Wondering about the ancients - nine planets, flying chariots and WMDs

Yesterday my daughter was complaining about her boring history classes and asking me tips on how to remember dates and names. She was also wondering why we have to learn about history in the first place.

"What is the use of learning about people that passed away and events that happened long time ago?"

I was explaining to her, that we need to learn from history so that we do not make the same mistakes again and also to learn from things that went right. I also told her that I was in our school and University Quiz teams and was an extra reason I had an interest in memorising the details of things that happened in the past.

However, today morning I was pondering about our conversation while reading an article about ancient Indian. Thousands of years ago, the ancient Indians believed that there were nine planets and even worshiped them as Demi Gods. I even wear a pendant given by my Mum which is called Nav-Ratan in Hindi (9 Jewels) and Graha Mapan in Manipuri, which represents the 9 planets.

We know this to be a fact today and even there were some debate on whether there was a 10th planet and the removal of Pluto from the list of planets for a while.

The question that bristled in my brain was how these ancient people knew there were 9 planets when there is no evidence that they had telescopes.

Or were there advanced civilizations which had access to telescopes and other scientific equipment  and I then think about all the ancient Hindu epics with their flying chariots and weapons of mass destruction and wonder whether these were actually faced on facts.

In front of my PC with Coke

WARNING: Depressing post ahead. Though it ends on an optimistic note.

Today has been a rather stressful day. It might have something to do with the fact that my son was vomiting all night (he's much better today) or I went to bed at 5 am in the morning or maybe that it's cold, everything is covered with snow and gloomy outside. It might also have something to do with the fact that I had a discussion about our finances with the wife (and ir does not really look good) and that I still have another chapter of my PhD thesis to complete.

My wife has gone to help a friend who's leaving the UK soon to pack. My son is taking a nap and my daughter is busy in her imaginary World. I am now in front of my PC with a class of Coca Cola Zero and I do feel much better.



No! Coca Cola did not pay me to write this post.

Speak up for the oppressed people

You might have read one version of this poem by Pastor Martin Niemoller. Various versions that exist around the world have added or substituted one oppressed group of people or the other. I really like this poem because it reminds us to speak up against oppression, even when you are not the target.

While discussing about recent developments in Europe, a friend who sees a rise in anti-Islamic rhetoric everywhere, commented that we should probably have one version with "Muslims" as well.

"First they came for the Jews.
But I didn't speak up because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the communists.
But I didn't speak up because I was not a communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists.
But I didn't speak up because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Catholics.
But I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.

Then they came for me.
And by that time no one was left to speak up."

Does Google control my life?

I couldn't resist the title.

A couple of minutes ago, I had a panic attack as I couldn't open Google mail on my browser. The reason is that it's nearly 2 am and I am going through a draft of a book chapter I am writing with my supervisor. I am really sleepy and I am meeting her at 11am tomorrow, and I really needed to go through the reviewer's feedback to see whether I have covered all the points.

I had a similar problem yesterday and even though the problem was solved after restarting my computer, which may indicate that the problem is with my computer rather than with Google. However, it made me wonder whether I am being too dependent on Google.

I use my Google mail account to read my university mail, moderate my comments and also to read Twitter updates and Tweet (using Twitter Gadget). It's also linked to my Paypal, Amazon and eBay accounts. I also use the Google calender to manage my appointments which is shared and syncronised with my wife's. There are a few documents shared with friends via Google documents.

Besides that, I have most of my blogs hosted with Blogger (which is also owned by Google). And I am guessing that I am not the only one.

I shudder to think what would happen if Google were to shut down even for a day - there might be utter chaos in the World.

Critical thinking

Recently someone asked me my opinion about "critical thinking" as part of their research. More precisely, what is critical thinking according to me.

The first think that came to my mind was "Thinking outside the box!" However, when I was asked to elaborate what I meant by that, I suddenly realised that I couldn't explain.

What do we mean when we say, "thinking outside the box" and what box are we referring to?

Anyway, to me, critical thinking refers to opening up our minds to several possible solutions to a problem and reflecting during the whole process. It also means avoiding all possible bias that may cloud the thought process. It's really hard to put aside all the bias that we may have inside our heads and this in turn makes it hard for us to think objectively.

For example, in an election, can we vote for someone - totally ignoring the skin colour, religion, race, etc. and only looking at their track record and all available information on the candidates.

Made me think that if we place ourselves in that situation would we be able to think objectively and justly as well.

So what do you understand by critical thinking?

President Barak Obama

As we all know Obama, the son of a black father from Kenya and white mother from Kansas, will be sworn in as the 44th US president on January 20, 2009.

Is it possible that the UK might have a black, mixed race or even an Asian as the Prime Minister.

How about Malaysia? Will we ever see a Chinese or Indian Prime Minister?

I guess that might take a little more time.

BTW, I am sure you have heard or read about his Indonesian connection but do you know the Malaysian connection.

Well Obama's Half-sister Maya Soetoro-Ng is married to Konrad Ng, a Canadian of Malaysian Chinese descent. His parents are from Kudat and Sandakan,Sabah, Malaysia.

Anyway, the two best things that ever happened to Obama were probably the controversy that his Pastor started (read Obama's Pastor: God Damn America, U.S. to Blame for 9/11) and when John McCain announced Sarah Palin as his running mate.

Regarding the pastor, many who were NOT going to vote for Obama because they thought he was a Muslim, suddenly thought: "Wait a minute! He's got a Pastor, which means he goes to Church and therefore, he's not a Muslim".

As for Sarah Palin, read Palin 'Said Africa Was A Country'.

Watch Obama in Chicago:

6th Anniversary

It's amazing but apparently we have been married or 6 years now. It only feels like it was yesterday we were studying for our economics paper at Starbucks in Bangsar.

How time flies.

We didn't do anything special today. We didn't even give each other any presents. We were happy that we are there for each other.

And I am sitting here and thinking that's not right. It was just like any other day and we spent the morning discussing problems regarding our research. In fact it has been ages since we had a nice time to ourselves.

If any one talks about the "carefree student life" he is obviously not aware what a student with kids, without a scholarship and doing a PhD, goes through. However, we are looking at the promises of a better future and hope is all we have. I am sure all the sacrifices are worth it.

Here's looking forward to many more anniversaries to come.

Am I in the wrong profession

Haven't been able to update this blog that often as would have liked to.

Anyway, quite recetly I had an opportunity to talk to a guy working for an IT firm around here. I was shocked when I found out how much they were earning. The amazing part was not how much they earned but they did so when most of them don't even have a degree. Here I am, having spent a large part of my life in various educational institutions as a student and as an academic with short stints in the corporate sector and non-governmental sector. And what do I expect to get after all this - a place as a lowly paid lecturer in a University.

Even here in the UK, the starting pay for a lecturer is only around £3000 (it varies from University to University and I am taking the higher end). That may seem a lot but considering that in order to have a chance of getting into a University you must have a good bachelor's degree, followed by a Master's degree (not necessary in some cases) and ultimately topped by a PhD. And that's not all - you need to have some teaching experience and some publications, preferably in top ranking academic journals.

I have done most of that and so far I have spent around 9 years studying in various Universities after I left secondary school. I am not even calculating the money I have invested in my education. And I find myself asking this question - For what?

I guess the answer is right in front of me. A thirst for knowledge and books plus the fact that I love sharing what little I know with everyone willing to listen and read (or forced) what I have to say and found out. I guess that's what drives me to blog as well.

What about you? Do you love what you do or do you find yourself question whether you made the right choice?

Hanlon’s Razor

This is my thought for the day:

You might want to ponder over it.

Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.

or

Never attribute to conspiracy that which can be adequately explained by incompetence.