Perfect Stranglers

I've always had a weak corner for music. Especially if it came in shiny packaging with lil papers stuffed inside with lyrics and bios. Audio cassettes at that time (1990s) came somewhere around Rs 60. Then suddenly it went to Rs 100, then Rs 125 then 150! That was the end of the tether for me. For the same tape I'd bought a year earlier the price was now up over 15%. Of course I respect these artists and obviously want them to get paid for their work. But what I don't want is for us to pay through our noses so that they (the artists) and the recording company can earn, earn and earn. Please make music and not money. The quality of music has degraded so much over the years. Try listening to Bon Jovi's Bounce album and you'll know. And check out today's CDs. I can print better quality covers from my home printer.

Then somewhere in '95 I heard about a technology to "rip" music and store them on a PC. Ever since MP3 has been my saviour. Right from the day I pressed that record button I have not looked back. The industry has tried so hard to prevent piracy. They gave us Digital Rights Management. Remember Celine Dion's Brand New Day? Must've taken them months if not years to develop the technology. And what for the music lover. All it took was a marker. Then Sony tried it's rootkit. Big ouch for them! Now, now don't be so self righteous to say you're opposed to piracy.

So here comes the bomb. Would I buy "real" songs, ever? Of course I would. I love to see all my albums neatly piled up, categorised. But by the way things are going guess I'll be doing it on my PC. iTunes is a very good initiative. But it's not within reach for us Indians. Microsoft and MTV's music store is expected. But let's not forget the fact the it's M$ we're dealing with here. Being beaten on from all sides, they've launched Zune.

Music is a universal phenomenon. Make it accessible, enjoyable, convenient and more importantly affordable.

The Problem with Engineers

The world around us is very dynamic. Technology and telecommunication is growing at a pace never imagined before. Theories and rules are constantly put to the test, and sometimes even rewritten. The young engineers that emerge must be adequately educated so as to add value. It is imperative that course contents be evaluated from such a point. Even though the University is responsible for syllabus updates, the College Management can be a proactive medium in recommendations. A ‘word’ picked form this book and another for that book hardly constitutes a syllabus. It must be very proper in identifying the area of study and the depth to which the students are expected to delve. The course duration must also be considered. Many topics, even if they are of importance, crammed together will hardly serve the purpose.

Engineering is a practical science rather than of the textbooks. Quite often some topics will appeal more to us; and so we would naturally like to explore further. The duration of the syllabus must be able to accommodate such activities. With a crammed syllabus, and an even more crammed semester, students seldom grow up to be Engineers who solve; rather they end up as Engineers who know.

Technology and Me

Convergence seems to be latest fad these days. Technology, applications, services you name it. We're living in a wolrd where we work (comfortably) from our homes and shop from our office (not too comfortable though with the cubicles these days). Technology has provided us with a whole new range of possibilities. Even our common everyday gadgets are becoming “thoughtful” (or intelligent, as any technology enthusiast will phrase it!). For example, a new refrigerator introduced by LG is capable of automatically placing orders for “out of stock” items, digitally. And if that makes you wonder where all of this is going, read on.

Wait… if you thought I was going on about how technology is going to help you (and me), well, maybe you are half correct, and if you thought this article was on how technology should not help you, then you are nearly there. I remember one Samsung ad quite a while back that so aptly puts it across- “Technology shouldn’t overwhelm you…” And that sums it all… do we really need all these intelligent (or so they say!) gadgets? Call me a cynic, a pessimist, but hey I wouldn’t want my radio planning the day for me, or my toilet deciding when it needs to flush! Ha! That made you think, didn’t it?

That something between my two ears (and yours too, actually) was not an extra accessory. It was given so that I could plan my life, so that I could take responsibility for my actions, so that I could make mistakes and do stupid things! I want to be able to drive my car, make the wrong turns, and get stuck in the traffic. I want to able get up and change my TV channel, than let a bot read my mind (the geeks claim to able to read your thoughts by sticking little electrodes in your brain. Not a pretty picture, I’m sure.) This is life, my life. It’s not perfect, but believe me, that’s the way world went all these 20 centuries! When I had a problem, I would sit down with my parents and discuss it. And it certainly wouldn’t feel the same with silicon and steel.

And my idea of technological advancements? Take a look around. Aren’t you satisfied with all the little gadgets? I am satisfied, comfortable would be more appropriate. No, I am not saying we should stop discovering and inventing, not now, not ever. Please I live on gadgets and gizmos. All I trying to prove is that we don’t want a “take me to your brain” situation, where we have someone else deciding and making choices for us. (Or do we? That's a thought for another rainy day)