Wednesday, September 19
SIX SIXES IN AN OVER - Yuvraj does it!
India vs England Twenty 20 world cup. 19th over off Stuart Broad.
Racial profiling
I had an odd moment today which has made me re-assess my prejudices.
I was walking down Shattuck at 10pm with Cat Stevens in my ears when I suddenly became aware of this big,young, black guy on my shoulder. He was jogging aimlessly in the same direction I was headed. I had sub-consciously noticed him walking aimlessly at the crossing but he seemed harmless. However, in that instant where I noticed him, I visibly flinched, frightened. Obviously, this guy noticed it. He gave me a questioning nod and started talking to me. I hid behind my earphones until politeness prevailed and I removed an earpiece to listen to him.
Guy: "Hi!"
Me: "Hi!"
Guy: "Do you know me?"
Me: "No"
Guy: "Cool". We high five with our fists (if you have seen American movies, you know what I mean..Can't explain it)
This conversation took place while he was walking alongside me. I was not sure where all this was leading. Embarassed to have displayed my fright, I obviously did not wish to be rude or provoke an obvious comment and continued making conversation.
Guy: "Do you two dollars, man?"
Me: " Sorry mate, no cash on me"
Guy: "&^*% off." veers away from me and continues to amble away in search of his next victim.
All this happened within the space of 1 minute, although it seems longer.
Anyway, it set me thinking how I had sensed danger when I saw another person behind me. I don't think I have ever had such an experience in the UK but the entire atmosphere in the US of crime and insecurity alongwith the Berkeley homeless population seems to have set me on edge. I may be over-exaggerating the episode, but a primitive,subconscious process perceived this man as a threat and I began to wonder why? What sort of memories and information does my innate defense system process and in what alogarithm to alert me to an uncomfortable situation?
My analysis of the event:
1. Possible homeless man(call him subject henceforth) at crossing. I saw another man walking in opposite direction from subject ( I do not know if the subject caused man to walk away, but I made that assumption)
2. MAN not Woman. Women are less of a danger signal
3. Black Man not White Man not Indian not Chinese - I suspect, and this is what scares me the most. I think in my head and subconsciously, I racially discriminate. I am sure I did this even in the UK, although in Oxford I did not have much opportunity to feel threatened or uncomfortable.
4. Big Man
I rate demographic groups as dangerous in this order:
Big Black street young guy > Black homeless old drunk man > Big White homeless man > White drunk man > Drunk Person
In the UK, I had a single danger rating:
Big drunk Man
I am terrified that I am in a sense racially profiling people. It is wrong and I am going to have to work hard to eradicate it. I have in a sense almost stereotyped racial and ethnic groups and my instincts reflect that stereotyping. An education and civil upbringing allows me to suppress these baser prejudices with rational equality but extreme circumstances might force me to behave instinctively not after rational evaluation of the situation. then what??
“Racism is man's gravest threat to man - the maximum of hatred for a minimum of reason.”
I was walking down Shattuck at 10pm with Cat Stevens in my ears when I suddenly became aware of this big,young, black guy on my shoulder. He was jogging aimlessly in the same direction I was headed. I had sub-consciously noticed him walking aimlessly at the crossing but he seemed harmless. However, in that instant where I noticed him, I visibly flinched, frightened. Obviously, this guy noticed it. He gave me a questioning nod and started talking to me. I hid behind my earphones until politeness prevailed and I removed an earpiece to listen to him.
Guy: "Hi!"
Me: "Hi!"
Guy: "Do you know me?"
Me: "No"
Guy: "Cool". We high five with our fists (if you have seen American movies, you know what I mean..Can't explain it)
This conversation took place while he was walking alongside me. I was not sure where all this was leading. Embarassed to have displayed my fright, I obviously did not wish to be rude or provoke an obvious comment and continued making conversation.
Guy: "Do you two dollars, man?"
Me: " Sorry mate, no cash on me"
Guy: "&^*% off." veers away from me and continues to amble away in search of his next victim.
All this happened within the space of 1 minute, although it seems longer.
Anyway, it set me thinking how I had sensed danger when I saw another person behind me. I don't think I have ever had such an experience in the UK but the entire atmosphere in the US of crime and insecurity alongwith the Berkeley homeless population seems to have set me on edge. I may be over-exaggerating the episode, but a primitive,subconscious process perceived this man as a threat and I began to wonder why? What sort of memories and information does my innate defense system process and in what alogarithm to alert me to an uncomfortable situation?
My analysis of the event:
1. Possible homeless man(call him subject henceforth) at crossing. I saw another man walking in opposite direction from subject ( I do not know if the subject caused man to walk away, but I made that assumption)
2. MAN not Woman. Women are less of a danger signal
3. Black Man not White Man not Indian not Chinese - I suspect, and this is what scares me the most. I think in my head and subconsciously, I racially discriminate. I am sure I did this even in the UK, although in Oxford I did not have much opportunity to feel threatened or uncomfortable.
4. Big Man
I rate demographic groups as dangerous in this order:
Big Black street young guy > Black homeless old drunk man > Big White homeless man > White drunk man > Drunk Person
In the UK, I had a single danger rating:
Big drunk Man
I am terrified that I am in a sense racially profiling people. It is wrong and I am going to have to work hard to eradicate it. I have in a sense almost stereotyped racial and ethnic groups and my instincts reflect that stereotyping. An education and civil upbringing allows me to suppress these baser prejudices with rational equality but extreme circumstances might force me to behave instinctively not after rational evaluation of the situation. then what??
“Racism is man's gravest threat to man - the maximum of hatred for a minimum of reason.”
This is thanks to G
This questionnaire tells you your chocolate personality type. Beware, its set up for women and so is every other blogthing on the site. I was just trying to break the gender divide.
I must admit they have got my chocolate type spot on - bit dreamy, up in the air but totally unpredictable. Of course, I have tried all the questions again giving different answers and pretty much still landed up with Milk Chocolate.
| You are Milk Chocolate |
 A total dreamer, you spend most of your time with your head in the clouds. You often think of the future, and you are always working toward your ideal life. Also nostalgic, you rarely forget a meaningful moment... even those from long ago. |
I must admit they have got my chocolate type spot on - bit dreamy, up in the air but totally unpredictable. Of course, I have tried all the questions again giving different answers and pretty much still landed up with Milk Chocolate.
Tuesday, September 18
India to host 2010 F1 Grand Prix | Top News | Reuters
This is great news. I remember writing earlier this year when rumours of this proposal broke out that I could not see Delhi hosting a race, especially a street race. The other illogical thread in earlier stories was India on the 2009 race schedule which was absurd, impractical and impossible.
Finally Mr.Kalmadi has been able to give a press conference about a F1 race in 2010 on a newly built track near Delhi, which should coincide with the Commonwealth Games preparation as well. So far, so good. Now for implementation of this ambitious plan..Mr.Kalmadi! We do not want to go the same way as the US Grand Prix.
Finally Mr.Kalmadi has been able to give a press conference about a F1 race in 2010 on a newly built track near Delhi, which should coincide with the Commonwealth Games preparation as well. So far, so good. Now for implementation of this ambitious plan..Mr.Kalmadi! We do not want to go the same way as the US Grand Prix.
Saturday, September 1
First week - the end
I am knackered! I don't think I have been this tired since writing my transfer report or doing my 7 day FACS experiment. On an entirely different note, my sorting experiment did not work..which is really annoying..damn!
I have been in class or a lecture for close to 35 hours this week..which is truly depressing. Next week is going to be better simply because Monday is a holiday and I have cut down on a lot of courses. I am only taking 16 units and auditing an advanced immunology class. After my first lecture, I realised that its probably going to be very useful to me considering that my knowledge of immunology is rudimentary to say the least.
We are forced to read about 150 - 200 pages of stuff almost every week, learn, understand and apply some pretty scary concepts. Added to this, is the number of assignments, papers,problem sets that is expected from us. Its ridiculous. Why do they have to work us so hard? I can see why American undergrads are so competitive, hyper and scary people. I also for the first time understand what is meant by "nerds"! We have one in my class... and you have to attend some of these classes to realise that this population of students don't really have anyother pursuit or interest in their life except to study.
Right, I have just spent the last four hours making minute changes to my figures. Its done and I am done for the week. Am off for dinner and a glass of chilled white.
I have been in class or a lecture for close to 35 hours this week..which is truly depressing. Next week is going to be better simply because Monday is a holiday and I have cut down on a lot of courses. I am only taking 16 units and auditing an advanced immunology class. After my first lecture, I realised that its probably going to be very useful to me considering that my knowledge of immunology is rudimentary to say the least.
We are forced to read about 150 - 200 pages of stuff almost every week, learn, understand and apply some pretty scary concepts. Added to this, is the number of assignments, papers,problem sets that is expected from us. Its ridiculous. Why do they have to work us so hard? I can see why American undergrads are so competitive, hyper and scary people. I also for the first time understand what is meant by "nerds"! We have one in my class... and you have to attend some of these classes to realise that this population of students don't really have anyother pursuit or interest in their life except to study.
Right, I have just spent the last four hours making minute changes to my figures. Its done and I am done for the week. Am off for dinner and a glass of chilled white.
Gmail: A Behind the Scenes Video
Google asked for video advertisements for gmail from users. The idea was that the gmail logo should move from left to right in the ad. Google then compiled bits from the best 1000 or so entries to make this video. Being an evangelical gmail user, this is the least I could do to promote the brand.
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