tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-127128922024-03-14T16:42:54.193+11:00Blogpur403 - ForbiddenBlogpurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04758048511094304508noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12712892.post-26374616699417272042008-07-16T13:07:00.002+10:002008-07-16T13:11:28.317+10:00The more you see, the less you really know<p face="georgia" class="MsoNormal">The reason Kamal chose to make Dasavatharam (and indeed a plethora of multicharacter films) is very interesting. I believe there are 2 significant reasons.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -18pt;font-family:georgia;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">1)<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->He has no charisma by himself. I love his efforts as much as the next guy, but seriously the guy doesn’t have the on screen presence to carry a movie by himself. Could you imagine him in Sivaji? Even the Shankar movie he did, he had to hide in order to be stylish. The plain fact is not many like Kamal as Kamal. </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><o:p> </o:p><br />You seem to be referencing Vettaiyadu where he played a “weary cop”. I don’t think he did this on purpose at all. He wanted the cash so he gave the performance of someone completely disinterested. Surya was more stylish in the precursor. To be outdone more by a newcomer is something Kamal would not like, so he did what he did best make everyone forget all about it.</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><o:p> </o:p><br />We’ve all seen PKS and 5thanthiram. Funny in parts sure, but even in that Kamal had to change his facial appearance and so on, just to differentiate himself. Do you see Rajini doing that? Before you all accuse me of sacrilege, no I’m not saying Rajini is better or anything along those lines, but I am saying Rajini has much much much more on screen presence, and whenever Kamal tries to emulate that sort of presence he falls flat. </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><o:p> </o:p><br />The director of Chachi 420, (before Kamal had a falling out and took over) expressed similar opinions. I will try to get the article, been out of all this stuff for ages you see.</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><o:p> </o:p></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">The other aspect is that Kamal himself wants to play all sorts of roles, he knows he can’t do them all properly, so he appeases himself by doing this.</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -18pt;font-family:georgia;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">2)<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Ever since Michael Madana... and surely even more so since Indian and Avvai Shanmugi, people expect every once in a while to be treated to Kamal’s versatility. The multiple role Kamal movie has come to mean a sort of festival, a deepavali of sorts. It is this goldmine Kamal is mining in the hope of it leading to further riches.</p> <p face="georgia" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">---------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">I also think it’s high time we cleared up some of the myths surrounding Kamal. For most of us Tamil film aficionados he represents one of the few director/actors willing to push the envelope, willing to experiment and who has a resume as varied as India itself. However I think the Kamal mythos has been propelled to heights unworthy of him by us as well. </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Many in the Tamil film fraternity often relate to Kamal as someone who will bring them fame from outside the country. Kamal himself has expressed this sentiment on a few occasions. However the question needs to be asked in all sincerity, is this “title” justified? Just what has he done to declare himself the world hero? He may say he thinks little of the Oscar, but his songs (surely the most pitiable form of self flattery “Oscar duuram illai” – unless of course he meant his redoubtable producer who poured money at him like a priest would pour Milk on a lingam) and his constant egress towards that direction says otherwise.</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">In the Kamal canon, personally I find there to be maybe a dozen worthy films, surrounded by trash. There are many films in which his efforts have come to the fore (take Salangai Oli, sure he danced well and the film was above average) but is the film truly exceptional? Is it a masterpiece?</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">The Kamal snowball effect, which really has been propelled by NRIs who feel he is closest to Hollywood thanks to his loveable liberalism and his atheism. Kamal now stands for something better than he really is. Symptomatically, the expectations are sky high. Thanks to people like Philip Lutgendorf (and of course a search engine which shall not be named), Hey Ram has become a film worthy of study. To many this has translated into Kamal being a worthy academic figure. But is he really?</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Hey Ram is a masterpiece no doubt. Aalavandan itself is good enough to escape being canonised as an experiment gone wrong. Anbe Sivam contains enough sappy red blooded (pun not intended) sentiment to work quite well to. Virumaandi contains astute direction but I just wonder if it would have been a real boon if someone besides Kamal had played the title character itself.</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">And that is the true indictment Kamal faces. There is no two ways about it. He is on a self funded ego trip here and has been for at least 15 years if not more. <span style=""> </span>It is high time the Kamal of old returned. The one we saw in Nayagan who looked at that photograph of his daughter in Nasser’s room, moved his facial muscles ever so slightly and made us subliminally cry. Efforts like Vettayadu, while a step in the right direction, was for the wrong reason. Gautham Menon expressed (I think in your interview) that Kamal thought of them as a “group of boys”. What exactly does he think of himself then? A master auter who has scaled every pinnacle? A Kiarostami? A Kurosawa?</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Lastly, Kamal has to learn to accept and use the art of suggestion. The love making scenes with Abhirami in Virumaandi were cringe worthy. Perhaps I’m alone, but they were not in the slightest bit romantic, they were revolting. This isn’t to say the ones in Hey Ram were, but he’s aged and he has to accept that. <span style=""> </span>The less you see, the more you really know. The less you do, the more you really see. Maybe at this juncture of his life, Kamal (atheist and all), should start adopting this mantra.</p>Blogpurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04758048511094304508noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12712892.post-82908300697315408202007-08-02T21:01:00.000+10:002007-08-02T21:16:23.399+10:00The Atheism Question<span style="font-family:georgia;">I don't think religion as portrayed by the media or certain fundamentalist groups has any relevance to what I believe in. Every politician when going to war instantly assumes the moral high ground by claiming that "God is on my side". No, God is on everyone's side. (Some would argue then that God is on no-one's side - not true; bit of Discrete Maths proves it ;) ).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Anyway I agree with your point about God being someone there to help us. I also believe that it isn't a one way street; if one wants God's help, one must also be deserving of it. How you wish to be deserving and what you feel to be deserving is a matter to you. I don't go out of my way to be a liberal thinker; I was raised as a Hindu, I am a Hindu. I don't need to be agnostic to feel superior or comfortable about anything. I want God's help and support, God wants my trust and loyalty. End of story. How you express it is up to you. Why should I give up the wonderful Hindu religion, all its culture and history, its humanity and diligence?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Sure there are drawbacks, as there are in any religion. Much of the problem tends to revolve around caste based prejudices. But tell me, in which country is there no casteism? Britain has it all too well (Peerage? Inherited Titles?), and so every other western country has it. I am all for the abolition of such prejudices; I am not for the abolition of culture, tradition and religious symbolism - whether they be physical, metaphysical or personal.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">The most common beginning for atheism is when you question simple things like "where is God?" or "if God were really around maybe he should stop all the injustices", "there is no God because you can't prove his existence." This then leads onto critiqueing the different religions of the world and their different stances and viewpoints. This then leads to a subversive cycle of cynicism and rejection.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Personally I believe it is the height of arrogance to say God does not exist because one cannot prove it. Can one prove God doesn't exist? Good luck trying.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Then there is the old point about religion vs science. For years these two have been considered mutually exclusive. It does not take a man of Einstein's calibre to point out that this is a falsehood. The more one delves into the sciences, the more one sees God's hand at play and what a wonderful job God has done.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Religion also happens to be a point of interest for all war mongerers, politicians, terrorists, extremists, fundamentalists amongst others. Proclaiming God as the reason for the destruction of lives, culture, peace and prosperity is a great fallacy. Using God in such derogatory ways is not only symptomatic of the human condition, it ostensibly represents the least love in God of all the citizens in the world.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Using God as a vehicle to commit inhumane acts is not only against the law, it is against God. Those who condone it are not doing it for God or because they believe in God.</span>Blogpurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04758048511094304508noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12712892.post-1176247293418951442007-04-11T08:57:00.000+10:002007-04-11T09:21:33.470+10:00What Cup?<span style="font-family: georgia;">It just shows how fickle minded most Indians are when it comes to the World Cup. As soon as India packs its bags and leaves, gigantic companies are talking of doom and gloom in the marketing department (and it's about time too I say, after having brainwashed mindless Indians for 10 years on the trot, now Sachin's Boost "Energy Food" doesn't make you that good does it?) most Indians now don't watch the world cup or follow it in certain manner.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">When exactly did the World Cup become India v "The World"? As far as I know, never. It was always about the world playing each other, which is still precisely what is happening. It's high time people in India and around the globe realise that this is an event where everybody participates and everybody has an opportunity. But nonetheless I wouldn't blame this on Indians, I'd blame this on the companies of India whose sole duty is to brainwash the masses. Every time an ad comes on TV, why does it feature a couple of Indians, plus some white men in a yellow costume? Surely they must realise that drinking Pepsi is not going to help you win over these white men in yellow uniforms (they surely aren't Australians)?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Why is India playing 22 matches against Australia in the next year? Well that one's simple, it's so the marketers don't have to pretend that those white men in yellow clothes are Australians. Now they definitely will be Australians. It so ironic that in a world cup where India left in the early stages, matches even now have "Indian Oil" and "Hero Honda" signs all over the ground. The sad reality is no-one in India cares any more and they big corporations have one person to thank for that: themselves.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Indian media, a great monster of an organisation does nothing more than fan the fires. When we see pictures of Indians burning effigies of Chappell and Tendulkar, who knows if that is an actual physicalisation of the hatred burning inside all Indians or whether it's a cheap shot at winning a few more points in the ratings war because surely terms like "LOC: Love of Cricket" and even more stupid terms like "Team India" don't help? (I just wonder whether in a state championship "Team Tamil Nadu" v "Team Maharashtra" will bring in the crowds?)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">The BCCI have delivered a </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;">performance based pay</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> system on top of a base retainer. That's called a </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;">pay based performance</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> system, not the other way round. Restricting the number of ads you can do? Yep that's gonna help your batting and bowling! Bringing in Ravi Shastri and BKV Prasad as coaches? Perhaps the BCCI misunderstood, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;">the Indian team needs a coach, not more players to coach.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">But you sit down one day and wonder what's the point of it all, India will still lose more often than they win, India will still dissapoint when it counts most and Indians will still blindly believe a media so stuck up themselves that they need laptop but need a pen to write on it - oh and all this has to be on screen! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">So what is the point? It's when you see performers and their traits like VVS Laxman's magical flourishes, Ganguly's sheer determination and guts, Tendulkar's genius, Dravid's relentless selflessness and Kumble's relentless enthusiasm. For the happiness they have brought to millions world over, they can be forgiven for not performing in the world cup.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Since India's no longer in it, perhaps the Indian media better rename it to something untactful like "WC: What Cup" or even better "WC: Who Cares?" Because most Indians certainly do not.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;"></span>Blogpurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04758048511094304508noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12712892.post-1169428179452169072007-01-22T12:06:00.000+11:002007-01-22T21:33:41.623+11:00The Tale of a Warrior<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/8042/960/1600/831447/70951.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/8042/960/320/744435/70951.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >All that needs to be said. Let's see if he can keep it up. He will.<br /></span></div>Blogpurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04758048511094304508noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12712892.post-1168171164122382242007-01-07T21:24:00.000+11:002007-01-21T13:28:10.483+11:00Another Series, Another Series Loss<span style="font-family: georgia;">What is it with India and clutching loss from the jaws of victory? Other teams may lose matches and series but they either get slaughtered or are just plain unlucky, but India is a different case. They are just plain Indian. The attitude is just imbibed all over them. After a stunning and incandescent win in the first test (after being absolutely slaughtered in the ODI series, no less) India let it go as they are so capable of.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Still there are some positives which will stand India in good stead. Firstly, it wasn't a 3-0 whitewash. That in itself is something of a reprieve after going down exceptionally distastefully in the ODI series. Secondly, the resurrection of certain players. It is no secret that I am an unabashed fan of Sourav Ganguly. Whether his performances (which yielded him highest scoring Indian for the series) is just a single entity or will flow on from series to series is still yet to be seen. I believe at least 40% of Ganguly did what he did to prove himself to the world more than to save the team, although his last innings of 46 reminded all of us what a player he can be when he sets his mind to it. Staunch defence, gutsy batsmanship and incandescent strokes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Zaheer Khan (another one of my favourites) has resurfaced for the better of all and sundry. He can now go on his way to becoming India's spearhead once again. Sreesanth had a good series, lets see how long it lasts. Kumble again proved his mettle and although some say he let India down in the final match, I say give the man a break, just because he does get 5 wickets an innings on average in the last 3years, you can't expect him to. He is after all human.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sachin Tendulkar has now been promoted to VC (ODI series against WI). Now I realise that this maybe mainly due to the fact that if they give to Ganguly it will cause all sorts of repurcussions and we don't even know if Ganguly will play well. Still I felt Sachin should have gotten the axe along with Sehwag. For how long do we have to keep saying he is the best batsman in the world when Brett Lee outscored him last year. Frankly it's getting ridiculous and rather embarrasing.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Probably for the world cup Sehwag will be back (India has never been so liberetarian to ditch a conservative selection for such a big series) and I also believe he should be there. Sounds hypocritical considering I just launched a scathing assault at Tendulkar, but the difference lies in the fact that Sehwag is out of form for some time, not for 3yrs.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lets see how it goes against WI. If India play to their ability, it should be a walkover. But then playing to their ability happens once every 10 or so years.</span>Blogpurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04758048511094304508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12712892.post-1165955254105246142006-12-13T07:26:00.000+11:002006-12-13T07:27:34.186+11:00Coming Soon<span style="font-family: georgia;">Finally saw Casino Royale so a critique of that should be around the corner and also I plan to do a reasonably lengthy critique of Hey Ram - one of my favourite films of all time.</span>Blogpurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04758048511094304508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12712892.post-1164879959193570412006-11-30T20:39:00.000+11:002006-11-30T20:51:54.476+11:00Sourav Ganguly<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/8042/960/1600/264877/55057.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/8042/960/320/123178/55057.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >You need a lot of grit to get back like he did. Now he's back. He must perform. He will perform.</span>Blogpurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04758048511094304508noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12712892.post-1164747265634253322006-11-29T07:51:00.000+11:002006-11-29T07:56:09.586+11:00The Wonderful World of Politics<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8042/960/1600/labourcuts.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8042/960/320/labourcuts.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8042/960/1600/conservativecut.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8042/960/320/conservativecut.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >So who are right? <a href="http://www.conservatives.com">The Tories</a> or <a href="http://www.labour.org.uk/home">Labour</a>?</span><br /></div>Blogpurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04758048511094304508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12712892.post-1164180959156365142006-11-22T18:34:00.000+11:002006-11-22T18:35:59.186+11:00Never another like Sourav<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/apr30rHS0sI"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/apr30rHS0sI" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">As a dedicated fan, this sends shivers down my spine and sends me back to another age when India was under the command of an Indian, not an Australian.</span>Blogpurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04758048511094304508noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12712892.post-1162453753618358002006-11-02T18:43:00.000+11:002006-11-02T18:55:44.850+11:00Photovoltaics: The Future<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8042/960/1600/SolarSailorSydHarb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8042/960/320/SolarSailorSydHarb.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pic: Solar Sailor Ferry, an Australian built completely solar powered ship.</span></span><br /></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-GB">In today’s climate of high oil prices, dwindling deposits of fossil fuels and widespread global warming and drought, alternative fuels are no longer an option but rather a necessity. While fuel sources such as nuclear power is still in its infancy with heated debates raging regarding its viability, other sources such as Solar Cells and Wind Power are efficient and feasible. Wind Power requires great expanses of area and forms a clumsy and unreliable form of energy production that is reliant completely on the natural elements.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p>Solar Power on the other hand is largely unaffected by natural elements, is far smaller (and as such can be applied in a residential setting) and offers more power per unit time. It can be conclusively stated that Solar Cells have a very bright future.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p>Solar Cells are already actively used in countries in </span><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Asia</span></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB"> as the direct power source for heating water. When considered the number of homes using hot water and thus the energy consumption as a result of this it can be seen the great advantages of Solar Cells. In the given case, it has alleviated the national grid in the respective countries approximately 20-30%.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p>Likewise Solar Cells are also being used in remote regions of countries where it is impractical to extend a dedicated power line. While it must be stated that Solar Cells may never be able to produce the energy required to electrify one complete city, they can be used as both backup devices and supplementary devices. This has the benefit of not being extremely expensive, saving reasonably large amounts of power from the national grid and also providing energy during “blackouts”. The last factor is an important one is developing countries as they experience an untoward number of such incidences.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p>Solar Cells by their nature are reliant on the sun to provide energy in order to operate and this resource has relatively untapped. However an average, commercially available Solar Cell of approximately 10cmx10cm, even in bright </span><st1:time minute="0" hour="12"><span lang="EN-GB">midday</span></st1:time><span lang="EN-GB"> sunlight is only capable of producing 0.16A. Obviously this is not a sufficient amount for any practical purposes, as such bigger and more advanced Solar Cells are generally used in any situation. More advanced Solar Cells have the benefit of being able to absorb light at different ranges of intensity and as such produce not only greater current in the same area, but also absorb more areas of light, therefore produce an even greater amount.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p>In rural areas of </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Australia</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB"> and other countries in the world, which receive generous sun exposure, “Solar Cell Farms” have been set-up in order to harness the naturally abundant energy there. Large expanses of area which would otherwise be barren are filled with Solar Cells with the idea that they can use the energy for local towns, and if needed pump to cities as well. Solar Cells have the advantage of being able to store or save the energy, which it has collected during daytime in sunlight. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p>The major drawbacks to Solar Cells are their inevitable high cost. The very fact that small cells generate very small, almost arbitrarily small amounts of current is the main reason for this. In order to generate electricity on a usable scale, one must invest in Solar Cells with the aim of getting good returns, which over time it will provide. Most investors, whether they be private citizens, companies or national energy providers are reluctant to invest in this otherwise rewarding enterprise. Importantly in countries where there is more rainfall and less sunshine (for example Great Britain) Solar Cells provide no real benefit in any sense, as such implementing them in such countries would be a complete waste of money.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p>Solar Cells also provide disadvantages in that it may cause complications in the national grid if connected. For example if a persons house has their own power generation along with the grid connected power, excess power will inevitably leak into the grid, causing spiking, irregular voltages, currents and other such drawbacks. Care must be taken to ensure that preventative measures are in place before implementing such a system. A standalone system of course does not have any such complications.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p>Regardless of the above small drawbacks with the Solar Cells, as one can appreciate, there are no major issues in regards to their usage. Unlike Nuclear Power which has pundits at loggerheads over its practicality, viability and environmental damage or Coal/Oil Power which is a dying breed of Power Generation, Solar Cells do not pose any threat to any organisations, the public or the environment. It is a clean, well thought out and well implemented system.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p>Technological advancements will only bring about better Solar Cells. Improvements in semiconductors have already heralded improvements in Solar Cell and Panels. The first generation of Solar Cells were simple semiconductor devices with the main emphasis on P-N Junctions Diodes. Typically they were constructed from Silicon (Si) wafer and still find a massive saturation in the market accounting for almost 85% of all Solar Cells sold.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p>However, Second Generation systems reduced the use of semiconductors and included glasses and ceramics in them. While making production and subsequently commercial price far cheaper, were far less efficient than the previously implemented system.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p>Third Generation systems have, however, bridged the gap between practicality, usability, efficiency and commercial aspects. Comprising of Photoelectrochemical Cells or Dye Sensitised Solar Cells, Polymer Solar Cells and Nanocrystal Solar Cells, these are the latest generation of Solar Cells, which are still relatively new and untried. Their basis is on new technology breaking ground in Science. Photelectrochemical Cells rely less of the Diode but more on the electrolytic process, which happens in the substance, they are immersed in. Soon these third generation cells will become freely and completely available on the market to be used. The promise to have an efficiency of 17% <span style=""> </span>far greater than the previous 5-10%. With this, one can see that Solar Cells in both their technology and applications have an incredibly bright future.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p><span style="font-style: italic;">They are being needed in most countries now both as a necessity and a way to the future.</span><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Some Applications of Solar Cells:</span><br /></span> </p> <ul style="margin-top: 0cm;font-family:georgia;" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Rural/Outback areas where dedicated power lines are not viable to be connected. They can be specially used to power farms, to provide a large output of energy.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Traffic Lights</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Public Telephone Booths</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Street Lights</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Street Name Boards</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Hot Water Systems</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Computational Devices</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Calculators</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Air Conditioners</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Vehicles</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Ships</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Railway Crossing Operators</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Refrigeration in remote areas</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Cars / Lorries</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;"><span style="" lang="EN">Solar panels can be used on </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" lang="EN-GB">spacecraft</span><span style="" lang="EN">, particularly when they are in the inner part of the </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" lang="EN-GB">solar system</span><span style="" lang="EN">. <o:p></o:p></span></li> </ul><span style="font-family:georgia;"> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Considering this is my first science related post in quite a while I thought it would be nice to have something that wasn't necessary technical but rather technological. I could have gone into detail about p-n junctions, how it all works and various new technical improvements including </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >Stage 3 Photovoltaics</span><span style="font-family:georgia;">, but I restrained myself. When I feel like it doing again, which I should think is very soon, I will bring back the old old </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" >E = hf</span><span style="font-family:georgia;"> and other such delightful creations.</span>Blogpurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04758048511094304508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12712892.post-1162376302300536792006-11-01T21:11:00.000+11:002006-11-01T21:18:22.330+11:00The Real Speedbird<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8042/960/1600/concorde_formation.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8042/960/320/concorde_formation.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Let the first, greatest and most beautiful of all </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speedbird">Speebirds</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> take to the skies again. Come on </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.britishairways.com/travel/home/public/en_gb">British Airways</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">, your company has never been the same since The Queen of the skies has been sitting on the ground. This is just a request from a humble lover.</span>Blogpurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04758048511094304508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12712892.post-1160798186299579652006-10-14T13:55:00.000+10:002006-10-14T13:56:26.323+10:00Alive with Technology<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6X7PAdSfHO8"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6X7PAdSfHO8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>Blogpurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04758048511094304508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12712892.post-1160470593257520992006-10-10T18:27:00.000+10:002006-10-10T18:56:33.303+10:00Ten Roles and Ten LiarsWonderful, <a href="http://nowrunning.com/news/news.asp?it=8030">another</a> exercise in narcissism and promotion of atheism. Ok Kamal, we understand that your atheist but jeez do you have to shout it from the rooftops? I couldn't stand watching 1 Kamal and his face throughout Hey Ram (although I admit the film is a masterpiece) now he wants us to sit through ten.<br /><br />Supposedly the story spans 500yrs, brilliant absolutely brilliant. Bravo Kamal, lets just blow another 50crore on some "comedy" which also "deals with the evils of society". I bet instead of spending 50crore on a movie that tells me things I already know, you could save people the hassle of sitting on their arses for 3hrs watching you and give the money to people who actually do something to get rid of "modern day evils".<br /><br />Oh and what exactly is a modern day evil that didn't exist in the Dashavataram days?<br /><br />Nice one Kamal, after copying Kurosawa, Scorsese and pretty much every other filmmaker, you've decided to copy the scriptures itself. It's a real shame they dont present you with new ways to "spectacularly" make movies. You know what would be spectacular, if Kamal copied "The Da Vinci Code". It's a shit book and a shit movie but put in the hands of a self lover could do wonders to Kamal. It's really a surprise that he hasn't actually copied it yet. It would be perfect for him. He could even call it "The Kamal Haasan Code" or perhaps "The Atheists Guide to God".<br /><br />I've got nothing against atheists, but narcissists I do. Kamal seems to think of himself as some sort of intellectual because "doga thirrupi pota God" in Anbe Sivam seems to have literary merit written all over it. The last time I heard that joke was back in 4th standard.<br /><br />Anbe Sivam, a Kamal Haasan acting masterpiece. It also happens to be a Kamal Haasan run lecture. I thought the man who was an idealist and atheist didn't believe in preaching, but he does bring out his love to make men sit through 3hrs of KamalHaasanism. I saw Anbe Sivam in order to watch a film, not a sermon.<br /><br />Going by <a href="http://in.rediff.com/movies/2004/jun/21kamal.htm">this </a>interview in 2004 where Kamal said: <span class="sb13"><strong><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">What do you like and dislike about yourself?</span></p></strong><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">What I like is what I exhibit. What I don't like, I edit so that you don't see it. It is like clothing. It is like how men wear tight T-shirts to show off their muscles. If they have a paunch, they wear loose shirts.</span></p><p>Kamal pretty much only likes himself and atheism, oh and women, but we don't want to go there now do we. You can dispute me all you like, but that's about the only thing he shows. And Kamal, please don't talk about tight clothing when you're starting to make Prabhu look thin.</p></span>Next question:<span class="sb13"><strong><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Are you a narcissist?</span></p></strong><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">No. You must appreciate what you are doing. Tell me, when do you become a respectable person in society? When you start respecting yourself. That is when you take care of yourself, that is when you comb your hair, groom yourself and cleanse your body. You do all this because you respect yourself. You won't wear a dress because you may not look good in that. My being a fan of Kamal Haasan is also like that.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">You have to appreciate the finer points of your work; criticise too, if needed. I am also my own worst and most honest critic. I can say things which nobody will ever dare say. Even the best of friends will stop at a point, whereas I can go beyond.</span></p>Next Question...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rediff</span>: Kamal are you a liar?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Venkat</span> (popping out of nowhere): Yes he is. And a thief of time. And a thief off pretty much every other filmmaker. Oh and he is also one of the best preachers out there. Imagine what he could do as the Pope!!<br /></span></blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />And yet, after all this, does one admire Kamal for his perfectionism? Yes.<br /></span></span>Blogpurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04758048511094304508noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12712892.post-1159744181520495982006-10-02T09:02:00.000+10:002006-10-02T09:09:41.560+10:00Gandhi Jayanti<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8042/960/1600/main_gandhi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8042/960/320/main_gandhi.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wish you all a very happy Gandhi Jayanti. Let us not forget who the father of our nation is and who we should be devoted to. In a <a href="http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20395778-29677,00.html">recent poll</a>, Bill Gates out ranked <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahatma_Gandhi">Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi</a> as our country's biggest "hero" or "idol" amongst the younger generation (yes that includes people who are about 30). <span style="font-weight: bold;">Something seriously going wrong here.</span> Let's see if it can be fixed sooner rather than later, because as far as I know, no-one idolises businessmen in the States or anywhere else for that matter.</span>Blogpurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04758048511094304508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12712892.post-1159677872096913682006-10-01T14:11:00.000+10:002006-10-01T14:44:38.973+10:00Kamal Haasan and his Paycheque<span style="font-family: georgia;">The last time I wrote anything related to Indian movies was back in September of 2005. That is proof enough that for the given time period till writing this, Indian movies are, in general, crap and continue to be crap. I am yet to see <a href="http://www.lagerahomunnabhai.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Lage Raho Munnabhai</span></a> which I have been promised is brilliant so I cannot comment on all movies. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Anyway, I saw Kamal's latest <span style="font-style: italic;">Vettaiyadu Villayadu</span>. Mostly a pedestrian movie. Even the macho moments aren't really macho or even cool. Kamal is pathetic at playing a stylish police officer in plainly obvious commerical film. This was plainly obvious in <span style="font-style: italic;">Aalavandaan</span> and it is the same over here. When he says "<span style="font-style: italic;">...chinna pasangala...</span>" during one of the latter scenes to a villain I was sitting there thinking what a boon it would be to have Rajini here. Kamal should stick to what he does best: serious efforts which question humanity, religion, love and loss. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Hey Ram</span> or <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kurudhipunal</span> or <span style="font-weight: bold;">Virumaandi</span> or <span style="font-weight: bold;">Guna</span> or <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mahanadhi</span> are brilliant examples of this sort of Kamal.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have noticed a few people on the net claiming Kamal's performance to be subdued, evocative and subtle. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Wrong.</span> It is disinterested and random. Like Coke (the drink!) which is hot and flat. It is still Coke but it lacks the fizz. Jyothika labours in a most stupid performance. What a waste of talent overall. The guy who acts as "Anderson" was also pathetic.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gautham Menon</span> seems to have been heavily influenced by American police procedurals. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Influenced, yes. Inspired, no.</span> This film just shouts out "wannabe" from the word go and with dialogue like "Back home we call it Raghavan instinct" it is most definitely more comical than Gautham Menon intended. Made me cringe. I don't quite know what made Kamal sign this film. If I was to take a wild guess, it would have to be the money. Along with Vasool Raja MBBS this forms two films that Kamal has blatently turned up on set to be paid. <span style="font-weight: bold;">This isn't Kamal the actor working, it is Kamal the businessman.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">As for the cinematogrpahy. It isn't brilliant either. I am not quite sure why it is being lauded as much as it is. Probably because every other movie being made in Kollywood is about as good as what most children manage when given a video camera. Anyway it is over the top, childish and lacks vision. I must say the songs look very nice, especially the one shot at night in New York. It captured the essence of the city that never sleeps. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Which brings me to my next point: music. I am not quite sure who did the background score. Could have been Harris Jeyaraj or someone else. Whoever it was, it was absolutely bemoaning. Same with "Anniyan". Well over the top and unneccessary. Most Tamil movies I have seen in the recent past have this problem. It detracts from the story, the acting and the direction. I would say that only two people are able to provide splending background music: Rahman and Illayaraja. Raja is in a league of his own in this regard. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">The songs themselves are not that bad, could have been worse.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">As you are reading this, you are probably thinking this is a very negative review. Well, the film isn't great or even good. <span style="font-weight: bold;">It is mediocre at best and flat out bad at worst.</span> Compared to the sleek and memorable effort Menon provided for us in Kaaka Kakka, this is most definitely a step backwards. You also probably noticed my usage of English wasn't exactly brilliant. That's because I reserve my better English for better things. Over and out: <span style="font-style: italic;">a highly dissapointed Kamal fan.</span></span>Blogpurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04758048511094304508noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12712892.post-1159334167283656302006-09-27T14:52:00.000+10:002006-09-27T15:16:07.620+10:00Clint Eastwood: A Reappraisal<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8042/960/1600/51905_f8e4cdcbefdac58c93db49447dd80d9b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8042/960/320/51905_f8e4cdcbefdac58c93db49447dd80d9b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Since 2003 Clint Eastwood has been on the upswing. With his masterful <span style="font-style: italic;">Mystic River</span> Eastwood delivered when it most mattered. A sober, contemplative and ultimately compelling saga of revenge, death and childhood <span style="font-style: italic;">Mystic River</span> proved to be a watershed in Eastwood's illustrious career. I don't say this lightly, mainly because Eastwood is responsible for such classics as <span style="font-style: italic;">Unforgiven</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">The Outlaw Josey Wales</span>.</span> <span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Mystic River</span> also came at a time when Eastwood's relevance in Hollywood was being questioned. At the ripe old age of 73, here was a director who just thought new and adapted the novel into something more than just an adaptation, an appropriation. Fuelled by sterling performances from all concerned, I consider <span style="font-style: italic;">Mystic River</span> to be one of the greatest films this side of the century.</span> <span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br />Of course, Eastwood followed this up with the Oscar winning <span style="font-style: italic;">Million Dollar Baby</span>. While not quite as visceral, intense, somber or free flowing as <span style="font-style: italic;">Mystic River</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Million Dollar Baby</span> meant that Eastwood was now on par with Scorsese amongst others. Scorsese who has never won an Oscar (and rightfully so, his films are far better than what is necessary for Oscar consideration) had quite a good chance with the hap hazard film <span style="font-style: italic;">The Aviator</span>. As time proved, Eastwood triumphed with both Best Director and Best Picture. Unfortunately Eastwood never got recognised for his great work and this is no different.</span> <span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br />Eastwood's latest two films <span style="font-style: italic;">Flags of Our Fathers</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Letters From Iwo Jima</span> look set to take him further up the ladder of masterful directors. If story and trailers are to be believed these two could be some sort of poetic masterpieces. Both forming a meditation on love, loss and war; they are shot two show both the American and Japanese perspectives of that fateful encounter 60 or so years ago. Eastwood's decision to opt for two films shows his daringness to extend himself and his American compatriots beyond the childish scope of narrow patriotism.</span> <br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">The splendidly bleached out cinematography along with the most beautiful (dare I say minimalist?) soundtrack I have heard in quite a while could, if Eastwood has done his job, elevate these two films into exospheric (hey come on, it is higher than the stratosphere) territory. The amount of effort Eastwood has put in while being 76 in appluadable and with Spielberg as his Producer, things could go right completely.</span> <span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br />Eastwood specifically used unknown actors in this film and the lack of star appeal is one of the films biggest boons. We are not going to watch someone play the soldiers, we are going to watch the soldiers. Could this film have philosophical questions abound? Could it connect with Nietzsche or perhaps Freud? Time will tell. Of course, I could be completely wrong and find these two films to be a good waste of however million dollars it is. Somehow I doubt that.</span>Blogpurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04758048511094304508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12712892.post-1159060755849253732006-09-24T11:16:00.000+10:002006-09-24T11:19:15.853+10:00Time for A Change<span style="font-family: georgia;">As much as I loved K2 and the way it served me over about a year or so, it was beginning to look tired and old. It had lost its sheen and started to wilt. Perhaps this new look again from the same people that brought you K2 will liven up things a bit and make me more inclined to write consistently. As Dr. Johnson would say:</span><br /><blockquote style="font-family: georgia;">"Sir I have found you a definition, I am not obliged to find you an understanding."</blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;">What relevance that quote has to the rest of the text remains one of life's great mysteries.</span>Blogpurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04758048511094304508noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12712892.post-1158152854594645262006-09-13T23:03:00.000+10:002006-09-13T23:09:10.863+10:00An Ode to the 20th Century<span style="font-family:georgia;">I've been listening to a bit of Billy Joel recently. Damn he is good! For pure energetic pop songs you just can't beat him. I would place him alongside The Beatles and Michael Jackson for sheer raw energy in his songs. In any case, one of his songs "We Didn't Start the Fire" seems a little off. It is a lightly politically tinged homage to the 20th Century. As usual there are references to pretty much everyone but any Indians. How typically American, and yet we suck up to them! Still, this song surges and soars. It never stops. It's lyrics are never poetic or brilliant yet for simple pop fun, I haven't seen much better. I felt they need to be showed to whoever sees this site! So here goes...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-family:georgia;">Harry Truman, Doris Day, Red China, Johnnie Ray </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">South Pacific, Walter Winchell, Joe DiMaggio </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Joe McCarthy, Richard Nixon, Studebaker, television </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">North Korea, South Korea, Marilyn Monroe </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Rosenbergs, H-bomb, Sugar Ray, Panmunjom </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Brando, "The King and I" and "The Catcher in the Rye" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Eisenhower, vaccine, England's got a new queen </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Marciano, Liberace, Santayana goodbye </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">CHORUS </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">We didn't start the fire </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">It was always burning </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Since the world's been turning </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">We didn't start the fire </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">No we didn't light it </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">But we tried to fight it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Joseph Stalin, Malenkov, Nasser aand Prokofiev </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Rockefeller, Campanella, Communist Bloc </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Roy hn, Juan Peron, Toscanini, dacron </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Dien Bien Phu falls, "Rock Around the Clock" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Einstein, James Dean, Brooklyn's got a winning team </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Davy Crockett, Peter Pan, Elvis Presley, Disneyland </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Bardot, Budapest, Alabama, Krushchev </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Princess Grace, "Peyton Place", trouble in the Suez </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">CHORUS </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Little Rock, Pasternak, Mickey Mantle, Kerouac </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Sputnik, Chou En-Lai, "Bridge on the River Kwai" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Lebanon, Charlse de Gaulle, California baseball </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Starkweather, homicide, children of thalidomide </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Buddy Holly, "Ben Hur", space monkey, Mafia </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Hula hoops, Castro, Edsel is a no-go </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">U-2, Syngman Rhee, payola and Kennedy </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Chubby Checker, "Psycho", Belgians in the Congo </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">CHORUS </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Hemingway, Eichmann, "Stranger in a Strange Land" </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Dylan, Berlin, Bay of Pigs invasion </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">"Lawrence of Arabia", British Beatlemania </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Ole Miss, John Glenn, Liston beats Patterson </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Pope Paul, Malcolm X, British politician sex </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">JFK, blown away, what else do I have to say </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">CHORUS </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Birth control, Ho Chi Minh, Richard Nixon back again </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Moonshot, Woodsto/ck/, Watergate, punk rock </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Begin, Reagan, Palestine, terror on the airline </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Ayatollah's in Iran, Russians in Afghanistan </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">"Wheel of Fortune", Sally Ride, heavy metal, suicide </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Foreign debts, homeless vets, AIDS, crack, Bernie Goetz </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Hypodermics on the shores, China's under martial law </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Rock and roller cola wars, I can't take it anymore </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">CHORUS </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">We didn't start the fire </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">But when we are gone </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Will it still burn on, and on, and on, and on... </span><br /> </blockquote>Blogpurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04758048511094304508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12712892.post-1156414408705302102006-08-24T20:12:00.000+10:002006-08-24T20:13:28.723+10:00Recursion<span style="font-family: georgia;">Saw this somewhere at my university. I thought it is quite brilliant!</span><br /><blockquote><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">To define recursion, we must first define recursion.</span></blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span>Blogpurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04758048511094304508noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12712892.post-1155630707492198382006-08-15T18:04:00.000+10:002006-08-15T18:42:06.280+10:00India<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8042/960/1600/indian%20flag.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8042/960/320/indian%20flag.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Back in the 1980's and previously India had grown up in the strict mould of the British stronghold. Hamilton Bridge was still Hamilton Bridge, Victoria Terminus was not Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Madras, Bombay, Calcutta, Quilon... You get the point. India has changed. India has embraced its own culture. Each state has decided to rename things to its respective language. India became more Indian as a result.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">The overriding trend however has been this adoption of American culture, language and ethos. In rejecting western society in the form of England, Indians have embraced America completely. Some of this is indeed good, the rest is again degrading the culture and language. The English taught us the benefit of polished English, the Americans have taught us how to adulterise this language. "Realisation" has become "Realization", 28/2/2006 has become 2/28/2006. This was plainly evident in the recent Bombay train attacks which was instantly dubbed "7-11". What is this people? Why do we Indians need to affirm our own system through some foreign piece of crap? Why do we need to suck up to the Americans now?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">The TV channel's in India are becoming so "wannabe" American, it's no longer the exception but the rule. Fashion is dictated by the Levi Jeans, even the use of "lakh" is slowly fading into obscurity. Why is it that every second movie that Bollywood pushes out have to be set in the USA? Is this some sort of effort to win over the Americans? Is it a realisation that our country is in the dumps? Is it some other psychokinetic related disease? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">One could ask me, why are you concerned? I am concerned because firstly the culture is slowly being degraded in our cities and villages. Who practises Yoga in India? Very few. However, it is plainly obvious that the white's are taking our valuable knowledge and using it themselves, while Indians, especially the young crowd, find it neccesary to demean their own background. In today's India the young must wear Jeans, dress like they are western. Does one see people wearing salwars and sarees in the states? No. Of course, one could turn around and say to me that does one speak Hindi or Tamil or Kannada or Bengali in the US It's a case of using the west to get your job done, not for personal gratification and customer satisfaction.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">If India becomes any more Americanised, no NOT Americanized, I see a case of personal identity loss. There could even be a "stolen generation" within India although there has been no ethnic cleansing. It's time. Time to revert. Time to stop dreaming things we are not. So let's all stop using Z the next time we write "organise". Next time you are going to put those pants on, consider the pyjama kurta. Next time you are about to about to say 7-11, think of the actual event, don't just refer to something so incredibly affecting with a reference to a date, and that too an Americanised reference to a date. It's just plain wrong.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">India is going down the wrong path. The best India can be is Indian, not American or any other pseudoculturual crossover. India has a rich history and culture, let's not lose it to the west.<br /><br />So with that, I wish you all a very happy Independence Day! Jai Hind!<br /></span>Blogpurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04758048511094304508noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12712892.post-1155451869010246922006-08-13T16:40:00.000+10:002006-08-13T19:29:00.253+10:00Batman Begins<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8042/960/1600/locandina_batman_begins.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8042/960/320/locandina_batman_begins.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Belated I know, Brilliant we all know. The Dark Knight is resurrected to a status he truly deserves. After the pathetic cinematic excursions in "Batman Forever" and "Batman and Robin" Christopher Nolan delivers the definitive Caped Crusader to the silver screen.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Going deep into the Batman ethos, Nolan chooses to explore the reasons Batman is why he is. What we receive is a stunning character sketch backed with extreme style from all concerned. None of this is campy, Nolan approaches the material with a deadly serious gravitas and restores Batman to the pantheon of great cinematic efforts. This is not only a great superhero film, not only a great summer action adventure film but also a stunning drama.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Christian Bale takes the role of both the tormented Bruce Wayne and Batman himself with utmost ease and displays a great attachment for bringing out the essence of one of the definitive superhero's of all time. Along with a splendid supporting cast which includes the likes of Michael Caine, Liam Neeson and Gary Oldman, Bale is able to play with the character but never taking him to the levels of camp. Injecting humour at the right moments and silence when required the actors make assured that this film has the right credentials when it comes to performance.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nolan himself has had a wonderful time constructing Gotham city as almost a present Blade Runner-esque New York. The Dark Knight walks down the mean streets but in himself is never mean. Nolan's direction never wavers, with utmost dedication he seems to purposefully avoid each of the pratfalls of previous helmers and deliver a film that is both satisfying for its sheer entertainment value and mesmerising for its depiction of the protagonist. Nolan also averts heavy usage of CGI and instead brings out the best in live action sequences. The "tumbler" sequence for example was as inspired as it was stunning.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">With Batman Begins, and more recently, Superman Returns the world's two most dignified and revered superheroes are back on firm cinematic ground. Judging from this effort, Batman has nowhere to go but up.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is what we have all been waiting for, Batman is back.</span>Blogpurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04758048511094304508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12712892.post-1154518940563110592006-08-02T21:41:00.000+10:002006-08-02T21:44:15.366+10:00Ode to C<pre><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >May your signals all trap </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" > May your references be bounded </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >All memory aligned </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" > Floats to ints rounded </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><p style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Remember ...<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Non-zero is true<br /> ++ adds one<br />Arrays start with zero<br /> and, NULL is for none<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />For octal, use zero<br /> 0x means hex<br />= will set<br /> == means test<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />use -> for a pointer<br /> a dot if its not<br />? : is confusing<br /> use them a lot<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >a.out is your program </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" > there's no U in foobar </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >and, char (*(*x())[])() is </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" > a function returning a pointer </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" > to an array of pointers to </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"> functions returning char</span></span><br /></p></pre>Blogpurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04758048511094304508noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12712892.post-1154142045778962182006-07-29T12:59:00.000+10:002006-07-29T13:00:45.800+10:00Making Sense of Big Numbers<pre style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br />To see a World in a Grain of Sand<br />And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,<br />Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand<br />And Eternity in an hour.<br /><br /> William Blake, from<br /> "Auguries of Innocence"<br /></i></pre> <table style="font-family: georgia;" border="1"><tbody><tr><th><br /></th></tr><tr><td><big>10<sup>15</sup></big></td><td>Grains of sand on a beach </td></tr><tr><td><big>10<sup>15</sup></big></td><td>Ants in the world </td></tr><tr><td><big>10<sup>17</sup></big></td><td>Seconds since big bang </td></tr><tr><td><big>10<sup>21</sup></big></td><td>Diameter of the galaxy (m) </td></tr><tr><td><big>10<sup>22</sup></big></td><td>Stars in the universe </td></tr><tr><td><big>10<sup>26</sup></big></td><td>Diameter of the Universe (m) </td></tr><tr><td><big>10<sup>47</sup></big></td><td>Seconds till all protons decay* </td></tr><tr><td><big>10<sup>50</sup></big></td><td>Atoms in the earth </td></tr><tr><td><big>10<sup>66</sup></big></td><td>Atoms in the galaxy </td></tr><tr><td><big>10<sup>78</sup></big></td><td>Atoms in the observable universe</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span>Blogpurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04758048511094304508noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12712892.post-1152077274737776672006-07-05T15:05:00.000+10:002006-07-05T15:27:54.763+10:00Superman Returns<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8042/960/1600/2006_superman_returns_053.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8042/960/320/2006_superman_returns_053.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><p style="font-family: georgia;">Just as many other fans of the series, I waited for many a year until the time The Man of Steel would hit the screens again. After 2 reasonable TV series, Superman once again flies high in this, the latest movie of the American Icon. The film is a delicious feast for the senses. </p><p style="font-family: georgia;">Bryan Singer, the director, pays homage to the old 1970's Superman films and this aspect of the film was my favourite. With introductory credit sequences mimicking the old movies, and John William's absolutely stunning score in full flight, the film gets off to a fantastic start and never goes down. </p><p style="font-family: georgia;">Filled with some awesome action, this time The Man of Steel is more about being a man rather than the steel part of it. The film details Superman's complex relationship with his long time girlfriend Lois Lane. Lane, who is now engaged and has a child is initially skeptical of the Superman phenomenon, but by the concluding stages of the film Superman win's his girl back and of course saves the world from the sardonic, sadistic and rather hilarious villainy of Lex Luthor.</p><p style="font-family: georgia;">The film plays along spectacularly. Action is inserted at all the right places, the reason why he is Superman is shown clearly and viscerally, the film is absolutely beautiful to look at. This is perhaps the greatest superhero film ever made. It may not find the place in my memory after 10 years like the first films did, but Singer's work here is outstanding. He transports Superman into an epic about love, religion and loss.</p><p style="font-family: georgia;">Bringing in obvious Christian allegories (the use of Gregorian chants at certain scenes) Superman bears the burden of humanity and is reborn after a meeting with the Pontius Pilate (or in this case Lex Luthor). Brando also finds himself in the picture and is used sparingly but hautingly, whatever he does have to say very much reinforces the fact that is almost an appropriation of Christ for our times.</p><p style="font-family: georgia;">The obvious questions of course detail the nature of Brandon Routh's portrayal of Superman. Not for a second did I believe this was someone else, Brandon Routh is Superman, he lives it to the fullest extent possible. His turn as Clark Kent is also beguilingly smooth. Being an emotionally troubled hero this time round, Routh has some chances to display some histrionic talent and he does this with great subtlety. Christopher Reeve has now been backed up with a look a like, but Brandon makes this Superman his own.</p><span style="font-family:georgia;">"I'll always be around" Superman says to Lois in the very last piece of dialogue of the film, just as Lois hopes he does, so do we, the audience. This is the stuff of marvel, Superman is back, and boy what is return it is. </span>Blogpurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04758048511094304508noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12712892.post-1150148487569000442006-06-13T07:29:00.000+10:002006-06-13T07:42:19.960+10:00Maidan ki Badshah?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8042/960/1600/56569.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8042/960/320/56569.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">I really do sometimes wonder what India will do after Dravid and especially Kumble retire. As of now, it stands as a somehow functional two man team. Tendulkar is long past his glory days. Ganguly, well he was dropped. Laxman is just not looking decisive and dangerous, maybe a series against Australia would do him some good!<br /><br />Other than them, batting wise we have Sehwag who hits a 100 every few months to seal his position. Ditto for the rest of them.</span> <br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Bowlers, well since when do we have any. Chappell turned Pathan into some sort of bowler who can't bowl and a batsman who can't bat. How wonderful. Harbhajan, less said the better. That leaves Kumble and Dravid. The only 2 professionals, the only 2 capable and the only 2 doing anything. Dedicated, reliable and resolute.</span> <br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">It's a real shame. Kumble doesn't get his credits as probably the finest bowler to ever come out of India and one of the world's greatest. In a nation filled with batting ideals, where has a bowler like Kumble going to find his place? More importantly, where is the next Kumble going to find his inspiration?</span>Blogpurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04758048511094304508noreply@blogger.com2