Venkatesh Iyer

Why I am not a Conservative

noreply@blogger.com (Venky) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:02:00 +0000

William F. Buckley Jr. and his ilk defined Conservatism for a generation of Americans as being respectful of tradition and traditional institutions that stood the test of time.

Here's a thoughtful screed on why that leads to truly ugly consequences, most notably favoring the entrenched powerful over the powerless - and ultimately undermines the social contract.

El Cap

noreply@blogger.com (Venky) — Mon, 04 May 2009 21:39:00 +0000

Looking back at the first successful climb up El Cap, 50 years ago...

Nutcase territory

noreply@blogger.com (Venky) — Fri, 01 May 2009 02:19:00 +0000

From the New York Times: Gail Collins wields her wit on Arlen Specter's ditching the Party of Theocrats, torture supporters and 'free-market' lovers for more salubrious climes.

An interesting comment - one that I totally agree with - here.

Carrying the Torch

noreply@blogger.com (Venky) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 17:42:00 +0000

The NYT profiles Ela Bhatt a Gandhian and a voice for the women of Gujarat. She combines the best aspects of personal example with a will to get things done. She grasps intuitively that without economic freedom and self-reliance there is no social progress. Truly an inspiration to not just women but also to men.

State of the Union (Almost)

noreply@blogger.com (Venky) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:34:00 +0000

We catch the President's first speech to the joint chambers of Congress on the CNN + Facebook mashup. It's amazing how far the technology has come - people microblogging while watching live video. Someone observes that we've just seen participative democracy taken to the next level.

Barack is outstanding: on message about the challenges we face and the priorities he intends to focus on - Healthcare, Education and Energy. The Bloggers call his delivery Reagan-esque. Having never heard the Gipper speak, I can't comment but judging from the insta-polls the speech struck a chord: 67% of viewers have a favorable impression post-speech.

Apparently Bobby Jindal didn't get the memo - he blasts the President for his 'negativity' - after what was dubbed 'Morning in America II.' He might be better served by making some just-in-time edits. And that tone - Midnight informercial anyone? Pretty much everyone pans him as an unmitigated disaster - and a poster boy for the anti-intellectualism that characterizes much of the G.O.P today.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

That Sinking Feeling

noreply@blogger.com (Venky) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:11:00 +0000

Beware of geeks bearing equations. This article in Wired points out how our financial system was scuttled by an over-reliance on shiny new math - and needless to say, good ol' fashioned human greed and hubris, egged on right-wing politicians praying at the altar of infallible markets.

This would be an academic discussion if not for the real human cost that lies in the wake of the hurricane. Should we now tar-and-feather its high-priests?

Meet B.C. Bundaldass!

noreply@blogger.com (Venky) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 07:39:00 +0000

It's funny how conversations can take unusual turns. XT and I talk about Indian women with their big, pretty kohl-lined eyes. I am immediately transported to my childhood: opening my first grade English reader, full of pages after pages of illustrations by Mario de Miranda. His signature work has always been vignettes of India, its politicians and yes - buxom women with really big, kohl-lined eyes.

We share a common love of great art and Mario's work qualifies by almost any measure. Enjoy!

Owl and the Sparrow

noreply@blogger.com (Venky) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 16:40:00 +0000

Xuân Thu and I catch "Owl and the Sparrow" at our beloved Kabuki Theater on V-Day. It's part of the San Francisco Film Festival and tells the tale of 10 year old Thuy who escapes her uncle's sweatshop on the outskirts of the City. She makes her way into Saigon in search of her dream - which is revealed gradually as the movie progresses. The movie also portrays the kindness of strangers - a definite anodyne to the dysfunctional nightmare of "Slumdog." There's also a sweet love side-story in there.

Stephane Gauger, the director makes a brief appearance before the start of the movie. He says there really are four protagonists: Thuy - the little girl, Hai - the zookeeper, Lan - the flight stewardess, and the City of Saigon itself.

Bonus: Pham Thi Han who makes her cinematic debut as little Thuy bears an uncanny resemblance to Xuân Thu at around the same age. What's not to like?

Please spread the word. Independent cinema needs our support.

The Abyss

noreply@blogger.com (Venky) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:11:00 +0000

This is how close we came to the end of our economic system last September. A sobering reminder that we must act now, triaging to keep the patient alive even in the face of uncertainty. I've heard Michael Steele and the other Republicans sing the tune of fiscal responsibility and lowered taxes - and stonewalling against Barack to score political points. That's all the ideas they have - regurgitating Ronald Reagan. Intellectually bankrupt. And on the wrong side of history.

First Photographer

noreply@blogger.com (Venky) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 05:35:00 +0000

Does this guy have the best job in the world or what? Pardon the obligatory pre-roll ad...

Street Cred

noreply@blogger.com (Venky) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 20:33:00 +0000

Street Art finally gets the legitimate respect it deserves. I love the fact that street artists thumb their nose at the arts establishment/snobs and create timeless art in the process - I've always been turned off by things that divide the world into the 'in crowd' and everyone else - the culture equivalent of "Whites-Only" country clubs that still dot the South. Money quote from Shepard Fairey, "I'm trying to reach as many people as possible."

The Commute Never Looked So Good

noreply@blogger.com (Venky) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 15:54:00 +0000

This rocks...

Pu'Er Tea Mania

noreply@blogger.com (Venky) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 20:49:00 +0000

In the long, illustrious (not) line of bubbles stretching from Tulip-Mania, Dot-Bombs, here's some nice soothing tea.

Life on Mars Countdown

noreply@blogger.com (Venky) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 01:15:00 +0000

I'm really hoping that microbes are responsible for the Methane detected in the Martian Atmosphere. I am certain that in my lifetime life on other systems will not only be found but will have been found to be commonplace. Bugs everywhere!

Israel and India Together

noreply@blogger.com (Venky) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 07:55:00 +0000

I think the unspeakable horrors that transpired in Mumbai my hometown, will bring the great nations of Israel and India even closer together - with the blessings of the US. I admire the determination of the Israeli government to go after terrorists - and I suspect we've not heard the last of their involvement in bringing the LeT and their backers to justice.

My City Burns

noreply@blogger.com (Venky) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 06:41:00 +0000

Mumbai is caught unawares in perhaps the deadliest terrorist strike in a long time. I think it way past time before the Islamic Fundamentalists likely behind this latest outrage be brought to rough justice. And their silent backers be wiped from the face of this Earth.

For now our prayers are with those that lost their loved ones - and we give thanks for the fact that our families are out of harm's way.

Elephants for God!

noreply@blogger.com (Venky) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:58:00 +0000

The battle for the 'hem soul of the G.O.P has been joined. If that party has to have a smidgen of a chance of staying relevant to the lives of Americans, they must jettison the religious crazies from their midst. So says Kathleen Parker, now persona-non-grata with the Religious Wrong.

How bad does it get?

noreply@blogger.com (Venky) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 04:00:00 +0000

This bad. Michael Lewis reprises his take on Wall Street in "Liar's Poker," this time turning his eye to the great crash of 2008.

Will.We.Can

noreply@blogger.com (Venky) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 02:45:00 +0000

That new song sure is catchy...

Down 640K Lane

noreply@blogger.com (Venky) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:47:00 +0000

Wired waxes nostalgic about Windows - right from the Windows 1.0 days. I came of age as a DOS and Windows hacker - which is how I landed my first job at IBM, writing Device Drivers and OS Extensions. Those were the fun days. Nothing compares to writing (yes, it's an art) code.

GPS

noreply@blogger.com (Venky) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:34:00 +0000

Fareed Zakaria opines on the Obama victory. I think he may be right about the parallels between the circumstances that FDR and Barack find themselves in. The lazy, conventional wisdom of the post-Reagan era may not suffice if we are to pull back from the brink of economic calamity.

Jennifer's Story

noreply@blogger.com (Venky) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:22:00 +0000

My classmate at Cal Jennifer Donnelly writes a moving essay on the fight for equality in California. The day is not far when we'll look back at those that stood in the way of progress the same way we now look at segregationists and racists.

That said there is a solid cadre of people who could be swayed either way. This time they voted against marriage equality. I strongly believe that they can be persuaded - and will be persuaded - one person at a time. The battle for their hearts and minds will be won - but it will take time, moral suasion and passion. Fight the good fight.

Behind the Curtain

noreply@blogger.com (Venky) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:42:00 +0000

The first exposé of the campaign for the White House. It's a fascinating read...

Dubai, UAE

noreply@blogger.com (Venky) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:39:00 +0000

I return from a week long trip to the Persian Gulf. Dubai has perhaps more construction cranes per square mile than any place I've seen. Buildings are coming up like rabbits in a multiplication frenzy. That said, every place feels like I took the wrong exit and landed up in Disneyland.

My friends weren't kidding that all one can do there is shop and eat. And so it is. I'm not much for shopping - except the obligatory trek to the Mall of Emirates - home to the world's most ersatz ski-run - yes: it's indoors. The slog there is made worthwhile only because I pick up some kick-ass Arabic pop including the smash hit Tootya. And the food, while great, is marred by some extremely surly management on at least one occasion. Service with a snarl it would appear.

It's not all bad. I hire a car to take me around 'old' Dubai - defined as any place older than 5 years. Anwar my chauffeur, is from Kerala in India. He regales me with stories about boozy old men trolling the fleshpots which startles me a bit because I would imagine here-parts to be far more conservative. It turns out Dubai is where the entire Middle East comes to 'unwind.' Everything apparently is fair game - as long as you don't make a big show of it.

The Gold and Spice souks are interesting - and remind me of my hometown of Mumbai. The air's infused with cardamom, cloves and nutmeg. Gujaratis seem to own many of the jewelry stores - straight out of Zaveri Bazaar.

He drives me around the old dockyards and I'm fairly amazed by what I see - decrepit dhows and steamers loaded to the hilt with all manners of dry goods including flat panel TVs, airconditioners, mountains of rice and spice stuffed into jute and polythelene bags. This is the way Dubai has flourished for centuries - as a trading outpost for countries rimming the Gulf. I ask a weather-beaten shiphand where his ship's heading to - "Bushehr, Iran," comes the answer.

I request Anwar to take me to the dives to eat some authentic biryani and he comes through. We share rice, lamb, spice and grease - the total tab? 25 Dirhams (approx: 7 USD). And no bottled water for me - the glass of tap water is sufficiently dirty, just the way I like it. In the immortal words of our soon-to-be-superannuated village idiot - "Bring it on!"

One of my colleagues is really hot for Burj Al Arab - and so we make the obligatory trek to its bar only to gag on $10 bottles of wine marked up twenty times. Yikes! Talk about an arbitrage opportunity. We settle for el-cheapo martinis - loading up on the as yet free olives. Phew!

I espy very few natives - Dubai appears to be run by a vast army of South Asian immigrant labor toiling away for not a whole lot. In fact, the entire staff of my very comfortable hotel is either from India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan or the Philippines. I feel strongly that there is very little separating these folks from the life and opportunities that I've been given - I feel a wave of humility and gratitude wash over me. I try to tip (out-of-pocket needless to say) whenever I can. I feel remiss with the overt gestures of hospitality and respect - too many years in America, I suppose.

On my last morning in Dubai I decide to catch up on my reading by the very nice beach attached to a sister hotel. The waters of the Arabian Sea are warm and two shades of blue. I feel suddenly homesick for Mumbai, a mere 600 miles to the west. I wade in trying to look nonchalant about the Jellyfish warnings. Needless to say, I'm scared witless but take some confidence from the hordes of people in the water.

On way out of the hotel I see some American dude yelling at the waitstaff and it makes my blood boil. It's clear there is a strong socioeconomic caste system at play in this country - with the Emirati Arabs enjoying the benefits of a cradle-to-grave welfare state, followed by white expats managing most businesses - and down the ladder.

I ask Charles my Filipino cab-driver how long he's been here and how long he intends to stay here. "14 years - and I get to see my kids maybe once a year back in Manila." He continues, "No one wants to stay in Dubai - it's just the economic conditions back home are worse. And I've a family to feed." He laments that Dubai has become ruinously expensive in the last few years, so much so that many people commute in to work from the neighboring Emirates like Sharjah, where things are a fair bit less dear.

At the airport, I make the acquaintance of a kind gentleman - a fellow traveller from the Bay Area it turns out - who gets me past the long lines and into the frequent flyer queue by claiming I'm with him. Turns out he's here in Dubai to drum up business for his Marin County startup.

I sink into my cramped seat - and hope that I can stay asleep the entire duration of the 15 hour flight to Washington D.C.

Focus Groups

noreply@blogger.com (Venky) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:15:00 +0000

Watching a focus group for web-collaboration unfold. The attendees are mostly a middle-aged bunch - "My kid is on that Facebook thing." Yikes! But then again we do create products for everyone.