Tracing Silver Lines

Lady with the Hex

2015-04-11T07:15:00.001+08:00

Just a glimpse

A glimpse of red

Red and white and blue

There was something about her

I think, something quite lovely too

Braided hair, secrets tied in

Carelessly put away

Basket of roses oh! full of roses

Or was it her eyes that drew me astray?

Like a breath so precious

Her skin dark and lustrous

Sensuous was her lure

Me, a lone traveller

Crossing the dry moor

Got caught in the land o'the demure

In a fix I stared

In her hex I was

The day drew near sunset

The basket of straw was now but bare

When oh! she glanced at me

Eyes they flew, across the road

Across the road to me

Kohl eyes, kohl eyes

They captured me so

A prisoner on the floor!

One rose there was

A single one left

Her fingers held the stem

A kiss from the rose, on the lovely rose

Soft lips, so very femme

In a fix I stared

In her hex I was

I found me back on the moor

Black rose in hand was all I had

As I returned from the land demure!

Traveller on the moor

2015-04-11T07:14:00.000+08:00

On a sepia film roll

Lazy sands came to life

With dancing footprints

As lashing waves touched

The half-eaten sun.

And then I run

To the midnight sun.

Sparkled those scents

Of violets and love

Roses and lips and

Eyes of a dove

I gathered like sand

Like sand they trembled

Out of my hands.

A sojourn in time

I've seen it pass by

Spaces like silk

Embraces like sky

All became a dot

As I galloped away!

My heart grew

As love grew,

Like a drop of dew

My heart I gave to all

Yet brought it back home

She moved me so

I gave my heart

And sew her breath with mine

She said I was a life to her

She said I brought sunshine

Like a drop of dew

My heart it grew

I gave it to all I saw

And yet returning, with me it flew

And to the lands I bid adieu!

Was it real or a dream

Or a dream within a dream?

To check, I pinched my hand

And though am back here now

My shoes are filled with sand.

A thousand pieces

2015-04-11T07:04:00.000+08:00

My heart breaks

As I write

A point by point

Letter to you

Into a thousand pieces

My throat dries

And clicks

My eyes, they cry

Without any tears

How shall I explain

What love is?

Love, I can only make you feel

In the warmth of a hug

To break down love

Into a bullet list

Breaks my heart

Into a thousand pieces

And I collect them

Piecing them together

A jigsaw puzzle I wish

I didn't have to solve

For I am afraid

Of losing a piece or two

Under the table

Or in the night

Between us,

I wait for dawn.

Garbage.

2014-07-09T03:18:00.001+08:00

Garbage.

Gaarbaage.

Ordures.

Basura.

Müll.

कूड़ा।

We all know garbage. We create it all the time. We get rid of it all the time. Various ways. We all know. But sometimes I am forced to think that people themselves are garbage. Yes this is an angry post - I have a lot of garbage that I need to get rid of before I can start writing something truly meaningful again.

Yes so I was saying that people are garbage. We think we are so smart, the smartest species around on the planet. We spread our garbage everywhere and then pretend to want to do something about it by trying to save it. From our garbage. We hunt down other species and then try to be their savior by creating NGOs. More garbage. We say we should save all of this because its good for the planet apparently. We cannot say that well its good for us, the apparently superior species. Lies and more garbage. As a species we glorify ourselves by talking about God. A God we cannot see directly while we destroy Nature, something we can see and feel first hand. Yet more garbage.

As people we build relationships. And then we jeopardize them. By judging and expecting. Spending too much thought and time on garbage and none on love. We question love itself - the one thing that stops the world from being dismissed as total garbage. We mix our garbage into love and hope that it will smell good. We talk of helping others, inwardly being totally selfish. Because 'I am holier than thou'. More garbage.

I'm thinking what does garbage actually mean? Perhaps it means 'the act of garbing oneself'. And it seems pretty damn right to me. Hiding your true self, your true intentions. Suffocating your light, preventing the love inside from dazzling the world and bringing some calm.

Why?

Because the idea of peace is too alien to the human mind that has gotten into the wildness of being thumped by a million thoughts every second. Peace is for poems. Peace is for talks in boardrooms.

It is just heart-breaking how little people know about love. What is even more unfortunate is that love is something that can never be taught. It can only be felt and experienced in those moments when you are willing to leave all that garbage behind. Because love is your true nature - it is always there underneath all that crap. It is the force of love that is holding the Universe together. Every single atom. Every proton loves an electron. That force holding matter together is love. It is physics and there are laws and theorems, I know. But simply put, the unified theory is that of love and love alone.

I just wish more people would understand this and apply it for people and their surroundings. And that definitely includes me.

There. Garbage out.

On Corruption in India

2013-11-28T16:50:00.000+08:00

Corruption. What picture comes to your mind when you come across this word? It translates into varying degrees of severity at different levels. At the level of governance, a corrupt official taking money 'under the table' to get something done. This 'something' could be wrong in itself, or it could just be a mundane affair for which the official seeks compensation as if he's not being paid enough for his salary. At the level of everyday lives, it could be dishonesty - not paying for a bus or train ticket thinking its okay. At an entirely different level it could include involvement of millions worth of currency in political scandals at the stake of taxpayers' money. It need not even be government-related, it could be about corruption in corporate houses, who're willing to sacrifice ethics for profits. In all of these cases, it is amply clear that corruption and corrupt practices lead to loss of legitimacy and increased moral deficiency in any system. Corruption drains wealth from nations and is today, the greatest obstacle to reducing poverty. It distorts the rule of law, weakens a nation's institutional foundation, and severely affects the poor who are already the most disadvantaged members of our society.

In light of these consequences of corruption, it becomes very critical to introduce transparency and accountability amongst all organizations, especially that in governments towards their citizens. This can be achieved by introducing laws that demand greater accountability of public fund usage. Many countries throughout the world already have strong anti-corruption laws that work well, however, there still remain a sizable number of countries, especially developing nations, that are in need of such strong laws. Those are countries whose citizens need it the most, as these are mostly low income areas, where exploitation is rife with nothing to control them.

As well-informed citizens, it is crucial that we know about laws of governance in our countries so we can be a part of the process in whichever small way possible. Youth is the future of every nation, and it is becoming increasingly evident that we must take charge on a more effective level than just armchair discussions over coffee. The idea is to conduct debates, reading sessions and discussions on a regional level, to understand the nuts and bolts of anti-corruption laws in various countries, and come up with strong long-lasting solutions that we can confidently present to people in power, either directly or through anti-corruption agencies that are already in place.

To reach out in a meaningful way, its time for the youth of the world to stand together and say NO to corruption in the biggest way possible! Only then can we hope to see poverty reduced if not eradicated, only then can we break the vicious 'loop' of money circulating in the hands of the undeserving, only then can we hope to bring justice in this very unfair world. Come all, in large numbers, so we can make our hopes a reality!

Please go and VOTE in New Delhi Assembly Elections on December 4th. The Aam Aadmi Party is committed to rooting out corruption.

For Michelle, from Maya.

2013-04-24T00:32:00.000+08:00

Modesty is a learned affectation. It’s just like decals. As soon as the world shakes the modest person against the wall, that modesty will drop off them. But humility comes from inside out. It says someone was here before me; I have already been paid for. All I have to do is prepare myself to pay for someone else who is yet to come.

-Maya Angelou

Such lovely thoughts about humility! I'm moved.

Read more: http://time100.time.com/2013/04/18/time-100/slide/michelle-obama/

Ehh, the present moment?

2013-04-17T10:42:00.002+08:00

A lot of people keep talking about this thing called the present moment. What is it actually about? Its about the NOW. That which is happening right now.

Now is not just relevant to time. Now is relevant to space as well. Being in the present moment, being in the 'now' means you HAVE to be here, physically, in the space you're standing or sitting. That gives you a sense of life, a sense of BEING alive.

But how can you be in the present moment?

There's passion in life, there's dispassion. And in between all of this, lies compassion. Kindness and compassion brings you closer and closer to the present moment.

And the practice of being a witness to yourself, makes you aware of the things that you do everyday, making you kind of immune to the ups and downs, we can then look at all happiness and sadness as passing clouds, lovely always. That keeps you in the present moment.

Oh and did I forget breath? Your breath is always in the present moment! Latching onto it simply by observing the in and out brings you to the now!

What be cooking?

2013-04-17T10:37:00.000+08:00

The scents of Bali surround me.

I'm breathing in, I'm breathing out.

Lemongrass, Yuzu and Sage have found me.

Love, its you what its all about!

That's an ode to my scented candle.

Whenever I feel I'm going completely out of my mind - actually being in my mind, and yet not completely in it, I turn to silence. Total silence. And exotic scents definitely help me with that. Recently I have also taken up painting and random drawing/doodling on a chart paper on my wall. You know, for relaxation. It feels great to create a visual treat straight out of your mind, especially when you are out of words.

Oh and take it for granted that Shekhar Kapur seduced me back to this page.

Dew to You.

2013-03-28T13:10:00.001+08:00

Each day is new

Just as a drop of dew

Which evaporates everyday

Vanishing into the air

Blissfully in embrace

Only to reappear

In misty lazy mornings

Upon leaves that cradle

And welcome lovingly.

Each day is new

Just as a drop of dew

Which is born of water,

Water hanging in the air

Playing hide and seek

With the welcome earth

Appearing and disappearing

From leaves of all colors

Each day is new

Just as my love for You

Playful at moments, loving another

Deepening with every breath

With every moment in space

Flowing from the mountains

Expanding into the Infinite.

An eternal longing, your endless love.

I, Radha. Krishna, You.

Captivating Freedom!

2013-02-25T23:04:00.001+08:00

How often do you meet someone so inspiring that you wonder if it was a dream? How often do you see people so emotional, that tears of joy are a welcome rain? How often do you feel that blessings are literally showering upon you and those around this wonderfully inspiring person? Not very. I am so lucky, so full of gratitude that I came to meet Maa, Mrs Rajalakshmi Ratan, or Rajima with love.

Her dynamism and energy is only comparable to that of a three year old child. Her wisdom and knowledge, only to the greatest seers. Her storytelling skills to the best narrator there ever was. Her teaching attitude to only the most honest teachers. Her love, to my grandmother. I could continue this list of adjectives with superlatives, but it would get really boring. She is simply amazing. Yes, the simplicity is a big part of what makes her so amazing!

I had read and ignored the email telling us about her visit to Singapore, when one of the Yes!+ teachers called me up to tell me about it. He did not have to say too much. I registered for Bhagavad Gita classes with Rajima, because I thought it would be nice to learn about this ancient scripture. Little did I know what a wonderful journey I was in for.

Her way of teaching broke my barriers, my ego, little by little. She tells us, go be shameless, which translates into being egoless. The ego takes so many forms. It tricks you. You think you have dealt with it one way, when it comes around in another form. You have to keep fighting it off, keep shrinking it. For there is only the pure consciousness beyond the ego. That is the universal love, which is egoless. What is the ego anyway? It is the separation you and I feel from other people. There is no ego in belongingness. Dropping the ego makes one light as a feather! And who doesn't want that?

She taught us by example. She is a living discourse on the Gita. The Divine has found such a beautiful expression in her! She taught us about the law of Dharma, and how we all come under the purview of that. She taught us about our actions, and how they affect our lives. She brought awareness to us, and made us understand the importance of being aware and taking responsibility for our actions.

She sang movie songs and nursery rhymes at the drop of a hat. She quoted from movies, and amazing books throughout our conversations. She made us laugh, she became our lovable grandmother instantly! Maa I love you! Thank you again for coming all the way and teaching us the art of living joyfully, healthily and successfully. Of course, the practice of it all is left to us! ;)

She held me captive in her narrative of deep and powerful Knowledge. And in that captivity, I have discovered freedom!

PS: Her webpage has a link of her worldwide tours. If you are reading this, please do check it out and do not miss a chance to meet her and listen to her!

Khamakha...

2013-01-28T19:44:00.000+08:00

Vishal Bharadwaj. I am absolutely stunned with Vishal Bharadwaj. There are some people in this world who are blessed with so much talent, and they express it so well, they use it so well. To the fullest. Vishal Bharadwaj is one of these people. He is one man who writes songs and screenplays and dialogues, composes and sings, directs movies! He does everything! He's a one man army. And each and every one of his project has a special mark on it, its almost always critically appealing. His stories have subtext, subtle meanings, satire, depth. And yet, if one doesn't want to apply an in-depth analysis, they can still enjoy his work.

Bharadwaj is a theatre man first and foremost. It is reflected in every work of his, and every actor he chooses for his films. He is someone rare in the Indian film industry who is deeply influenced by Shakespeare, and chooses to exhibit this love for him. He has done two Shakespeare adaptations - Maqbool and Omkara from Macbeth and Othello, respectively. The adaptations are not at all out of place in the Indian context, in fact, these stories of Shakespeare really come to life in these movies. Other than complete adaptations, Bharadwaj often brings in little passages from the playwright in his storyline, that add such depth.

Not just his movies, his songs have a sense of authenticity to them. They are very relatable, and many of them have this raw folksy feeling to them. They're not songs that'll suit a chocolate boy and a girl-next-door. They're songs for real people, they present a roughness in them, wrapped around the same universal emotions. His collaborations with Gulzar Sahab take them to an absolutely different level. These people do not seem human to me, for the word 'human' brings mediocrity to my mind. We are all so mediocre in our existence, satisfied with being 'just fine', barely ever excelling at anything. This mediocrity of the human race is sickening. It is especially at these moments, that extraordinary people like Bharadwaj come as a breath of freshness. Almost as a divine presence. It is they who show us where the zenith is. I bow to them.

*Khamakha - Hindi word meaning just like that. It is also a song from Bharadwaj's latest movie Matru ki Bijli ka Mandola.

Musings on a Rainy Sunday

2013-01-20T17:37:00.004+08:00

Its been raining in Singapore for the last 36 hours, and counting.

Drip, Drip, Drip.

Drop, Drop, Drop.

Tup, Tup, Tup.

Rimjhim, Rimjhim.

Its really spectacular, to imagine clouds above us, so full of water, and who decided to release all that water so slowly, instead of the usual Singapore downpour. Of course geography and meteorology would surely tell us why, but at present I'm not interested in finding that out. I'm enjoying London rain in Singapore! And I tell you, its very very fun, especially as it is without the overpowering gray. The sky is still a little blue in places, so its not depressing yet.

All this time, I have been trying to work, or have been putting up a pretext of working. I have a major presentation coming Wednesday (positive thoughts!) and I need to put my best forward, really. Also, I have been immersing myself into the spiritual realm. I have recently started reading An Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramhansa Yogananda. It is a wonderful narration, with such great stories in catchy descriptions. It is a window to Indian spirituality. At the time it was written in 1946, it would have been truly revolutionary for people outside India, even though Swami Vivekananda had already introduced spirituality to the west before this book came out. Whatever the case, its quite an engaging read, very storylike, not your usual cryptic spiritual philosophy.

Poised for Love

2013-01-13T13:16:00.003+08:00

This moment I'm in

Is very inspiring.

Love has returned,

Been very well earned.

For love does

Take a little preparation,

A favorable poise,

For the taker as much

As it does for the giver.

What is freedom?

2013-01-04T15:45:00.003+08:00

Its a beautiful feeling - freedom.
Freedom is what everyone yearns for.
Freedom is what we all wish for.
Freedom is what some of us are striving for.

There may be very obvious aspects of being chained - outright in front of your eyes, for everyone to see. Those shackles are perhaps the easiest to break, relatively speaking.

The toughest chains are the ones that exist within. Within the recesses of our own minds. True freedom is freedom from these thoughts, the ideas that chain us from within, that hold us back, that make us hate, that instill fear in us. True freedom is reaching a state of complete silence.

This true freedom is truly enlightenment. To yearn for this enlightenment is in itself a privilege.

Ah Freedom!

Why does everything need a title?

2012-12-11T17:49:00.004+08:00

A lazy morning of childlike love

Activities abuzz like any other day

Thoughts pervading the mind forest

The foliage, now red with color

Splashed with nature's autumn!

Is this where Alice went?

Is this where Hagrid stayed?

Is Snow White in a hut nearby?

Is Tinker Bell resting in the shade?

Ah this forest is a lovely place!

His Grace!

2012-12-07T18:02:00.005+08:00

On dewdrops He dwells,

And in eyes as deep as wells.

In the air around He dwells,

And yes, in the temple bells.

This Fragile World...

2012-11-29T17:12:00.002+08:00

A broken wish

An empty kiss

Her smile faded

Dull and jaded.

What did the day bring?

Even the phone didn't ring!

Twisted wrinkles

Dewy eyes

Sullen faces

Half-eaten pies.

One photo marred her

Reflection in the mirror.

They tune you in

You tune them out

You tune them in

They tune you out.

Its frail as a lily, really

I find this world very silly.

Year-End Bells!

2012-11-28T20:21:00.000+08:00

December is around the corner. End of the year already. And after so long these fingers feel like typing something. I have missed you, my dear blog. Both these fingers and this heart.
This year has been most gratifying. In terms of everything. And I have learnt so much, so many little things have been picked up, some carelessly, some with care. There has been so much affection, so much life, so much love, and fewer questions.
This year has also been tough. In terms of so many things. And I have learnt so much, so many little things have been picked up, some carelessly, some with care. There have been so many trials, so many conflicts, so much agony, and few answers.
You see what a colorful year it has been? Unless both the sides were together, there would be no beauty in it. And unless we enjoy these little things, all joys and sorrows with a ready smile, we're not making the best of it!

Are you making the best of it?

अकेली

2012-11-28T19:59:00.001+08:00

अकेली-सी थी वो उस रात,

कई रातों की तरह

फ़र्क ही क्या था आख़िर?

वो न आज साथ है,

न ही था उस दिन

यूँ तो कई रातें काटी थी उसने

क्षण गिने बिना, ख़ुशी से

अब क्या बदल गया ऐसा?

था तो तब भी नहीं वो पास

बस किसी के होने की थी एक आस

बड़ी ही मीठी थी वो प्यास

अब जब पानी मिल गया

तो न मिलने पर सभी कुछ

रेगिस्तान-सा लगता है

कैसी ये अशांति है

चैन से सोने भी नहीं देती

खालीपन में सवेरा खोजती रहती हैं आँखें

मन के घनेरे जंगलों में फिरती हैं

कभी खो-सी जाती हैं वहीँ

कभी डर कर वापस हो लेती हैं

क्यूँ है वो आज अकेली-सी?

कुछ डर-सा है उसके मन में

कुछ नाराज़गी भी

पिलाने वाला निर्दयी है

और वह हो गयी है आदी

आसाँ नहीं ये इश्क़

किसी समझदार ने ही कहा होगा!

Some Advice

2012-07-28T13:31:00.002+08:00

Whatever you do in life, just please do NOT give up your independent thought. It is what defines you, not the way you look, not even what your career is. Just what your thought is, and how you deal with the world. Your independent thought will save you. When you need most saving. And trust me, there will always be such a time when you will absolutely need saving. And only your independent thought will save you. Everything else, and everyone else will play supporting actor in that film. In your film.

This advice comes from me just because I have truly experienced the importance of it in my own life. Girls out there, especially you. Because the entire world right now is moving on the wheels of how soft women are as creatures, how lovely and beautiful they are; a man may recognize the worth of a strong woman, but only from afar. Up close, it means not much to him. And this is really a non-cynical view. If you think this is about ego, you are wrong. I once heard a TED talk about gay people, and the speaker said that its only about 'love and respect.' All people need is that. To like being treated with respect is NOT a show of ego. It is a basic thrust. And yet again, respect is not something that one can demand. You have to earn it. And that's where your independent thought comes into picture. It doesn't even mean being rebellious. All it means that you should stand for some thing, with your own opinion.

So, whatever you do in life, WHATEVER, whatever, like really, whatever you do in life, do NOT ever give up your independence.

Perhaps writing it down is making a note to myself, that I can come back and refer to later on.

Commitment and Convenience - Knowledge Sheet by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

2012-07-26T16:26:00.000+08:00

A commitment can only be felt when it oversteps convenience. That which is convenient, you do not call commitment.

If you just go on your convenience, your commitment falls apart causing more inconvenience! If you keep dropping your commitment because it is inconvenient, can you be comfortable? Often, what is convenient does not bring comfort, but gives an illusion of comfort. Also if you are too stuck in commitment, and it is too inconvenient too often, you will be unable to fulfill your commitment and it will only generate frustration. Wisdom is to strike a balance between convenience and commitment because both bring comfort to the body, mind and spirit.

A seeker of knowledge should forget about convenience, so should soldiers, rulers, students, seekers of wealth and all essential service providers. Those who want to be creative and adventurous transcend convenience. Those who are ambitious and have a passion for a goal do not care for convenience. To the wise their commitment is their comfort. Whenever their commitment is shaken, their comfort is also shaken. To the lazy, commitment is torture though it is the best remedy. Commitment will always bring comfort in the long run.

Question: Are there any commitments that can be given up?

Answer: Yes. Sometimes when you are committed without a vision, you feel stifled when your vision expands. Such commitments made with shortsightedness can be given up. A smaller less important commitment can be given up for a greater commitment. Commitment to the means can be given up for the sake of the commitment to the goals. When your commitment brings misery to many in the long run it can be given up.

Revival of a Teacup

2012-07-02T20:14:00.000+08:00

Three crimson grapes and

Five green vines adorned

The lovely ivory face

Of a delicate glass dish.

It wasn't a wine goblet

Just an old china cup,

Put away in the cabinet

Hidden behind oakwood.

Many a day it bore away

With a faithful patience -

'These days are a bit mundane,

But my time will come again.'

Teas galore it had held

English Ceylon Darjeeling,

And many lips had touched

Its now pale golden rim.

Glorious were those days

When it had served the lady

Or helped the man refresh

Weary of his many duties.

On some lucky sunny days

On hammocks and picnic mats,

It had breathed the April air,

Cradled in a beautiful hand.

The lovely cup, now pale and old

Remembered the little girl Anna

She'd picked it out one time,

She'd called it her favorite too.

The teacup yearned for life

Some hot water and a teabag

To refresh a tired visitor

And refresh its own dark days.

Lost in time, without sunshine

One day the teacup pondered -

Hopeless me, be better to crack

Jumping out of the cabinet?

The decision was made when

The oakwood door creaked open

The cup ready to take the leap out

When two lovely eyes appeared.

'Oh this one gramma, the old one!'

'For old times' sake, I'll drink in this.'

Hands reached in, picking the cup out.

'Oh me! Hola, she called me old?!'

The little teacup was thrilled

Beyond belief, beyond its size

Wondering, as it held a giggle,

What tea is she gonna have?

Hot water poured in graciously

All those aches were gone now

The vines looked brighter too

The teacup was young again.

And slowly, aroma perfused

Through the delicate china

Sepia colors flowed through

The fragrance was chamomile.

What a beautiful choice it was!

Refreshing flowers adorned the base

The garden chair now sat two souls -

A satisfied Anna, one happy cup.

Nothing Twice

2012-06-21T14:57:00.000+08:00

'No day copies yesterday, no two nights will teach what bliss is, in precisely the same way, with exactly the same kisses' - I was remembering these lines today at work, and was moved to look up the whole poem. Its wonderfully written, some portions I could not understand, like the rose and rock part. But it has a lovely central idea.

Once I said, "Read when you cannot write." I know, its narcissism of the greatest kind when you quote yourself! But going by this statement, I read and I am sharing what I read. Enjoy!

--------------

Nothing can ever happen twice.

In consequence, the sorry fact is

that we arrive here improvised

and leave without the chance to practice.

Even if there is no one dumber,

if you're the planet's biggest dunce,

you can't repeat the class in summer:

this course is only offered once.

No day copies yesterday,

no two nights will teach what bliss is

in precisely the same way,

with precisely the same kisses.

One day, perhaps some idle tongue

mentions your name by accident:

I feel as if a rose were flung

into the room, all hue and scent.

The next day, though you're here with me,

I can't help looking at the clock:

A rose? A rose? What could that be?

Is it a flower or a rock?

Why do we treat the fleeting day

with so much needless fear and sorrow?

It's in its nature not to stay:

Today is always gone tomorrow.

With smiles and kisses, we prefer

to seek accord beneath our star,

although we're different (we concur)

just as two drops of water are.

-by Wislawa Szymborska

translated by Clare Cavanagh and Stanislaw Baranczak

Cough cough sputter...!

2012-06-18T16:09:00.001+08:00

You know how when you turn on a coffee machine after a long time, it tends to choke and make awful noises before it can give you a decent cup of coffee? Or how an old scooter would cough and crib and sputter random nonsense before it can take you to that grocery store two miles away?

Well, thats what this post is. Its my choking, sputtering coughing and cribbing writing fingers, finding their words in a sack, no, a go-down full of sentences and ideas. So please, I beg you to stay with me. I will make you that coffee soon enough, and I'll take you to that park, helping you feel that breeze, listening to sparrows and noisy things other than myself, on the way. I will eventually write both prose and poetry.

These days I have been awfully, woefully, happily, and awesomely quiet on my blog. I thought it is perhaps time to tell you what's actually going on. I have been pondering upon the perils of writing a book for some time now. The perils, yes. Being a biology graduate student has its merits, and yes, you guessed it, its demerits. I have a storyline all worked out, the skeleton if you may, no, it is actually just the DNA at present. It needs to be fertilized, and then gestated, for nine whole months. I don't know if a book can be considered to be human or not, so I'm not entirely sure about the nine months! Malcolm Gladwell talked about practice of about ten thousand hours in his book Outliers in order to become a good anything, to master anything. To get to that enormously insane number, I would have to begin writing at least four hours every day, and I don't see that kind of commitment happening without jeopardizing my marriage to science! The demerits of being a graduate student and wanting to start writing a book at the same time are simply that the first day of writing never comes, and you tend to see a far future between you and that day, those first sentences of your book. I have now put my graduation as the wall between us, me and my book-child. But I hope to keep you and myself entertained with short ditties in the meantime.

Cargo Cult Science

2012-03-13T18:19:00.001+08:00

Cargo Cult Science A must read for scientists. The most important messages from this piece by Feynman would be these!
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It’s a kind of scientific integrity, a principle of scientific thought that corresponds to a kind of utter honesty--a kind of leaning over backwards. For example, if you're doing an experiment, you should report everything that you think might make it invalid--not only what you think is right about it: other causes that could possibly explain your results; and things you thought of that you've eliminated by some other experiment, and how they worked--to make sure the other fellow can tell they have been eliminated.

Details that could throw doubt on your interpretation must be given, if you know them. You must do the best you can--if you know anything at all wrong, or possibly wrong--to explain it. If you make a theory, for example, and advertise it, or put it out, then you must also put down all the facts that disagree with it, as well as those that agree with it. There is also a subtler problem. When you have put a lot of ideas together to make an elaborate theory, you want to make sure, when explaining what it fits, that those things it fits are not just the things that gave you the idea for the theory; but that the finished theory makes something else come out right, in addition. In summary, the idea is to try to give all of the information to help others to judge the value of your contribution; not just the information that leads to judgment in one particular direction or another.

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The first principle is that you must not fool yourself--and you are the easiest person to fool. So you have to be very careful about that. After you've not fooled yourself, it's easy not to fool other scientists. You just have to be honest in a conventional way after that.

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If you've made up your mind to test a theory, or you want to explain some idea, you should always decide to publish it whichever way it comes out. If we only publish results of a certain kind, we can make the argument look good. We must publish both kinds of results.