Monday, July 28, 2008

independence

How independent am I?
or rather rephrasing to a rhetoric:
You can be boss only up to a point!

Beyond that point it is about you needing others and others needing you.

Well, it's good to know the baloney ends somewhere...

useless management advice

1. Look at the familiar in novel ways.
I mean if it is familiar I doubt I would notice it.
If I don't see the familiar the question of looking at it in novel ways does not quiet arise.

2. Look for patterns.
Patterns of what: distinctions or similarities.
Once we do, then what? make a pickle, I guess.
What do we do with the patterns?

3. Look for unmet needs?
Hey buddy if I could, they would not be unmet anymore.
They would be needs that I can meet, so the question is how do I look for needs that I have not met and how do I meet them if I don't know them.

4. Listen to unheard voices.
Here we go again, how can you listen to what you cannot hear.
Please elaborate how I can heed to what I cannot hear?

...the humbug just does not end...

hostage to naivety

technology will offer novel reasons to be surprised.
disputes and ideology will threaten our security.
disasters will create hardship and heartache.

This world will continue to serve us the unexpected.
that is just the way it is!

these pressures can hold us hostage, but stating this is the first step away from naivety.

motivation & responsibility

If we were asked to predict the probability of picking a number out of a box we feel much reassured if we do the picking rather than relying on some one else's pick.
The odds are the same however when we do the picking we feel we have some control over the event.
It is this sense of control that gets us to do the picking ourselves or rather the motivation arises from the fact that we have some sense of control over events.

The inference is that the ability to pick that right number is the same as everyone else, we are not any one special that nullifies the laws of probability.

But it is the sense of control that motivates us to make an action or decision.
And it is this motivation that also makes us responsible for an action or decision.
I mean rationally if I am motivated to make a choice then I need to be responsible to do what's required to make the choice work

Thursday, July 24, 2008

where to spend!

Dr. Marc Faber concluded his monthly bulletin (June 2008) with the following:

"The federal government is sending each of us a $600 rebate. If we spend that money at Wal-Mart, the money goes to China. If we spend it on gasoline it goes to the Arabs. If we buy a computer it will go to India. If we purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala. If we purchase a good car it will go to Germany. If we purchase useless crap it will go to Taiwan and none of it will help the American economy. The only way to keep that money here at home is to spend it on prostitutes and beer, since these are the only products still produced in US. I've been doing my part."

Thursday, July 10, 2008

whom to ask

the best place to research about a company would be to ask people who are scrutinizing the company or better still people who are skeptical about the company's performance and disposition.

The latter does not mean people who mean ill about the company but people who are looking at signs to take contrarian views about the company. They are not crowd followers but would take bets contra wise to common thinking.

The last place to ask information about the company would be the company itself or people who have a vested interest in its disposition. The people who have a vested interest in the company would seldom see the company objectively but usually in the light of their interests held in the company.

But what do you know, watch any of the financial channels, the host would bring in the CEO or Director of a company and ask him/her about that company. What would one expect, the Director/CEO providing us with an objective view about the company?

butter that is not butter...


For the first time came across a product that is branded by a generic name, but the product does not represent the generic.

The company (Unilever) brands a product that looks like butter but technically it is not butter. Its margarine.
Technically butter is a derivative of milk.
And technically this product is made from Canola and soybean oil.

The actual brand is:
"I can't believe it is not Butter"

Yes that is the brand.
I think that would make up the longest brand in the history of marketing.
I also think it is a generic than a brand.
Inducing people to think this is butter where it is not - though they clearly mention it is not butter.
Also, no where on its package does it state the product is margarine.

And the incredulity is Unilever is pretty successful with this product.

the God experience

Came across a profound rhetoric by Daniel Gilbert

If belief in God is compelled by experience, then what kind of an experience compels the belief?

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

on assessing politicians

Politicians, by and large, get where they are mainly by looking and sounding good; this may or may not go along with any actual understanding of governing or government.
But they sure know how to be governor.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

food fast

As you tend to go down the tube, you generally eat less and would prefer to eat healthy. Have got a palette for 2 preparations that go well on aspects of nutrition, filling and fat free and yes not to forget taste buds.

1. Oatmeal

2. Cereals

Both with milk.
For variety one could add bananas or apples, and the stuff is just great.
I mean if you are on the go, this is a good breakfast or snack.