Inexplicable Chennai

So why is it people in Chennai love using expletives? From the autowallas who let go a drift of 'dai &#@$#$' at any fellow crossing their path to the morning FM station where two comperes greet each other with friendly abuses, expletives seem to have become commonplace in tamil parlance. Not that I mind, but I'm just stupefied that words which would attract offense in any other language have become part of colloquial speech here.

To P or not to P, that is the question

"...Computing promises to be the most disruptive scientific paradigm since quantum mechanics. Unfortunately, it is the proverbial riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. The stakes are high, for our inability to “get” what computing is all about may well play iceberg to the Titanic of modern science."

"...The quantitative sciences of the 21st century (eg, genomics, neurobiology) will complete the dethronement of the formula by placing the algorithm at the core of their modus operandi. Algorithmic thinking is likely to cause the most disruptive paradigm shift in the sciences since quantum mechanics."

== Could Your iPod Be Holding the Greatest Mystery in Modern Science?

(via moneyscience)

Breakthrough ideas for 2006 - HBR

The HBR List: Breakthrough Ideas for 2006.

"The ability to decide what information to heed, what to ignore, and how to organize and communicate that which we judge to be important is becoming a core competence..."

"... only 59% of financial executives say they would pursue a positive net present value project if it meant missing consensus earnings-per-share estimate for the quarter...78% say they would sacrifice value to smooth earnings"

Centauri Dreams

Centauri Dreams - A review of research issues in deep space exploration

Mama, I'm coming home !

Am leaving shortly to Chennai on a long project. Going home to stay after six and a half years :D

Climbing Kanheri

Went this weekend on a trekking and rock-climbing trip at the Kanheri caves at the Borivali National Park here in Mumbai. We started off from dadar early on Sunday morning and reached the caves around 9. After an initial warm-up session to scale a 10-ft boulder rock-face, we moved on to the actual 60-70 ft rock-face near the actual caves. Climbing up was really hard. This is the first time I've tried my hand (and every other part of my body :|) at rock-climbing. As I struggled to find a hold in the rocks, I kept wondering why anyone would ever get crazy enough to try such a thing. The rappelling down was, however, awesome fun - its like walking backwards on a vertical wall. Now as I recover from pains all over, I understand why the rock-climbers I've met have such great physique and mental stamina - nothing less can withstand such a hobby. In retrospect, it was an experience of a lifetime - to be scared to death as you hang on to a small protrusion on the rock-face, daring not to look down, stretched to your limits - its something to treasure for ever.

The climb was very well organized by a company called 'Wildlife escapes' for the Manhattan card. The Kanheri caves are situated about 7 kms from the entrance of the Borivali National Park. The buddhist caves (in particular, the main Vihara) are really impressive and deserve a visit by themselves.

Turbulent Fluids

Solutions to the last major unsolved problem in classical physics: Fluid Turbulence