Why do we use a seven day week?
Over time civilizations have adopted 8, 5 and 6 day weeks- but have all reverted back to the seven day week.
Fine, seems right. The seven day week seems to be perfect for people.
Why do we have a 7 day week then?
According to a Christian Myths website-
From God.
God knew that 7 day weeks were perfect for humans and so he put it in the commandments he gave to Moses.
People who refuse to believe this are left without an adequate explanation for the week.
...
Couldn't it be that we've already answered this question in asking it?
"The seven day week seems to be perfect for people. "
What if... people figured out that a 5:2 work/rest ratio works well... and decided to stick with it. Efficiency- ergonomics at work... perhaps?
I guess this is the same difference you see between different kinds of people. You can either work things out yourself or prefer to be spoonfed EVERYTHING.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
"Have you ever been in love? Horrible isn't it? It makes you so vulnerable. It opens your chest and it opens up your heart and it means that someone can get inside you and mess you up. You build up all these defenses, you build up a whole suit of armor, so that nothing can hurt you, then one stupid person, no different from any other stupid person, wanders into your stupid life...You give them a piece of you. They didn't ask for it. They did something dumb one day, like kiss you or smile at you, and then your life isn't your own anymore. Love takes hostages. It gets inside you. It eats you out and leaves you crying in the darkness, so simple a phrase like 'maybe we should be just friends' turns into a glass splinter working its way into your heart. It hurts. Not just in the imagination. Not just in the mind. It's a soul-hurt, a real gets-inside-you-and-rips-you-apart pain. I hate love."
Friday, March 19, 2010
What I Like
I've always liked science.
And english.
My earliest dream, was to be a writer, so I write. About what? Anything I guess.
I enjoy learning, I enjoyed history, geography, political science when I had to. Economics was boring at first, but became more and more interesting as I was introduced to the microeconomics and statistical reasoning of Freakonomics.
I enjoy physics and maths- as long as I can relate it to real life.
I enjoy updating myself on psychology, even dabble in philosophy... though there are times I lose respect for either field, mostly when they try to take a place of eminence over the raw sciences.
I love biology. I was forced to leave it in 10th grade to pursue programming. I enjoy programming, and content creation with software- graphics design, I was good at it too, till I stopped doing it regularly and learning new techniques. I'm still better than posers that morph their own images on facebook. I'd like to show them down, show them what REAL skill is, but that involves becoming a poser myself- Dichotomy.
I like art, I draw frequently, but I can't say if my taste in the fine arts is as developed as is needed to be in tune with the times- hell I appreciate The Scream and the Dada movement but some of Picasso's works just make me want to scream 'CRAP!'
Modern Art? Pfft, drug induced psychedelia and chimpanzees throwing their excrements at a piece of paper- and art so bad that it has to be a critique or analysis or something equally smart- never understood that. Everything should explain itself- a big believer in articulation.
I enjoy tinkering with machines as well. Wish my parents had played that up when they pushed me into engineering. Fools, they are, and I can never understand why they've never managed to understand me. I do what interests me, and I have no other motivation. Its not so hard to work with- after all, my interest is piqued by a great many things.
I disliked chemistry. It was tolerable but I would never want to study it further.
I'm doing Chemical Engineering. Could have taken anything from Electrical to Comp Sci in a five year course but my own lack of initiative and my parents' dogmatic idea of what my future should be ('don't do an MSc.!!! Don't do a 5 year course!!! Don't waste a year!!!') along with sickening advice from the vice chancellor ('No, don't let him do what he wants! :D')
Still, I won't complain, its a pretty good college, the people are brilliant, most people can complain about how they are not in an IIT- I'm one of the few who has no reason to be depressed, at least as far as the intelligence of students and the level of competition are concerned.
But no matter how hard I work I get no reward- marks have never really been a big motivator for me- I need something more tangible, I see people who scored fewer marks than me on every avenue, can't match me in any kind of competition- doing the degree(s) that I wanted to, why?
No reason.
No reason at all.
I scored the marks. I just asked for advice, thinking that people would have no reason to undermine my motives. Turns out that people don't need a motive to kill my happiness.
Its infuriating.
Yes.
So I'm doing a chemical engineering degree with no interest in working on an oil rig or paint factory.
What now? Do an MBA and get out of it-? Just like mummy-papa always wanted.
That path is tainted simply because its being forced on me.
I enjoy the MBA curriculum as well, because I typed out my dad's MBA projects in Australia back when he really couldn't type fluently.
What the Chemical Engineering degree does open up a few avenues that I'd thought I'd lost a long time ago.
That old love- Biology.
The nice thing about being an Engineer is that you're treated like a genius, and doing your degree from a college like mine means that the chemical engineer is treated more qualified than a guy whose done a masters in biotech from a little known college.
Oh, and if I leave India, the average starting salary is some 25 lakhs a year.
And english.
My earliest dream, was to be a writer, so I write. About what? Anything I guess.
I enjoy learning, I enjoyed history, geography, political science when I had to. Economics was boring at first, but became more and more interesting as I was introduced to the microeconomics and statistical reasoning of Freakonomics.
I enjoy physics and maths- as long as I can relate it to real life.
I enjoy updating myself on psychology, even dabble in philosophy... though there are times I lose respect for either field, mostly when they try to take a place of eminence over the raw sciences.
I love biology. I was forced to leave it in 10th grade to pursue programming. I enjoy programming, and content creation with software- graphics design, I was good at it too, till I stopped doing it regularly and learning new techniques. I'm still better than posers that morph their own images on facebook. I'd like to show them down, show them what REAL skill is, but that involves becoming a poser myself- Dichotomy.
I like art, I draw frequently, but I can't say if my taste in the fine arts is as developed as is needed to be in tune with the times- hell I appreciate The Scream and the Dada movement but some of Picasso's works just make me want to scream 'CRAP!'
Modern Art? Pfft, drug induced psychedelia and chimpanzees throwing their excrements at a piece of paper- and art so bad that it has to be a critique or analysis or something equally smart- never understood that. Everything should explain itself- a big believer in articulation.
I enjoy tinkering with machines as well. Wish my parents had played that up when they pushed me into engineering. Fools, they are, and I can never understand why they've never managed to understand me. I do what interests me, and I have no other motivation. Its not so hard to work with- after all, my interest is piqued by a great many things.
I disliked chemistry. It was tolerable but I would never want to study it further.
I'm doing Chemical Engineering. Could have taken anything from Electrical to Comp Sci in a five year course but my own lack of initiative and my parents' dogmatic idea of what my future should be ('don't do an MSc.!!! Don't do a 5 year course!!! Don't waste a year!!!') along with sickening advice from the vice chancellor ('No, don't let him do what he wants! :D')
Still, I won't complain, its a pretty good college, the people are brilliant, most people can complain about how they are not in an IIT- I'm one of the few who has no reason to be depressed, at least as far as the intelligence of students and the level of competition are concerned.
But no matter how hard I work I get no reward- marks have never really been a big motivator for me- I need something more tangible, I see people who scored fewer marks than me on every avenue, can't match me in any kind of competition- doing the degree(s) that I wanted to, why?
No reason.
No reason at all.
I scored the marks. I just asked for advice, thinking that people would have no reason to undermine my motives. Turns out that people don't need a motive to kill my happiness.
Its infuriating.
Yes.
So I'm doing a chemical engineering degree with no interest in working on an oil rig or paint factory.
What now? Do an MBA and get out of it-? Just like mummy-papa always wanted.
That path is tainted simply because its being forced on me.
I enjoy the MBA curriculum as well, because I typed out my dad's MBA projects in Australia back when he really couldn't type fluently.
What the Chemical Engineering degree does open up a few avenues that I'd thought I'd lost a long time ago.
That old love- Biology.
The nice thing about being an Engineer is that you're treated like a genius, and doing your degree from a college like mine means that the chemical engineer is treated more qualified than a guy whose done a masters in biotech from a little known college.
Oh, and if I leave India, the average starting salary is some 25 lakhs a year.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Anger Management
Might as well deliver some of my choice conversations with miscellaneous vendors.
Advertiser = A
Me = Me
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Airtel
------------------------------------------------------------------
A: Hello sir.
Me: Yes.
A: Sir, I am speaking from Airtel sir.
Me: What is this regarding?
A: Actually sir we have some new offers regarding broadband connections.
Me: Oh?
A: Sir, I'd like to tell you about our plans.
Me: *politely* No need. I want an Airtel Broadband Connection.
A: *Shocked* Really! sir?
Me: Yes. In fact, I've been applying for the connection for the last month and you keep refusing to give it to me.
A: Uh, sir, where do you live?
Me: Kaka Nagar.
A: *Pause* Actually, sir, we don't have wiring in that area, so thats why-
Me: Then why the fuck are you calling to offer me Internet?
*disconnected*
--------------------------------------------------------------------
FIITJEE
--------------------------------------------------------------------
A: Hello, *Insert old FIITJEE ID No. Here*, Could you please tell me your ranks in JEE, AIEEE, CEE and the boards?
Me: No.
A: *Pissed* What? Why?
Me: FIITJEE does not deserve credit for any of those things.
A: What makes you say that?
Me: Your teaching methods didn't work on me.
A: You're saying that we don't know how to prepare you for JEE? Don't you know that JEE rank 1 is from FIITJEE. You think he is wrong or you are wrong? He has written thank you letter.
Me: Not my place to decide, your method must have worked for him.
A: What do you think we did wrong?
Me: You treated students like cattle. Didn't even provide a proper toilet.
A: How dare you say. You didn't get through anywhere and you blame us?! Rank 1 is from FIITJEE! Its because YOU weren't prepared! YOU couldn't handle it! Join our 1 year programme and maybe next year you can atleast get something in AIEEE.
Its your fault! YOUR only chance now-
Me: *Pissed* It didn't work the first time... Also I'VE GOTTEN IN- SO STOP CALLING ME!
*SLAM*
----------------------------------------------------------------
Random Female
---------------------------------------------------------------
A: Sir, I'm calling to offer you...
Me: How did you get my number?
A: Sir I'm calling to... offer a card/insurance/something blah blah
Me: How did you get my number?
A: Actually sir, we're calling to offer blah blah
Me: Don't you know I'm in the national do not call directory?
A: Actually sir, I don't know... I'm just a sales rep.
Me: What, you're calling me on this number and you don't know how you got it or if its legal? What kind of shoddy employee are you?
A: Actually sir, the telephone providers sell us the number-lists of those who aren't on the Do not call list. They must have forgot to update.
Me: My Service Provider is selling my number?
A: Yes sir.
Me: What do you know about this? Is it legal- I thought there were laws against this kind of thing.
A: I don't know sir.
Me: I'm pretty sure there are, could you please give me your number so I can confirm and call back- what company did you say you were calling from?
*Disconnected*
----------------------------------------
Today
----------------------------------------
A: Sir, are you Amitabh Kumar?
Me: No.
A: Is this 91MYNUMBER?
Me: Yes.
A: Are you the current user of this phone.
Me: Yes.
A: Sir your number has been selected in a lucky draw for a special offer, we're offering you a Platinum credit card!
Me: Lucky draw?
A: Yes sir, we're offering you the card available instantly and with no limits, no conditions, no verification and no asset checks!
Me: *snap* NO ASSET CHECKS?
A: *cheerfully* Yup.
Me: What the hell is this? Do you people do NO RESEARCH AT ALL?!
A: Wha-
Me: I have no salary or credit history and you want to give people like me a limitless credit card at 30% interest?! ARE YOU ACTIVELY TRYING TO GET PEOPLE INTO DEBT?
A: Now listen to me sir-
Me: DON'T YOU KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE RECESSION WE'RE IN?!
A: *murmurs of protest*
Me: Stupid banks.
*Disconnect*
------------------------------------------
Short one
------------------------------------------
A: Hello sir, I'd like to offer you a long term property investment plan.
Me: How often do you call someone this is even vaguely relevant to?
*Disconnect*
Advertiser = A
Me = Me
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Airtel
------------------------------------------------------------------
A: Hello sir.
Me: Yes.
A: Sir, I am speaking from Airtel sir.
Me: What is this regarding?
A: Actually sir we have some new offers regarding broadband connections.
Me: Oh?
A: Sir, I'd like to tell you about our plans.
Me: *politely* No need. I want an Airtel Broadband Connection.
A: *Shocked* Really! sir?
Me: Yes. In fact, I've been applying for the connection for the last month and you keep refusing to give it to me.
A: Uh, sir, where do you live?
Me: Kaka Nagar.
A: *Pause* Actually, sir, we don't have wiring in that area, so thats why-
Me: Then why the fuck are you calling to offer me Internet?
*disconnected*
--------------------------------------------------------------------
FIITJEE
--------------------------------------------------------------------
A: Hello, *Insert old FIITJEE ID No. Here*, Could you please tell me your ranks in JEE, AIEEE, CEE and the boards?
Me: No.
A: *Pissed* What? Why?
Me: FIITJEE does not deserve credit for any of those things.
A: What makes you say that?
Me: Your teaching methods didn't work on me.
A: You're saying that we don't know how to prepare you for JEE? Don't you know that JEE rank 1 is from FIITJEE. You think he is wrong or you are wrong? He has written thank you letter.
Me: Not my place to decide, your method must have worked for him.
A: What do you think we did wrong?
Me: You treated students like cattle. Didn't even provide a proper toilet.
A: How dare you say. You didn't get through anywhere and you blame us?! Rank 1 is from FIITJEE! Its because YOU weren't prepared! YOU couldn't handle it! Join our 1 year programme and maybe next year you can atleast get something in AIEEE.
Its your fault! YOUR only chance now-
Me: *Pissed* It didn't work the first time... Also I'VE GOTTEN IN- SO STOP CALLING ME!
*SLAM*
----------------------------------------------------------------
Random Female
---------------------------------------------------------------
A: Sir, I'm calling to offer you...
Me: How did you get my number?
A: Sir I'm calling to... offer a card/insurance/something blah blah
Me: How did you get my number?
A: Actually sir, we're calling to offer blah blah
Me: Don't you know I'm in the national do not call directory?
A: Actually sir, I don't know... I'm just a sales rep.
Me: What, you're calling me on this number and you don't know how you got it or if its legal? What kind of shoddy employee are you?
A: Actually sir, the telephone providers sell us the number-lists of those who aren't on the Do not call list. They must have forgot to update.
Me: My Service Provider is selling my number?
A: Yes sir.
Me: What do you know about this? Is it legal- I thought there were laws against this kind of thing.
A: I don't know sir.
Me: I'm pretty sure there are, could you please give me your number so I can confirm and call back- what company did you say you were calling from?
*Disconnected*
----------------------------------------
Today
----------------------------------------
A: Sir, are you Amitabh Kumar?
Me: No.
A: Is this 91MYNUMBER?
Me: Yes.
A: Are you the current user of this phone.
Me: Yes.
A: Sir your number has been selected in a lucky draw for a special offer, we're offering you a Platinum credit card!
Me: Lucky draw?
A: Yes sir, we're offering you the card available instantly and with no limits, no conditions, no verification and no asset checks!
Me: *snap* NO ASSET CHECKS?
A: *cheerfully* Yup.
Me: What the hell is this? Do you people do NO RESEARCH AT ALL?!
A: Wha-
Me: I have no salary or credit history and you want to give people like me a limitless credit card at 30% interest?! ARE YOU ACTIVELY TRYING TO GET PEOPLE INTO DEBT?
A: Now listen to me sir-
Me: DON'T YOU KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE RECESSION WE'RE IN?!
A: *murmurs of protest*
Me: Stupid banks.
*Disconnect*
------------------------------------------
Short one
------------------------------------------
A: Hello sir, I'd like to offer you a long term property investment plan.
Me: How often do you call someone this is even vaguely relevant to?
*Disconnect*
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Fleeting
Why am I sitting here?
German nuclear waste fuelling an iranian bomb, or is it Libyan or Ethiopian? No clue.
Any real reason to stay here? No, not really. I have nothing to say. Nothing to do,
but wait for an electrodynamics test tomorrow. No real reason to sit here, so I might as
well start typing. I am actually observing this damn thing, I think.
What the hell is going on. Hyperbole. More Hyperbole. And more hyperbole. My mind is going
to rot with a little more of this crap. Five thousand rupees is not nearly enough to warrant
24 hours of this.
The crisis was designed to destroy the alliances that had popped up in the last round of the
event. And it has. Pakistan has decided to switch sides after all. The event has turned into a very interesting bitch fight. I have a smile at the corner of my mouth.
Maybe I should have sit in the HRC after all. Nice people who don't argue over anything to
pass legislation in support of nice things like human rights. Even the most brutally
inhumane of regimes have turned into puffy fluffballs in the hands of India's great student
body. Boring, though.
And what about me? The poor messenger chap seems to be interested in me. He's stuffed pieces
of paper into the gap between my head and my ear. Can't say that I understand that. Everyone
from my college is weird as hell. He's weird too.
Am I supposed to care about the casual flirtations that are taking place within the room
under guise of what is supposed to be a Model United Nations summit. It's shameful. It's a
mating ritual. I don't even know why the notes are being shared with me. I am beginning to
feel like a voyeur. I don't like feeling like a voyeur.
I knew I should have just left...
but I guess we all let optimism come to us as a friend, even though it's been an old enemy.
I like the Chair. He's trying to make this a Sci Fi novel.
Fun.
Passionate Speech.
"All I here is idealistic speaking without practical action. Just like the real UN. Every legislation is rendered ineffectual by its own clauses. That is NOT what we are supposed to be."
Actually it is. But fuck that for a while.
I'm hearing the same shit over
and
over
and
over
and
over
and
over
and
over
and
over
and
over
and
over
and
over
again.
Phew.
Anyway MUN. Bye.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Birthday
Interesting phenomenon, this birthday. I will count the number of wishes I have received. It's a freaking barrage...
...70+ people have wished me, I haven't responded to the last 15 or 20. Since when have I been this popular? Since when have people been so bored?
My birthdays have always been a sordid affair, another day that I strangle my desires for the greater good, act more or less selfless, and whine. Today wasn't so different in how it played out, though.
The day was started with casual beatings and what can only be classified as 'chutiyaap' past midnight, moved into brief skirmishes with sleep, then fast forwarded to a scene with me running blind through the night and failing to keep my vomit from spilling onto the earth. I have managed to contract a bad case of diarrhoea.
Hours of time meant for sleep, used instead to decontaminate my internal systems with loud groans, and less pleasant sounds. As the sun rose, I reached my books. Test. Study. Electrodynamics. Fucked it up nicely as well.
And the day ended with a pigeon defecating on my new jacket. I'm not wearing it again- for a while now.
All in all, all the critical elements of a Classic Anjishnu Kumar Birthday were present.
1. Test/Exam Check.
2. Senseless Violence Check
3. Unnecessary Drama, Anger and Attention-Seeking Check
4. Me Trying Very Hard To Pretend That It Isn't My Birthday So I Don't Have To Deal With The Fact That My Birthdays Suck. Check
5. No Birthday Present Check, though it isn't so irritating now.
6. Below Average Luck Check.
Very classic, though with a fairly new bent leaning towards favouring unwanted effluvia as the choice means of depriving me of happiness.
Still, seventy something wishes is a lot. Crap.
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