Peace, War, or Chekh-mate
In his book Homo Deus, Yuval Noah Harari mentions Russia's greatest short story writers Anton Chekhov having once said that a gun appearing in the first act of a play will inevitably be fired in the third. Yuval says that…
Category: Improve
Work to be Hired
One of the early screening processes to make it to the defense forces, is that of physical fitness. It is one of the more fundamental requirements of the job. Of course, subsequently, those who make the cut…
Function, Form, and Overripe Apples
Image: source Over the decades, we have been seeing Apple grow at a blistering pace. Built on thinking different while staying hungry and foolish, it certainly created new sectors while killing redundant ones. With unwavering customer-focus, Apple maintained child-like curiosity, unbelievable…
Do Traffic Light Colours Need a Re-look?
We are all familiar with the three colours on traffic lights. They remain a classic example of universally recognizable design. But are the colours effective and safe, or do they need a re-look? Colour blindness has…
Primum Non Nocere
Image: source It is believed that either Hippocrates, considered as the father of medicine, or one of his pupils wrote what is popularly known as the Hippocratic Oath, a solemn oath known to be taken by…
We’re Ready. So Why Not Be Bold and Aim High?
Two decades ago, it used to take quite a while before global technology and content was even commonly talked about in India. Much longer before it was accessible or affordable to us. Today, India is…
Do You Like Your News Well Done, or Rare?
Image: source A few years ago, my dad had pointed out how refreshing it was to hear All India Radio. All India Radio is India's national, public news radio station. He said it was a welcome…
Why Are Americans consistently more Innovative and Entrepreneurial?
"What makes America so much more entrepreneurial and innovative than India?" That question has been in my head for many years now. Obvious recent contributions including Facebook, Tesla, and the immortal giants, Google, Amazon and Apple come first to mind.…
Tejas: A Fighter Plane 33 Years In the Making
In the early 1980s, there was a plan to build India's first fighter aircraft, under the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program. After innumerous technological and process roadblocks, and possibly governmental delays, the LCA, named Tejas ('radiant'),…
Step Up – Escalators Are Dangerous
Escalators at the Copenhagen Metro Most of us have used escalators at malls, in office buildings and at airports. And we have surely seen that nervous person standing at one end of it, caught in a mental conflict…
The Clock of Life is Wound but Once
The Clock of Life is Wound but Once Here's an evergreen classic that makes its rounds about once a year or so, by way of email forwards or social media posts. But unlike many others, this…
Think A-Team: The Latest Services Menu for Startups
Think A-Team: The Latest Services Menu for Startups Hi Entrepreneurs! Late last year, I started a service called 'Think A-Team', to bring human-centered design strategy & other relevant services in a transparent manner to aspiring…
Job Quotas or Meritocratic Politics?
Job Quotas or Meritocratic Politics? Image: source Developed countries continue to struggle to identify industries, areas of business, skillsets and employment opportunities that will make their workforce, abilities and manufacturing resources relevant again in a…
Startup Service Aggregators
Startup Service Aggregators Image: source Startups with business models revolving around aggregating services might have their days numbered. Unless they offer a significant additional benefit (than the underlying services they aggregate) to end consumers. Because…
The Determining Fire
Image: source The Determining Fire Late on 15th night, I read a news piece about 500 trained women personnel of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) being the first women contingent to be deployed in high-altitude posts along…