Why be the Advocatus Diaboli?

It's not a easy job to be the bad guy that people can easily point fingers at. You don't win the best of friends and perhaps you win enemies for life. More than that you get judged based on something that you may have made  a judgement on. You get to be the fall guy, the bad cop if you may. But. there does come a time in everyone's life when you realize that you are not here to win popularity contests, because popularity contests will never give you satisfaction.

He who says that he doesn't judge lies. He who says that making judgments is wrong is afraid of the truth. He who says that being judgmental is a passive activity has his eyes closed and brains shut down. It is human nature to make judgments so how can one possibly not do it- quite easy actually- IF you are mentally immature or under developed, a infant, a pebble, water, sand or a piece of crap. If you are an adult with a few years of life as experience, you will make judgments. Heck, if you are a 5 year old you possibly would make judgments- or a dog or a cat or a horse.

What is a freaking judgment that everyone hates to admit to making? It is nothing but the assimilation of your life's experiences coming together to form an opinion about something. This is probably one of the few things that is truly your own. However, to be "safe" people adhere to other peoples' opinions and follow what they say- that's what sheep do. If one has opinions, they call them opinionated. Unless, ofcourse, they cloak it in big fancy words and some intellectual mumbo jumbo and they suddenly become nothing short of a guru or expert. Does anyone notice the dichotomy? I have been part of this "intellectual community" but learned that there is nothing intellectual about them really. It's a farce and it's as hedonistic as it can get. When I sought to challenge the notions that prevail or the imperfect ways of research with a more rational logic, people called it radical yet unacceptable. That "intellectual" world is full of sycophants who follow the system like  sheep- speak in the same way and what they say is based on what other's have a;ready said before. As one advances in the educational levels, it becomes a race of trying to prove their favorite heroes right against the other heroes of the other "intellectuals". As you can imagine, it becomes pointless and in the end, the result is a stale piece of bread- perhaps with a different kind of mold growing on it.

Anyway, I digress. So opinions. people have them and if I express mine, people say I am opinionated. That's their opinion right? What is my opinion based on? My life's experiences- possibly life experiences of those around me or even life's experiences of people I may have read about. For many, that probably isnt enough. I dont know what their opinion is based on but I hope it is based on their experiences too and not 'cos someone told them that this was a "wrong" opinion. In fact this happens more often that not. People protest more when they do not  express their true opinions which probably do not find expression as they do have conviction in their own opinions and just decide to be a sheep and follow the herd and put out a statement. As an individualist, to me, that is very sad.

I don't really put out things that are extraordinarily bizarre or unbelievable. Just certain facts backed by not jus experience but common sense, logic, rational and often scientific research too! It's simple- you would not stand in front of a fast train (or even a slow moving train for that matter) because you know it's a bad idea. You dont have to do it to know it's a bad idea. The experience here is not important because you are already aware of the consequences. Some thing are just plain obvious. No, it's not a generalization but some things are just obvious! Yet people fight that obvious-ness because it would probably go against their beliefs/pleasures/convenience. Sad again- because rational is relegated to trash. Some people have to stand in front of that proverbial train- even rats know better- they learn to not touch a trap twice (if they survive) or not go through a blocked route twice. But humans are more complex- and stupid.

So, in the face of stupid people who refuse to listen to logic, rationale or scientific evidence and continue to live a life of denial, waste and stupidity, I have no qualms in expressing the very obvious truths as my opinions or even judgments. In the end, almost always, I have been proven right because I dont go shooting my mouth about whatever-  it is always about what I know. For instance, if I had to climb Mt Everest, I will listen to someone who has been there and got to the peak successfully- not some guy who has never seem a hill before. It is about legitimacy sometimes but usually always about sound logic and common sense.

So really, my opinions have never been something new to be offered- they are usually a reminder of reality, the existence of possibilities and the fight against stupidity. I have made my own mistakes and people will make their own- but if someone gives good advice, I always take it. To be brazenly and consciously ignorant of certain inalienable truths is comprehensively demented. I believe in "keeping it real" - creativity indulges fantasy but it is different from stupidity. One day the stupids of the world will slowly rise from their smoky stupors and listen to reason. And till then I will be judged for allegedly "judging" them. And till then I will always be the devil's advocate- heck, by what I realized today, I am probably god's advocate, if ever there was such a thing.

India win Cricket World Cup 2011- A quick Analysis

It took India 28 years to win the Cricket World Cup again. They won it first in 1983 and now in 2011. I had stopped watching cricket due to its length and India's continuous dismal performance. This year I caught the semi-finals against Pakistan and the finals too- matches that will become legendary! And I am glad to have been a part of it.

What was fitting was the Malinga's last over when Dhoni belted him for fours screwing up the bowler's figures and bringing India inches to victory- just 6 runs needed off 12 balls! It was fitting because Maliga had dismissed Sehwag and Sachin in his first spell and it nearly spelt doom for India.

Also important to note is that too many people were waiting on Sachin to hit his 100th 100 and he had the expectations of the entire nation- as always. And it was his home ground of Mumbai! However, after looking promising, he was dismissed due to a poor shot selection, his hopes of a 100 vanished and it seemed like the match also was going to go downhill. The good thing that came out was that for the first time, I saw the Indians play a very mature game and the underdogs in Gambhir and Kohli and Dhoni come into their own.

Sreesanth was called the lucky mascot for the team and his selection, despite him being absent in most games, seemed vindicated in the end. He ended up at the Champions' side again!

A sms was apparently floating around since morning about how the match would be fixed- it predicted that SL would win the toss, SL would get 260-270 runs, Sehwag would be out in the first over, Sachin would get 98 and India would win by 1 wicket. Most things seemed to be coming true after Sehwag's dismissal but then things changed. Sachin went for 30 odd and India won by 6 wickets. What mattered was that we won.

Cool fact-2011 has the same calendar as 1983- the year when we won the cup first and the year that I was born! ;)

Many superstitions would have cropped up and many, including me, would attribute the win to what they did- like sit in one place, send someone to the kitchen, or the color of the shirt that they wore etc etc. I guess it makes us feel more important about being part of history.

The game also showed a important moral lesson that people can use to tell their kids. The Lankan captain Sangakara lied about what he had initially called at the toss which led to a re-toss which India lost. In the end, India won despite the Lankan captain's full attempts to sabotage the toss. So, now parents can say "if you lie or be dishonest, you will lose the game". Sweet!

This game also shows that nice guys do get the prize in the end. I have met Dhoni in real life and he is a sweetheart with no airs about him. A fitting captain. I am sure Sachin is the same- you can just tell. While, the Lankan captain has that devious vibe about him- which manifested in the lie about the toss. Indians are much less aggressive too and generally pretty docile and polite on the field. Well, in the end, it wasn't the Aussies, the Lankans, the South Africans...but the nice guys who took this cup. So its a lesson to everyone- good guys do win and there is nothing bad in being a good guy- they are just ahead of the game.

The game brought millions of Indians together but I also saw another side. People cannot handle excitement and are obviously not mature enough. The celebrations spilled into the street but it started to appear more of hooliganism. People blocked traffic, smashed bottles on the road, hung precariously out of cars, screaming at the top of their voices and just making the road seem a very unsafe place for anyone out there. A total disregard of rules to the limit of making it unsafe for everyone, including themselves. It will take these Indians a lot of time to change, if at all. I think it has to do with our so called "traditional" (aka suppressive) culture that represses the way people emote and when they do, it's basic, crude and absolutely inconsiderate. I was mortified to be riding on my bike through these roads- almost seemed like the riots! I hope "civilization" finds its place among the Indian youth soon and they find a more mature way of handling things. Imagine, if India had lost- how much damage would result from their rampage. Think of how people in the South went crazy after a movie star died- due to natural causes at that! It's unimaginable. I just hope noone got hurt in this melee. That they cheered for the team, hugged each other, gave hi-fives and did not cause harm or damage to anyone.

So, it was a joyous momentous occasion that we will all tell our grandkids.Lesson learned and respect earned. Many people became rich but more people became graced.

Cheers to Team India.

Judgement Day- September 30 2010: My two cents about what it should be

Too much has been said anyway, so this is only about what I want. Wishful thinking yes,  but it stems from a hope for my country and for our generation.

This is the eve of the judgement day for the Ayodhya dispute. The Allahabad High Court decides tomorrow the fate of the issue that has been raging on for many decades now. An issue that shouldn't be an issue. Why should religion be such a big issue in the 21st century? Why should this supposed "dispute" be more important than any other issue, like say, education or poverty? Why should the parties involved get so much undeserved attention and publicity for something destructive? The reasons, also the reasons for halting India's progress in the modern world, is that people in India are too attached to religion, castes and what they call "tradition". 

If any of these fanatics or even what one could consider a "religious" civilian ever tried to understand history, they would know that traditions and religion have been very fluid and not one concrete entity. So what are they defending? A hollow and empty vessel- too much noise, little substance. In our country, most problems stem from people's attachment to these illogical beliefs, ideologies and self-imposed dogmas, from female infanticides, honor killings or even in the choice to be a vegetarian. The Ayodhya issue is created by politicians and jobless religious crazies bent upon trying to influence people on things that needn't be paid any attention. India has come far- the new generation is balanced in its beliefs and mostly knows how stupid these "issues" are. I hope this reflects tomorrow in the verdict. I hope religious fanatics lose on both sides and on the site, a school or hospital is ordered to come up instead.

Dont bother to comment if you want to teach me a lesson in "traditions"- 'cos that would mean that you have no idea what you are or I am talking about. Have fun living in your dark ages.

Design School- bittersweet symphony

Two semesters in design school and I am just getting my feet wet- through inspiration persistence and the inescapable aggravation. The whole experience can be either enhanced or mitigated by the instructor that one has and like any group, they tend to vary. The best ones that I have found are those who ask the best out of us by letting us go wild, by being open to new ways and actually paying heed to our suggestions- 'cos they are mature enough to realize that we bring in certain experiences that they themselves may not always be aware of. But mostly, what makes these instructors good is that they do not necessarily teach what they know but what they have learnt. I am grateful to every single of my instructors who asked us to go crazy and think out of the box, to play to our strengths, make our projects 'special' and even develop what would normally sound ridiculous to them.

Often, in my life, I have seen that the best teachers are those who actually learn from their students and even accept when they are wrong even if they initially thought they were right. In a field like design, we can often get myopic and stop thinking like "regular" people- almost developing a sense of arrogance and a superiority complex about how things should look and feel. The best designers are those who are humble and I try my best to be so but it surely isn't as easy as it sounds- yes, despite having spent only a year in design school!

However, coming to the dark side of design school we have the teachers who are cocky, super-arrogant, stuck up and with absolutely myopic visions- and I feel that they are the ones who are a super bad influence o budding designers like me- and it works in two ways. Either students become like them or they become very aggravated- both injurious to the design process which calls for inspirational and exceptional thinking.

Sometimes, since we are students, we tend to look up to our faculty and oddly enough, I have seen people even gravitate to these dark Severus Snapes- and so far I have seen them to be either men or "programmers". Don't get me wrong, I have had some awesome male teachers but the others are the ones who should never be teaching in the first place- with their narrow outlooks or raging hormones. And it is even sadder when i see girls/women going all soft on them- reminds me of how even dirty old artists have women swooning over them despite the shit and filth that is coming out of their mouths and minds- kind of makes me question their sense of perception and intelligence. Also makes me think that I could get away with so much as a teacher! Sad. But, mind you, not all women are like that and those who are not get the rough end of the stick- but of course.

And then, there are those who don't want to stand up to these dictators-in-disguise teachers just 'cos they don't want to get into trouble and wreck their chances of a good grade. I think that often people forget that we are not here for good grades but to learn and create good design- even if it means going against what the 'teacher' thinks is the "correct" way to do something- and that can happen only if we have done our homework thoroughly, have faith in what we what researched and made. here is where we have to shed our own myopic outlook and over-dependence on our instructors.

And now, those people who spent a good part of their life learning the ropes of programming stuff, they have more often than not killed their chances of having good visual design because they start working within the strict constraints that they know and impose on themselves- and when they pretend that they are geniuses of visual design- its really pathetic. That said, I have been fortunate to have teachers who are programmers but who do not pretend to be great visual sense- honesty, a virtue I truly admire in everyone, especially designers and teachers. Here it is apt to remind people of the popular fact- you cannot do two things well at the same time. That should suffice for this argument.

I know that I probably have ended up sounding conceited, pretentious, arrogant, full of myself and very opinionated. I think the truth does make on sound like that. And all I am really saying is that the teacher-student equation is of equals to a certain extent especially when it comes to what each can offer the other. As students we have to be open to experimentation and realize that design is not just about making pretty things and that certain processes are important but they should never be something that dictates our own personal processes that works for us in individual capacities. Also, we need to always remember that we were once the "general public" and that we are still talking to them- and that we have to be humble about it and not become smaller versions of the little man from the 1940s with the short mustache and who wore a red band on his arm (yes, Hitler). Intelligent design comes from the acceptance of varied aesthetics, the individuality of projects, shedding dependence on familiar processes and the synergy of processes.

The worst phrases you can possibly hear in design school -
"I am not convinced"
"Stay within the grid"
"This is the only way to do it"
"There are some rules in design you have to stick to"
'We have to teach people good design"
'Sketching is archaic"

The best lines that I will always treasure -
"you can do it"
"Break the grid"
"Go crazy"
"Its possible"
"There are no rules in design"
"Everything is project specific"
"Sketching is important and fun at the same time"
"You are never done"
"Play to your strengths"
"Do not copy anyone else- you can always make your style work"

And that's why I still love design school despite the occasional speed-bumps. The bad guys are everywhere but it just means that we are being tested to be superheroes.