Here is the general idea. A compilation of comprehensive treatises on various aspects of nature and our humanity that we can refer to as being a comprehensive representation of human knowledge, without having to invoke faith:
1) The Book of Penrose: A Road to Reality
Just found this recently. Its a mammoth treatise, over 1000 pages long, the first 338 of which are devoted exclusively to laying a mathematical foundation for the reader to understand the Physics to follow, which deals with the laws that govern our Universe, ranging from relativity to quantum mechanics.
2) TODO - Suggestions welcome
A treatise on biology, dealing primarily with the origin of life. Tempted as I was to put 'The Selfish Gene' by Richard Dawkins here, I did not want to put a book that offers the brilliant alternative way of thinking about genes that the book is primarily about. I'd rather that we go with something that deals dispassionately, comprehensively and rigorously with the subject of our biological origins.
3) TODO - Suggestions welcome
A treatise on real, rigorous Philosophy. I have read close to nothing so I urge anyone stumbling upon this to point out suggestions.
4) TODO - Suggestions welcome
A treatise on the history of Civilization
5) TODO - Suggestions welcome
A treatise on the history of Religion
6) TODO - Suggestions welcome
A treatise on the history of Humanities - Art, Music, Literature and Architecture
Compilation of these texts may help with the stimulation and standardization of discussion on each of the major aspects of human knowledge I have described above. Parts 4,5 and 6 are not mutually exclusive, however I think its fair to give history of religion a place of its own, given its impact on our history and while Part 6 covers too much ground to deal with in a single book I am optimistic about finding a great book out there that would do justice to all of the aspects it deals with.
Have I left out anything? I am open to suggestions. For eg. linguistics almost seems to be needing a place of its own. Not sure. A separate treatise on mathematics perhaps?
My brother pointed out, on hearing my only concrete suggestion for a book to go into the list, that this compilation might end up like all scripture: one that is revered universally but hardly ever read, and never really understood.
True as that may be, I'd rather that I go to my grave, grappling unsuccessfully with the understanding of these texts rather than pretending to have understood elaborate and poorly written myths.
Wouldn't you?
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Getting High on God
Religious or spiritual experiences are associated with a surge in dopamine levels apparently. You know what else is? Snorting cocaine. Apparently, getting "high on god" as is the expression used by the evangelical movement has a rather literalistic angle to it.
I was just reading up on the effects of Cocaine on Wikipedia, and its surprising how much of it has analogues in religion:
What's similar:
1) Increased levels of dopamine.
2) Induced feelings of euphoria.
3) Can also induce anxiety, paranoia and restlessness.
4) Excessive usage results in convulsions and increased body temperature.
5) Occasional use does not typically lead to severe or even minor physical or social problems. [References 1 and 2]
6) Painful withdrawal symptoms
What's not:
Cocaine is banned in almost every part of the world.
I was just reading up on the effects of Cocaine on Wikipedia, and its surprising how much of it has analogues in religion:
What's similar:
1) Increased levels of dopamine.
2) Induced feelings of euphoria.
3) Can also induce anxiety, paranoia and restlessness.
4) Excessive usage results in convulsions and increased body temperature.
5) Occasional use does not typically lead to severe or even minor physical or social problems. [References 1 and 2]
6) Painful withdrawal symptoms
What's not:
Cocaine is banned in almost every part of the world.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Drawing the Prophet
WARNING: THE FOLLOWING IMAGES ARE DEEPLY OFFENSIVE TO MUSLIM SENTIMENTS. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVICED.
The 'Draw the Prophet' day slipped by me. Despite having caught wind of it all well in advance, it just slipped my mind. The reason I was reminded of this momentous day was because the real activity on the social networks only peaked on May 20 morning in the West, by which time it was a little too late for us on the other side of the world.
Nevertheless, its not like I would have produced a sketch of the Prophet. Its easy to make cartoons that Muslims can take offense to when you're sitting in a country that has just banned the Burkha and where your religious institutions are separated from the Government. I don't have that luxury. Posting such an image in India can get you arrested on grounds of inflaming religious sentiments.
However, I wholeheartedly support the idea (what? that's illegal too?) I have been reading a lot of apologists and "moderates" who say that it is wrong to go out of the way to offend. However, as has been pointed out, if even something as trivial as drawing an image can be cited as grounds for religious hurt, if we *submit* to it (double-entendre intended), imagine on how many other grounds we can be cornered into giving up our freedoms. It will only be the first link, in a long chain, which we will help forge to bind ourselves with.
Keeping with the spirit of it all, and making a point at the same time, I'd like to post two images which theoretically should cause the same amount of offense to Muslim sensibilities but I have a hunch that they don't. If on the other hand, they do, then is it justified to go so far as to removing these paintings from their current location, in the name of erring on the side of caution when it comes to giving offense?
Scenes from the Life of Moses by Sandro Botticelli in the Sistine Chapel:
Christ Giving the Keys to St. Peter in the Sistine Chapel:
EDIT: In case you didn't know, Moses and Jesus are venerated as prophets in Islam. Mohammed is considered the 'seal' among the prophets, i.e. that last one to be sent down to us. There is even a precedent where a movie was censored on this basis: http://bit.ly/chW5Mm
The 'Draw the Prophet' day slipped by me. Despite having caught wind of it all well in advance, it just slipped my mind. The reason I was reminded of this momentous day was because the real activity on the social networks only peaked on May 20 morning in the West, by which time it was a little too late for us on the other side of the world.
Nevertheless, its not like I would have produced a sketch of the Prophet. Its easy to make cartoons that Muslims can take offense to when you're sitting in a country that has just banned the Burkha and where your religious institutions are separated from the Government. I don't have that luxury. Posting such an image in India can get you arrested on grounds of inflaming religious sentiments.
However, I wholeheartedly support the idea (what? that's illegal too?) I have been reading a lot of apologists and "moderates" who say that it is wrong to go out of the way to offend. However, as has been pointed out, if even something as trivial as drawing an image can be cited as grounds for religious hurt, if we *submit* to it (double-entendre intended), imagine on how many other grounds we can be cornered into giving up our freedoms. It will only be the first link, in a long chain, which we will help forge to bind ourselves with.
Keeping with the spirit of it all, and making a point at the same time, I'd like to post two images which theoretically should cause the same amount of offense to Muslim sensibilities but I have a hunch that they don't. If on the other hand, they do, then is it justified to go so far as to removing these paintings from their current location, in the name of erring on the side of caution when it comes to giving offense?
Scenes from the Life of Moses by Sandro Botticelli in the Sistine Chapel:
Christ Giving the Keys to St. Peter in the Sistine Chapel:
EDIT: In case you didn't know, Moses and Jesus are venerated as prophets in Islam. Mohammed is considered the 'seal' among the prophets, i.e. that last one to be sent down to us. There is even a precedent where a movie was censored on this basis: http://bit.ly/chW5Mm
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Mayflowering Away
When the so-called Pilgrim fathers set sail for America it was to escape religious persecution. In fact what they were trying to leave behind was not a religious order that was more conservative, but in fact one that they considered too liberal, one which was, as they saw it, a digression from the true spirit of the Christian Bible.
It's an irony then that in the few centuries since they arrived in America hoping to create a more pious society, America with the influx of people thereafter from half a dozen European nations was transformed into the most vibrant and pluralistic cultures in history. What emerged from that heady mix of aspirations, religious denominations, dialects - in short, people - was this unique culture, free of orthodoxy, where nothing was too taboo to be challenged, where innovation not just in industry but also in culture, thrived.
Of course that picture was not without its share of blemishes. Whether it was slavery, which America condoned long after it was banned in Britain or the more inane witch hunts as witnessed the Salem witch trials, American Society had to go through its share of trials and tribulations brought about as a result of the cultural memory ingrained in its constituents - migrants from Europe. Yet what finally emerged was a society whose greatest export was probably its own liberal and distinctive culture. This spirit of cultural innovation is still going strong in America. Where else in the world would you find something like this accepted and celebrated the way this was:
However, I have a feeling that as a culture crystallizes, as a society's politicians start harping on catchphrases such as 'the American dream', "the American way", "all-American family", "American traditions", the society in question will start to resist change, as already evident in America. What was once the land of the free is now probably the most radicalized developed nation in the world. Every day we hear tales of freedom being quashed in the name of religion and security. The resurgence of conservatism is spectacular, to say the least. I think it says volumes when you note that after eight years of disastrous rule under a president who came to power more because his constituents believed that he spoke to God every day rather than any semblance of administrative, diplomatic or leadership abilities, the current president and his men despite possessing all the aforementioned qualities are running for cover under the charge of radicalized conservatives who show no restraint or consideration whatsoever in their accusations.
I believe that we need to be able to 'Mayflower' our way out of a restrictive society when we want to. Of course we don't have the luxury of a "New World" which we can set sail for at a whim. Probably in the future such an opportunity will present itself in the form of interplanetary travel and colonization. Unless we are able to Mayflower away when the time arrives, cultural innovation like in the wedding dance above will be trodden down by the relentless march of conservatism. Mayflower, conform or die!
It's an irony then that in the few centuries since they arrived in America hoping to create a more pious society, America with the influx of people thereafter from half a dozen European nations was transformed into the most vibrant and pluralistic cultures in history. What emerged from that heady mix of aspirations, religious denominations, dialects - in short, people - was this unique culture, free of orthodoxy, where nothing was too taboo to be challenged, where innovation not just in industry but also in culture, thrived.
Of course that picture was not without its share of blemishes. Whether it was slavery, which America condoned long after it was banned in Britain or the more inane witch hunts as witnessed the Salem witch trials, American Society had to go through its share of trials and tribulations brought about as a result of the cultural memory ingrained in its constituents - migrants from Europe. Yet what finally emerged was a society whose greatest export was probably its own liberal and distinctive culture. This spirit of cultural innovation is still going strong in America. Where else in the world would you find something like this accepted and celebrated the way this was:
However, I have a feeling that as a culture crystallizes, as a society's politicians start harping on catchphrases such as 'the American dream', "the American way", "all-American family", "American traditions", the society in question will start to resist change, as already evident in America. What was once the land of the free is now probably the most radicalized developed nation in the world. Every day we hear tales of freedom being quashed in the name of religion and security. The resurgence of conservatism is spectacular, to say the least. I think it says volumes when you note that after eight years of disastrous rule under a president who came to power more because his constituents believed that he spoke to God every day rather than any semblance of administrative, diplomatic or leadership abilities, the current president and his men despite possessing all the aforementioned qualities are running for cover under the charge of radicalized conservatives who show no restraint or consideration whatsoever in their accusations.
I believe that we need to be able to 'Mayflower' our way out of a restrictive society when we want to. Of course we don't have the luxury of a "New World" which we can set sail for at a whim. Probably in the future such an opportunity will present itself in the form of interplanetary travel and colonization. Unless we are able to Mayflower away when the time arrives, cultural innovation like in the wedding dance above will be trodden down by the relentless march of conservatism. Mayflower, conform or die!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Force Majeure
In the engineering industry, purchase orders generally contain the 'Force Majeure' clause. An engineer, I had never taken the effort till now to read all the commercial clauses that came with a purchase order; that is generally left to the procurement department to take care of. I had a little time on my hands the other day. I found these delightful words under the Force Majeure clause:
Delivery of equipment is subject to force majeure, by which it means
causes such as Acts of God, Acts of Government, war, invasion, civil
disobedience, government orders or restrictions, strikes, lock-outs,
riots, fires, epidemics, sabotages, accidents, floods, fire,
earthquake, breakdown of machinery or any other causes whatsoever
beyond our reasonable control, affecting us, our subcontractors,
suppliers etc.
Firstly, I just love the order of unexpected contingencies.
Secondly, I am impressed by how they have tried to cover all their bases. Heck, they even guard against wanton whimsical tendencies of the almighty. That takes the cake.
Thirdly, how does one verify that a shipment has been stopped by an 'Act of God'?
Fourthly, if you do believe in Acts of God, that list is not mutually exclusive. Then again, if you did believe in God, you'd have stopped with Acts of God.
Finally, they have missed out a significant contingency in that list. Abduction by Extra-Terrestrials.
Delivery of equipment is subject to force majeure, by which it means
causes such as Acts of God, Acts of Government, war, invasion, civil
disobedience, government orders or restrictions, strikes, lock-outs,
riots, fires, epidemics, sabotages, accidents, floods, fire,
earthquake, breakdown of machinery or any other causes whatsoever
beyond our reasonable control, affecting us, our subcontractors,
suppliers etc.
Firstly, I just love the order of unexpected contingencies.
Secondly, I am impressed by how they have tried to cover all their bases. Heck, they even guard against wanton whimsical tendencies of the almighty. That takes the cake.
Thirdly, how does one verify that a shipment has been stopped by an 'Act of God'?
Fourthly, if you do believe in Acts of God, that list is not mutually exclusive. Then again, if you did believe in God, you'd have stopped with Acts of God.
Finally, they have missed out a significant contingency in that list. Abduction by Extra-Terrestrials.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The Online Lottery Proposition
Let me start off with an admission. The first time I ever saw one of the 'YOU HAVE WON A MILLION DOLLARS! CLICK HERE TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE!' ads popup on screen, I fell for it. However, that was the last time I did (it culminated in me making an international call to a number I got in an email) and I was 13. A decade later and jaded enough to ignore these ads to the point of not realising they were on the page I just visited, I now stop to ask... well, why don't these work anymore?
Have you heard of anyone winning an online lottery? Why not? Quite often we hear of people winning lotteries of other forms, yet not the online variety. Evidently, not hearing about others winning (and perhaps for some of us, an expensive and futile overseas call) turns us off to these ads. I suppose an industry in these ads is almost non-existent.
I have a proposition for its revival.
A trivial method to revive the industry ofcourse is to give the odd chap a million dollars... a genuine reward under the glare of the press cameras. Yet, that, will cost a million dollars, and people who have a million dollars, probably won't be reading this. No, this is not the solution I am proposing. What needs to be done is rather different. What we need is borrow from a key aspect of religion - miracles. Let's compare what we know of miracles and Online Lotteries:
Being alike in so many forms, its almost shocking that the online lottery people won't scramble to close the gap and remove the one crucial difference between them... get people talking about it! Get the buzz going.
They don't need to pay people millions of dollars. They don't even need to get people to say that lotteries work. Get them to ask, do they work? Get some of them saying that its all a scam. Get some of them saying, "Well, I haven't won one myself, but I have heard of this guy in ....". Get some of them to ask their friends, "What do you know of online lotteries? I'm thinking of trying to win one. What with all my problems, heaven knows I need one." Get them to start saying, "I know of this site where when you click the ad from..."
Wait, that's not all. The most lucrative option would be to join the peddlers of miracles.
Go to the evangelists who heal the people with internal diseases/disorders (they never seem to grow back limbs as you know). Ask them to pray an online lottery for poor Martha, a pale but pretty looking single mother who has to feed five of her children on her own. Get her to do a ceremonial 'click' in front of a crowd of people praying, waiting with bated breath as she clicks the ad banner, egged on by the good Reverend's imploring the crowd to "Pray for Martha! Get down on your knees and call the Lord to your computer" as she enters her personal details into the form. Get Martha, upon clicking it to say... "I'm sorry. Its not working," stifling a sob. And just is as she is about to walk off the stage, get her cellphone to ring. Let her pick up and talk for a few seconds, anxiety writ on her face "Yeah, this is Martha... yes... uh huh... um... yes... are you sure? Are you completely sure... OMG.. " (at which point the pastor gently rebukes her saying, "Don't take the Lord's name in vain my child") "...can you confirm that....Alright.... I see... alright, I'll be there" and then get her to put down her phone, face the crowd and tell the crowd with a wavering voice, with a smile now on her tearful face, "I won! Praise the Lord, I won... we won!"
Have you heard of anyone winning an online lottery? Why not? Quite often we hear of people winning lotteries of other forms, yet not the online variety. Evidently, not hearing about others winning (and perhaps for some of us, an expensive and futile overseas call) turns us off to these ads. I suppose an industry in these ads is almost non-existent.
I have a proposition for its revival.
A trivial method to revive the industry ofcourse is to give the odd chap a million dollars... a genuine reward under the glare of the press cameras. Yet, that, will cost a million dollars, and people who have a million dollars, probably won't be reading this. No, this is not the solution I am proposing. What needs to be done is rather different. What we need is borrow from a key aspect of religion - miracles. Let's compare what we know of miracles and Online Lotteries:
|
| Miracles
| Online Lottery
|
| Has it ever worked for you?
| Nope
| Nope
|
| Has it worked for some close relative/friend? | No
| No
|
| For someone you dont know but heard of having worked for?
| Yes
| No
|
| Have you heard of scams involving them? | Yes, several | Yes, each time I click the ads |
| Do you think you deserve one? | Heavens! Yes! | Hell Yeah! |
| Do its peddlers ask for your money?
| Yes
| Yes
|
Being alike in so many forms, its almost shocking that the online lottery people won't scramble to close the gap and remove the one crucial difference between them... get people talking about it! Get the buzz going.
They don't need to pay people millions of dollars. They don't even need to get people to say that lotteries work. Get them to ask, do they work? Get some of them saying that its all a scam. Get some of them saying, "Well, I haven't won one myself, but I have heard of this guy in ....". Get some of them to ask their friends, "What do you know of online lotteries? I'm thinking of trying to win one. What with all my problems, heaven knows I need one." Get them to start saying, "I know of this site where when you click the ad from..."
Wait, that's not all. The most lucrative option would be to join the peddlers of miracles.
Go to the evangelists who heal the people with internal diseases/disorders (they never seem to grow back limbs as you know). Ask them to pray an online lottery for poor Martha, a pale but pretty looking single mother who has to feed five of her children on her own. Get her to do a ceremonial 'click' in front of a crowd of people praying, waiting with bated breath as she clicks the ad banner, egged on by the good Reverend's imploring the crowd to "Pray for Martha! Get down on your knees and call the Lord to your computer" as she enters her personal details into the form. Get Martha, upon clicking it to say... "I'm sorry. Its not working," stifling a sob. And just is as she is about to walk off the stage, get her cellphone to ring. Let her pick up and talk for a few seconds, anxiety writ on her face "Yeah, this is Martha... yes... uh huh... um... yes... are you sure? Are you completely sure... OMG.. " (at which point the pastor gently rebukes her saying, "Don't take the Lord's name in vain my child") "...can you confirm that....Alright.... I see... alright, I'll be there" and then get her to put down her phone, face the crowd and tell the crowd with a wavering voice, with a smile now on her tearful face, "I won! Praise the Lord, I won... we won!"
Thursday, December 31, 2009
10 of my Engg. Insights for the Year
I suppose its that time of the year where a post that you make needs to reflect some of the momentousness of the occasion (though you're most probably reading this too late). So, I decided I might as well yield to such an urge and am listing 10 of the most profound insights I've had this year in my professional life as an engineer that I will be taking into the new decade. but Let me start off by allaying your fears that they don't really let me do anything that's as dangerous as what you're about to read... yet.
Again, as in my previous post about engineering, not all of the following is exaggeration...
1) In engineering, 'competence' is getting through drudgery without blowing stuff up, 'enterprise' is competence whilst pretending you're enjoying all of it, and 'experience' is the late realization that neither of the above matters.
2) In engineering, 'humility' is what you experience when you read that one of the 15000 or so 1/4" inch valves you specified in your project costs more than your annual gross income.
3) Engineering is about doing the right thing at the right time and at the right place... but none of that is as important as NOT being anywhere near the thing as its being turned on.
4) A corollary of (3) above is that the world would be a lot safer if it were mandated that the responsible engineer throws the switch for the first time... though leaving it to politicians is gratifying.
5) A poor design is one that blows up in your face; a 'cost-effective' design is one where you know how much time you have to secure payment for it before it goes off.
6) You can always spot a trainee by how close he stands to the bypass valve.
7) I think it says volumes about the hazards of engineering that unlike other professions of erudite learning (law, medicine etc.) , a career in it is never referred to as 'practice'.
8) If everything that CAN go wrong WILL go wrong, I challenge Mr. Muphy to explain how so much of my design is still standing.
9) Any engineer worth his salt knows that you can get further with super-glue and prayer, than you can with just prayer.
10) A layman marvels at the workings of a contraption as its engineer does in that its working.
Again, as in my previous post about engineering, not all of the following is exaggeration...
1) In engineering, 'competence' is getting through drudgery without blowing stuff up, 'enterprise' is competence whilst pretending you're enjoying all of it, and 'experience' is the late realization that neither of the above matters.
2) In engineering, 'humility' is what you experience when you read that one of the 15000 or so 1/4" inch valves you specified in your project costs more than your annual gross income.
3) Engineering is about doing the right thing at the right time and at the right place... but none of that is as important as NOT being anywhere near the thing as its being turned on.
4) A corollary of (3) above is that the world would be a lot safer if it were mandated that the responsible engineer throws the switch for the first time... though leaving it to politicians is gratifying.
5) A poor design is one that blows up in your face; a 'cost-effective' design is one where you know how much time you have to secure payment for it before it goes off.
6) You can always spot a trainee by how close he stands to the bypass valve.
7) I think it says volumes about the hazards of engineering that unlike other professions of erudite learning (law, medicine etc.) , a career in it is never referred to as 'practice'.
8) If everything that CAN go wrong WILL go wrong, I challenge Mr. Muphy to explain how so much of my design is still standing.
9) Any engineer worth his salt knows that you can get further with super-glue and prayer, than you can with just prayer.
10) A layman marvels at the workings of a contraption as its engineer does in that its working.
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