On Murli's radar

Patriotism With Chinese Characteristics

murli — Sun, 27 May 2012 15:31:50 +0000

I both like and dislike this piece. Certain things are moral absolutes to me, not relatively larger and smaller than other moral questions. Judge for yourself.

How Facebook Knows What You Really Like

murli — Sun, 27 May 2012 15:46:18 +0000

Forget the title for a second. Read this and imagine how FB is on the road to becoming such a vast monopoly on information that even Microsoft would be flabbergasted at their ambition. I'm not sure competition regulators would be aware what is going on because this isn't traditional competition. Besides, this is all moving really quickly. European competition regulators, who are perhaps the world's most prolific, have only recently turned their attention to Google. I can't imagine they'll think about Facebook in a hurry.

How to Get a Pay Raise (If You're a CEO)

murli — Mon, 21 May 2012 02:23:50 +0000

Sounds familiar? Oh, yeah.

Path Dependence and the Stupidity of LED Light Bulbs

murli — Sun, 13 May 2012 07:18:50 +0000

I'd like to see a company tackle this problem. Developing countries are a natural fit. Which of course doesn't mean that that's how we'll see things evolve. Keeping my fingers crossed anyway.

30 Reasons To Take Up Cycling

murli — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:05:44 +0000

Yet another reason why I love cycling: "Upping your salt intake is seldom your doctor’s advice, but in the few days leading up to a big ride or sportive, that’s exactly what you should do."

The A/B Test: Inside the Technology That's Changing the Rules of Business

murli — Thu, 10 May 2012 03:08:21 +0000

This sounds so radical but it's really not that new. At least three of my portfolio companies have been applying these techniques for quite a while now.

Comedy in Singapore: Can the Much-Restricted Nation Lighten Up?

murli — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:42:54 +0000

Er. No. How can?!

Nepotism as a Way of Life

murli — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:38:31 +0000

"Hereditary MPs" is a hilarious term but also sadly, infuriatingly true. The author may not realise it but his thesis is valid for several countries, not just his examples of India and Pakistan. Take China, for instance, where "princelings" have been in focus recently for all the wrong reasons (are there many right reasons?). Or over-protective parents in Singapore. And so on.

Corruption Nation: Why Bo Xilai Matters

murli — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:50:00 +0000

What do people do with so much money? No, really. Gold bars hidden inside walls and 150 Rolexes? Even if I leave to one side the fact that it's ill-gotten money, I still don't get it. Can you eat a Rolex? They can't even flaunt them openly.

Facebook's Telescope on Human Behavior

murli — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:09:52 +0000

"We embrace the company philosophy of openness in our communication," says a Facebook employee. Someone certainly overdosed on the Kool-Aid. This one clanger apart, the article really is quite interesting.