Connections

We meet people at various phases in our life. Some while we were studying together and others at a workplace. The hyper-connected world and social media platforms have bought us closer.
I wonder if we need to keep track of everyone. How does it matter what my kindergartner friend is doing to his son on Instagram? I found it awkward meeting those old pals, I had nothing to talk. It was like we were different human beings.
Does it make sense to chase old connections because social media wants us to?

Kid glove

I grew up in a protective environment. It was like parents always watching and telling what I should not do.

I realized this because of yesterday’s conversation. My friend interpreted in disguise:- How can you not know how to drive a car or bike? My parents always insisted that I should not ride a bike or car because of risks.

It will be unwise to blame them because I have done many other things in life which insisted I should not do.

I have no interest in machines, bikes. I see them as a mode of transport or getting work done, unlike society status.

Will I learn how to ride a bike or car? Will I own one? I don’t know.

Vacation

It is that part of the year when most of us are on vacation. In the US and Europe, it is time for celebration and meeting relatives/family. We in India with our diversity, we regularly get vacations.

Anyways, this post is more about those who call themselves being on vacation and still hyper-connected on the internet. I don’t understand this. Why do you have to reply to official email or comment on pull requests, you are on vacation. You are supposed to spend time away from the computer and worrying about your feature amendments.

Who should I blame, capitalism or our stupidity or is it our insecurity? Why do we have to check emails when it is time to be with family and celebrate.

If you are running a company, it has to be your responsibility so that your peers know that when it is time for vacation. They should relax, think and spend time with self and family.

HyperNormalisation

I was watching this documentary HyperNormalisation by Adam Curtis. It made me realize how vulnerable we are. The butterfly effect kind of phenomenon is for real. Small bunch of people are leading how human race should think, act or behave.

Take some time off your busy schedule and watch it now. You can thank me later.

On Visualization

I was reading The Truthful Art by Alberto Cairo. The book talks about principles on visualization and infographics. It relates well to designing a product.

These are some of my scribbles, I remember tweeting them as well.
1. Clarity and depth are paramount in infographics.
2. A data visualization is a display of data designed to enable analysis, exploration, and discovery.
3. It has to be customization for each person needs.
4. The greatest value of a picture is when it forces us to notice what we never expected to see.
5. Getting information as right as possible with clarity.
6. We should avoid self-serving bias.
7. We should be truthful and honest to our audience.
8. A graphic that is truthful, functional, beautiful and insightful has the potential of enlightening as well.
9. What you design is never exactly what your audience ends up interpreting. So reducing the misinterpretation is crucial.
10. We snap judge if we have the necessary knowledge for it or not.
11. Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious and adding the meaningful.

The principle
* More truthful.
* Accurate
* Informative
* Understandable

The method
* Think about the task you want to enable or message you wish to convey.
* Try different graphics format.
* Arrange the component of the graphics.
* Test the outcome yourself.

Great business model

I was going through my notebook and found notes from some book on a business model. I will update the post with the book name if I find it.

One of the elegant business models is that which serves as a great foundation for future growth.

Attributes of a great business model.

1. Lots of recurring revenue. (generally over 50%)
2. High gross margin. (over 50%)
3. Low capital requirement.
4. Great return on asset employed. (close to 100%)

Show off

Social media is the place for validation from random strangers.
How does it matter about your marathon timing, beer hopping, cat pics to me? Are we so alone or insecure that we have to post it with the world for approval, validation,  appreciations?

A friend of mine said appreciation on social media acts as motivation. It powers to continue in further improvement.

Why do we need other, strangers appreciation for self-improvement? What is wrong with us, the faculty of mind?

On willpower

I was reading the book: One Thing, in one section, the author talks about willpower. I liked it and made notes of the same, sharing it here.

1. Willpower is limited, spend it wisely.
2. Be full belly, this way willpower.
3. Do what matters in the first half of the day. This is the time when willpower is on prime.
4. Do not fight with your willpower.
5. Build a system which acts as a cover for willpower.
6. Don’t spread your willpower too thin.

What screws up willpower.

1. Implementing new behavior.
2. Filtering distractions.
3. Suppressing emotions.
4. Taking tests.
5. Resisting aggression.
6. Resisting temptations.
7. Trying to impress others.
8. Doing something you hate.
9. Coping with fear.
10. Selecting long-term over short-term rewards.

Trash

Most of my friends are in a relationship be it by virtue or marriage or commitment. I am not going to argue if it is fear of missing out or societal pressure for this bondage.

Some of my friends are not happy, they are treated like trash by their partners. Most of the time they will act normal about it all but the situation changes after few pints of beer.

You may ask, why can’t the breakup and pursue a better partner?
The simple reason is “Sunk Cost Fallacy“.
The sunk cost fallacy occurs when people irrationally continue an activity that no longer meets their original expectations. But why would anyone do this? Why not quit? The reason they don’t quit is because of the time, money, and energy they’ve already invested.

Our human mind is not rational. We forget about our well being and happiness. We continue living on autopilot. We continue treated like trash because of our investments.