"Web 2.0" in just under 5 minutes.

Jon's the man!

... Mr. Stewart is “such a clear thinker” that he’s able to take “all these data points of spin and transparent falsehoods dished out in the form of political discourse” and “fish from that what is the true meaning, what are red herrings, false leads,” even as he performs the ambidextrous feat of “making jokes about it” at the same time.

... there is nothing sensation-seeking or mean-spirited about his exchanges. Nor does he shy away from heartfelt expressions of sadness and pain ...

It’s a wonderful feeling to have this toxin in your body in the morning, that little cup of sadness, and feel by 7 or 7:30 that night, you’ve released it in sweat equity and can move on to the next day.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/17/arts/television/17kaku.html?ex=1376798400&en=cf3e2ff585f58db8&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

He has invented quite a job-role for himself. Perfect confluence of strengths, passion and purpose. He has made quite a mockery of the established television news agencies, and rightfully so.

On allowing guns on campuses

"Arizona Weighs Bill to Allow Guns on Campuses"

I am shocked that 15 states are actually thinking of allowing guns on campus.

If you have read up on gun control in the US and/or seen 'Bowling for Columbine' you would probably agree that this is quite a complicated issue in this country. I have tried to understand why people love and are proud of their guns in this country, but it is difficult for me to wrap my head around it. Families go on hunting trips. A dad gifts a gun to his son.

I don't know if this is normal in other countries, but at least coming from India this seems extremely odd. I am sure you could find exceptions in India too, but I know my dad would not be impressed if I decided to buy a gun (learning Karate ;) probably would impress/amuse him). Plus I have been born and brought up with things like "pen is mightier than the sword," and war has temporary advantages and permanent harm.

Actually ask yourself how many America’s presidents have come from the armed forces? Some historians say that American Culture was born at the frontiers. At the frontiers, the early European settlers had to defend themselves from the locals, and other settlers. There were no governments to defend and protect their rights. Individuals had to have a gun and had to use it for survival.

That time has long gone, and so it is difficult for me to understand why unanimously people don't want greater gun regulation in the US, but instead they want to allow guns on campus.

(Some guns have the safety right next to the trigger, so if by mistake you press the trigger ... oops!)

For guns to act as a deterrent you would have to have a (if you will) critical mass of guns on campus. So a university will probably have to (encourage?) see that a certain percentage of students have guns. This makes it more likely for someone to have a gun at the wrong time, e.g. someone with a short temper gets into a tiff with his/her Professor who refuses to change the students grade; or a bad fight with a girlfriend. Such a law would only increase unfortunate incidents on campus. No longer would a student have to steal a gun from his parents place or obtain it illegally, he can now just take it from his roommate’s closet.

I don't think lesser gun’s is a solution, either. For something to work, I think first the society as a whole would have to reject guns/violence at some point. From my expansive study of talking to 6 friends, I don’t think it is at that point now. (sorry!)

Hollywood Starts Making Bollywood Films in India

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/08/movies/08boll.html

Bollywood might not have lost its fascination of Hollywood or its dream of getting recognition from Hollywood; but Hollywood has certainly recognized India's potential. Song Pictures Entertainment might be the first of many Hollywood companies to sponsor Bollywood movies in India. It is definitely better than getting produced by the underworld.

Walt Disney has also partnered with Yash Raj Films to produce Indian animated films. And boy do we need some help in this field. I have read about Indian animation companies doing well, but have yet to see a decent Indian animated movie. Virgin Comics is marketing India's rich heritage in the form of comic books, but I still see to put my hands on one of them.

World's most indispensable CEOs

... and Lakshmi Mittal and Ratan Tata find place in the list. Go India :)

http://www.rediff.com/money/2007/mar/27tata.htm

Ben & Jerry's CSR Approach

In February I attended a talk by Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s. He spoke about his entrepreneurial experience and unique business model of corporate social responsibility. Jerry Greenfield got an undergrad degree in pre-med, but failed to make it to a medical school for two consecutive years. He then started Ben & Jerry’s with his close friend Ben, in Vermont. In spite of having no experience in the ice-cream industry and selling ice-cream in a very cold city, their small store managed to grow and become the ice-cream giant - Ben & Jerry’s that we know of today. Read more

What appealed to me most about his talk was the CSR approach of Ben & Jerry’s. For example, to make their ice-cream they do not use milk from cows treated with recombinant bovine growth hormone. (Treating the cows with such chemicals makes them prone to infection, which causes pain and suffering to the animal.) The company actually pays a premium to the farmers who provide them milk, if they promise to never treat their cows to this hormone!

Another interesting example was about their ice-cream, American Pie. The ice-cream comes with a special package. It has a pie chart of the US federal budget printed on it. Ben & Jerry oppose the large amount of money spent on defense & maintenance of the 10,000 odd nuclear weapons (How many does a country need? Isn’t 1 enough?). They think that the money would be better spent on things & so they just promoted this message with their ice-cream. How cool is that?

The company’s web-site also includes interactive games to educate people on similar issues. Before the talk I had never tasted Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream. The ice-creams are delicious and the company makes sense – a perfect combination of business and pleasure.

"Run Towards Your Fears"

I just read Robin's blog right now and I thought I should post something from it.

"Life's counter-intuitive. The things that we most resist carry the seeds of our greatness. The stuff that makes us feel uncomfortable makes us stronger. And the things that are hard to do help us get to our authentic power. Difficult is Good..." (read the rest)

So many times in life I have seen myself run away/avoid things under the pretext like "I don't like it" or "I am not in the mood", when actually the real reason is that I am simply afraid. It takes a little effort to accept that I am actually afraid. It's a feeling (like all other feelings) that needs to be acknowledged.

There is no question of whether "I should be feeling this?" or "is this right/wrong?" You are feeling it so that's that - acknowledge it. Feel it. A lot of times I realize what a unique situation I am in. I find myself secretly laughing at myself or at God's humor. If you resist the feeling then it is going to persist. Just like guy who tried to quit smoking 7 times before it actually became a joke.

Once I get over the difficult part of recognizing & acknowledging my fear, I find that the what's & the how's fall in place. Why is even simpler? Because if you "run towards your fears and a beautiful life will follow" (from one of Robin's podcasts)

Ayn Rand in one of her books says that if you find yourself at a fork in the road, just pick the more difficult option, you are bound to pick the correct one. It's an interesting point of view, and I think of it when I am stuck. I don't use it as a rational for/against argument, but it does help me check to what extent my emotions are playing a role in my decision making. Also importantly, it makes me smile in the situation.

Another effective tool that religions have used to help people fight their fears is to make them realize that they are mortals. We live life thinking "I" will live for forever. If you spend 2 seconds in the morning, even when you are brushing your teeth and remind yourself - "I am a mortal" then the trick is done. You would push yourself to lead a more fuller life. Suddenly it becomes easier to say "I am sorry", or "it was my mistake" or to admit to yourself that you am scared.