Remind yourself how little you know...(Overconfidence kills)

One of the traits that hampers executives and leaders in many realms is over-confidence.  And so 95 percent of college professors think they have above-average teaching skills.  And Time magazine asked Americans, are you in the top one percent of earners?  And 19 percent of Americans believe they are in the top one percent of earners.  And yet, some people have the ability to look inside themselves and say, "Okay, I’m over-confident.  Actually let me stop. I missed something that will be germane."  

And so two researchers gave tests to business executives and tests about their own industries. And then they asked them, "How confident are you that the answers to these tests about your own industries are correct?" And people in the advertising industry were convinced they got 80 percent of the answers right on these tests.  In fact, they got 60 percent wrong.  The most over-confident industry was the computer industry.  And so people in the computer business thought they got 95 percent of the answers on the test correct.  In fact, they got 80 percent of them wrong.  

And so we all have this tremendous bias to be over-confident, over-value our abilities to pick out evidence that confirms what we already believe.  And so a wise executive says, “Hey, I’ve got an over-confidence bias.  I need to build modesty bootstraps for myself.”  Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett’s partner in his investment business, says, "Okay, here’s what I’m going to do to control my over-confidence.  Here’s what I’m going to do to bias myself in the opposite direction."

Peter Drucker, the great management guru had a modesty step. He said, "When you make a decision, write it on a piece of paper, seal it in an envelop for nine months, open it after nine months, and you’ll see that a third of your decisions were right, a third were wrong, and a third somewhere in between. But in most cases your reasoning will be completely irrelevant.  And if you do that, you’re going to remind yourself how little you know and you’ll build modesty bootstraps."  So you don’t want to be so modest that you don’t’ do anything, and just sit there like a puddle, but when you do things, you constantly want to be checking for your own biases.

opposition of imposition

This question arises again and again. If a permanent solution is not found, it can pose grave threat to the unity of the country.

I am not going get into which language is the richest, oldest or most spoken. I am going to write from a dispassionate and objective point of view.

Let’s admit learning an additional language for most people is difficult. To attain expertise and fluency to speak in public, write official documents or to pass competitive examinations in even harder. For many of us English is like a second tongue on par with the first. For a non-native speaker mastering English is an extremely daunting task.

Think of yourself as living in a remote hamlet in the western ghats. Your son goes to the only school in the village. A government run, Kannada medium school. Yes, they teach both English and Hindi. Teachers of both these languages are ill qualified, non-native individuals who are themselves not fluent. What your son learns in this school is some form of Kinglish and Khindi. He does not ever use these languages in his daily life. By the time he gets out of school, he is proficient in neither of these two languages.

When it is time get a college education, he realizes all higher education is in English. You put him through coaching classes. He works doubly hard and comes to acquire English language skills at functional level.

He gets into college. Still, he finds the courses hard. Overtime his English language skills improve. After graduation, he finds a well paying job. The language used at work is, of course, English.

You are all happy. After all the hard work, your son is doing well. Congratulations.

Unfortunately, all kids aren't that lucky. In fact, most do not succeed. They drop out after high school find employment in the informal sector. Most of those who manage to go to college don't do all that well. They end up with jobs that are less than satisfactory.

What is the reason that most rural students are less than successful?

Isn't it because there are absolutely no jobs for Kannada experts? Did whatever he learned of Hindi any use to him? Wouldn't it have been better if more emphasis was paid to English language proficiency than wasting precious time on learning languages that one may never ever use. For these kids learning Hindi is as difficult as learning English. But, ultimately, at least, they benefit from the knowledge of English.

If Hindi, or Sanskrit for that matter, is made compulsory without creating a massive body of qualified teachers and subsequent employment opportunities, you are condemning half the children in the country to poverty.

On top of that, the Hindi taught is Doordarshan Hindi! At least, Bollywood Hindi has some use.

Coming back to the question at hand. Yes. South Indians should come together oppose the central government’s language policy not just because it is insanely unfair but more so because it adversely affects the livelihood of our future generations. Education is a serious matter. It has a large bearing on not only personal but also overall national growth and development.

These policies are having destructive impact on backward and weaker sections of society. Most of the wealthy and upper caste people avail English education. Such policies amount to sentencing a huge section of society to perpetual backwardness.

It must be a fundamental right of every family and every student to choose what they learn.

Our political class is more blind than shortsighted. Politics of language and religion will destroy the country.

If not for Any other reson , just because Southern States are generating Money, that north is wasting spending on spread of Hindi . Here are some interesting facts

Who Generates Money for India ?

• GDP cotribution The South delivers a fourth of India's GDP. It is not only an economic bellwether with low unemployment, a high rate of industrialisation and a per capita GDP that is over double that of the Hindi belt, it is also leaps ahead on human development and social indicators.
• Literacy :Child development indices are double to 7 times higher than the Hindi states, literacy rates tend towards an average of 80% with a 10-point difference against the North, and accessibility to health and hygiene facilities is radically better.
• HDI : The gulf in human development is so stark that while fertility rates in the South are closer to that of Western Europe, much of the North is still getting their act together on basic issues like birthing babies without losing mothers.
• HongKong - North India: The bottom line is that the development politics of the South has made it economically comparable to Hong Kong, while the atavistic politics of the North has dropped it far down the scales in the last six decades.

How does the Central Govt Distribute that money ?

• Robin Hoodwa Govt: In essence Delhi takes(loots ?) Money from South and gives it to North .

Whats The solution ?

Secession? No. The Indian nation is sacrosanct and India only wins when all Indians have a decent life, education, health care, jobs and social dignity. All means all. Women. Dalits. Muslims. South and North. East and West.

Southern States Regional Block? Yes : The Southern states should forma regional block within India, and make center stop this loot of money, and punish South for Norths incompetency to develop.

Language

South Indians Should Learn Hindi > For What joy ? There is no tangible benefit for a South Indian kid to learn hindi , apart from the fact that if for any reason they have to work in a Central Govt Job in Northern belt. In any private Job the South Indians are surviving and infact excelling: Sundar Pichai (Google CEO) , Indira Nooyi(Pepsi CEO) , Satya nadela(Microsoft CEO)

North Indians Should Learn Southern Languages ? Yes: For their own Good, so that when north Indians kids grow up and migrate to south, for their own survival North Indian Kids should be taught atleast one southern language.

Should UPSC support regional Languages? Yes: UPSC currently supports question paper in Hindi and English (example NDA , CDS ). This puts regional language kids who did their education in their mother tongue at considerable disadvantage than a Hindi medium only kid.

Who pays for Spread of Hindi? Not South India: South India should stop center from wasting its money in nonsense pursuits of spreading Hindi.

United States of South India: Can a southern collective get us a better deal from Delhi?

Should prostitution be legalized?

I don't believe prostitution should be illegal.  Along with all the usual reasons, I'm curious about how society would evolve if prostitution were legal.  

Would there be as many male as female prostitutes?  Probably not, but what would the ratio be?

Would the fraction of the population with STDs increase or decrease?  Probably increase, but maybe relaxed familiarity would prompt more care.

Would families continue to discourage their children from becoming prostitutes?  Probably, but maybe if there was enough economic advantage over other opportunities . . .

Would 'going out for sex' become as acceptable as going out for dinner?  Would there be prostitutional equivalents of KFC's, McDonald's, and your local cafeteria?  Would husbands and wives go out together?  Probably not, but if celebrities did it and it became a status symbol . . .
I don't see a scenario where civilization comes crashing down.

Criminalizing prostitution leads to tremendous suffering and harm. The supposed “evils” of sex work—trafficking, abuse, coercion, poverty, violence, and so on—are the result of sex work being criminalized, not the result of sex work itself.

Basically, people feel icky about other folks selling sex, and want it to go away, so they support legislation that doesn't make it go away but does result in tremendous suffering.

AV Flox, a journalist who writes about sex work, recently wrote an amazing piece about this:

This is a very difficult thing to read

People who support criminalization of sex work, support abuse of the most vulnerable people.

No "victimless crime" should be illegal. Renting your body out should be a basic right.Human trafficking (forcing another to work against their will) should be illegal Having a disease and endangering others without their knowledge should be illegal Cheating on one's spouse if one contracted not to do so should be a violation of that contract.

Singapore's approach, where it is licensed, regulated, and taxed, is a better approach than keeping it illegal.
I originally answered a different question… as the banner says. “illegal” not “decriminalized”. They are different things. Decriminalization is a good first step but full legalization is what is really needed.

தமிழக விவசாயத்தின் இன்றைய நிலையும்,அதில் உள்ள சூழ்ச்சிகளும்

            தமிழ் நாட்டில் அரசாங்க வேலைகளில் இருப்பவர்கள் ஒட்டு மொத்த மக்கள் தொகையின் அடிப்படையில் பார்த்தால் 1 சதவீதம் தான்.... மற்றவர்களின் வருமானம் ஒவ்வொரு தொழிலை சார்ந்தது.... வேலையின் தன்மையை சார்ந்தது 

முதலில் அரசாங்க வேளையில் இருப்பவரின் வருமானத்தை விவசாய பொரு‌ட்களுடன் ஒப்பிடுவது தவறு...... அதற்கு விவசாய கூலி வாங்குபவர்களுடன் தான் ஒப்பிட வேண்டும்.... இன்று ஒரு விவசாயியின் ஒருநாள் சம்பளம் குறைந்தது 500..... அதாவது மாதத்திற்கு 25 x 500 = 12,500/-... அதே போல் தனியார் கடைகளில் மாத வருமானத்திற்கு வேலை பார்த்தால் அதிக பட்சம் ரூபாய் 6000 லிருந்து 8000 எட்டாயிரம் மட்டுமே..... இந்த வருமானம் ஒரு விவாசாயியுடன் ஒப்பிட்டு பார்த்தால் மிக மிக குறைவு... மேலும் வேலை பளு மிக அதிகம்.... குறிப்பாக சென்னை மற்றும் இதர வியாபாரத்தை மையம் கொண்ட நகரங்களில் மாத வருமானத்திற்கு ஒரு ஜவுளி கடை அல்லது ஏதேனும் மல்ட்டி பிராண்ட் கடைகளில் வேலை பார்ப்பவர்களின் நிலையை எண்ணி பார்க்க வேண்டும்.... அவர்கள் ஒரு நாள் வேலை நேரம் குறைந்தது 9 மணி நேரம்.... எந்த அரசு விடுமுறையும் கிடையாது... அங்கு உட்கார்ந்து வேலை பார்க்க முடியாது... மாத வருமானம் மிக சொற்பமே (6000- 8000) .... ஆனால் என்ன செய்வது வேறு வழியில்லை.... 

விவசாயத்தில் சொந்த நிலம் வைத்து இருப்பவர்களுக்கு எந்த கஷ்டமும் அவ்வளவாக இல்லை.... உதாரணத்திற்கு ஐந்து ஏக்கர் நிலம் இருந்தால் வருடத்திற்கு மூன்று அல்லது இரண்டு போகம் நெல் சாகுபடி செய்யலாம்.....  கம்பம், போடிநாயக்கனூர், உத்தமபாளையம், சின்னமனூர், தேவராம், பெரியகுளம் போன்ற ஊர்களில் மூன்று போகம் நெல் சாகுபடி செய்யபடுகிறது.... 

மேலும் இந்த  பிரதேசங்களில் மாந்தோப்புகள் அதிகம்... இதில் வருடத்திற்கு மூன்று மாதங்கள் உழைத்தால் போதும்... நல்ல வருமானம்... சொந்த தோப்பு இருக்க வேண்டிய அவசியம் இல்லை.. குத்தகைக்கு எடுத்தும் செய்யலாம்.... நிரந்தர மிராசுதார்களாக மிதமான செல்வந்தர்களாக இப்போதும் பலர் இருக்கிறார்கள்.... 

ஒரே ஒரு குறைபாடு தான் விவசாய தொ‌ழி‌லில்..... இன்று நல்ல கூலீ ஆட்கள் கிடைப்பது மிக மிக கஷ்டம்.... காரணம் இப்போது விவசாயிகளின் உழைப்பு முன்பு இருந்ததை போல் இல்லை...... மேனா மினிக்கி வேலை தான் அதிகம்.... 

விவசாயிகளின் இன்றைய ஒரே நோக்கம்.. அரசாங்கத்திடமிருந்து பல இலவசங்களை பெறவேண்டும்.... குறைந்த வட்டிக்கு கடன் வழங்க வேண்டும்... வழக்கமாக அதை முழுவதும் அப்படியே தள்ளுபடி செய்து விட வேண்டும்..... இப்படி இருந்தால் இந்த நாடு எப்படி முன்னேறும்...... 

விவசாயிகளுக்கு அரசாங்கம் செய்து கொடுக்க வேண்டிய முக்கிய பொருப்பு மற்றும் கடமை போதுமான நீராதரத்தை பெருக்குவது......ஆனால் நாம் அதை பற்றி சிறிதும் கவலை படுவதாக தெரிவதில்லை...... எதெற்கெடுத்தாலும் தேவையில்லாமல் தன் சுயநலத்திற்காக வெத்து போராட்டம் செய்வதுதான் இன்றைய ஃபேஷன்..... இதில் அய்யாக்கண்ணு போன்றவர்களுக்கு மிகபெரிய லாபம் கிடைக்கும்..... பல அரசியல் சூக்ஷமங்கள் இதில் அடங்கி இருக்கிறது....

Full text of Kamal Haasan's keynote address at Harvard, 'Freedom of speech is unlike love'

Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan attended the annual India Conference of Harvard University on February 6, 2016.

He Says...

Freedom of speech is unlike love. Love as popularly quoted, is never having to say that you are sorry. With freedom of speech you must be ready to say as many things as you need to before you say sorry. That too only when are truly convinced you are, sorry that is.

The choice of the topic ‘Freedom of speech’ was mine. Those who invited me here must also have believed in it. I thank them for allowing me this freedom. Why did I choose this topic? Why now ? Is it because as a filmmaker, a free speaker and thinker I feel suddenly concerned about my freedom of speech? Is it any recent untoward or frightening attempt to curb or coerce my speech, through politics or religion? Or both? My honest answer? Not really. To be precise, not exactly. I am only voicing my concern which is handed down to me by my ancestors, generations of town criers who care for their lot.

“What’s Kamal Haasan's problem? What is ailing him that he chooses to speak on freedom for speech as if it is threatened?” That too in a democratic fortress like the US of A where freedom thrives and freedom of speech more so. You can speak, rap and curse and also use parliamentary language to show off your education. That’s the kind of freedom enjoyed here. Is that freedom of speech? Is that freedom enough? Hyde park in London, centuries ago allowed somewhat similar freedom. It was called soap box oratory and allowed speaking opportunity. For centuries, many could clearly see the oppressing or the opportunistic political hand throughout history however stealthy it moved— from the senate of Rome to modern day senates.

Democracy is often touted as being the only bastion for freedom of speech. My opinion is questioned when I tell them Democracy is not the most infallible of political systems. They take umbrage. They see red. Red as my political complexion. Let me confess I am not. I feed myself in this international buffet of political ideologies never committed to one diet like a religion. I think, like in food habit, man should remain omnivorous to stay on top of the food chain. I don’t have a religion yet I shamelessly use some rare but finer points from even religion for a better living and harmony. I don’t think that either democracy, communism or fascism or any other "isms" is going to be the ultimate and final answer for all social maladies. We have in our short 10 thousand year period of time experimented with various combinations. It is work in progress. Our society is work in progress. Some scientists believe that human mind itself is work in progress. So I am unwilling to accept any one political ideology as a settled cure for all our woes. I am always usually sternly informed that I cannot deny the fact that only in a democracy can freedom of speech exist. Freedom unlike money is not safe once inside a bank locker. It won’t safely accrue, to be withdrawn for use in times of dire need. Constant vigil is necessary to safeguard it. I am part of that large vigilant community that is always on the lookout, for subtle political coercion. That is the reason why I am willingly part of the reform committee In India that is going to recommend a new order of function for the film certification board that surreptitiously tries to censor films and other voices in the name of culture or the state. I am not here to bash democracy or praise communism or socialism.

I have taken this opportunity to put on record through media and those receptive minds here that we cannot take freedom of speech for granted and complacently think that democracy automatically means freedom of speech. It is only through the offices of democracy that Hitler rose to power. ‘Oh! That was when the world was naive. Not anymore possible some say.’ Let’s move forward in history and that too Indian political history and you find emergency promulgated and voices silenced in plain sight for the world to see. I am not taking a dig at my own country. As a matter of fact, I am proud of the kind of democracy we have managed to practice in spite of many attempts to abuse it. India is a younger democracy as compared to the centuries old democracy practiced in UK and the US of A. Yet universal suffrage that is voting rights for all citizens of India came into practice 15 years before it came into practice in a democracy called America. It was not democracy that allowed freedom of speech and freedom itself but the other way around. It was freedom of speech that sculpted and cultured democracy. Silenced voices rose in harmony, masterfully orchestrated by Martin Luther King. His blood was the ink that made corrections in the law of this land. America moved into a period of transition after that.

Not only India, the world is in transition. The world is going to face new challenges, find new opportunities. I can almost hope to see borders blur within my lifetime, and all will truly and slowly become citizens of the world instead of boasting limiting parochial borders. Many, many whistles will be blown before that happens. I am proud and fortunate to be in a medium that can reflect and protect freedom of speech and even fight for it subcutaneously and also in a full frontal attack if need be.

‘You are going to speak all this in Harvard?’ asked some of my friends, in awe and some in disbelief. I have been constantly reminded about my lack of intra mural training. I must humbly submit that I am a high school dropout. Before, with very little success on my side, I used to brag about being a drop out and yet managing to move seamlessly in scholarly circles without being caught out. Well I was an actor, what do you expect? I knew the right lines. I have over time realised the value of education and the institutions that disperse it. It might be true that even these great institutions need to be constantly reformed. I can only agree with a pedestrian understanding that change is permanent and rigidity or stagnation is the recipe for atrophy and regression. I have always envied people like you who have pursued wisdom and skill in your chosen field, where it is taught with scientific methodology. People often confuse my voicing dreams of going back to film school as humility, that too a false humility. Believe me it's truly humility that time and experience has taught me, that too not very kindly. I have learnt little tricks in the time I spent in the film industry, a little more than half a century. What took me nearly 25 years to learn could easily have been taught to me in a proper film school in 5 or 7 years. The only difference and a happy compensation was that I was earning throughout the process of learning instead of spending on my education. I guess that is a good trade off.

While India is poised for a leap in many fields, in my own field of activity, we are preparing the ground for India to become, truly, an international contestant in the global market. We want India not to become complacent with a happy captive home market of 1.2 billion . We want India to set world standards. We have done it before. We have be forerunners and actual practitioners of the civil disobedience. An idea presented as a theory by Henry David Thoreou, we actually put it to practice. Thanks be to Mr. Rajagopalchari popularly known as Rajaji and our own Mr. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. India became a trendsetter for giants like Mr. Martin Luther King and Mr. Mandela to emulate. Those vigilant gentlemen have made it possible for me to speak fearlessly, but with responsibility, today. I respect the way their freedom to speak was won. On rare occasions, freedom of speech was won taking on violence without returning it in kind. A very hard act to follow. To take on violence with non-violence needs extraordinary valour. Not without reason does Gandhiji, an otherwise humble man, openly brag about ahimsa being the highest form of valour. That is why probably the 24th Theerthankara or saint in the Jainic religious order, the champion of Ahimsa, was called Mahaveera, the great warrior. Ahimsa is difficult to achieve. It is not done by merely turning vegetarian. Being a vegetarian and yet showing apathy to fellow human beings is purpose defeated. In my mind, there is this constant tussle between Darwin's theory and the fascinating concept of ahimsa. Well that is the subject for another podium, another debate. Once again I remind myself and you to be on constant vigil. Any government institution or religion trying overtly or covertly to coerce your mind to suit a narrow selfish purpose with disregard to larger society is something we should all be wary off.

Simple Vannila Cookies

SIMPLE VANILLA COOKIES

The taste of sweet vanilla — which so often features only as a background flavour — shines in these Simple Vanilla Cookies. Not only are they quick and easy to make, they can be prepared with minimal mess.

These Simple Vanilla Cookies include just six basic ingredients, and you can mix the dough with a wooden spoon. They’re ready to shape and bake immediately, which gave my student bakers plenty of time to prepare them — and clean up, too — in our hour together.

Before making these cookies, I had never mixed cookie dough by hand. While I’m not afraid to experiment with the ingredients in recipes, I usually follow directions that tell me to do things like use an electric mixer. It took baking with fifth graders to help me stray from the beaten path, electrically speaking, and I’m so glad I finally did. Watching the dough come together as you stir with a wooden spoon is super satisfying.

If you, too, are a fan of power tools in the kitchen, take this opportunity to go old school and give hand mixing a try. It’s way easier than it sounds, and I think you’ll enjoy its pleasing simplicity.

The taste of these cookies has a pleasing simplicity, too. I fought the urge to stir in lemon zest or freshly crushed cardamom, and I’m glad I did. The taste of sweet vanilla — which so often features only as a background flavor — shines in these delicious cookies.  With their delicate outer crust and soft, tender middle, they are nearly impossible to stop eating.

SIMPLE VANILLA COOKIES

PREP TIME

15 mins

COOK TIME

15 mins

TOTAL TIME

30 mins

Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

Author: Suzanne Cowden

Recipe type: Dessert

INGREDIENTS

·         1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

·         1 ¾ cups granulated sugar, plus extra for flattening cookies if needed

·         1 large egg

·         2 teaspoons vanilla extract

·         ½ teaspoon salt

·         2 ¾ cups unbleached all-purpose flour

INSTRUCTIONS

1.  Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease or line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2.  In a large bowl, mix the butter with a wooden spoon until it is light and fluffy. Add 1 cup of sugar and mix until combined. Add remaining sugar and mix well.

3.  Add the egg, vanilla, and salt; mix to combine. Add flour in three additions, mixing until the flour is just incorporated after each addition. The mixture should be loose and crumbly.

4.  Using your hands, press the dough against the bottom and sides of the bowl to bring it together into one cohesive mass.

5.  Shape dough into 1½-inch balls (about 1 tablespoon each) and place them about 1-inch apart on prepared baking sheets. Using the bottom of a glass or the tines of a fork, flatten the cookies gently. If the dough sticks to the glass or fork as you work, dip it in granulated sugar between cookies.

6.  Bake until the cookies’ edges just begin to brown, about for 10 to 12 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

The thing which Madras missed

Hotel Laxmi Nivas,Kalladka:This gem of a restaurant located enroute the Bangalore-Mangalore highway, serves according to me the best frothy tea or KT as it popularly called.Whenever we plan a trip to Mangalore a stop to Laxmi Nivas is a must.

The origin of KT is a bit of a mystery for even the present owner Shivarama Holla (42), even though it is being served since five decades.He says

"My grandfather Laxminarayana Holla went to Madras on a visit. When he came back, he started the unique KT on an experimental basis and it was an instant hit. He said it was being served in Madras. I have not known KT being served anywhere even in Madras."

So what's KT? While normal tea has a frothy milk cream layer atop of the tea, KT has a one fourth layer of thick tea decoction sitting atop thick milk.

It seems simple when Holla explains how it is done: 

"Pour hot milk and let the thick tea decoction land atop the milk slowly with the help of a spoon. There you have it."

But more than technique - it is the consistency of the milk, the amount of sugar and the proportion of the decoction which makes the difference, Holla, lets the cat out of the bag. No wonder, KT being replicated at many other hotels here and elsewhere does not taste like Kalldka KT! No wonder it has a found a page on Facebook and Orkut.

Though he does not count the number of KT's served per day, he says on an average 80-100 litres of milk and 3-4 kilograms of tea powder is used. 

"Sixty per cent of our customers have either KT or Rimjhim (coffee version of KT)," 

The rest lap up the steaming dali thovve (with idli), golibaje and tuppa dosa.

KT was prepared using Kelaguru tea powder for 30 years and later switched on to Devagiri brand.

"Honestly, tea powder does not make a difference. The only criterion is that tea decoction has to be thick. It's actually the creaminess of milk plus the amount of sugar added is the differentiator," he says.

Holla has plans to upgrade the hotel, when pointed about cleanliness aspect. "We will have a new building as soon as NHAI decides how much they will acquire for the four lane," he adds.

Source:If it's chai, it should be Kalladka KT!.