Christmas spirit

This year, I properly got into the Christmas spirit. Sent christmas greetings to lots of people in India and abroad. From the warm responses that we got back for these greetings, I am motivated to make this a regular affair. Let me see. (Here is the background image which I used to make all those greeting cards)

When you are regularly in correspondence with people in UK, Germany and US, getting the festive mood is only natural. From November, all plans revolve around Christmas. "I won't be available after December 20th till January 4th", "Let us try to complete the tasks before Christmas", "It can be done only after the festival season" and all that sort of thing. And, any mail you send gets an automatically generated response, "I am not in office. Will reply after January 4th. Merry Christmas, by the way". It is a nice feeling.

So, from our side, we also tried to do our little bit. We watched those goody-goody feel-good Christmas films in the computer. 'Miracle on the 34th Street' is the favourite.
Saw a nice old one called "Bishop's wife" also.

What a change! When we were young, the only thing we knew about Christmas was that people hang stars outside and go to church. Something to do with the birthday of Jesus. Heard of someone called "Christmas Grandpa". North Pole, Santa, Gifts, Chimney and all those legends were totally unknown to us as kids.

Western countries seem to go wild with celebrations. And, gifts. Each of those nice movies complain about too much of gift-giving and commercialisation! And, Cary Grant says in Bishop's wife, "We give gifts to everyone except the child which was born on Christmas - the Lord!"

Merry Christmas. And, a very happy New Year to all the millions of readers of my blog!

Ban homeworks - Amartya Sen

Read in the newspapers recently that the Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen has strongly advised the Government to ban homework for the children in primary schools and to reduce the load of their bags. This is one of the favourite topics for one of my favourite writers, R.K.Narayan as well. When he was made a Member of Parliament, his first (and only?) speech was on the loads being carried by children to school.

During such discussions always I think about my childhood and school days. As I grew up in a more conservative society - that too middle class - where the values of the mainstream society are totally accepted without any questions, my school days were very very conventional. Fortunately, I studied in a Government school in Pattukottai from 8th standard onwards - so not much of home work. But, I had really long hours.


We had one high school and there were thousands of boys studying in that one school. (Girls were kept safely in another school about 2 kms away). There will be at least 60-80 students in each class room - 10th standard itself will have three or four class rooms. There isn't enough place to keep all the students in the school; so, we had Shift system. That is, 9, 10, 11 and 12th standards will have classes from 8.30 to 1.00 and the 6, 7 and 8th standards will have classes in the same rooms from 1.30 pm to 6.00 pm!

From 9th to 12th, I leave home by around 7.45 am - school was about 3 kms away; so have to run to be on time. After school, rush home for lunch. Then, Hindu tuition from 2.30 to 4.30. From 5.00 to 6.00, had typing class. From 6.30 to 8.00, had special tuition for the school subjects. Reach home at 8.30, dinner and sleep.

But, I don't remember having ever complained; nor did my parents. We all thought that I am doing what is required for life. Finally, got good marks; stood first in Thanjavur district and got admission in Engineering college and all that. In other words, quite a good student - successful and all that!

But, if my formative years in school helped in me becoming a better citizen? A better person? Very doubtful. I don't think personal traits like self-confidence, general knowledge, leadership etc. were considered even remotely. It was a chance entry into IRMA that probably changed my life - exposed to lot of different things in the world. Otherwise, I might have been working as a Mechanical Engineer some where and raising children conventionally like I was.

But, today, even my own sister's family is not conventional at all about education. They are exploring all sorts of things for their children; lot of new different learning opportunities are also there. Things have changed a lot in the society and in education field.

Not so sure about banning home work; but I agree with all his arguments about reforming our education system.

Facebook friends are also friends

Of late, there is a widespread complaint against me. That, I am going on and on about Facebook and Twitter, just because I don't use them.

Your Facebook friends are also as good as real friends - or worse! Though my initial reaction was to disagree with this sweeping conclusion, a very persuasive argument was put forward through the cartoon given below. After studying this evidence, from all possible angles, I agreed to that hypothesis. Yes, probably, facebook friends are also, after all, true friends.

Don't you also agree?

World is changing

One of the most wonderful things in life is to reflect on the changes that are happening around. Even now, I remember the days when we used to think we are the 'brand new' generation and are living the most exciting period in the history of mankind. But, now everyone around is calling me 'uncle' and they are surprised to know that I like 'modern' action movies!

So, the world is changing. And, how! It is a big challenge to be part of the new world and be up-to-date of things. Here is a nice cartoon which illustrates this.


But, keeping pace with changes in Technology is quite easy to do, compared to the values, lifestyles, 'in' things and what not. Getting an email account or opening a Facebook account is quite easy. But, to get used to the fact that communication between kids also is predominantly through such short messages?

That is going to be difficult for old folks like me.

Exchange Offers

I am told, Exchange Offers are an integral part of modern marketing strategies. Give your old gas stove and take a new one. Get a replacement for your old television with a brand new model. Washing Machine, Pressure Cooker, Mixie, Computers, Printers... you name it, they have an attractive exchange offer.

Inherent assumption in all these exchange offers is that the new one is better than the old one. Time and again, we have been proved that this assumption is rather spooky. By the time, we understand the newer model and get it work the way we want, it becomes old enough to be eligible for another exchange offer! Of course, there will be small prints and *s, with 'conditions apply' or 'limited period offer' or 'till stock last' or 'pay just additional Rs.10000' or something like that!

But, I am rather interested in some exciting exchange offers in life. First, a joke.

Friend1: I got a brand new Ford IKON car for my wife!
Friend2: Wow!!! That's an unbelievable exchange offer!!!

Is it possible to exchange such 'unrelated' items like cars and wives? Will there be an offer to exchange the old clothes with, say, fresh vegetables? Or, for that matter, old rotten vegetables with fresh clothes?


Or, more philosophically, can we exchange today with some wonderful day we had some years ago with a special person? In other words, can we exchange some current nightmares with sweet dreams - of past or future? But, it seems one intelligent person called Tallulah Bankhead once said, "If I had to live my life again, I'd make the same mistakes, only sooner." For people like him, such exchange offers of a new life does not really mean much.

Some of you may be thinking, I have gone crazy. Whoever will think of exchanging cars and wives! Is it? The entire world leadership is meeting in Copenhagen next week to talk about such an exchange offer only, don't you think?

US and Europe can exchange the smoke spewing from their industries with a few billions of dollars. India and China can exchange our development goals with some promise to cut down pollution. If poverty and pollution can be traded and exchanged, anything can be.

If carbon trading is possible, why not cars and wives? Says me.

Renunciation & Ayyappa Devotees

Every year during the Ayyappa season, I get quite amused. Lot of philosophical questions go through my mind. Especially about renunciation.

Among shopkeepers, small business people, roadside traders and drivers, there is a big demand to go to Sabarimala. This year, the most striking aspect for me was to notice almost all the Ayyappa devotees talking loudly in their mobile phones. So, I was wondering if the renunciation should include usage of mobile phones also.

It is enough to shun just simple addictions like alcohol, smoking and non-vegetarian food. More difficult addictions like mobile phone, television, driving dangerously in roads etc. should also be considered by them as evils, is my humble view. Is it possible? If ever they include working on computers and checking emails is not permitted for Ayyappa devotees, then I am finished. Will never be able to go to Sabarimala.

Some people's business gets a boost during Ayyappa season. As in this roadside shop in Chennai.

But, trade is essentially bargaining and 'selling' things by hook or crook between the buyer and seller. And, it is really funny to see Ayyappa devotees arguing / shouting and somehow trying to stop themselves right at the point of using foul language. When my vegetable shop keeper (now a 'Saami') tried to push one unhealthy tomato along with the good looking ones, his spiritual halo took a knocking in my view!

However, the most prominent feeling I get while seeing the Ayyappa devotees is: what is the impact of all these hundreds of thousands of people landing up in one place? To the environment and climate change and all that sort of thing. If one advice I can give to any devotee, it is this: 'Stay clear from any place which has more than 100 people. With a simple rumour, any crowd of devotees can become an uncontrollable mob. Year after year, we read about stampedes killing hundreds of people in big temples'.

Anyway to each his own. And, to each his own God too.

But, my favourite god, Ganapathi is ahead of all other gods in technology too. While other Gods may be asking their devotees to renounce things, Ganapathi goes ahead and gets a Postpaid mobile connection with lifetime warranty!

Whither Email?

I am one of those affected by this Dekofossamossis!

Normally, one step behind as far as the latest technologies are concerned. When everyone was talking about mobile phones, I was still wondering if I needed telephone at home. But, when internet and emails became absolutely important, I went for a telephone at home.

Similarly, after dilly-dallying on mobile phone for some time, accepted the mobile also. Now, it is one of the inalienable parts of my body, I guess.
As usual, I do not appreciate the current technologies of Twitter and Facebook much. I got an account in Facebook also, but didn't find it exciting. Fell back on email.

In fact, Email is the important way to communicate for me right now. If you add all the words that I send by email to others, it will far outnumber the words spoken, I assume. Except Durga and Vennila, the most preferred mode of communication with everyone else in the world is Email right now.


So, I was shocked when I read recently an article which said Email is on its way out. Only Old people are using emails. All young ones are using only Twitter and Facebook. Who wants to type all those long long words? And, all that sort of rot.

My God, what will I do if people stop checking mails and use only their mobile phones or the e-walls in facebook or orkut to communicate with each other? Whither email?


I continue to believe (hope?) that email will live and withstand these new arrivals. Of course, I also have heartfelt contempt for Twitter and Facebook. I am irritated by all those short messages with wrong spellings and abbreviated words. "C U 2mrw" etc. are blasphemy for me. English is a sweet language and it is a crime not to type the entire word with proper spellings. Says me.

Executive Assistants

I had written about the elected terrorists in Karnataka a week ago, isn't it? That saga is finally over. The Chief Minister, Yeddyurappa saved his chair by conceding to all the demands of the Reddy brothers. Reinstating all the officials, transfering the people required and even dropping his favourite minister Shobha.

Of all these changes, I am quite curious about the Shobha episode. Let us ignore the uncharitable comments doing the rounds. But, she was described as an efficient Minister in his cabinet and he was consulting her on all important issues - asking the officials to run all the files through her once.

To some extent, my personal inclination (even training in IRMA) is to be just next to the top boss in any organisation, provide all support, give your views / suggestions - but leave the decision making to the one on top. No, it is not second-in-command. That will be deputy CM or Vice-Chairman or Joint Commissioner or someone like that. I like being the back room boy - something like the anonymous "Prime Minister's office", "Kitchen Cabinet", "President Office Spokesman" or something like that.

The problem with Shobha was that she was a public figure, on the stage rather than behind the screen and hence, everyone could easily target her. I guess, she is a typical politician waiting to become CM one day. But, I am more keen on understanding bureaucrats who stay behind the corporate kings, political masters and Chief Functionary of various organisations. That role interests me.

I heard that one of my juniors in IRMA is the Executive Assistant to Mukesh Ambani. One of our seniors was the Personal Assistant to Dr.Kurien for long. The boss can get all the inputs from these special assistants, but if required, they can be junked without any fuss. It is a demanding job; should be able to keep your ego on leash; Loyalty to the core is a must. And, of course, often it may be totally a thankless job - except the Boss and some people within the organisation, the general public may not know about you or your contribution.
To some extent, I am doing something like that in Gudaur. Except that I don't have one boss, but about hundred different people. But, I love this role.

Offending Monkeys

Recently read about an atrocious scientific finding in the newspaper.

Humans and monkeys have similar brain networks

Using "resting state" functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) it was found that human and monkey brains have highly similar brain networks preserved across evolution. Patterns of connectivity were examined.

Isn't it a finding offensive to the Monkeys? Just because monkey kingdom does not own any labs or hire any scientists, it does not mean that we humiliate them with such comparisons with humans. Howmuchever high-sounding words like fMRI we use, this argument will fall flat, the next minute you see a monkey and a human, and compare their brain networks!!

OK, probably, they had similar brain networks looooong back; but along the way something got messed up. As is the case with many other networks that man invented, these monkey brain networks also got clogged and took their own direction. Just because humands had started walking straight, it does not mean anything; We invented arms to fight each other in massive scale; Do you think, if our brain networks were the least similar to monkeys, would we have done anything appalling like this?

And, worst, we use our ancestors for all kinds of scientific studies like this to prove that we are like them! No way. Fortunately, monkeys cannot read and write - another sign that their networks are different from (and superior than) ours; so they must be oblivious of this stupid study. Else, they might be wondering what have I done to land up in such humiliation!

It is as good as saying Elephants got their genes from cats, just because their tamil names sound similar.

Who makes how much?

Recently we had a discussion about salaries and how much to increase every year to whom. It is difficult to estimate the contribution each individual makes, since organisation by nature is a large team.

Here is an attempt to prove scientifically that scientists cannot make much money. Don't worry, if you are not a brainy person; we will have the last laugh - as given in the last slide!








Now, after reading this presentation, I feel financially secure!!

Terrorists - Armed and Elected

During the last fifteen days, I had the curse to witness to different groups of terrorists.

News 1

Armed Maoists kidnap the drivers of the Delhi - Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express Train. All the passengers were taken hostage. The demands of the kidnappers included release of their top leadership in jail. After a drama of 5 hours or so, the train was finally let free and the kidnapped drivers were found to be safe.

News 2

Three ministers of the BJP government and about 50 MLAs go off to the neighbouring Andhrapradesh, staying a resort and demand the removal of the Chief Minister. They demand the removal of certain officials (who are alleged to be honest), a woman minister (who is alleged to be quite efficient) and a top Bureucrat of the State. They also want policies that will affect the profitability of their Mining company changed. After a drama of 15 days or so, all these changes are conceded by the Chief Minister, all those officials, bureaucrat and minister are dropped and the policies changed.
Now, tell me, is there any difference between these two sets of terrorists? The first set of terrorists and kidnappers were armed; so the press (local and international), the government and all concerned condemn it.

The second set of terrorists and kidnappers are elected by people; they use blackmail and get away with all their demands conceded. So, the government hails it as 'crisis resolved; new deal worked out' etc.

At least, the first one did not result in any harm to the common public, except for the inconvenience for a few hours. But, the second one made the government go limbo and their top-priority of providing relief to the flood-affected thousands had to be shelved for good 15 days. Isn't this more criminal?

Awful.

Age of Superfluity

We are living in an age of superfluity. Everything is available in plenty. What with pests like Television, the world dumps a whole lot of thing in my mind - through my ears and eyes and what not. Fellows in the mass communication business are highly irresponsible. Without thinking twice they say, show, yell all sorts of things. Everything is in excess. Products, services, advertisements, songs, films, insurance policies, shares... everything is in excess. Why, even holiday resorts to get away from all these nuisance are also too many.
They will scatter all these information in front of your eyes all over. And, it is then your job to crawl beneath the mountain and search the needle that you are looking for in their haystack. It is easy to look for water in Thar desert than to look for your drop of nectar in an ocean of rubbish, isn't it?

Take the comperes for example. Okay, TV comperes are atrocious, everyone knows about it. But, even RJs are also becoming intrusive and want to stamp their identity in your mind. In my view, they should think twice before talking. They are supposed to enhance the experience of the listeners by being in the background; but, they intrude, come between me and my song; say all kinds of rubbish and finally, manage to spoil - for ever - the nice experience I can have with that song. How awful.

Don't they train them on these issues before giving the tremendous responsibility of talking to a thousand people in one shot? Take classes or something - just to say that words are the most precious thing and don't spill them hither and thither. If you ask, or if I were the MD of such radio channels, I will give a limited quota of words to all these RJs. You can say only so much in one month, you better plan properly and say only what is required.

There was a nice RJ called 'Biju' in WorldSpace Tamil. Be it modern film songs or 'gems of 1950' or 'carnatic songs' or 'devotional music', she was really good. She enhanced my listening experience and made it a pleasant time. Of course, she has gone missing now.
And, some dominating lady, giving all sorts of Gyan is spoiling even my favourite music programmes. Can someone ration her words, please?

Women buying things

Recently saw a film called 'confessions of a shopaholic'. One of those chick-flicks. But, one hilarious scene I liked in that movie. A spoof of the Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, in which all these shopaholics meet and take a vow that they will never shop again!

There were some men in that gathering, but why is it that women are considered more shopahoilcs than men? May be, men like me totally abdicate our responsibility of bringing home the bacon (I mean, bread), so women take up that role. Or, because women are more particular, quality conscious, insist on value for money etc. Men cannot be bothered about finer details?

In any case, one of the ancient cliches is that women spend too much time buying things. I don't have any problem with that. But, it becomes a bit sticky only when you have to give your views on this or that.



As long as I can stay outside the shop looking at all those who come for shopping, it is fine. Irresponsible? Indecisive? Call me whatever, but I can't shop.

Serial Killers of Tamilnadu

Sometime ago, I had written that Alcoholism is the biggest killer in our country - compared to any other diseases or evils. But, of late, I am forced to reconsider that view. There is one even bigger killer in Tamilnadu. Visiting everyone's house day after day. Poisoning people to become brain dead. They are the Serial Killers of Tamilnadu.

I mean the Tamil Television serials that invade each and every household that has TV day after day. They too target the mind like Alcohol and make it numb, non-responsive and make people an addict over a period of time. But, these serial killers are more dangerous because this addiction does not even have the social sanction that alcohol is faced with; and hence is affecting the entire family in the centre of the household! At least, the effect of alcohol may wear out after some time; but these television serials leave a permanent effect in our minds.

What effect am I talking about?

First of all, these serials make one believe that there are only two kinds of people - those who cheat and whose who get cheated. Nothing in between and no normal people at all. No wonder why people lose faith in humanity these days.

Second, there is no normal event happens in life. Like people happily going out or eating together or joking or playing or whatever. All the time everyone is scheming to do some harm to others or to take revenge. Increase in mental illnesseses like depression in our society can be directly linked to these serial killers, I am sure.

Third, and the most obnoxious of all, is that the villains of all these serial killers are people within the household - not those gangsters or farway aliens or rich tycoons or underworld dons or anything. It will be just your mother or sister in law or a brother or a neighbour. All possible normal relationships are targeted and are portrayed as the bad ones. They are especially harsh on women - ironically because, most of the viewers are supposed to be women. As a recent cartoon in a Tamil newspaper said, "these serial makers should be punished under Prevention of Atrocities to Women"!

People in their most heinous avatars or everything about our bad qualities in the most pronounced form! If they keep visiting you day after day, you would feel that people will hate them. But, everyone plans all their activities based on the timings of these serials - finish everything before 'Mekala' starts, do that one after 'Selvi' is finished, can we finish this lesson between 'Idayam' and 'Kasthuri', I will call you after 'Arasi' is over - etc., and are extremely eager to invite these serial killers.

I am damn worried about the future of Tamil society.

Decision Making - Case Study 1

A case study to show how we make decisions in life and what are the consequences of it.

A group of children were playing near two railway tracks, one still in use while the other disused.
Only one child played on the disused track, the rest on the operational track.

The train is coming, and you are just beside the track interchange. You can make the train change its course to the disused track and save most of the kids. However, that would also mean the lone child playing by the disused track would be sacrificed. Or would you rather let the train go its way?

Let's take a pause to think what kind of decision we could make.

Most people might choose to divert the course of the train, and sacrifice only one child. You might think the same way, I guess. Exactly, to save most of the children at the expense of only one child was rational decision most people would make, morally and emotionally. But, have you ever thought that the child choosing to play on the disused track had in fact made the right decision to play at a safe place?

Nevertheless, he had to be sacrificed because of his ignorant friends who chose to play where the danger was. This kind of dilemma happens around us every day. In the office, community, in politics and especially in a democratic society, the minority is often sacrificed for the interest of the majority, no matter how foolish or ignorant the majority are, and how farsighted and knowledgeable the minority are.

The child who chose not to play with the rest on the operational track was sidelined. And in the case he was sacrificed, no one would shed a tear for him.

The great critic Leo Velski Julian who told the story said he would not try to change the course of the train because he believed that the kids playing on the operational track should have known very well that track was still in use, and that they should have run away if they heard
the train's sirens. If the train was diverted, that lone child would definitely die because he never thought the train could come over to that track!

Moreover, that track was not in use probably because it was not safe. If the train was diverted to the track, we could put the lives of all passengers on board at stake! And in your attempt to save a few kids by sacrificing one child, you might end up sacrificing hundreds of people to save these few kids.

While we are all aware that life is full of tough decisions that need to be made, we may not realize that hasty decisions may not always be the right one.

What would you have done?

Difference between Heaven and Hell

Read this nice story, explaining the simple difference between Heaven and Hell. I am sure, you will enjoy it.

A holy man was having a conversation with God one day and said, "God , I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like."

God led the holy man to two doors.

He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in.

In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.

The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished.

They were holding spoons with very long handles, that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful..

But because the handle was longer than their arms and tied to their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.

The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.

God said, 'You have seen Hell.'

They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one.

There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water.

The people were equiped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking. The holy man said, "I don't understand .."

"It is simple," said God . 'This is the difference between Heaven and Hell. It requires but one skill."

"You see, these people in Heaven have learned to feed each other, while the greedy in the hell think only of themselves."

Wonderful, isn't it?

This is also a classic short story! Simple knot, keeps the interest, there is a conflict and the knot is resolved at the last possible sentence! Classic definition of a short story.

But, recently came across another good definition for Heaven and Hell. Rather, what is the difference between these two. Read this T-Shirt!

What is Intelligence, anyway?

This is a brilliant piece written by Isaac Asimov. Thanks Nambi for sharing this. After receiving it, I have been constantly musing about it and also sharing it with many people - especially with teachers and education related people. Thought should share it with all the millions of people who are hanging on to my lips in this blog too! So, here it is, Mr.Asimov.

"What is intelligence, anyway? When I was in the army, I received the kind of aptitude test that all soldiers took and, against a normal of 100, scored 160. No one at the base had ever seen a figure like that, and for two hours they made a big fuss over me. (It didn't mean anything. The next day I was still a buck private with KP - kitchen police - as my highest duty.)


All my life I've been registering scores like that, so that I have the complacent feeling that I'm highly intelligent, and I expect other people to think so too. Actually, though, don't such scores simply mean that I am very good at answering the type of academic questions that are considered worthy of answers by people who make up the intelligence tests - people with intellectual bents similar to mine?

For instance, I had an auto-repair man once, who, on these intelligence tests, could not possibly have scored more than 80, by my estimate. I always took it for granted that I was far more intelligent than he was.

Yet, when anything went wrong with my car I hastened to him with it, watched him anxiously as he explored its vitals, and listened to his pronouncements as though they were divine oracles - and he always fixed my car.

Well, then, suppose my auto-repair man devised questions for an intelligence test. Or suppose a carpenter did, or a farmer, or, indeed, almost anyone but an academician. By every one of those tests, I'd prove myself a moron, and I'd be a moron, too.

In a world where I could not use my academic training and my verbal talents but had to do something intricate or hard, working with my hands, I would do poorly.

My intelligence, then, is not absolute but is a function of the society I live in and of the fact that a small subsection of that society has managed to foist itself on the rest as an arbiter of such matters.

Consider my auto-repair man, again. He had a habit of telling me jokes whenever he saw me. One time he raised his head from under the automobile hood to say: "Doc, a deaf-and-mute guy went into a hardware store to ask for some nails. He put two fingers together on the counter and made hammering motions with the other hand. "The clerk brought him a hammer. He shook his head and pointed to the two fingers he was hammering. The clerk brought him nails. He picked out the sizes he wanted, and left.

Well, doc, the next guy who came in was a blind man. He wanted scissors. How do you suppose he asked for them?" Indulgently, I lifted by right hand and made scissoring motions with my first two fingers.

Whereupon my auto-repair man laughed raucously and said, "Why, you dumb jerk, He used his voice and asked for them." Then he said smugly, "I've been trying that on all my customers today." "Did you catch many?" I asked. "Quite a few," he said, "but I knew for sure I'd catch you."

"Why is that?" I asked. "Because you're so god damned educated, doc, I knew you couldn't be very smart."

And I have an uneasy feeling he had something there."

It will be fun, if the rules of the game in this world somehow gets changed and we are back to the historic or pre-historic days, but with all our 'intelligence' intact. It will be great to see who will be the knowledge expert then, and who will be the most-sought after consultants etc.

Tribes: Different kinds

'Communities' are the in-thing these days. From being called Yahoo-groups or google-groups, people connected with each other through Facebook and Twitter call themselves 'communities'. Each software or computer application that is being developed jointly by many people etc. have their own communities - Dabo community, ExtJS community. And, above all, you have the OpenSource community.

We are also part of many such communities. So, it is good to read this post. Anita recommended this book - "Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us", by Seth Godin.

This is from the blurb from that book:

"A tribe is any group of people, large or small, who are connected to one another, a leader, and an idea. For millions of years, humans have been seeking out tribes, be they religious, ethnic, economic, political, or even musical (think of the Deadheads). It's our nature.


Now the Internet has eliminated the barriers of geography, cost, and time. All those blogs and social networking sites are helping existing tribes get bigger. But more important, they're enabling countless new tribes to be born - groups of ten or ten thousand or ten million who care about their iPhones, or a political campaign, or a new way to fight global warming. And so the key question: Who is going to lead us?

The Web can do amazing things, but it can't provide leadership. That still has to come from individuals - people just like you who have a passion about something. The explosion in tribes means that anyone who wants to make a difference now has the tools at her fingertips. If you think leadership is for other people, think again - leaders come in surprising packages.

Consider Joel Spolsky and his international tribe of scary-smart software engineers. Or Gary Vaynerhuck, a wine expert with a devoted following of enthusiasts. Chris Sharma leads a tribe of rock climbers up impossible cliff faces, while Mich Mathews, a VP at Microsoft, runs her internal tribe of marketers from her cube in Seattle. All they have in common is the desire to change things, the ability to connect a tribe, and the willingness to lead.

If you ignore this opportunity, you risk turning into a "sheepwalker" - someone who fights to protect the status quo at all costs, never asking if obedience is doing you (or your organization) any good. Sheepwalkers don't do very well these days.

Tribes will make you think (really think) about the opportunities in leading your fellow employees, customers, investors, believers, hobbyists, or readers....It's not easy, but it's easier than you think."

Here's the free online audio book read by the author himself : http://bit.ly/15UXUc