With the 77th Independence Day coming in by the end of next week, I feel that the lockdown will be lifted. As a matter of fact, I’m starting to wonder who are they really saving with this lockdown. After the birthday week that went by, I am 36 years old now but I feel like 50 already. Although Friendship Day and my birthday fell on the same day (or consecutively to each other – unsure really), people still wished me for friendship day and ignored my birthday.
Going by the host vs. winner logic of the Cricket World Cup, India would have won this edition. Unfortunately, the logic could not be put to test this year.
2011 - India & Bangladesh (Host) - India (Winner)
2015 - Australia & New Zealand (Host) - Australia (Winner)
2019 - England (Host) - England & New Zealand (Joint Winners)
2023 - India (Host) - Did not happen
Last year Qatar would have shared its moment of glory had they hosted the FIFA World Cup. The talented English or the beautiful Brazilian team would have likely won. Nevertheless, that tournament didn’t see the light of the day either.
I sit in the balcony to see that odd aircraft carrying something (not people) fly by. I immediately call out to Kabir to show him how this used to be normal sight during ‘those’ days. He is too young to understand how something that seems peculiar today used to be a frequent-enough, often-missed, almost-unnoticeable sight, only a few years ago. Kabir is not impressed– he heads back inside for his boring lessons. I love homeschooling though. Imagine learning to count with ‘1,2,3,4, get on the dance floor’ and the alphabet with ‘ABCDEFGHI….JKLM…NOPQRSTUVWX.....YZ, I Love You/Tum bhi suno’.
My landlord has been benevolent enough to reduce our rent to match the 80’s cost of living. Unemployed for a year now, I have all the time in the world to do what I wanted to do. My skillset of marketing is useless today. Not surprising given there is nothing to market and no one to market to. We get by and make ends meet with the few writing and editing assignments that Sharon gets. However, we may have to say goodbye to our balcony if I don’t find a job soon enough.
We have survived thus far, thanks to our will power and Reliance Jio. They have practically given us everything for free. But – yeah - in the end, we are the product.
I don't have any interesting articles to share from this week because I have run out of money to renew my subscriptions.
So, I am just dipping into the archives, when we used to have first world problems to keep us occupied.
“The Week Mind – 2nd to 8th Aug 2020
What a week it was! Feels weird to turn 33! It feels like I was in Shanzi Chinese restaurant just yesterday, jointly celebrating ARC uncle’s birthday which falls on Aug 2nd. Hard to believe that 20 years whizzed by already. Will let nostalgia do its job here reminiscing the first time I ate chicken at a fancy restaurant. My second family - Kanthimathi aunty, Magesh and Babu - were hosting it for ARC uncle. I remember even Mani anna was there. Easily one of my most cherished moments in life! We were a happy bunch. Times were certainly simpler then and it didn’t seem to take a lot of effort to just be close with family.
A lot has happened during this past week. I got wished “Happy Friendship day” more than “Happy birthday”. I don't expect people to wish me on my birthday. It’s unfair because I don't usually reciprocate the same as I have a hard time remembering dates. But, this is fun!
Now, let's dive into The Week Mind
A. Political
Witnessing Nuclear Carnage, Then Devoting Her Life to Peace,Motoko Rich, The New York Times
Hibakusha, the Japanese term for the atomic bombings survivors, is a bone-chilling term. They lived to talk about one of the worst massacres carried out by humans. Motoko Rich profiles Setsuko Thurlow, one of the Hibakusha(s), who is also a joint Noble Peace Prize winner of 2017. Ms. Thurlow wishes that no one ever should have to witness an Aug 6th,1945 ever again. And that's what her struggle is about - Nuclear Weapon Disarmament
B. Technology
What would happen if you fell into a black hole, Eric Betz,Astronomy
What a fascinating read! Would it be wishful thinking to want to read it from inside a black hole?
The movie interstellar has misled us into believing that we can go gentle into that black hole night. As much as Kip Thorne may have let his imagination run wild, Eric Betz captures all possible scenarios and explains from a logical standpoint of what is possible and what remains wishful thinking.
C. Marketing
How the pandemic will drive digital politics, Rajesh Jain,mint
I have categorized this article under Marketing, because Rajesh gives valid explanations on how political ideologies will be marketed in this pandemic-hit world. It addresses how the future of political parties will be carved using digital marketing of segmentation and targeting. But I think there are more lessons on marketing and people behavior than about politics in its truest sense. This is the definite read of the week!
D. Economics
Nothing here, turn around!
E. Sports
Chris Woakes is the new star of this English Test team. I pity the Pakistan team. They had everything under control (except their second innings batting) and yet lost the game, thanks to one blitzkrieg innings. England is 1-0 up now!
And England played an ODI and Test back-to-back, with two different squads. True innovators of the modern game as well!
Juventus and Real Madrid are out of the Champions League and deservedly so! Manchester City ran over the depleted Madrid team, while Juventus couldn't tame the Lyon.
Chelsea's exit was much expected with Bayern bossing over them. Barcelona the under dogs, made it count against Napoli.
Amidst all the fanfare, City looks the strongest followed by Bayern, not too far behind. I expect a surprise or two from Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.
My preference of teams winning Champions League:
- Atletico Madrid – Because Liverpool lost to them, this gives me some closure that we lost to the eventual Champions.
- Atalanta – People will now get to know of a club that’s been in raging form. They can finally stop getting it mixed up with the Atlanta in US.
- RB Leipzig
- Lyon
- Paris Saint Germain
- Manchester City – Here is hoping that they reach the finals. And be tired enough when the next season begins. Then they’re that much lesser of a challenge to Liverpool.
- Barcelona – They are down the order because they are also aiming for their 6th, which would then equal Liverpool’s 6.
- Bayern Munich – They are here for the same reason as Barcelona.
But, the probable order of teams winning the Champions League is:
- Manchester City – Absolute beast of a team under Pep!
- Bayern Munich – What a form they have been in, crushing opponents down in their journey.
- Atletico Madrid – Double-decker buses fitted with cannon balls, which is a very dangerous combination to face in a knock-out format.
- Paris Saint Germain – If Mbappe recuperates in time.
- Barcelona – One word: Messi.
- Atalanta – What a season for them!
- & 8. RB Leipzig/Lyon – A very difficult proposition though.
F. eCommerce
Turn right around!
G. Behaviour
Nothing to write home about.
H. Books & Cinema
I finally finished Guns, Germs and Steel! That’s right – you read it right. As my friend Nishant had put it, it’s like a textbook. Meticulously researched by Jared Diamond, he opened up jaded spaces in my head that needed an overhaul in terms of thinking. It is definitely a must-read if you enjoyed reading Sapiens. I wouldn't compare the two though – each adds immense value in opening up newer perspectives.
After taking two months to read Guns, Germs and Steel, I needed a fast-moving fiction. I’ve now started on The Kill List by FrederickForsyth. Let's see how that goes!
Sharon and I are watching Schindler’s List, even as we complete Indian Matchmaking. What a contrast! We have watched 1 hr 15 min of Schindler’s List and I had to console Sharon at least twice already. Another two hours of the movie left and we hope to complete it today, if Kabir permits us.
We still have 12 minutes to go, to complete Indian Matchmaking. We could have completed watching this sooner. But I think Sharon and I spent more hours discussing our individual biases than watching it – which should ideally be the actual take-away from watching such a show. While Indian Matchmaking has been a mirror to the Indian soul, Schindler’s List is a gentle reminder to Indians of what to expect if we don’t have things in check!
With that, we wrap up this week's musing.
Do share your list of interesting articles that you came across.
Do share your thoughts on what was good and what can be improved.
And that's word no. 1073!”
How simple 2020 was! Now, imagine living in 2023!
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