interaction with women while growing up, men here are totally uninformed about women," she says.
"There is a deep-seated awkwardness. They don't realise what is acceptable or what the boundaries are."
With women like Ms Patheja around, they will soon learn."
Tjhe second is an old article from The Observer about hair trade
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,1805328,00.html
There is not only 'legitimate' trade from places like Tirupati but also coercisin in some places. an excerpt:
"Away from the crowd sits 19-year-old Uma, one of dozens of girls living close to Chennai's main Egmore suburban rail-line, who have had nastier experiences with more unscrupulous hair collectors. 'I was held down by a gang of men who hacked at my hair,' she says. 'I'm not the only one who has been attacked. I know other women who have been blackmailed and threatened to shave their own heads, in some cases their husbands have received money for their hair and ordered their wives to have their heads shaved. There is a lot of money to be made from hair not just from temples but from villages like ours, the police don't care, they will do nothing to protect women.'"
There is another article comparing how women managers are faring in different western countries:
http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/out-of-step-losing-the-top-women/2006/09/01/1156817098295.html
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/stare-wars-indian-file-for-lechers/2006/09/01/1156817099394.htmlis about Jasmeen Patheja and her project http://blanknoiseproject.blogspot.com/ fighting back against the 'Eve teasers'. An excerpt:
"At first, in her own personal revolt, Mr Patheja would yell at any men who stared at her. She refused to avert her gaze and suffer passively as most Indian women did.
But it had little impact. The perpetrator would grin at her, amused. "It was only when I took out my camera and photographed them that the dynamics changed and the power situation was reversed," she says. "The camera instantly transfers power to the woman. Instead of being amused, the man felt threatened." She remembers the humiliation of being on a crowded bus once where a man cupped her breast. Furious, she whipped out her camera and started clicking. A few stops later, he got down and apologised.
Apart from her "lechers' gallery" on the website, Ms Patheja is collecting the clothes that women were wearing when they were pestered, squashing the idea (popular among Indian males) that women "ask for it" by wearing skimpy clothes.
Blank Noise has another weapon — the "street performance", which its members put on in busy places. Reversing the normal situation in which groups of men stand around and stare at the women, it is Ms Patheja's female "warriors" who do the staring.
They stand in a group, about a dozen of them, wearing T-shirtswith the slogan "Y R U Looking At Me?". When a man leers, they surround him silently and stare right back.
Most men, faced with a dozen pair of eyes boring into them,retreat. When a camera is trained at them, most panic and beg the women to put the camera away, insisting they are "family men withchildren".
Curious onlookers are given leaflets, explaining how sexual harassment violates a woman's self-respect and dignity. Blank Noise activists also board buses to read out letters from victims ofsexual harassment. With the permission of the bus conductor, agroup of women get on and start reading out loud the testimony that victims of sexual harassment have posted on the website.
A Bangalore journalist, Nirmala Ravindran, who witnessed a bus reading, says the men were shell-shocked.
"Sometimes women would jump up and applaud," she says. "They said that their own experiences were identical."
The official statistics support these personal testimonies— 90 per cent of female college students suffer harassment.
Government figures released in June show that a woman is raped every half-an-hour in India.
Such behaviour is primarily the outcome of a sexually repressivesociety, which segregates the sexes from childhood onwards,forbidding even innocent contact.
Laura Neuhaus, 23, a Texan who works in Bangalore and supports Blank Noise, is appalled at the Neanderthal habits of many Indian men.
"Because they've had so little interaction with women while growing up, men here are totally uninformed about women," she says.
"There is a deep-seated awkwardness. They don't realise what is acceptable or what the boundaries are."
With women like Ms Patheja around, they will soon learn."
Tjhe second is an old article from The Observer about hair trade
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,1805328,00.html
There is not only 'legitimate' trade from places like Tirupati but also coercisin in some places. an excerpt:
"Away from the crowd sits 19-year-old Uma, one of dozens of girls living close to Chennai's main Egmore suburban rail-line, who have had nastier experiences with more unscrupulous hair collectors. 'I was held down by a gang of men who hacked at my hair,' she says. 'I'm not the only one who has been attacked. I know other women who have been blackmailed and threatened to shave their own heads, in some cases their husbands have received money for their hair and ordered their wives to have their heads shaved. There is a lot of money to be made from hair not just from temples but from villages like ours, the police don't care, they will do nothing to protect women.'"
There is another article comparing how women managers are faring in different western countries:
http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/out-of-step-losing-the-top-women/2006/09/01/1156817098295.html
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
A new blog about India
An American sociologist Stephen Zavestovski has started a blog http://curiousstall.blogspot.com/ about India after spending 6 months there. At the moment he has a series of posts about consumerism in India. The blogs make easy and pleasant reading. He has also started giving links to blogs which are not that known but have interesting posts about working class Indians. All these are refreshingly different from other Indian blogs and give some glimpses of India that I miss. By the looks of it, Stephen may travel to India again and continue with this blog for some time; at least I hope that he will.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Money and mathematics
For those who worried about Perelman missing out on a million dollara, here is an example of the sort of money some can make by quitting mathematcs (coutesy gene expression):
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_34/b3998412.htm
Excerpts:
"James H. Simons, the former math professor who founded the $12 billion quantitative shop Renaissance Technologies Corp., pocketed an estimated $1.5 billion last year. That was thanks to the 5% in fees and nearly 44% of profits that Renaissance docks its investors (vs. traditional hedge funds' typical "2 and 20"). Clients don't complain; Renaissance's leading fund has returned 35%, after fees, since 1989".
Simons was a professor mathematics at SUNY (Stoney Brook) and was doing quite well (still lots of papers on Chern-Simons invariants) when he moved to financial investment. Apparently, some of these companies pay newcomers 250,000 US dollars an year plus bonus. Being good on mathematics seems to help in getting jobs in these companies.
Update:
There is avery interesting article in the Newyorker explaining some of the politics involved in mathematical circles and Perelman's refusal to accept the Fields medal:
http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/060828fa_fact2
The article may suggest that some thing is strange about Chinese mathematics but this kind of controversies and postings of incomplete proofs and changing them have been going for some time ( see various papers on Tarski problems). See also:
http://www.newscientist.com/channel/fundamentals/mg19125661.400
In this kind of atmosphere, Perelman is impressive and this comes out very well in the Newyorker article. His attitude seems to be that even honest mathematicians are putting up with dishonest practices and he wants no part in these politics.
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_34/b3998412.htm
Excerpts:
"James H. Simons, the former math professor who founded the $12 billion quantitative shop Renaissance Technologies Corp., pocketed an estimated $1.5 billion last year. That was thanks to the 5% in fees and nearly 44% of profits that Renaissance docks its investors (vs. traditional hedge funds' typical "2 and 20"). Clients don't complain; Renaissance's leading fund has returned 35%, after fees, since 1989".
Simons was a professor mathematics at SUNY (Stoney Brook) and was doing quite well (still lots of papers on Chern-Simons invariants) when he moved to financial investment. Apparently, some of these companies pay newcomers 250,000 US dollars an year plus bonus. Being good on mathematics seems to help in getting jobs in these companies.
Update:
There is avery interesting article in the Newyorker explaining some of the politics involved in mathematical circles and Perelman's refusal to accept the Fields medal:
http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/060828fa_fact2
The article may suggest that some thing is strange about Chinese mathematics but this kind of controversies and postings of incomplete proofs and changing them have been going for some time ( see various papers on Tarski problems). See also:
http://www.newscientist.com/channel/fundamentals/mg19125661.400
In this kind of atmosphere, Perelman is impressive and this comes out very well in the Newyorker article. His attitude seems to be that even honest mathematicians are putting up with dishonest practices and he wants no part in these politics.
2006 Fields medals
Perelman seems to be bringing a lot of attention to mathematics. From
http://www.math.columbia.edu/~woit/wordpress/
(which has discussions on the work of winners and various links):
Today the arXiv servers contain the message ” arXiv.org servers are currently under very heavy load due to demand for Grisha Perelman’s papers, published only as arXiv.org e-prints, which are available below.”
The information about various winners and their work can be found at;
http://www.icm2006.org/press/releases/
The work of Nevanlinna prize winner Jon Kleinberg seems to be of general interest and accessible to most:
http://www.icm2006.org/dailynews/nevannlina_kleinberg_info_en.pdf
The youngest this year is Terence Tao at 31 and he describes his methods in:
http://www.college.ucla.edu/news/05/terencetaomath.html
Though all this news seems to be rekindling a bit of interest in mathematics again, nothing brought me the same thrill as Galois Theory of which:
Hermann Weyl, one of the greatest mathematicians of the 20th century, said of this testament ( composed on the night before his death}, "This letter, if judged by the novelty and profundity of ideas it contains, is perhaps the most substantial piece of writing in the whole literature of mankind."
http://www.math.columbia.edu/~woit/wordpress/
(which has discussions on the work of winners and various links):
Today the arXiv servers contain the message ” arXiv.org servers are currently under very heavy load due to demand for Grisha Perelman’s papers, published only as arXiv.org e-prints, which are available below.”
The information about various winners and their work can be found at;
http://www.icm2006.org/press/releases/
The work of Nevanlinna prize winner Jon Kleinberg seems to be of general interest and accessible to most:
http://www.icm2006.org/dailynews/nevannlina_kleinberg_info_en.pdf
The youngest this year is Terence Tao at 31 and he describes his methods in:
http://www.college.ucla.edu/news/05/terencetaomath.html
Though all this news seems to be rekindling a bit of interest in mathematics again, nothing brought me the same thrill as Galois Theory of which:
Hermann Weyl, one of the greatest mathematicians of the 20th century, said of this testament ( composed on the night before his death}, "This letter, if judged by the novelty and profundity of ideas it contains, is perhaps the most substantial piece of writing in the whole literature of mankind."
Monday, August 21, 2006
Green Energy
A series of articles on green enery:
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/51688.html
(courtesy of http://valluvar.blogspot.com/)
Brazil's road to oil independence via green energy:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/19/AR2006081900842.html
and comentary at: http://scienceblogs.com/corpuscallosum/2006/08/brazils_independence_from_fore.php
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/51688.html
(courtesy of http://valluvar.blogspot.com/)
Brazil's road to oil independence via green energy:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/19/AR2006081900842.html
and comentary at: http://scienceblogs.com/corpuscallosum/2006/08/brazils_independence_from_fore.php
More on Grigori Perelman
Simon Singh in
http://www.tompaine.com/articles/2006/08/18/bright_green_security.php
says "I believe that this hairy Russian hermit could be the poster boy who helps create a new generation of mathematical geniuses".
Somebody actually interviewd Perlman recently:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/08/20/nmaths20.xml
More from the Telegraph:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/08/20/nmaths120.xml
Wikipedia has continuous updates:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grigori_Perelman
Abinandanan at http://nanopolitan.blogspot.com/ gave the link to an aricle
http://www.slate.com/id/2147954/ by Jordan Ellenberg. Ellenberg has other interesting articles on mathematics in the same site. I hope that he will write one on Galois Theory.
Here is a link to talks by John Morgan:
http://www.math.ohio-state.edu/lectures/clemens/five_talks.html
http://www.tompaine.com/articles/2006/08/18/bright_green_security.php
says "I believe that this hairy Russian hermit could be the poster boy who helps create a new generation of mathematical geniuses".
Somebody actually interviewd Perlman recently:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/08/20/nmaths20.xml
More from the Telegraph:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/08/20/nmaths120.xml
Wikipedia has continuous updates:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grigori_Perelman
Abinandanan at http://nanopolitan.blogspot.com/ gave the link to an aricle
http://www.slate.com/id/2147954/ by Jordan Ellenberg. Ellenberg has other interesting articles on mathematics in the same site. I hope that he will write one on Galois Theory.
Here is a link to talks by John Morgan:
http://www.math.ohio-state.edu/lectures/clemens/five_talks.html
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Poincare Conjecture
The following article gives a very nice and accurate wrte up on the solution of the Poinacre conjecture and mathematician who is different:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/15/science/15math.html?_r=2&8dpc=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin
Suddenly, the topic seems to be in several blogs; may be again the influence of mainstream news. Despite the recent disquiet in several blogs about the rise of anti-scientic attitudes in USA, USA is still a power house in science and mathematics. Though Perelmam came from a Russian tradition which seems to be weakening, many of the mathematicians who contributed to the solution are Americans or educated in USA. The Americans took to Toplogy when it was young and many of the big names and large number of mathematicians working in Toplogy starting with Veblen, Alexander have been Americans. Thurston popularized Hyperbolic Geometry since the late 70's and formulated the Geometrization Conjecture of which Poincare Conjecture is a special case. The Geomtrization Conjecture is much more wide ranging and (now known to be true after Perelman) elucidates the structure of all compact three manifolds. Richard Hamilton started developing the Ricci flow techinque in the 80's specially for the purpose of attacking the Geometrzation Conjecture. Even after Perelman's three papers improving Hamilton's techniques, it took a number of powerful mathematicaians (mostly Americans) three and half years to complete the programme.
George Szpiro, who earlier wrote a popular book on the Kepler Problem is writing a popular book on the Poincare Conjecture and may come out in an year. If the preliminary chapters are any indication, it should be a very readable book.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/15/science/15math.html?_r=2&8dpc=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin
Suddenly, the topic seems to be in several blogs; may be again the influence of mainstream news. Despite the recent disquiet in several blogs about the rise of anti-scientic attitudes in USA, USA is still a power house in science and mathematics. Though Perelmam came from a Russian tradition which seems to be weakening, many of the mathematicians who contributed to the solution are Americans or educated in USA. The Americans took to Toplogy when it was young and many of the big names and large number of mathematicians working in Toplogy starting with Veblen, Alexander have been Americans. Thurston popularized Hyperbolic Geometry since the late 70's and formulated the Geometrization Conjecture of which Poincare Conjecture is a special case. The Geomtrization Conjecture is much more wide ranging and (now known to be true after Perelman) elucidates the structure of all compact three manifolds. Richard Hamilton started developing the Ricci flow techinque in the 80's specially for the purpose of attacking the Geometrzation Conjecture. Even after Perelman's three papers improving Hamilton's techniques, it took a number of powerful mathematicaians (mostly Americans) three and half years to complete the programme.
George Szpiro, who earlier wrote a popular book on the Kepler Problem is writing a popular book on the Poincare Conjecture and may come out in an year. If the preliminary chapters are any indication, it should be a very readable book.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Links 13/8/06
Review of a book on the entire human past:
http://www.americanscientist.org/bookshelf/pub/a-look-at-the-entire-human-past
......
Review of book on the origins ofresearch universities:
http://www.americanscientist.org/bookshelf/pub/the-professor-comes-of-age
Excerpts:
“Therefore the professor could not come of age until the birth of the modern secular state.
This observation is the linchpin of Clark’s analysis. After making it, he introduces a startling set of ideas: It was not the professors who created the modern academic profession; rather, it was the rationalizing, bureaucratic, market-conscious functionaries who served the various German states of the 18th century. Through site visits, the careful recording of facts, new methods of accountability and judicious use of budgets, government ministers forced the once-indolent professors to become hardworking and reputation-seeking. It was ultimately the state that created the syndrome of "publish or perish" and put us on the path to the large-scale research environments in which scientific work is pursued today.”
“Even four decades ago, Clark Kerr, who was then president of the University of California, warned about the damage to academic culture caused by the "rise of the Research Grant University." In the final chapter of Academic Charisma and the Origins of the Research University, William Clark joins a large number of critics in finding fault both with the managerial and corporate styles of governance present in research academia today and with the grandstanding and self-seeking that have encouraged institutions to purchase faculty. It is assuredly difficult to recognize the remains of collegial authority in today’s universities. The heavy emphasis on wealth generation has produced university-government-industrial alliances that are often disturbing, compromising our sense of the proper use of scientific inquiry and making us wonder about the true strength of professional values. However, this is a complicated story of losses and gains. This tailpiece of the book is its least original part, but in fairness it does tell us where Clark began his retrospective investigations.”
...
Last of the recent papers on gender differences by Jake Young in Pure Pedantry:
http://scienceblogs.com/purepedantry/2006/08/some_confounds_in_gender_diffe_1.php#more
This time he summarizes 1993 paper by Diane Halpern:
http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/05-03-15.html
In spite of the research since then, her conclusions are similar to those by Jake Young. Final two sentences of her paper:
"We should keep in mind the words of the 18th-century British writer who was once asked, “Which is smarter, men or women?” He replied: “Which man, which woman?””
...
Suggested solution to the middle east problem from health scientists:
http://scienceblogs.com/effectmeasure/2006/08/war_crimes_in_lebanon_and_isra.php
I agree with them but how does one go about it?
....
An interesting post with a link to recent research and discussion on terrorism fear at:
http://scienceblogs.com/cortex/2006/08/terrorism_and_irrational_fear.php
....
Madhukar Shukla is as usual informative and skeptical on future employment in India:
http://alternativeperspective.blogspot.com/2006/08/future-of-work-employment-in-india.html#comments
http://www.americanscientist.org/bookshelf/pub/a-look-at-the-entire-human-past
......
Review of book on the origins ofresearch universities:
http://www.americanscientist.org/bookshelf/pub/the-professor-comes-of-age
Excerpts:
“Therefore the professor could not come of age until the birth of the modern secular state.
This observation is the linchpin of Clark’s analysis. After making it, he introduces a startling set of ideas: It was not the professors who created the modern academic profession; rather, it was the rationalizing, bureaucratic, market-conscious functionaries who served the various German states of the 18th century. Through site visits, the careful recording of facts, new methods of accountability and judicious use of budgets, government ministers forced the once-indolent professors to become hardworking and reputation-seeking. It was ultimately the state that created the syndrome of "publish or perish" and put us on the path to the large-scale research environments in which scientific work is pursued today.”
“Even four decades ago, Clark Kerr, who was then president of the University of California, warned about the damage to academic culture caused by the "rise of the Research Grant University." In the final chapter of Academic Charisma and the Origins of the Research University, William Clark joins a large number of critics in finding fault both with the managerial and corporate styles of governance present in research academia today and with the grandstanding and self-seeking that have encouraged institutions to purchase faculty. It is assuredly difficult to recognize the remains of collegial authority in today’s universities. The heavy emphasis on wealth generation has produced university-government-industrial alliances that are often disturbing, compromising our sense of the proper use of scientific inquiry and making us wonder about the true strength of professional values. However, this is a complicated story of losses and gains. This tailpiece of the book is its least original part, but in fairness it does tell us where Clark began his retrospective investigations.”
...
Last of the recent papers on gender differences by Jake Young in Pure Pedantry:
http://scienceblogs.com/purepedantry/2006/08/some_confounds_in_gender_diffe_1.php#more
This time he summarizes 1993 paper by Diane Halpern:
http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/05-03-15.html
In spite of the research since then, her conclusions are similar to those by Jake Young. Final two sentences of her paper:
"We should keep in mind the words of the 18th-century British writer who was once asked, “Which is smarter, men or women?” He replied: “Which man, which woman?””
...
Suggested solution to the middle east problem from health scientists:
http://scienceblogs.com/effectmeasure/2006/08/war_crimes_in_lebanon_and_isra.php
I agree with them but how does one go about it?
....
An interesting post with a link to recent research and discussion on terrorism fear at:
http://scienceblogs.com/cortex/2006/08/terrorism_and_irrational_fear.php
....
Madhukar Shukla is as usual informative and skeptical on future employment in India:
http://alternativeperspective.blogspot.com/2006/08/future-of-work-employment-in-india.html#comments
Saturday, August 12, 2006
A review of "The New York Review of Books"
It was the December 2003 holiday issue that hooked me. Since then, I have been reading Review fairly regularly, off and on going to the back issues. Since I am not particularly in to any thing except mathematics, I was pleasanly see this endorsement of the Review:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,1842962,00.html
One excerpt: "The first is the inherent interest and intellectual stimulation of each. But the second is that each is dazzlingly discussed in the most recent edition of the publication that, at least in the opinion of this general reader, has the largest claim to be regarded as the indispensable publication of the modern English-speaking world - the New York Review of Books."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,1842962,00.html
One excerpt: "The first is the inherent interest and intellectual stimulation of each. But the second is that each is dazzlingly discussed in the most recent edition of the publication that, at least in the opinion of this general reader, has the largest claim to be regarded as the indispensable publication of the modern English-speaking world - the New York Review of Books."
Attitudes to evolution in different countries
There is a very interesting discussion:
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2006/08/put_the_blame_where_it_belongs.php
on this report:
http://www.livescience.com/humanbiology/060810_evo_rank.html
See http://newsroom.msu.edu/site/indexer/2827/content.htm
for a link to the original article.
A couple of correspondents tried to see the correlation to tax rates and murder rates. Unfortunately, the list has only 34 counntries. The two countries that I am most familiar with, Australia and India, are not on the list. The survey is confined to some western countries. A follow up post:
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2006/08/africa_our_past_perhaps_our_fu.php#c192201
Pharyngula has a list of books on evolution here:
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2006/02/an_updated_book_list_for_evolu.php
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2006/08/put_the_blame_where_it_belongs.php
on this report:
http://www.livescience.com/humanbiology/060810_evo_rank.html
See http://newsroom.msu.edu/site/indexer/2827/content.htm
for a link to the original article.
A couple of correspondents tried to see the correlation to tax rates and murder rates. Unfortunately, the list has only 34 counntries. The two countries that I am most familiar with, Australia and India, are not on the list. The survey is confined to some western countries. A follow up post:
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2006/08/africa_our_past_perhaps_our_fu.php#c192201
Pharyngula has a list of books on evolution here:
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2006/02/an_updated_book_list_for_evolu.php
Friday, August 11, 2006
At last
Having been a smoker for over 40 years, I find this news cheery:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Why-smoking-may-have-a-health-benefit/2006/08/10/1154803011586.html
but probably there are many other ways, like exercising, which may prevent Parkinson's.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Why-smoking-may-have-a-health-benefit/2006/08/10/1154803011586.html
but probably there are many other ways, like exercising, which may prevent Parkinson's.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Book Recommendations
Off and on, newspapers and magazines have lists of best books of the decade, century and so on. Even in this information age, I find that I have not read most of these books. Finally I have found a list in which I have read some of the books and know of the others. Here is the link;
http://www.americanscientist.org/template/ScientistNightstandTypeDetail/assetid/52883
Americanscientist has this kind of interviews periodically.
http://www.americanscientist.org/template/ScientistNightstandTypeDetail/assetid/52883
Americanscientist has this kind of interviews periodically.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
New Scientist on antioxidants
From:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19125631.500.html
"You name it, if it's an antioxidant, we'll swallow it by the bucket-load. According to some estimates around half the adults in the US take antioxidant pills daily in the belief they promote good health and stave off disease. We have become antioxidant devotees. But are they doing us any good? Evidence gathered over the past few years shows that at best, antioxidant supplements do little or nothing to benefit our health. At worst, they may even have the opposite effect, promoting the very problems they are supposed to stamp out."
The article needs subscrption. The gist is that antioxidants work when taken in the form of naturally occuring vegetables and fruits, they rarely work and may be even harmful (except in some cases of particular deficiencies). The scientists are not sure of the mechanisms involved; may be fibrous material in vegetables and some other unknown mechanisms may be involved.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19125631.500.html
"You name it, if it's an antioxidant, we'll swallow it by the bucket-load. According to some estimates around half the adults in the US take antioxidant pills daily in the belief they promote good health and stave off disease. We have become antioxidant devotees. But are they doing us any good? Evidence gathered over the past few years shows that at best, antioxidant supplements do little or nothing to benefit our health. At worst, they may even have the opposite effect, promoting the very problems they are supposed to stamp out."
The article needs subscrption. The gist is that antioxidants work when taken in the form of naturally occuring vegetables and fruits, they rarely work and may be even harmful (except in some cases of particular deficiencies). The scientists are not sure of the mechanisms involved; may be fibrous material in vegetables and some other unknown mechanisms may be involved.
A scientist looks at colour prejudice
Pl. check:
http://pages.globetrotter.net/peter_frost61z
http://www.cybereditions.com/CYVIEWSUMMARY::10033
http://pages.globetrotter.net/peter_frost61z
http://www.cybereditions.com/CYVIEWSUMMARY::10033
Brazil's Innovation Law
From:
http://www.scidev.net/Editorials/index.cfm?fuseaction=readEditorials&itemid=197&language=1
"Innovation is now widely acknowledged as an essential tool for development. Other nations would do well to learn from the political challenges that Brazil's new legislation has unearthed."
...
"An important element of the new law is its explicit attempt to increase social inclusion by encouraging public participation in decision making — which has rarely featured in the country's history. The law was drawn up with public consultations, primarily through posting a draft version on the Internet and asking for comments from different segments of society before it was discussed at public meetings. The final draft was approved in December 2004 (see Brazil adopts innovation law), and came into force last October.
The law has three main components: incentives for building and strengthening partnerships between universities, research institutes and private companies; incentives to encourage the participation of universities and research institutes in the innovation process; and incentives for promoting innovation within private companies.
A key component is that it encourages public and private companies to share research staff, funding and facilities, including scientific laboratories. This was previously forbidden on the grounds that it meant that public funds would be subsidising private business.
In principle, one of the benefits of the new legislation is that it provides a way for private companies to receive government funding for innovation projects. Whether this materialises has yet to be seen; so far the government has not given any details on what form this support will take.
Private companies have also welcomed the government's promise to give tax credits for investment in research and development, although the details of how this will work have also not yet been clarified."
For more hopes and doubts, read the complete article at SciDev.Net
http://www.scidev.net/Editorials/index.cfm?fuseaction=readEditorials&itemid=197&language=1
"Innovation is now widely acknowledged as an essential tool for development. Other nations would do well to learn from the political challenges that Brazil's new legislation has unearthed."
...
"An important element of the new law is its explicit attempt to increase social inclusion by encouraging public participation in decision making — which has rarely featured in the country's history. The law was drawn up with public consultations, primarily through posting a draft version on the Internet and asking for comments from different segments of society before it was discussed at public meetings. The final draft was approved in December 2004 (see Brazil adopts innovation law), and came into force last October.
The law has three main components: incentives for building and strengthening partnerships between universities, research institutes and private companies; incentives to encourage the participation of universities and research institutes in the innovation process; and incentives for promoting innovation within private companies.
A key component is that it encourages public and private companies to share research staff, funding and facilities, including scientific laboratories. This was previously forbidden on the grounds that it meant that public funds would be subsidising private business.
In principle, one of the benefits of the new legislation is that it provides a way for private companies to receive government funding for innovation projects. Whether this materialises has yet to be seen; so far the government has not given any details on what form this support will take.
Private companies have also welcomed the government's promise to give tax credits for investment in research and development, although the details of how this will work have also not yet been clarified."
For more hopes and doubts, read the complete article at SciDev.Net
Monday, August 07, 2006
A GD Naidu type story
This has been around for three days but no comments so far:
http://madisonian.net/archives/2006/08/05/burying-innovation/
I wonder whether this is because the story is not taken up by the mainstream media. Apparently there is a new scholarly book on blogging: http://snurb.info/index.php?q=node/158. May be it will tell us why.
http://madisonian.net/archives/2006/08/05/burying-innovation/
I wonder whether this is because the story is not taken up by the mainstream media. Apparently there is a new scholarly book on blogging: http://snurb.info/index.php?q=node/158. May be it will tell us why.
Saturday, August 05, 2006
A gambling case before WTO
The following interesting and cheery news via madisonian.net and
http://scrivenerserror.blogspot.com/2006/08/up-down-and-strange-but-ch_115470362238672778.html
From
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/03/AR2006080301390_pf.html;
"Scoffing, the Antiguans are asking the WTO to declare that Washington is defying its ruling. Many experts expect Antigua to win again, after months of delay.
Then comes the hard part for Antigua.
The WTO cannot force a country to do anything. Even if found guilty, a country can refuse to change its trade practices. The WTO largely enforces its rulings by giving the victorious country the right to impose punitive duties on the loser's products.
That enforcement mechanism works for big, rich countries such as the United States because other nations fear losing the vast U.S. market. But Antigua's economy is so tiny that few U.S. companies would notice.
"The WTO gives the little guys clout, but it cannot guarantee symmetry of justice," said Claude Barfield, a trade expert at the American Enterprise Institute.
So the Antiguans plan to ask the WTO for the right to impose sanctions that would hurt -- namely, permission to copy and export U.S.-made DVDs, CDs and similar material. Hollywood is not amused."
Read the full story at the above link to Washington Post.
http://scrivenerserror.blogspot.com/2006/08/up-down-and-strange-but-ch_115470362238672778.html
From
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/03/AR2006080301390_pf.html;
"Scoffing, the Antiguans are asking the WTO to declare that Washington is defying its ruling. Many experts expect Antigua to win again, after months of delay.
Then comes the hard part for Antigua.
The WTO cannot force a country to do anything. Even if found guilty, a country can refuse to change its trade practices. The WTO largely enforces its rulings by giving the victorious country the right to impose punitive duties on the loser's products.
That enforcement mechanism works for big, rich countries such as the United States because other nations fear losing the vast U.S. market. But Antigua's economy is so tiny that few U.S. companies would notice.
"The WTO gives the little guys clout, but it cannot guarantee symmetry of justice," said Claude Barfield, a trade expert at the American Enterprise Institute.
So the Antiguans plan to ask the WTO for the right to impose sanctions that would hurt -- namely, permission to copy and export U.S.-made DVDs, CDs and similar material. Hollywood is not amused."
Read the full story at the above link to Washington Post.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Interesting threads from blogs
One of the crticisms of Putnam's social capital is that it is a local and small scale. Responses to pandemics may show how to combine such local efforts when there is a common cause. The science blog 'Effect Measure'
has the surprising example of Hezobollah's organization as a network of local units without strict hierarchies of conventional armies which makes it effecive and suggests similar strategies to fight pandemics:
http://scienceblogs.com/effectmeasure/2006/08/what_hesbollah_can_teach_publi.php#more
SciDev.Net has continuous updates of efforts and news from all over the world.
There are several new articles on mirror neurons, parly stimulated by a sceptical post in 'mixing memory':
http://scienceblogs.com/cgi-bin/MT/mt-search.cgi?search=mirror%20neurons&Template=combinedSearch
It is not clear what makes a topic break the 36 hour life span. Possibly topics taken up by main stream media still make them popular in blogs. An article in New york times describing the role of early development on health in later life seems to be generating a fair amount of discussion:http://www.gnxp.com/blog/2006/07/on-being-your-mothers-son.php
Related work of Robert Fogel and others is reviewd in
http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A1UF3SPVQUE2RH/103-9810104-7233449?ie=UTF8
I hope to learn more of this.
I am still looking for a nice and simple write up on Bernoulli Effect with some pointers to everyday life.
has the surprising example of Hezobollah's organization as a network of local units without strict hierarchies of conventional armies which makes it effecive and suggests similar strategies to fight pandemics:
http://scienceblogs.com/effectmeasure/2006/08/what_hesbollah_can_teach_publi.php#more
SciDev.Net has continuous updates of efforts and news from all over the world.
There are several new articles on mirror neurons, parly stimulated by a sceptical post in 'mixing memory':
http://scienceblogs.com/cgi-bin/MT/mt-search.cgi?search=mirror%20neurons&Template=combinedSearch
It is not clear what makes a topic break the 36 hour life span. Possibly topics taken up by main stream media still make them popular in blogs. An article in New york times describing the role of early development on health in later life seems to be generating a fair amount of discussion:http://www.gnxp.com/blog/2006/07/on-being-your-mothers-son.php
Related work of Robert Fogel and others is reviewd in
http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A1UF3SPVQUE2RH/103-9810104-7233449?ie=UTF8
I hope to learn more of this.
I am still looking for a nice and simple write up on Bernoulli Effect with some pointers to everyday life.
Market economy?
I heard this kind of horror stories when I was in school. Apparently they are not just stories:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060801/od_nm/india_beggars_dc_1
Courtesy: "Marginal Revolution".
See http://www.truthonthemarket.com/2006/07/20/organ-markets-social-justice-and-the-poor-a-reply-to-professor-pasquale/ for a discussion of the ethics of the organ market.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060801/od_nm/india_beggars_dc_1
Courtesy: "Marginal Revolution".
See http://www.truthonthemarket.com/2006/07/20/organ-markets-social-justice-and-the-poor-a-reply-to-professor-pasquale/ for a discussion of the ethics of the organ market.
SciDev.Net news team wins an award
From http://www.scidev.net/ms/abswaward/
Friday 21 July 2006
SciDev.Net news team wins top UK science writing award
Lawrence McGinty, Health & Science Editor, ITN News (far left) and
Martin Taylor, Chairman of Syngenta (far right) present the award to
SciDev.Net's director, David Dickson and senior correspondent,
Catherine Brahic.
The Science and Development Network (SciDev.Net) news team has been awarded "best science journalism on the world wide web" by the UK's top science writing body.
The prize was presented to SciDev.Net by the Association of British Science Writers (ABSW) for its online coverage of the consequences of the tsunami that swept across the Indian Ocean in December 2004, claiming 300,000 lives.
Its timing coincides with calls to improve the region's tsunami early warning system, put in place in the aftermath of the 2004 disaster. This week, a new tsunami struck the Indonesian island of Java. Although the threat was detected, the warning messages did not reach the coastal communities, contributing to a death toll that is currently nearing 550.
SciDev.Net's coverage is grouped into a continually updated feature known as 'Tsunami update'. This combines regular news coverage of tsunami-related research, policy decisions and events with detailed background information about the causes of the disaster, analysis of its consequences and comment about lessons for the future.
SciDev.Net's coverage of the tsunami was coordinated by news editor Mike Shanahan, senior correspondent Catherine Brahic and South Asia regional coordinator T. V. Padma.
Other contributors to 'Tsunami update' during 2005 include SciDev.Net freelance reporters Sanjit Bagchi in India, Mustak Hossain in Bangladesh, Dilrukshi Handunnetti and Nalaka Gunawardene in Sri Lanka, Ochieng' Ogodo and Kimani Chege in Kenya, Abiodun Raufu in Nigeria, and Marilyn Smith in France.
In announcing the award, Ted Nield, the president of the ABSW, said that the short-list for the web-writing awards had provided a strong set of contenders that all made full use of the web’s capabilities. "Our winner delivered a really high quality writing product," said Nield. "Science writing for the web has finally arrived."
David Dickson, the director of SciDev.Net, said that he and the organisation's news team had been thrilled and honoured to receive recognition of its work by the ABSW. "I would like to thank all of those who contributed to this achievement, which demonstrates that one can combine good science journalism, the new possibilities opened up by the Internet, and a commitment to improving people's lives," he said.
The SciDev.Net news team has decided to donate its UK£2,000 prize money to the Disasters Emergency Committee, a coalition of aid agencies providing ongoing relief in areas affected by the 2004 tsunami.
Also at the 2005 ABSW science writing awards, Sonja van Renssen, who worked as an intern at SciDev.Net in the summer of 2005 and contributed to 'Tsunami update' during this time, won the category of "Young broadcaster of the year" for a radio programme about the ethical dilemmas raised by military research.
See http://www.scidev.net/content/opinions/eng/we-need-a-slow-race-for-science-based-development.cfm
for a flavour of some of their posts.
Friday 21 July 2006
SciDev.Net news team wins top UK science writing award
Lawrence McGinty, Health & Science Editor, ITN News (far left) and
Martin Taylor, Chairman of Syngenta (far right) present the award to
SciDev.Net's director, David Dickson and senior correspondent,
Catherine Brahic.
The Science and Development Network (SciDev.Net) news team has been awarded "best science journalism on the world wide web" by the UK's top science writing body.
The prize was presented to SciDev.Net by the Association of British Science Writers (ABSW) for its online coverage of the consequences of the tsunami that swept across the Indian Ocean in December 2004, claiming 300,000 lives.
Its timing coincides with calls to improve the region's tsunami early warning system, put in place in the aftermath of the 2004 disaster. This week, a new tsunami struck the Indonesian island of Java. Although the threat was detected, the warning messages did not reach the coastal communities, contributing to a death toll that is currently nearing 550.
SciDev.Net's coverage is grouped into a continually updated feature known as 'Tsunami update'. This combines regular news coverage of tsunami-related research, policy decisions and events with detailed background information about the causes of the disaster, analysis of its consequences and comment about lessons for the future.
SciDev.Net's coverage of the tsunami was coordinated by news editor Mike Shanahan, senior correspondent Catherine Brahic and South Asia regional coordinator T. V. Padma.
Other contributors to 'Tsunami update' during 2005 include SciDev.Net freelance reporters Sanjit Bagchi in India, Mustak Hossain in Bangladesh, Dilrukshi Handunnetti and Nalaka Gunawardene in Sri Lanka, Ochieng' Ogodo and Kimani Chege in Kenya, Abiodun Raufu in Nigeria, and Marilyn Smith in France.
In announcing the award, Ted Nield, the president of the ABSW, said that the short-list for the web-writing awards had provided a strong set of contenders that all made full use of the web’s capabilities. "Our winner delivered a really high quality writing product," said Nield. "Science writing for the web has finally arrived."
David Dickson, the director of SciDev.Net, said that he and the organisation's news team had been thrilled and honoured to receive recognition of its work by the ABSW. "I would like to thank all of those who contributed to this achievement, which demonstrates that one can combine good science journalism, the new possibilities opened up by the Internet, and a commitment to improving people's lives," he said.
The SciDev.Net news team has decided to donate its UK£2,000 prize money to the Disasters Emergency Committee, a coalition of aid agencies providing ongoing relief in areas affected by the 2004 tsunami.
Also at the 2005 ABSW science writing awards, Sonja van Renssen, who worked as an intern at SciDev.Net in the summer of 2005 and contributed to 'Tsunami update' during this time, won the category of "Young broadcaster of the year" for a radio programme about the ethical dilemmas raised by military research.
See http://www.scidev.net/content/opinions/eng/we-need-a-slow-race-for-science-based-development.cfm
for a flavour of some of their posts.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Crazyfinger writes
"Be that as it may, it appears to me that, while our eye is on the ball for the impressive economic growth in the years to come, nothing noteworthy is happening on the law front. I haven’t read a single article or a news report that seriously talked about legal reforms, commensurate with economic reforms. Why is that? We occasionally read business community (international) complaining about the legal impediments to establishing scale businesses in India, but no response is reported. How is it that we embrace with so much enthusiasm our own economic boom while riding on the coattails of U.S. business world, but show no interest in the supreme U.S. legal system? If push comes to shove, I’d take the boom in legal reform anyday, over the boom in the economic reform. Puzzling. So I wanted to dig into history and try to figure out what is our legal tradition, what is its status now, and why is it that legal professionals don’t seem to participate in the social commentary.
All that and more I found in a gem called “Professor Kingsfield Goes to Delhi: American Academics, the Ford Foundation, and the Development of Legal Education in India” by Professor Jayanth Krishnan of William Mitchell College of Law (free download). Once in a while, when you are looking for something, it feels like all the answers are hidden in plain view already, lurking and springing forward as soon as you form the right question in the right way. This paper feels like one of those springing forward answers, if you are looking to understand what is happening to the state of legal education in India.
Writing with simple clarity is a hard-earned skill - a long and arduous labor before it becomes “natural” (or “intuitive”) - and deserves a premium appreciation by itself. Not only this approximately 55-page document written with an illuminating clarity, but it also reads like a Dashiell Hammett page-turner."
See http://www.crazyfinger.org/2006/03/its_the_law_not.html#comments
I ditto his sentiments.
All that and more I found in a gem called “Professor Kingsfield Goes to Delhi: American Academics, the Ford Foundation, and the Development of Legal Education in India” by Professor Jayanth Krishnan of William Mitchell College of Law (free download). Once in a while, when you are looking for something, it feels like all the answers are hidden in plain view already, lurking and springing forward as soon as you form the right question in the right way. This paper feels like one of those springing forward answers, if you are looking to understand what is happening to the state of legal education in India.
Writing with simple clarity is a hard-earned skill - a long and arduous labor before it becomes “natural” (or “intuitive”) - and deserves a premium appreciation by itself. Not only this approximately 55-page document written with an illuminating clarity, but it also reads like a Dashiell Hammett page-turner."
See http://www.crazyfinger.org/2006/03/its_the_law_not.html#comments
I ditto his sentiments.
Lalu goes to Harvard
Fromhttp://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1715301.cms
Lalu Prasad Yadav's work with the Indian Railways may soon be a part of the curriculum at Harvard.
His detractors may call him a 'clown and a joker', but there's no denying that Lalu Prasad Yadav has a flair for business. The way he turned around the Indian Railways -- written off by the Rakesh Mohan Committee and termed a white elephant by the government -- is the stuff business curriculums are made of. And it is not just IIMs who want to fete Laluji for posting a fund balance of Rs 11,280 crore in March 2006, even the premier international business schools are joining in.
Harvard Business School and HEC Management School, France, have shown interest in turning Lalu's experiment with the railways into case studies for aspiring biz graduates. For HEC, the crux lies in how a railway system, under the jurisdiction of a coalition government, can be put on the road to success.
Explains Karine Lejoly of HEC, "We are looking at making the Indian Railways a part of our course. While nothing has been finalised as of now, I will be visiting India in October-November to talk to the concerned officials."
....
Prof G Raghuraman from IIM-A, who first introduced Lalu in their curriculum, says, "We are not just working on the facelift that Lalu has given to the railways but also his personality, the team he works with and the initiatives he has taken. It was not as if Lalu applied some new principles, he was just the guy who said, 'Let's get down to it'."
Earlier story: Lalu goes to IIM-A:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1513349.cms
and some his ‘reforms’:
http://www.blonnet.com/2006/02/25/stories/2006022504010100.htm
Acknowledgement: kaburlu.com
For an overview of Lalu's turbulent period in Bihar see:
http://www.sas.upenn.edu/casi/publications/india_in_transition.htm
Social Justice and Stalled Development:
Caste Empowerment and the Breakdown of Governance in Bihar, Spring 2006.
Update(September 1, 2006)
More links and news in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laloo_Prasad_Yadav
Foe a recent discussion and comments see http://acorn.nationalinterest.in/?p=2082#comments
Lalu Prasad Yadav's work with the Indian Railways may soon be a part of the curriculum at Harvard.
His detractors may call him a 'clown and a joker', but there's no denying that Lalu Prasad Yadav has a flair for business. The way he turned around the Indian Railways -- written off by the Rakesh Mohan Committee and termed a white elephant by the government -- is the stuff business curriculums are made of. And it is not just IIMs who want to fete Laluji for posting a fund balance of Rs 11,280 crore in March 2006, even the premier international business schools are joining in.
Harvard Business School and HEC Management School, France, have shown interest in turning Lalu's experiment with the railways into case studies for aspiring biz graduates. For HEC, the crux lies in how a railway system, under the jurisdiction of a coalition government, can be put on the road to success.
Explains Karine Lejoly of HEC, "We are looking at making the Indian Railways a part of our course. While nothing has been finalised as of now, I will be visiting India in October-November to talk to the concerned officials."
....
Prof G Raghuraman from IIM-A, who first introduced Lalu in their curriculum, says, "We are not just working on the facelift that Lalu has given to the railways but also his personality, the team he works with and the initiatives he has taken. It was not as if Lalu applied some new principles, he was just the guy who said, 'Let's get down to it'."
Earlier story: Lalu goes to IIM-A:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1513349.cms
and some his ‘reforms’:
http://www.blonnet.com/2006/02/25/stories/2006022504010100.htm
Acknowledgement: kaburlu.com
For an overview of Lalu's turbulent period in Bihar see:
http://www.sas.upenn.edu/casi/publications/india_in_transition.htm
Social Justice and Stalled Development:
Caste Empowerment and the Breakdown of Governance in Bihar, Spring 2006.
Update(September 1, 2006)
More links and news in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laloo_Prasad_Yadav
Foe a recent discussion and comments see http://acorn.nationalinterest.in/?p=2082#comments
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Problems ahead for India?
Interesting analysis in:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060723/india_nm/india260678_2
See also for intersting articles and links :http://communalism.blogspot.com/
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060723/india_nm/india260678_2
See also for intersting articles and links :http://communalism.blogspot.com/
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Asian Future of Evolutionary Psychology
In the Evolotutionary Psychology yaoo discussion group, there is a link to an exchange between Professors Geoffrey Miller and Satoshi Kanazawa on the future of evolutionary psychlogy in Asia. The discussion seems to be of general interest and not really specific to one science. Strangely neither of them seems to take in to account the strong immigration component of the US population. I am enclosing the links to the papers and their abstracts. I hope that Madhukar Shukla and Abi will have some comments.
http://human-nature.com/ep/downloads/ep04107119.pdf
The Asian Future of Evolutionary Psychology
Geoffrey Miller, Department of Psychology, Logan Hall, 1 University of New Mexico, MSC03 2220, Albuquerque, NM 87131-1161, USA. Email: gfmiller@unm.edu.
Abstract: Asia’s population, wealth, cognitive capital, and scientific influence are growing quickly. Reasonable demographic, economic, and psychometric projections suggest that by the mid-21st century, most of the world’s psychology will be done in Asia, by Asians. Even if evolutionary psychology wins the battles for academic respectability in the United States and European Union, if it ignores the rise of Asian psychology, it will fail to have any serious, long-term, global influence in the behavioral sciences after the current generations of researchers are dead. I outline a ‘marketing strategy’ for promoting evolutionary psychology in the current Asian powers (Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore), the new Asian mega-powers (China, India), and other developing Asia countries (e.g. Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia), in a way that takes advantage of Asia’s relative secularism, freedom from political correctness, sex-positive social attitudes, and intellectual traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.
http://human-nature.com/ep/downloads/ep04120128.pdf
No, It Ain’t Gonna Be Like That
Satoshi Kanazawa, Interdisciplinary Institute of Management, London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE, United Kingdom. Email: s.kanazawa@lse.ac.uk.
Abstract: For cultural, social, and institutional reasons, Asians cannot make original contributions to basic science. I therefore doubt Miller's prediction for the Asian future of evolutionary psychology. I believe that its future will continue to be in the United States and Europe.
http://human-nature.com/ep/downloads/ep04129137.pdf
Asian Creativity: A Response to Satoshi Kanazawa
Geoffrey Miller, Department of Psychology, Logan Hall, 1 University of New Mexico, MSC03 2220, Albuquerque, NM 87131-1161, USA. Email: gfmiller@unm.edu.
Abstract: This article responds to Satoshi Kanazawa’s thoughtful and entertaining comments about my article concerning the Asian future of evolutionary psychology. Contra Kanazawa’s argument that Asian cultural traditions and/or character inhibit Asian scientific creativity, I review historical evidence of high Asian creativity, and psychometric evidence of high Asian intelligence (a cognitive trait) and openness to experience (a personality trait) – two key components of creativity. Contra Kanazawa’s concern that political correctness is a bigger threat to American evolutionary psychology than religious fundamentalism, I review evidence from research funding patterns and student attitudes suggesting that fundamentalism is more harmful and pervasive. Finally, in response to Kanazawa’s focus on tall buildings as indexes of national wealth and creativity, I find that 13 of the world’s tallest 25 buildings are in China, Hong Kong, or Taiwan – of which 11 were built in the last decade. Asian creativity, secularism, and architectural prominence point to a bright future for Asian science.
http://human-nature.com/ep/downloads/ep04107119.pdf
The Asian Future of Evolutionary Psychology
Geoffrey Miller, Department of Psychology, Logan Hall, 1 University of New Mexico, MSC03 2220, Albuquerque, NM 87131-1161, USA. Email: gfmiller@unm.edu.
Abstract: Asia’s population, wealth, cognitive capital, and scientific influence are growing quickly. Reasonable demographic, economic, and psychometric projections suggest that by the mid-21st century, most of the world’s psychology will be done in Asia, by Asians. Even if evolutionary psychology wins the battles for academic respectability in the United States and European Union, if it ignores the rise of Asian psychology, it will fail to have any serious, long-term, global influence in the behavioral sciences after the current generations of researchers are dead. I outline a ‘marketing strategy’ for promoting evolutionary psychology in the current Asian powers (Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore), the new Asian mega-powers (China, India), and other developing Asia countries (e.g. Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia), in a way that takes advantage of Asia’s relative secularism, freedom from political correctness, sex-positive social attitudes, and intellectual traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.
http://human-nature.com/ep/downloads/ep04120128.pdf
No, It Ain’t Gonna Be Like That
Satoshi Kanazawa, Interdisciplinary Institute of Management, London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE, United Kingdom. Email: s.kanazawa@lse.ac.uk.
Abstract: For cultural, social, and institutional reasons, Asians cannot make original contributions to basic science. I therefore doubt Miller's prediction for the Asian future of evolutionary psychology. I believe that its future will continue to be in the United States and Europe.
http://human-nature.com/ep/downloads/ep04129137.pdf
Asian Creativity: A Response to Satoshi Kanazawa
Geoffrey Miller, Department of Psychology, Logan Hall, 1 University of New Mexico, MSC03 2220, Albuquerque, NM 87131-1161, USA. Email: gfmiller@unm.edu.
Abstract: This article responds to Satoshi Kanazawa’s thoughtful and entertaining comments about my article concerning the Asian future of evolutionary psychology. Contra Kanazawa’s argument that Asian cultural traditions and/or character inhibit Asian scientific creativity, I review historical evidence of high Asian creativity, and psychometric evidence of high Asian intelligence (a cognitive trait) and openness to experience (a personality trait) – two key components of creativity. Contra Kanazawa’s concern that political correctness is a bigger threat to American evolutionary psychology than religious fundamentalism, I review evidence from research funding patterns and student attitudes suggesting that fundamentalism is more harmful and pervasive. Finally, in response to Kanazawa’s focus on tall buildings as indexes of national wealth and creativity, I find that 13 of the world’s tallest 25 buildings are in China, Hong Kong, or Taiwan – of which 11 were built in the last decade. Asian creativity, secularism, and architectural prominence point to a bright future for Asian science.
Iron Law of Oligarchy
From Penguin dictionary of Sociology:
“In his analysis of German Social Democracy, Robert Michels argued (1911) that labour organizations with democratic aims, such as political parties and trade unions, experienced a tension between the need foe efficiency and membership control of the making and execution of policy. As they grew in size, labour organizations became more complex and permanent bureaucracies developed to cope efficiently with the problems of administration. The officials, by virtue of their expertise and experience, became indispensable and difficult to change even when subject to periodic re-election. Once they occupied this strong position, the leaders began to emancipate themselves from member control and displace member goals with their own. These goals are usually less radical than those of the members and the official party or union ideology. As they controlled the channels of communication, they manipulated the flow of information to help buttress their positions. In the final analysis, goal displacement depended on the apathy and lack of involvement of members with issues of party or union government.
The modern study of trade-union government and the internal structure of mass political parties has been deeply influenced by Michel’s pessimism, though research shows that the ‘iron law’ of oligarchy does not always apply to such organizations.”
Some more about Michels is at:
http://www.humanities.mq.edu.au/Ockham/y64l11.html
There seems to be an element of truth in the iron law, particularly when there are no grass roots political and social organizations. Lok Satta started developing such organizations and is now debating about becoming a political party. Coincidentally Govt. of India is trying to dilute RTI Act:
http://alternativeperspective.blogspot.com/2006/07/indias-improved-right-to-ifrain-act.html#comments.
According to Dilip D'Souza http://dcubed.blogspot.com/, a place to contact is:
NCPRI
C 17A Munirka, New Delhi 110 067, India
Telefax: +91 (0)11 26178048; Phone: 26168759,
email: ncpri.india@gmail.com
where my old friend Shekhar Singh seems to be working.
“In his analysis of German Social Democracy, Robert Michels argued (1911) that labour organizations with democratic aims, such as political parties and trade unions, experienced a tension between the need foe efficiency and membership control of the making and execution of policy. As they grew in size, labour organizations became more complex and permanent bureaucracies developed to cope efficiently with the problems of administration. The officials, by virtue of their expertise and experience, became indispensable and difficult to change even when subject to periodic re-election. Once they occupied this strong position, the leaders began to emancipate themselves from member control and displace member goals with their own. These goals are usually less radical than those of the members and the official party or union ideology. As they controlled the channels of communication, they manipulated the flow of information to help buttress their positions. In the final analysis, goal displacement depended on the apathy and lack of involvement of members with issues of party or union government.
The modern study of trade-union government and the internal structure of mass political parties has been deeply influenced by Michel’s pessimism, though research shows that the ‘iron law’ of oligarchy does not always apply to such organizations.”
Some more about Michels is at:
http://www.humanities.mq.edu.au/Ockham/y64l11.html
There seems to be an element of truth in the iron law, particularly when there are no grass roots political and social organizations. Lok Satta started developing such organizations and is now debating about becoming a political party. Coincidentally Govt. of India is trying to dilute RTI Act:
http://alternativeperspective.blogspot.com/2006/07/indias-improved-right-to-ifrain-act.html#comments.
According to Dilip D'Souza http://dcubed.blogspot.com/, a place to contact is:
NCPRI
C 17A Munirka, New Delhi 110 067, India
Telefax: +91 (0)11 26178048; Phone: 26168759,
email: ncpri.india@gmail.com
where my old friend Shekhar Singh seems to be working.
Dr. Free-Ride's Advice to Non-Scientists
Interesting article by Janet Stemwedel at:
http://scienceblogs.com/ethicsandscience/2006/07/things_nonscientists_can_do_to.php#more
"Rather, I think what I'd be happy with is a population which:
has a sense of the kinds of questions science can answer -- and the kinds of questions science cannot answer
has a reasonable understanding of the methods scientists use to try to answer these questions
has a reasonable understanding of the types of "qualitiy control" to which putative scientific findings are subjected
This kind of basic grasp of science puts the non-scientist in a position to get something more from reports of scientific findings than an updated set of facts to take on someone else's authority. My hope, anyway, is that a better feel for the way science works will help people be more critical consumers of science reporting -- an audience that will read past the headline to the "fine print" that provides the qualifiers about the precise conditions the scientists examined and the strength of their conclusions. An audience that knows something about how scientific knowledge comes into being can ask questions about what kinds of assumptions were made in studying a particular question, how widely applicable the findings are, and what questions remain unanswered."
There is much more and also some concrete advice in the article.
http://scienceblogs.com/ethicsandscience/2006/07/things_nonscientists_can_do_to.php#more
"Rather, I think what I'd be happy with is a population which:
has a sense of the kinds of questions science can answer -- and the kinds of questions science cannot answer
has a reasonable understanding of the methods scientists use to try to answer these questions
has a reasonable understanding of the types of "qualitiy control" to which putative scientific findings are subjected
This kind of basic grasp of science puts the non-scientist in a position to get something more from reports of scientific findings than an updated set of facts to take on someone else's authority. My hope, anyway, is that a better feel for the way science works will help people be more critical consumers of science reporting -- an audience that will read past the headline to the "fine print" that provides the qualifiers about the precise conditions the scientists examined and the strength of their conclusions. An audience that knows something about how scientific knowledge comes into being can ask questions about what kinds of assumptions were made in studying a particular question, how widely applicable the findings are, and what questions remain unanswered."
There is much more and also some concrete advice in the article.
Training the Brain
Two free articles in the current issue of “Scientific American Mind”, one about training the mind using computer games and the second about taste In ‘Circuit Training’:
http://www.sciammind.com/article.cfm?articleID=00016C9D-2761-1477-9D3383414B7F0000
Kasper Mossman discusses Ryuta Kawashima’s game ‘Brain Age’. Kawashima’s idea is that your brain has its own age and if you do not train it, it gets old. He has various exercise to train the brain. Gross man who is only 34 had an estimated brain age of 60 to begin with but:
“After a week of exercises such as Low to High, CalculationsÅ~100, and Head Count, were my synapses any slicker? It is hard to say, when there is no external yardstick against which to measure progress. But one week into brain training, while taking a phone message, I found I could effortlessly hold one 10-digit number in my head and scribble down another. Maybe Kawashima is onto something.”
Mossmam also describes other computer games designed for children with attention difficulties and patients recovering from brain injuries.
See also another free article by Ulrich Kraft “Train Your Brain”:
http://www.sciammind.com/article.cfm?articleID=000C075D-4357-13D9-810183414B7F0000
I have already forgotten the contents of this earlier article. It is time to start training my brain.
http://www.sciammind.com/article.cfm?articleID=00016C9D-2761-1477-9D3383414B7F0000
Kasper Mossman discusses Ryuta Kawashima’s game ‘Brain Age’. Kawashima’s idea is that your brain has its own age and if you do not train it, it gets old. He has various exercise to train the brain. Gross man who is only 34 had an estimated brain age of 60 to begin with but:
“After a week of exercises such as Low to High, CalculationsÅ~100, and Head Count, were my synapses any slicker? It is hard to say, when there is no external yardstick against which to measure progress. But one week into brain training, while taking a phone message, I found I could effortlessly hold one 10-digit number in my head and scribble down another. Maybe Kawashima is onto something.”
Mossmam also describes other computer games designed for children with attention difficulties and patients recovering from brain injuries.
See also another free article by Ulrich Kraft “Train Your Brain”:
http://www.sciammind.com/article.cfm?articleID=000C075D-4357-13D9-810183414B7F0000
I have already forgotten the contents of this earlier article. It is time to start training my brain.
Friday, July 21, 2006
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplsma gondii is a parasite related to the malaria parasite and can be carried by many warm-blooded mammals including humans. But its definitive host is cats and it can sexually reproduce only in cats. Its eggs are spread in cat faeces. A passing rat can pick it up from the moist infected soil. Apparently rats behave recklessly when infected (resulting in toxoplasmosis or toxo for short) , are more active and less scared of new things and are even attracted to cat's urine. This makes them easy prey to cats and the life cycle of the parasite continues.
Between 30 to 70 percent of the humans (depending on the country) are supposed to be infected with this parasite and the effects may vary considerably. Apparently it can affect one’s intelligence, has been linked to schizophrenia and may raise chances of being knocked out by a car. But the main danger seems to be to pregnant women and pregnant women are urged to be vary of handling cats and cat litter:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/factsht_toxoplasmosis.htm
According to New Scientist:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg17623665.200;jsessionid=GDHALMBFEDLA
the definite host is cats and the effects on humans may be much less harmful and depend on the gender:
“The results from personality tests were complicated and showed confusing gender differences, but men at least seemed to mimic one aspect of rat manipulation. Infected men tended to be more independent and inclined to break rules, although infected women tended to go the other way. Could it be that males are being made more reckless, like the rats, while for some reason the mind-control chemical has the opposite effect in females? “
“But one test, measuring reaction times and attention span, gave more consistent results (Parasitology, vol 122, p 515). Both men and women who had a latent infection took longer to press a computer key after a prompt from the monitor. People without an infection took about 250 milliseconds to react, but those with a latent infection reacted about 8 per cent slower. What's more, toxo-positive subjects did worse as the experiment went on, suggesting that they have shorter attention spans. Again, the effects in humans seem to be mimicking those in rats.
Until recently, few people have taken Flegr's results very seriously. So what if toxo causes a few strange lab results, what difference does that make in the real world? What made people sit up and take notice was research published in August by Flegr's team showing that humans with a latent infection are 2.7 times more likely to be involved in a car accident (BMC Infectious Diseases, www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/2/11).”
It is possible that this parasite has very little affect on humans but I was reminded of it by the developments in the middle east.
Update (August 2, 2006). See http://scienceblogs.com/loom/2006/08/01/a_nation_of_cowards_blame_the.php
for the latest.
Between 30 to 70 percent of the humans (depending on the country) are supposed to be infected with this parasite and the effects may vary considerably. Apparently it can affect one’s intelligence, has been linked to schizophrenia and may raise chances of being knocked out by a car. But the main danger seems to be to pregnant women and pregnant women are urged to be vary of handling cats and cat litter:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/factsht_toxoplasmosis.htm
According to New Scientist:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg17623665.200;jsessionid=GDHALMBFEDLA
the definite host is cats and the effects on humans may be much less harmful and depend on the gender:
“The results from personality tests were complicated and showed confusing gender differences, but men at least seemed to mimic one aspect of rat manipulation. Infected men tended to be more independent and inclined to break rules, although infected women tended to go the other way. Could it be that males are being made more reckless, like the rats, while for some reason the mind-control chemical has the opposite effect in females? “
“But one test, measuring reaction times and attention span, gave more consistent results (Parasitology, vol 122, p 515). Both men and women who had a latent infection took longer to press a computer key after a prompt from the monitor. People without an infection took about 250 milliseconds to react, but those with a latent infection reacted about 8 per cent slower. What's more, toxo-positive subjects did worse as the experiment went on, suggesting that they have shorter attention spans. Again, the effects in humans seem to be mimicking those in rats.
Until recently, few people have taken Flegr's results very seriously. So what if toxo causes a few strange lab results, what difference does that make in the real world? What made people sit up and take notice was research published in August by Flegr's team showing that humans with a latent infection are 2.7 times more likely to be involved in a car accident (BMC Infectious Diseases, www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/2/11).”
It is possible that this parasite has very little affect on humans but I was reminded of it by the developments in the middle east.
Update (August 2, 2006). See http://scienceblogs.com/loom/2006/08/01/a_nation_of_cowards_blame_the.php
for the latest.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Hard Blogging (Science)
From http://drrob.typepad.com/hpb_etc/
Razib at GNXP (Classic) says:
John Hawks is the Chris of Mixing Memory for paleoanthropology, and Chris of Mixing Memory is the John Hawks of cognitive psychology. And Robert Skipper is the philosopher & historian of science equivalent of the pair. Can you name other weblogs that stand head & shoulders above the pack in terms of their scholarly orientations?
What Razib didn't say, modestly, is that his own blogging at GNXP and GNXP Classic "stands head & shoulders above the pack" in terms of scholarly orientation. I'll add RPM at Evolgen. And in philosophy of biology, John Wilkins' stuff on species at Evolving Thoughts is required reading.
Some of these links:
http://scienceblogs.com/mixingmemory/
http://johnhawks.net/weblog
http://www.gnxp.com/blog/
http://scienceblogs.com/evolgen/
http://scienceblogs.com/evolvingthoughts/
http://drrob.typepad.com/hpb_etc/
Pl.check also the comments in gnxp
Razib at GNXP (Classic) says:
John Hawks is the Chris of Mixing Memory for paleoanthropology, and Chris of Mixing Memory is the John Hawks of cognitive psychology. And Robert Skipper is the philosopher & historian of science equivalent of the pair. Can you name other weblogs that stand head & shoulders above the pack in terms of their scholarly orientations?
What Razib didn't say, modestly, is that his own blogging at GNXP and GNXP Classic "stands head & shoulders above the pack" in terms of scholarly orientation. I'll add RPM at Evolgen. And in philosophy of biology, John Wilkins' stuff on species at Evolving Thoughts is required reading.
Some of these links:
http://scienceblogs.com/mixingmemory/
http://johnhawks.net/weblog
http://www.gnxp.com/blog/
http://scienceblogs.com/evolgen/
http://scienceblogs.com/evolvingthoughts/
http://drrob.typepad.com/hpb_etc/
Pl.check also the comments in gnxp
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Some science sites
Science seems to be getting more and more complicated. May 25th issue of Nature has an article: "What is a gene". It seems that two decades ago, the concept of gene was explained in two hours to fresh undergraduates. Now, it takes a whole semester. According to one scientist "Diecrete genes are beginning to vanish. We have a whole continuum of transcripts". Even many of the teachers are unaware of basic discoveries in other areas. I am listing below a few online journals which have popular science articles. I will correct and update it from time to time.
1 Science magazines and sites (free):
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
http://www.physorg.com/
http://www.eurekalert.org/
http://www.livescience.com/
http://www.world-science.net/
http://www.edge.org/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/
http://www.virology.net/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/
2 Longer articles and downloadable books:
http://www.biology.com/
http://www.biologymad.com/
http://www.estrellamountain.edu/faculty/farabee/biobk/biobooktoc.html
http://www.howstuffworks.com/
http://inventors.about.com/library/bl/bl12.htm
http://www.arvindguptatoys.com/
3 Science magazines and sites (some free articles):
http://www.newscientist.com/home.ns
http://www.sciammind.com/
http://scientificamerican.com/news_directory.cfm
http://www.americanscientist.org/
4 Science news and discussion blogs :
http://scienceblogs.com/
http://www.gnxp.com/
http://www.futurepundit.com/archives/cat_trends_human_evolution.html
http://science.slashdot.org/
5 Sustainable development, water resources
http://www.planetark.com/
http://www.cseindia.org/
http://www.zeri.org/
6 Future prospects
http://www.kurzweilai.net/
7. Continuous updates about interesting sites
http://forumhub.mayyam.com/hub/viewtopic.php?t=5010
1 Science magazines and sites (free):
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
http://www.physorg.com/
http://www.eurekalert.org/
http://www.livescience.com/
http://www.world-science.net/
http://www.edge.org/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/
http://www.virology.net/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/
2 Longer articles and downloadable books:
http://www.biology.com/
http://www.biologymad.com/
http://www.estrellamountain.edu/faculty/farabee/biobk/biobooktoc.html
http://www.howstuffworks.com/
http://inventors.about.com/library/bl/bl12.htm
http://www.arvindguptatoys.com/
3 Science magazines and sites (some free articles):
http://www.newscientist.com/home.ns
http://www.sciammind.com/
http://scientificamerican.com/news_directory.cfm
http://www.americanscientist.org/
4 Science news and discussion blogs :
http://scienceblogs.com/
http://www.gnxp.com/
http://www.futurepundit.com/archives/cat_trends_human_evolution.html
http://science.slashdot.org/
5 Sustainable development, water resources
http://www.planetark.com/
http://www.cseindia.org/
http://www.zeri.org/
6 Future prospects
http://www.kurzweilai.net/
7. Continuous updates about interesting sites
http://forumhub.mayyam.com/hub/viewtopic.php?t=5010
More from theotherindia.org
In retirement, I have started trying to find out how things are in India. The period I still remember distinctly is the decade of post independence. By that time, I was bitten by the mathes bug and did not pay much attention to the world around. By 60’s there seemed to be some improvements and the time of major famines seemed to be over. The whole Indira Gandhi period was a bit of haze for me though traumatic for many others. Off and on when I visited home, I heard comments that our caste was loosing out and the lower castes did not know their place any more. Overall, there seemed to be improvements. I hoped that the period when poverty dehumanised both haves and have nots was over. Since, I do not have too much faith in the mainstream media, I started looking at blogs. There seem to be many brilliant people and many brilliant blogs, generally interested and anxious about India’s development, but somehow frenetic and I could not get a picture of how things actually work in India. I also feel that the problems are too complex, news too unreliable that it is difficult for any one person to understand the current realities and one has to be a part, formally or informally, of a discussion group to get a grip on the current events and future directions.
One such group seems to be www.theothetindia.org
I read comments in some other blogs that these are commies, but as far as I can see from individual blogs, some of them seem to be suspicious of ideologies. They all seem vaguely left (for me left means those who are concerned about others irrespective of their race and creed. Possibly many economists are leftists according to this definition). At the moment, I am sold on this blog and hope that many more such group blogs will arrive. To get an idea of how difficult social change may be in India, look at the articles and comments on reservations. To get an idea of how things actually work and the nitty-gritty of clash of ideologies, politics, egos see mrajshekhar’s articles about Orissa and ‘World Bank, SHGs, market linkages and the private sector”. In spite of all the anxiety about development, there seem to more comments about caste and reservation and less about development. There are more such articles in the ‘My Articles’ section of http://www.fracturedearth.org/, for example, http://www.fracturedearth.org/articles/itc-hll.pdf.
I do not know how long the site will last but at the moment it seems to be doing a good job of educating people like me about India.
One such group seems to be www.theothetindia.org
I read comments in some other blogs that these are commies, but as far as I can see from individual blogs, some of them seem to be suspicious of ideologies. They all seem vaguely left (for me left means those who are concerned about others irrespective of their race and creed. Possibly many economists are leftists according to this definition). At the moment, I am sold on this blog and hope that many more such group blogs will arrive. To get an idea of how difficult social change may be in India, look at the articles and comments on reservations. To get an idea of how things actually work and the nitty-gritty of clash of ideologies, politics, egos see mrajshekhar’s articles about Orissa and ‘World Bank, SHGs, market linkages and the private sector”. In spite of all the anxiety about development, there seem to more comments about caste and reservation and less about development. There are more such articles in the ‘My Articles’ section of http://www.fracturedearth.org/, for example, http://www.fracturedearth.org/articles/itc-hll.pdf.
I do not know how long the site will last but at the moment it seems to be doing a good job of educating people like me about India.
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