...non periodic oscillations...

A summer's day...

2026-10-17T17:38:55.501+05:30

Why? Did it not work out?

2026-05-06T22:45:00.001+05:30

For most of my adult life, I have heard some variation of the “Why? Did it not work out?” statement whenever someone spoke about something that they were either doing or wanted to do which was not strictly aligned to their college/university degree. Needless to say, this statement irks me to no end.

We have developed this strange societal notion that a decision made by our 16/18 year old self must continue to define the next 45/50 years of our existence on this planet with no opportunity to reassess the life choices made by a (comparatively) immature person while ignoring the accumulated knowledge and wisdom gained by our older self. Any attempt to listen to more mature versions of ourselves must be suppressed as the people who ought to support us the most may instead ridicule us by asking, “Why? Did it not work out?”

I think most people who ask this question may be voicing their own insecurities as they may be terrified of trying new things or exploring new career paths or even learning new skills. In a generation who live for likes and clicks and short form content, putting in focussed time and effort, consistently over an extended period of time to master new skills may be a terrifying thought. Projecting their insecurities on to someone who is willing to take the risk is probably their way of consoling themselves and it is also a fundamental trait of a poor manager.

More than two decades ago, a very dear friend of mine wrote something in a different context for someone else however, I believe it remains relevant even in this context. “And at this point, even god wonders why you stand there with your wings spread open, free from morals and prejudice, free from all that bounds you to your so-called life, and simply refuse to fly.”

Read my (other) friend's blog to see the post that triggered this post: A career plot twist!

Information and Focus

2022-09-13T04:12:00.002+05:30

As winter was slowly setting in, I came across the phrase Information Age while scouring through the internet at blistering speeds using a dial-up connection with speeds less than 56kbps, while conducting research for my dissertation in architecture school in 2001. My friend and I used to spend nights surfing the internet in his father’s office, as that was the only place from where we could access it back then. I was impressed with the amount of information that I could access and the fact that I was able to read current information from across the globe.

Within the next few years, I realised that we had passed very rapidly on to what I liked to call the Information Overload Age, even as data connected mobile phones were still a novelty in India. It did not take long for me to be impacted by the unrelenting, and ever-increasing flood of information. It took a toll on me and in 2010, I remember removing email accounts from my phone in an attempt to stay sane. Over the years, I have learnt to manage the flow of information better and one of the first things I do when I install an app on my phone is to disable notifications. I still get sucked into the unending flow of information occasionally however, it is easier to rein in the temptation.

I still feel I spend more time on my phone than I should, and I see a lot of people who are, for the lack of a better word, addicted to their mobile devices. As we doomscroll our hours away, we are missing out on living in the present along with missing out on things that bring us real joy. I started reading Stolen Focus to try and understand this nagging feeling inside my head about our rapidly changing world and it is one of the most thoroughly researched books that I have read in a long time. We may have watched the movie Idiocracy and read many articles about the impact of extended time spent on our devices, however, this book is essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand the tangible impact on our collective attention and focus, from this constant, unceasing flow of information designed to consume every waking minute of our lives.

#data #information #overload #focus #living #experiences #stolenfocus

London Diaries_20/03/2021

2021-03-21T04:54:00.000+05:30

In the past few years, I have had the opportunity to spend considerable time in a particular kind of built form that I have always wanted to design (only half a project so far) yet never wanted to be a resident or visitor of. As it happens, one has no choice in such matters. However, what I have come to realise is that there is always a silver lining and it is up to us to find it.

While visiting one such space, I came across a very interesting set of paintings by two artists, Vanessa Bryson and Suse Neilebock. These paintings are inspired by different pieces of music and are intended to be experienced in both, tactile and visual form. Needless to say, it was quite pleasant to see them while walking through an otherwise dull corridor - sort of a “visual oasis”.

#london #newadventures #exploreuk #nonperiodicoscillations #architecture #design #art #painting #music #hospital #oasis #silverlining

Is Inaction an Option?

2021-02-06T01:08:00.001+05:30

We live an always-on, information-overloaded life and the disconnect brought about by the working-from-home lifestyle has exacerbated the issue of a blurred boundary between personal and professional identities. This has led to heightened distraction and lowered productivity, compounded by a constant pull from multiple emails, messages, notifications, devices, etc and, the real or perceived expectation of instant responses.

Whilst the author talks about their unique approach to tackling the issue and may not be applicable for other organisations and teams, it is important that we think about this and try to do what is best for our teams.

Inaction is not an option.

#WFH #information #overload #productivity #distraction #disconnect

Pointless Activities (Star Wars Intro Version)

2020-11-22T01:33:00.008+05:30

Once upon a time, not so long ago...

Episode XXVI

THE TIME THAT WAS WASTED

As one traverses the realms of the web, one is drawn in to numerous inconsequential activities. These are activities that require more time and less mind. More shutting out and less letting in. More isolation and less fraternisation.

As the Galactic Forces prepare to combat the truant viral characters that have unleashed a reign of terror across The Realm of The Homo Sapiens, Lady Coldermord The Nineteenth laughs hysterically while her spikes flail about in the face of the misinterpreted definition of freedom that the Homo Sapiens seem to keep squawking about...

Watch the video here: https://bit.ly/3pRTwVd

p.s. I take no responsibility of the time you waste ;)

Ode To The Dome

2020-11-09T03:02:00.001+05:30

A long time ago, in a land far, far away, there was a brick dome.

I don't even remember who took this photograph.

Update: Photograph taken by RS

#gurgaon #nonperiodicoscillations #OdeToTheDome #sushantschoolofartandarchitecture #sushantschool #ssaa #architecture #design #memories

London Diaries_21/08/2020

2020-10-05T02:49:00.000+05:30

Contrary to what everyone told me about how short lived English summers were going to be, I can confirm that it is anything but. I guess most people still don't believe that climate change is real. (Huh! What's that?) Anyhoo...summer days provide us with more opportunities for exploring the countryside and experiencing such installations.

"The Scallop sits on the beach at Aldeburgh, in Suffolk. It is a 13 foot-ish (4 metre) high monument, by local-born artist Maggi Hambling, to the late Benjamin Britten, composer and past Aldeburgh resident, who used to take his afternoon walks along the beach." (https://bit.ly/2Sxohit)

"I hear those voices that will not be drowned."

_from the opera "Peter Grimes" by Benjamin Britten.

#aldeburg #newadventures #exploreuk #nonperiodicoscillations #summer #climatechange #climatecrisis #beach #scallop #art #installation #zeitgeist

London Diaries_08/08/2020

2020-08-11T14:27:00.001+05:30

"Old Fords never die. They just get faster."

#london #newadventures #exploreuk #nonperiodicoscillations #sticker #escort #spotted #ontheroad

Naples Diary_01/02/2020

2020-04-22T02:52:00.000+05:30

An impulsive decision by some colleagues on a freezing Friday evening in January to "catch some Sun" resulted in a weekend in Naples. Of course, that was the one weekend when the Sun decided to trick us and stayed back in London while we spent our weekend in a cloudy Napoli.

There was a lot of historical architecture to be viewed with a sprinkling of not-too-exciting contemporary architecture, walking a months equivalent, graffiti, coffee and wine (not me - I'm a good boy). We got lucky and had pizza in a Michelin star restaurant (my first!). We only realised this when we were leaving. LOL!. Oh, we also got to see a freshly burnt car. Personally, something felt off about the city although I haven't been able to put a finger on it.

The funniest incident was when I wished to buy a pretty coffee filter from a fancy coffee shop and they couldn't locate the key to the display cabinet. Of course, I wanted only that specific design so...

#naples #napoli #newadventures #exploreitaly #nonperiodicoscillations #sun #walk #graffiti #coffee #wine #pizza #michelin #travel #burnt #car

London Diaries_28/03/2020

2020-03-29T04:17:00.000+05:30

Find happiness and beauty, wherever you can, because the lack of empathy in our species is painful and heartbreaking.

#london #newadventures #exploreuk #nonperiodicoscillations #happiness #beauty #coronapandemic #empathy #stayhome #staysafe

Internet and Dogs

2020-01-16T02:44:00.000+05:30

The beauty of our time is not that someone or the other will get offended by one's beliefs or words or actions or mere existence but the fact that they can, and probably will, express their opinion about it in a rude and extremely uncivil manner with nary a regret.

I first came across this gem (bit.ly/2Nso0eA) in early 2002 while working on my dissertation and it became the opening page in my document. I loved it because it had a positive connotation - freedom to learn about the world and interact with complete strangers comfortably and anonymously, free from geographic, racial, gender, economic and other such boundaries.

Today, that anonymity has been twisted to such an extent that it has become a tool to facilitate unchecked spewing of vitriol and hatred. Instead of dissemination of information and positivity, it is used to facilitate the spread of misinformation and hatred.

I hope and pray that sooner or later, we understand the long term impact of our actions and how it may shape the future of humankind. We may not be around long enough to truly bear the brunt of our actions; just like we won't be around to witness the environmental disaster that we are currently shaping by our ignorance, mindless consumerism and selfishness but we will leave an unenviable legacy of filth - physical, emotional and mental.

Happy New Year_2020

2020-01-01T05:28:00.000+05:30

A new year is upon us and with it comes hope for a joyous, prosperous and peaceful year ahead. I am lucky to have this lovingly designed calendar to adorn my table and bring the beauty of art into my “daily struggles”.

The artwork, which are part of the “Footpath” series, are hand drawn by my (not so) little brother @dwarkanathsinha (https://instagram.com/dwar.ka/) and the calendars are designed under AT and his independent design initiative called Unibrow (http://unibrow.in).

Check out their website, Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/unibrow.in/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/unibrow.in/) pages for more art.

Have a lovely New Year ahead.

Stay happy.

Stay strong.

Keep the love flowing.

#london #newadventures #exploreuk #nonperiodicoscillations #architecture #design #art #unibrow #newyear #peaceful #calendar #calendar2020

Workaholics Anonymous

2019-12-29T22:55:00.000+05:30

Image source: http://bit.ly/2ZAGiQ0

I have heard a lot of people talking about the virtues of “hard work” wherein sacrificing everything else in life is considered normal and almost always, expected. In my limited experience, I have learnt that nothing can be further from the truth. While I have never shied away from responsibility, I have generally ignored such “well meaning advice”. Recently, I came across two posts that brought this thought to the fore again.

The glorification of a sixty or eighty hour work week or similar nonsense is the clarion call of those who are terrible at managing their work or are generally clueless about what their priorities in life or work are or believe that employees should be available at their beck and call or worse, plain exploitative.

I have personally suffered at the hands of those who loved to schedule team meetings on holidays or wanted to have a discussion after six in the evening or regularly set unrealistic deadlines to ensure that they “extracted the most value” for the salary paid. Those relationships weren’t particularly long or healthy.

I learnt early on that the number of hours put in is not directly proportional to quality and productivity. It is quite the opposite. Creative energy flows neither from a sleep deprived brain nor from an unhappy soul. In a world where we are trained to slog away our lives, it is a difficult truth to accept. Sporadic work exigencies aside, there is just no logical reason that one may need to work long hours regularly.

When people have limited, regular work hours, they focus better. They make smart choices. They have a sense of purpose. They appreciate the fact that the organisation respects their personal life and space. On the other hand, once they get in to the state of mind where they know that they will be sitting in office endlessly, they get distracted and lose focus. It is detrimental to them and to the organisation.

“We don't burn out people. We give people space. We love real teams with real friendship forming. We understand the power of individual potential and proximity. Even our floor plan is designed to give small teams a pod all to themselves.”
Tobi Lutke (http://bit.ly/2tUzxMS)

Related thread by @DHH (http://bit.ly/2sv22R4)

In fact, if you ask me, such a lifestyle can only lead to mediocrity because you slowly become part of the mindless rats who live weekend to weekend, splurging on materialistic objects in the hope for finding a sense of fulfilment, fuelled by the constant advertisements stoking their insecurities and FOMO, urging them to try the next “big thing”.

People will disagree and I believe that it is perfectly alright. Different things work for different people. In the end, choose your path wisely and remember, it is never too late to change direction. As one grows older, one is able to discern the value of the limited time one has. Use it wisely because when the time is up, the last thing you will regret is not having worked hard enough. Your career is important yet it's not the all-consuming aspect of life that it is professed to be.

London Diaries_18/12/2019

2019-12-27T21:24:00.000+05:30

A Christmas party.

Lot of people, food, drinks and dancing.

All below the hull of a ship!

An eventful evening looking up at the lovingly restored Cutty Sark in Greenwich

The "Cutty Sark is a British clipper ship. Built on the River Leven, Dumbarton, Scotland in 1869". Today, it is a museum and venue for events (http://bit.ly/2EVIgks).

#london #newadventures #exploreuk #nonperiodicoscillations #architecture #design #christmas #dancing #party #ship #greenwich #cuttysark

London DIaries_06/12/2019

2019-12-07T03:45:00.000+05:30

A "warm" day, British rain, heavy lunch, Friday and a rainbow.

Almost perfect.

Almost.

In the background, you can see "the Honourable Artillery Company, a charity set up by Henry VIII in 1537 to support the Regiment that shares its name. The historic venue is a place for current and ex-members of the Regiment to gather for social occasions and business meetings, but also serves as a unique venue for a wide range of non-member events." The ground is a regular helicopter "adda" too (www.hac.org.uk/).

#london #newadventures #exploreuk #nonperiodicoscillations #finsbury #sun #rain #clouds #rainbow #FridayFeeling #notshotoniphone

London Diaries_18/10/2019

2019-10-19T22:22:00.002+05:30

Are you bored of going to regular salons?

How about a shiny, blingy, mobile yet static salon in the middle of a busy plaza?

Why not club your break with a trim, or something more adventurous maybe?

#london #newadventures #exploreuk #nonperiodicoscillations #salon #plaza #mobile #ArtOnTheCommute

London Diaries_15/10/2019

2019-10-19T22:16:00.000+05:30

Some pasta and a quick walk around The Barbican Estate made for a sumptuous lunch especially with the Sun coming out for a short yet strong innings.

The Barbican Estate is "a residential estate that was built during the 1960s and the 1980s within the City of London in Central London, in an area once devastated by World War II bombings and today densely populated by financial institutions." (http://bit.ly/2Bh8Gex). It is a lovely example of Brutalist Architecture.

"With its coarse concrete surfaces, elevated gardens and trio of high-rise towers, the Barbican Estate offered a new vision for how high-density residential neighbourhoods could be integrated with schools, shops and restaurants, as well world-class cultural destinations." (http://bit.ly/2VKJs1r)

#london #newadventures #exploreuk #nonperiodicoscillations #sunshine🌞 #barbican #brutalist #brutalism #architecture #design #lunch #walk #worldwar #concrete

London Diaries_12/10/2019

2019-10-19T22:05:00.000+05:30

Today, more than ever, I am thankful to a lot of people who have been kind to us, in different ways. I pray that the sun shines upon all of you forever and enriches your lives, just like you have enriched ours.

#delhi #shanghai #london #newadventures #explorechina #exploreuk #nonperiodicoscillations #bekind #thankful #sunshine🌞

London Diaries_10/10/2019

2019-10-19T21:59:00.000+05:30

There are many things to make one's commute interesting.

#london #newadventures #exploreuk #nonperiodicoscillations #ArtOnTheCommute #graffiti #StreetArt

London Diaries_08/10/2019_3

2019-10-19T21:51:00.000+05:30

Cranes (of the ornithological variety) are considered to be a symbol of happiness, good health, eternal youth and longevity.

Can this symbolism be applied to cranes of the inanimate (or are they animate) variety?

#london #newadventures #exploreuk #nonperiodicoscillations #CranesOfLondon #cranes #ornithological #symbolism

London Diaries_08/10/2019_2

2019-10-19T21:42:00.000+05:30

#london #newadventures #exploreuk #nonperiodicoscillations #ArtOnTheCommute

London Diaries_08/10/2019_1

2019-10-19T21:39:00.000+05:30

Despondent

#london #newadventures #exploreuk #nonperiodicoscillations #ArtOnTheCommute

London Diaries_05/10/2019

2019-10-19T21:35:00.000+05:30

Hiding behind the blinds and staying very still was the only way to look at these beautiful birds from up close. Perks of being in the countryside.

#london #newadventures #exploreuk #nonperiodicoscillations #fauna #birds #countryside #littlebealings #woodbridge

London Diaries_04/10/2019

2019-10-19T21:19:00.000+05:30

Grand Ma loved being carried up the escalator into the naked light.

#london #newadventures #exploreuk #nonperiodicoscillations #journey #artontheunderground #publicart #tfl #tube #metro

bethnal green