Republican Hyprocrasy: Rules don't apply to the rulers

Please watch the below video to understand how business is done in Washington. Republicans make a rule and then conveniently ignore it on the very first day. They just make a mockery of our legislative system. After watching this whole episode, I am not sure if our elected representatives are ignorant, incompetent or simply intentionally disrespectful of the constitution they are supposed to withhold

Eek! A Male!

Full Story

Having come from an Asian culture living in Western world, it is unimaginable and completely pathetic the way things are heading in America. I fully share the author's concern that we are treating all males as predators in the name of protecting the kids. Talk about innocent until proven guilty.

Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us

Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us

Well there isn't any surprise here for me as behavioral science is my favorite subject and the many books I have read in the past keep saying the same things. However, the presentation/animation is simply superb. Kudos to the creator.

I am a huge Jon Steward Fan

I don't watch any traditional TV at all. My work days are so busy that it spans 12hours a day on many days. So the only cable show I get to watch regularly is Jon Stewart's online at The Daily Show. I am huge huge fan of him and I find it very thought provoking most of the time and entertaining at the same time. Why do I not get the feeling when I watch CNN or Fox?

Here is one of his best moments

Book of the Month: Dance with Chance

Behavioral economics is my favorite category in non-fiction. This easily takes the cake as one of the best books. It is highly engrossing, very informative and useful in helping with your day-to-day life. It covers topics such as investing, healthcare, risk analysis and decision making.

In summary, Excellent book and must read.

Book of the Month: SuperFreakonomics

Behavioral ecomonics is my favorite subject. That coupled with one of my favorite authors means world of fun. This book is as good as their first. Highly recommeded.

Republican Hypocrisy

Yes it has been a long time since I blogged. But I felt very compelled to post this (though no one seems to follow my blog :-))

Please do me a favor and read the linked article fully.
An open letter to conservatives

Book of the Month: The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less

http://www.amazon.com/Paradox-Choice-Why-More-Less/dp/0060005696/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247978401&sr=8-1
Excellent book and it surely is fun to read. The primary reason I like this book so much is that it aligns with my strong belief that more choice is not better. Choice is good but less is better. Having lived in a different country for a very long time, not having many of the luxuries or choices that are available in United States did not even come across as a short coming. In fact it was a blessing in a way as I could spent more time on what matters most which is to enjoy life rather than learn everything about everything for comparison shopping and to enable better decisions. Also as the author suggests, we need things to look forward to. Having everything available takes the fun out. Waiting for a baby for 10 months certainly makes the whole experience wonderful and we remember it for ever. Having seasonal fruits was a good thing as I have something to look forward to. These things allow us to appreciate the world we live in.

BTW, I consider myself a satisficer.

It just amazes me that President cannot eat what he wants

For god's sake, this is free country and anyone including the President has the right to eat what he wishes to eat. That is the least of the rights I can think of as even in communist countries, there isn't a restriction on what you eat

For why I am so pissed at, the story is at http://mediamatters.org/research/200905070031

Quote mining

Richard Dawkins is getting high tech! But I wonder why he use Yahoo search as opposed to what the herds use :-)

I for someone thinks there are no sacred cows and like real thinkers like Richard Dawkins. Be sure to check out the following video

The 100 Most Iconic Internet Videos

In case you have missed out on the internet meme's of the decade, someone was kind enough to assemble the list with background information about the videos. I must be spending a lot of time on the internets since I have watched most of them (99% of them to be precise including "2 girls and 1 cup" that gets a horrory mention)

http://www.urlesque.com/2009/04/07/the-100-most-iconic-internet-videos/

Is Hitler an Atheist?

http://proudatheists.wordpress.com/2009/04/12/why-do-christians-insist-that-hitler-was-an-atheist/

Interestingly, people of faith like to cast people like Hitler as Atheist so that they can continue to claim that faith or belief in God makes one a good person. I am yet to see the proof that Hitler was an atheist and when I do, will update this post with that information...

Way of the Master vs Rational Response

I don't know if I am an atheist. But I have always enjoyed the debate!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0EEBuU-Psg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhrhyEvBnn8

and a lot more in this series...

God decides when the "earth will end"

Who is this fool Rep. John Shimkus? How did he even get elected? If he at the least argued that the science is inconclusive or the conclusions are alarmist, I would have some respect for him. Watch this and have fun!



Perhaps when there is nuclear war that man started that destroys our planet, this idiot would still say that this is god's will. If everything is god's will, his little brain does not have the capability to understand that climate change could be god's will too! So he better accept it on that basis alone or feel the wrath of god.

Book of the Month: The Wealthy Barber

Amazon link

Excellent book. I would heartily recommend it to anyone who wants to invest for their long term financial success. There are very few basic principles and steps that you can take to ensure your financial success and retire wealthy.

I especially like the book as it does not recommend a mutual fund or an investment option. It gives you the general view of different investment choices that are available and help you understand how they translate to your long term financial success.

Stock Market Manipulation - Jim Cramer

Why is he not in jail?

Fuel use of various modes of transportation

http://awesome.goodmagazine.com/transparency/web/trans0209gettingaround.html
Cruise ship was a surprise and SUV wasn't.

Book of the Month: Outliers

Outliers: The Story of Success

Yet another book from Malcolm Gladwell which I would recommend. I learned a lot from the book. It re-inforced my views about success and the origins of intelligence :-)

But it is definitely not as good as his first or the second.

Book of the Month: Gotcha Capitalism

Gotcha Capitalism: How Hidden Fees Rip You Off Every Day-and What You Can Do About It

Depressing to read all the tricks that the corporations pull to deceive (read maximize) profits. Some would say that is what is capitalism is all about. But I disagree. Where is the Honesty? Where is the concern about screwing the common out of whatever little he/she has?

If you live in America, this is a must read. It would certainly save you a few hundred dollars a year as the book promises

Finally, someone has the guts to tell the truth!

Stunning! Shocking! Probably for Americans but not for me! While I recognize Israel's right to exists and its borders prior to 1967, everything else is simply unthinkable and is criminal.

Original CBS piece: Time Running Out For A Two-State Solution? or here

While you are at it, watch the following as well