The book Blink by Malcolm Gladwell is a nice one.
Gripping. Makes one introspect a lot. Definitely more readable and attention holding than Freakonomics. The attention span kind of weakens at times during the latter.
Brings in some interesting vocabulary such as "Warren Harding Error"(I liked this), "Momentary Autism", "Thin Slicing"(Very interesting concept, i laugh when i now tell that "we need the complete information to make a decision"). Kind of hardens the idea that first impressions mean a lot and a lot of well meaning information makes no sense.(Classic Coke Case).Tells me that luck is a huge factor and that experts may be knowledgable but can't be trusted to take your decisions for you. Takes me back to Mr Gautam Thapar's speech when he panned the "consultants". Taking responsibility, initiative and putting your ass on the line is the only way out.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Winning Habits: 4 Secrets that Change the Rest of your Life by Dick Lyles
Listing the four secrets below:
1. Be first on, last off and add extra value
2. Never Trade results for excuses
3. Solve problems in advance
4. Always make those around you look good.
Nice book. Quick read. Quite inspirational
1. Be first on, last off and add extra value
2. Never Trade results for excuses
3. Solve problems in advance
4. Always make those around you look good.
Nice book. Quick read. Quite inspirational
Winning Habits: 4 secrets that Change the Rest of your Life by Dick Lyles.
I always thought that these inspirational books were a load of bull. In fact, i believe a lot of them are. It usually is common sense regurgitated in a better fashion. Well, considering that common sense is rare nowadays, going through some of these books makes sense.
The book mentioned above is in fact a small one. Around 100 pages. Presented in the form of a small story. Nice reading. I did empathise with the conditions stated in the book. Am still in the process of reading the book. Just started today morning while making tea. Got involved in the book that i ended up late at office.
Some points i liked in the book:
1. Be First on, Last off, and add extra value
2. Curiosity, Obsession and dogged endurance, combined with self-critique, have brought me my ideas - Einstein.
3. Never trade results for excuses
4. Activity does not equal productivity. It's the result that counts and you should never accept an excuse for falling short.
More later ..
This is also appraisal time for a lot of companies. Maybe, this set of points might help introspect for the future. I liked the Einstein saying. It seems that people were more interested in his genetic make-up that he was very pissed off about it. Nobody seemed to be giving him credit for his hard work :). Well, i maybe exagerating here. It's however kind of taken for granted that if there is a huge achievement in the academic side, there is something different or "More" about the grey matter that the person holds.
The book mentioned above is in fact a small one. Around 100 pages. Presented in the form of a small story. Nice reading. I did empathise with the conditions stated in the book. Am still in the process of reading the book. Just started today morning while making tea. Got involved in the book that i ended up late at office.
Some points i liked in the book:
1. Be First on, Last off, and add extra value
2. Curiosity, Obsession and dogged endurance, combined with self-critique, have brought me my ideas - Einstein.
3. Never trade results for excuses
4. Activity does not equal productivity. It's the result that counts and you should never accept an excuse for falling short.
More later ..
This is also appraisal time for a lot of companies. Maybe, this set of points might help introspect for the future. I liked the Einstein saying. It seems that people were more interested in his genetic make-up that he was very pissed off about it. Nobody seemed to be giving him credit for his hard work :). Well, i maybe exagerating here. It's however kind of taken for granted that if there is a huge achievement in the academic side, there is something different or "More" about the grey matter that the person holds.
Catoplus Terror
Catoplus Terror is a novel by Sidney Sheldon.
This novel is about a set of oil companies recruiting a retired CIA agent – Mac the knife to apprehend Carlos. It takes us through the motions of Mac setting up his team, tracing information about Carlos’s whereabouts and finally tracking him down.
A nice read. The buildup was good in the beginning. One got the feeling that the author began to rush things after around 150 pages. The climax was quite a let down.
Carlos, the Terrorist seems to have inspired quite a few movies and novels. This link is a good summary of the same:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilich_Ram%C3%ADrez_S%C3%A1nchez
300
Animal is the one word that i have for this movie.
It captures or evokes in a man certain primitive instincts. Valor in the presence of overwhelming odds, Self sacrifice leading to everlasting glory are some aspects that really keep you on the edge of your seats. The pride that Spartans exhibit about themselves is something to admire.
The story is the old one about 300 spartans led by their Kind Leonid taking on the entire army of Xerxes at the battle of Thermopylae. They hold the Persian army for around 3 days at the narrow passage before being betrayed by a fellow Grecian. It shows how a small, well trained unit can take on something that seems mighty.
The movie has been well shot. The visual imagery is rich. In all a very nice experience.
Some negatives, the violence is gory (aptly given an Adult certificate). Better not watch with women and children unless obviously they like Quentin Tarantino movies.
Given below are some links worth reading:
http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/weaponswar/p/blpwtherm.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Thermopylae
http://www.herodotuswebsite.co.uk/xerxes.htm
It captures or evokes in a man certain primitive instincts. Valor in the presence of overwhelming odds, Self sacrifice leading to everlasting glory are some aspects that really keep you on the edge of your seats. The pride that Spartans exhibit about themselves is something to admire.
The story is the old one about 300 spartans led by their Kind Leonid taking on the entire army of Xerxes at the battle of Thermopylae. They hold the Persian army for around 3 days at the narrow passage before being betrayed by a fellow Grecian. It shows how a small, well trained unit can take on something that seems mighty.
The movie has been well shot. The visual imagery is rich. In all a very nice experience.
Some negatives, the violence is gory (aptly given an Adult certificate). Better not watch with women and children unless obviously they like Quentin Tarantino movies.
Given below are some links worth reading:
http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/weaponswar/p/blpwtherm.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Thermopylae
http://www.herodotuswebsite.co.uk/xerxes.htm
Another Contribution from Suketu Mehta
Some more facts about Mumbai.
This time about the names that we hear of places.. like chinchpokli.. etc..
Many of the neighbourhoods in Mumbai are named after the trees and the groves that flourished there.
Cumbala Hill - The Kambal grove
Babulnath - evident, Babul or the acadia
Bhendi Bazaar - plantation of bhindi or umbrella trees.
Tamarind Lane - evident again
Tardeo - Tad palms below the Kambala trees
Worli - Vad trees
Chinchpokli - Tamarind (Chinch) valley
Interesting huh.. well.. also tells us that there was a lot of greenery around.. and not so far away in time either.
Facts about Mumbai
Did you know that :
1. Greater Bombay's population - 19mn; If Greater Bombay were a country, it would list 54 in the world - bigger than 174 countries (stats from 04')
2. Population density (99); Belgium - 333 p/km2; Netherlands- 385p/km2; India-304p/km2;Mumbai-15000p/km2
3. 2/3rd of the people are crowded in 5% of the area; 1/3rd who are the rent protected occupy 95% of the areaWell, these obviously are no big effort of mine.
Neat reproduction from Sukhetu Mehta's "Maximum City".. Nice non-fiction book about Mumbai city.
1. Greater Bombay's population - 19mn; If Greater Bombay were a country, it would list 54 in the world - bigger than 174 countries (stats from 04')
2. Population density (99); Belgium - 333 p/km2; Netherlands- 385p/km2; India-304p/km2;Mumbai-15000p/km2
3. 2/3rd of the people are crowded in 5% of the area; 1/3rd who are the rent protected occupy 95% of the areaWell, these obviously are no big effort of mine.
Neat reproduction from Sukhetu Mehta's "Maximum City".. Nice non-fiction book about Mumbai city.
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