Can you trust the majority to make your choices?

Want to base your choices and arguments on numbers? Have a look at these stats (all approximations based on different figures):
There are over 1 billion smokers and about 5.4 million die every year due to complications caused by it.
There are over 100 million drug addicts with 2.5 millionn dying every year due to excessive abuse or a ultimate consequence of it.
Both groups of people believe that either is good for them or helps them somehow, however twisted that may sound and however educated they may be or even however aware they could be of the side-effects.

They (the addicts) are a lot of people but would anyone with a sane mind say that they have made the right choices? To find comfort in numbers is a weak argument as much as it erodes one's individuality. It's what sheep do. The above 'facts' point to a true but disturbing trend in society- that more people are gullible and make questionable, erratic and illogical choices in life which comes back and bites them in the ass.

Advertising works exactly on this reality to sell crap to people and make them think they need it and they find a way to make it part of their lives. It works fundamentally on the premise that there are more irrational people out there and a only very few smart ones that will break down the facts, one by one. There are more gullible people than not. It is easier to find them and one can sell any product and make it worth their while. Once it sells in hordes, people will automatically think its a good product and their judgments would get clouded. Eg. a full restaurant will always draw in more crowds. Design does the same- a better designed perfume label is more likely to be picked than a lesser designed perfume label even if the scent is exactly the same.

There are many lies used in the business and the problems arises further when people spread these lies as truths and spread truths as lies. And people fall for it. And brand loyalty depends on this. Any consumer who gets bedazzled is hard to bring back to the realm of reality. They become sheep and lose their individual rational thought process. Relying on numbers to prove a point is illogical and stupid- as smokers and junkies' figures have shown.

Being part of the design world makes me a culprit too but I know it can be used for actually bettering people's lives. However, in a commerce driven world, opportunities are hard to come by. I believe that a lot of technology is making people dumber by the day. Look at the iphone or the ipad- thousands of useless apps that one doesn't really need but millions use it because Steve Jobs says that they need it. The fact that there are severe constraints on using these products (like no flash support, slower processors, bad reception, inferior cameras etc) gets hidden under the clever marketing of the products and sadly, a lot of intelligent people also fall for it. They would refuse to believe that something revered by millions can be actually an inferior product. These "fanboys", as they are lovingly called, will constantly harp on the numbers and more recently on the "most valued brand" tag that Apple has won- probably with help of their ga-gaing all over the place! They eat up whatever Apple feeds them and Apple has ended up becoming what they thought Microsoft was- a leviathan creating drones in a unremarkable world. Except that the Apple universe may probably look prettier but will be inhabited by millions of idiots who cannot think for themselves. Apple makes some nice products, no doubt, but it makes a lot of crap noone needs too. And it is this which sells and the company single-handedly proves that it is far easier to sell useless things that those which actually make sense.

Humans are ingenious beings and will find use for any product that comes along, so if someone uses the argument of some product leading to betterment of something, it is just man using his experience of hundreds of years of evolution and adapting to changing circumstances. If people really knew what is good for them, Pepsi & Coke wouldn't sell in the numbers that they do. Or potato chips. Or friend chicken. All across the world. People already had food and drinks and one did not need these but they have become a part of daily life and for some people, an absolutely necessary part of their daily life! And this is because of years of advertising telling people that life is incomplete without these things! As people became more aware of healthy living, out came zero calorie sodas, or organic chips or baked chicken- basically people evolved and tried to make use of something better. Not ideal but it is humans adapting.

If humans made such great choices in large numbers, corrupt or inept politicians would never get elected to office anywhere in the world. Or the world would not have the hole in the ozone. Or we wouldnt have depleted forests and animal life all over the world. People can and have come together to make things better but those instances are far and few. Why do the honest people feel it tough to break the ceiling? Why do the logical voices get subdued? Why are finances in the control of a "privileged few"? Mainly because people tend to look to their sides and see what the person on their right or left is doing. And copy it. Like monkeys. The majority may sometimes have valid points but that still has to be questioned without prejudice- which is what isn't done by the majority of society.

So really, do the maximum number of people make the most intelligent choices? I dont think so. If someone blindly worships any one thing or any one person, that person is almost as good as sheep and you are better off trusting your dog's opinion on things. We are all individuals and our individuality is based on the decisions we make that has little to do with conformity, hero worship and blind faith. It has to do with what is best for us, as individuals without stepping on other people's toes. Everyone knows this fact deep down inside and I know I am not saying anything new or path-breaking. I just want people to always look again- not at others but at themselves.

How to tell the smart ones from the sheep? Easy, the smart dont have wool over their eyes!

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.

Why are people hating on helmets?

So, this is becoming too frequent and its annoying. Everyone seems to have some prejudices against helmets and will discriminate people with helmets in different situations- be it the movies, the airports or hotels. In India more than anywhere else.

I am a avid biker and have custom painted helmets. When I go somewhere, I like to carry them with me in a nice sack to protect it from scratches and prevent them from being stolen- already happened once so not taking a chance ever again! The first time that I had the problem was for movies- they wont let me take them in! That was the time when even backpacks would not be allowed while women could carry their purses inside. Biased? Hell yeah! This was sort of rectified when some movie halls in India started providing lockers to lock up helmets and bags. Good job there.

Recently, I was travelling by air but carrying my helmet because I was going to be riding at my destination. I went through three airports and the airport where I was harassed because of my helmet was Nagpur!! Not Delhi, not Goa, but frigging small town Nagpur. A annoying SE Anshu Grade at the x-ray machine was the only one who was convinced that the helmet was a threat and "could be used as a weapon"!! How? By whacking someone on the head? While there were iron crutches, tripod stands and even airplane doors at disposal to do so? Seriously? Maybe in that small town there isn't much action so she decided to make my life hell and there was a huge scene. None of her colleagues agreed with her but seemed helpless in countering her- juniors perhaps. She almost insinuated that I was like a terrorist when she started to give the example of Kasab! I come from a respected family of senior government officials and if anything, we would probably unearth more problems if we checked her antecedents. I can bet on it. I made sure CISF jawans assisted me in getting proper padding and packing for the helmets done before I boarded the plane. So much grief over one person's wrong assessment of the situation!

So you would say that perhaps this cop was a less educated person who was trying to abuse her powers. However, hotels are no better. Many star hotels wont let you carry a helmet inside their buildings due to "safety" reasons! Safety my ass. Usually I make it a point to call up the hotels and ask their policies on helmets- people at the Ashok and Intercontinental (now Lalit) seemed better when it came to this. Today, I went to the dying Claridges Hotel in Delhi to meet some clients. Everyone, from the guards to the Manager said that policy would not allow them to let me take my helmet in!! They also used the lame excuse of "helmet can be used as weapon"!! Really? I saw more dangerous looking metal crutches (that could easily conceal a gun if it wanted!) go in! I think its just snobbery and general classist attitude of Indian society. And if it happens in the US, even more shameful. I think the hotel people think if people carried their helmets inside, it would degrade their inside environment because they believe that rich people dont ride motorbikes. Such ignorants pricks! Only on the intervention of a senior foreign dignitary did they yield and held my helmet with the Bell Desk taking full responsibility for the helmet. Colonial boot licking? But of course.

This is what I always say- the possibilities to do better are limitless but people are looking in the wrong places. They create a fuss over helmets while they should be directing their attention to actual things that could be security risks or debase the atmosphere of their respective surroundings. It is because of this that people normally have a lapse of judgement which leads to fatal consequences. And then they are stuck scratching their heads of what they did wrong and overcompensate with things that have nothing to do with what happened.

People will stay uneducated, ignorant, arrogant and just disconnected from reality. There needs to be a movement against such discrimination and stupid policies. Lets vote against the idiocracy of today!  India has seen too many mistakes by people in charge of "security" and by hating on helmets, they are fooling noone. After going through all these instances of helmet discrimination, I feel more unsafe knowing that truly stupid, foolish and illogical people are in charge of the safety of people's lives.