Predictably Irrational

Very great logical conclusion drawn with very small small true life examples.

It is a book by Dan Ariely, in which he challenges readers' assumptions about making decisions based on rational thought. Ariely explains, "My goal, by the end of this book, is to help you fundamentally rethink what makes you and the people around you tick. I hope to lead you there by presenting a wide range of scientific experiments, findings, and anecdotes that are in many cases quite amusing. Once you see how systematic certain mistakes are--how we repeat them again and again--I think you will begin to learn how to avoid some of them.

I must say that the reader will definitely agree with the experiments and conclusion drawn by Dan in the book.Some of them are so hard wired in to our minds that we rarely even think about about these decision.The rationality of decision given by him in the book also made me think that seriously even after having so powerful brain to think almost everyone has the same thought process and decision making ability.

There are lot of real life questions which are covered in the books like  For example, if given the following options for a honeymoon - Paris (with free breakfast), Rome (with free breakfast), and Rome (no breakfast included), most people would probably choose Rome with the free breakfast. The rationale is that it is easier to compare the two options for Rome than it is to compare Paris and Rome.  Then he also talks about the decoy effect which is the phenomenon whereby consumers will tend to have a specific change in preference between two options when also presented with a third option that is asymmetrically dominated. This effect is the "secret agent" in many decisions. In the example with the honeymoon options, Rome without free breakfast is the decoy. (It makes Rome with breakfast look superior to Rome without breakfast. Comparing Rome and Paris is difficult, so the easy comparison of Rome makes it more likely to choose Rome over Paris.) It makes Paris look inferior when compared to Rome with the free breakfast. Relativity helps people make decisions but it can also make them miserable. People compare their lives to those of others, leading to jealousy and envy.

There are so many other interesting questions that he explores in the book So in all its a very good read to spend  time a nice weekend.where you can build some rational thought process also.it will definitely make you think about your decisions.

How many People?

Just out of nowhere i got this idea of making a android app which can tell a few questions like

• How many people are eating right now in the world?
• How many people are Drinking right now?
• How many people forgot there house keys today?
• How many people lost there mobile phones today?
• How many people got some kind of gift today?

or more details questions like 

• How many people are having coffee right now in the world?
• How many people are washing there underwear's right now?
• How many people are watching porn right now?
• How many people are having fun right now?

I don't know how this can be calculated but there must be some model to give some estimate .will try to calculate these numbers ..it will be fun

The Good old Ramlila Days

Everyone loves their childhood.It's a very strange or you can say nostalgic feeling whenever I happen to pass from that park where we had spent lot of time watching Ramlila.Delhi in itself has changed alot over past 10 years.the younger lot i see has become more and more impatient and everyone is in some kind of hurry this was completely opposite 10 years back.Oh good i am sounding very matured but no way!!! 

I think i myself has changed a lot that time i was a kid and now a grown up.lets leave this topic of age and all and lets come back to our very fond ramlila.I can never forget those days where we used to have 10 days autumn breaks and in those breaks we used to go and watch ramlila .The whole atmosphere used to very different from the rest of the days everyone used to excited about either that day's play in ramlila or some other activity going around .We as the children used to run on the stage floor just to get the feel of it.Relatives coming to your place and all the kids of the family going together to watch ramlila was a great way entertainment.All the different kind of people coming together and creating a whole scene was simply great.But now things have changed a lot here ,the organizing of ramlila has itself changed a lot ,The people have changed the atmosphere is changed. 

Nowadays this whole internet and facebook have taken over those precious moments of togetherness nevertheless they have been replaced by some other.The over exploded population of cities have made it very difficult to even organize a fest like those and the craze of people have definitely moved to other things.

Going there and enjoying every scene getting enacted was surely great fun. Still miss those chilly nights and the dark hours when the streets were empty and everyone was in the parks.

Everything has changed!!!

Thanks Google! Google Search Amazing Stories

From a long time i wanted to write about google search and amazing stories related with it.Google search is the most powerful tool available till date to common users to search for the information that earlier was very difficult to gather.

There are hundreds of stories in which Google search has helped many researchers and students in either inventing new technology or discovering some hidden treasures.This is not it google contribution to people is huge.

Rescue workers relying on google maps to navigate in the times of flood to help the survivors then google voice search enabling people with disabilities then a 10 year old biology girl discovering a rare species through google are simply awesome and mind blowing.

There are thousand more stories and even i am sure that everyone of us does have that google moment where we were either saved by embarrassment by using google or we just avoided a great mistake.Believe it or not google has definitely changed mankind and that too for better and with every single day its contribution is increasing.

Thanks Google!!

Here is the collection of all the search stories of google http://www.google.com/insidesearch/stories/

Dreaming about becoming rich is not enough!!!

Dreaming about becoming rich is not enough these days.

Ok so everyone dreams of becoming rich someday but out of them only handful of people taste the success.Becoming rich is not a impossible task at all as we all have people around us who started with a very small capital and then turned around into becoming the richest.

So if you are dreaming of making big someday you have to get out of your comfort zones and start making noise about it.What i have observed is that not many people share their thoughts with their thoughts with other people around ,Start doing that because that will make you a little serious about your ultimate goal.

Getting out and starting something is very important then just sitting back and talking with your big mouth.
No matter what happens ,whether that thing ends up in a failure is completely different story but A try is definitely preferred.

Checking other rich people is an option but even that will not help you only thing which can help you is the knowledge of the business you are planning.If you have a basic decent knowledge then try to improve that as much as you can.

After seriously observing people who turned their fortunes to become rich one doesn't need to be an extraordinary person he just need focus and strong will to change.

Most of the people can't take this everlasting change process and starts to give away either in the starting period or middle period ,but its only those who stick to their plans gets to see the light.

With this article even i am trying to help my self in realizing my dream of becoming rich but without a proper plan and a will as hard as iron i don't think i will be able to achieve it.

but definitely the process of increasing my knowledge has started and lets see what happens next.

How to settle a traffic cop in Indian Cities...Some Does and Don'ts

A traffic cop is that species which is almost there on every junction in the cities.There are high chances that you will be stopped by one of them asking for your papers or driving licencse or you know what i mean.

So how to deal with this particular situation when a traffic cop signals you to stop.Well if you follow these very basic things it is always helpful.

From the persepective of traffic cops you can try to figure out about how difficult it can be for them to catch a voilator.Now it might appear that he will observe some  kind of voilation from your side but you can always deal with him in a nice way asking him to just give you a warning sort of thing ,and please dont forget 

the following things.

First thing first you have been told to stop by a traffic cop now this situation arises when he sees you as a traffice rule voilator.So always in those areas where traffic cops are present please try to behave as a good citizen who doesn't drive rashly and doesn't breaks any law.By driving in a very ordinary way chances are that he will never ever stop you.

Now the second important thing is always treat him in a suprior way, using words like Sir,uncle and brother etc will always help in making him a little easy with you and will help you in explaining him that it was not your fault.A request is always preferred.

Never ever talk to him rudely, behaviour like this will always hit you back in a very bad way and you will be responsible for the additional fine .

Trying to run away is an option but not a good one:

If you decide that you are gonna run away from a cop chances are you may land up in police station which is highly unlikely in the case when you decide to slow down in front of him.

Utmost care should be taken if you are thinking of bribing him.This is absolutely unacceptable even though it is fine nowadays but please don't offer him anything.This can be a serious trouble for you.the reason being that your offering him money for rule voilation will justify his act of stopping you ,this can lead to your prosecution.Never Never Never.

if he asks you to pay some penalty always tell him that it is your first time .May be he will let you off with a simple warning.

Never show him that you are in a hurry, just simply wait and show some patience and please in this time don't make funny faces ,making funny faces will affect his mood and you may end up paying more.Try to remain as serious as you can.

these were some of the tips about how to deal with  traffic cops.Although corruption is rempant but i would still suggest you to not to indulge in that activity .you can always try that option but you can also try for the above options which can be of good help.

T20 World Cup-2012: Will it be India’s second world title?

T20 World Cup-2012: Will it be India’s second world title?

T20 World Cup-2012: Will it be India’s second world title?

    Team India – ‘Boys in Blue’ the winners of the inaugural T20 championship are most certainly one of the strongest contenders to lay their hands on the coveted title for the second time. Our chances cannot get better than this, the rich IPL experience and the favourable subcontinent conditions culminating to set a perfect foundation for an emphatic victory as the tournament enters the Super Eight stages.

    The T20 WC-2012, Sri Lanka, presents a golden opportunity for India to achieve the unique distinction of becoming the only team to hold both the world titles, ICC Cricket WC-2011& the T20 WC-2012, at the same time.

 SWOT Analysis:

   1.      STRENGTH:

India’s power packed batting line up with the likes of Sehwag, Gambhir, Rohit , Yuvi, Raina & Dhoni is undoubtedly its biggest strength. ‘Men in Blue’ boast of one of the most explosive opening pair and an even more reliable middle order, not just in T20’s but across all formats of the game. 

The first few overs have proved critical in boosting India’s overall run-rate thanks to the antics of Gauti & Viru. The dramatic comeback of Yuvi adds to the robust middle order. The rise of Virat as a consistent run getter adds to the formidable batting line-up, not to mention the pinch hitting by Rohit & skipper MS Dhoni aka ‘The finisher’.

Irfan Pathan’s comeback fills the gap of a much needed all-rounder, complemented by Rohit & Yuvi who can all chip in with a few overs in the middle.

In R Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh and Piyush Chawla the team has a threatening spin attack that can cut through the battling line-ups of most ‘non-sub-continent’ teams like a knife through butter.

2.      WEAKNESS:

The biggest concern for India will be the current form of opener Virender Sehwag, who seems to be throwing away his wicket after a few blistering strokes, burdening the middle order. Several permutations & combinations have been tried for the opening slot but seldom have there been concrete results, Sehwag - Gambhir failing often not than never.

Rohit Sharma’s failure to score big in the 50 over format of the game has raised question marks over his inclusion in the squad, with his fans hoping that he repeats his IPL performance.

 

And finally, the most critical weakness happens to be the bowling which seems to be highly mediocre & below average particularly in the final overs. Indians will rely heavily on the sub-continent pitches to turn and assist the spinners not only to contain the run-flow but also provide timely breakthroughs.

3.      OPPORTUNITIES:

A convincing victory over England put India in a very powerful position. The lads go in to the Super Eights high on confidence & spirit.

The Lankan conditions will feel the most familiar to the ‘Men in Blue’ than any other team off late as they have been touring the nation almost every year for one series or the other.

Each squad member of Team India can boast of a rich T20 experience especially with respect to handling pressure and staying composed throughout.

Last but not the least; the Indians can depend on their ‘Spinning Trio’ - Bhajji, Ashwin & Piyush to deliver in the slow turning pitches of the sub-continent.

4.      THREATS:

India is due to play a mighty Australian side in the Super Eights, who will come at them with all their aggression. Besides, India may boast of a highly impressive batting line up on paper, but the team has the tendency to fail collectively. The bowling continues to be a concern which is still in look out for a pace bowler to complement Zaheer’s swing attack. The major burden in the bowling department will have to be shared by Zaheer and R Aswhin. Lastly, Yuvi’s inclusion can be counted as risk, just as is the dilemma of playing 3 spinners in a game.

For queries & more: aneesh.kedlaya@gmail.com

Thanks & Regards,

AKK