Ameet's blog

Recently on visit to India, I visited a superb NGO from Pune, Shelter associates . Started by architects, they helped in creating most up-to-date maps & surveys of slums in pune. Now they also have ability to create layered GIS maps of slums, with any possible information starting from family size, occupation, move-in history, rental/own house, toilets, water taps, electricity connection and so on. Such surveys helped create tailored, optimal solutions for slum developement/relocation/hygiene improvement projects for which SA acted a facilitator. Two of their success stories have been made into documentaries by Yashada, pune. Please watch them, and spread the word amongst your friends about this superb good work. Dr. Pratima Joshi, director, SA was recently awarded 'Ashoka' fellowship for this useful work. Kamgar Putla slum relocation project Sangali slum sanitation improvement

I was browsing wiki entry on stupidity , and found such gems. Why was I searching so in the first place, you ask? well, I was testing myself for it :-) Stupidiy can be lacking or flawed intelligence, tendency to groupthink (trying to minimize conflict and reach consensus without critically testing, analyzing, and evaluating ideas), confirmation bias (rational thought being derailed by strong opinions or rigid beliefs which adhere to selective evidence), unwitting selfdestruction or the ability to act against one's best wishes. Modern science specifically evolved to combat confirmation bias. During scientific thought we should constantly criticize our own beliefs and assumptions (attempt to disprove hypotheses), while also using humility and extreme self-honesty to reduce our ego-based biases. Is a fool same as stupid? I don't know... But I starkly remember this cryptic story from Chandoba which drove me nuts as a child. Once a king had two sons, elder being studious, sincer...

Came across a superb site, American Science & Surplus . These people are excited about electronics, and visit their site and you will get too. Whatever they are selling, be it parts from a used radio to a mere thermistor, their sketchy doodles, and humorous, to the point, honest to goodness sales pitch filled with vital-stats will make you see the 'value'. Truly a Trader Joe for online electronics.

Something happened today to remind of this line from Annie Hall . "I would never wanna belong to any club that would have someone like me for a member." That's the key joke of my adult life in terms of my relationships with women Self-esteem is a tricky business.

The age of air powered cars is upon us! What I thought was April fool's joke is true!! These run on compressed air, do not pollute, run 200-300km on single refill, which can be done at air station in 2-3mins for Rs.90 or at home! (in 4 hours by plugging to the wall socket). Check out this & this video to see them in action. Developed by french MDI group, Tata group will be marketing these in India! Read the astounding specs in this story on rediff.