Category: post

Institutions

Been finding it interesting (more so intriguing) to note that after encountering efficient, non corrupt processes in countries like UK, the solutions for India from Indians here are still mostly on lines of:

  • ‘Shoot all the leaders’,
  • ‘Congress is corrupt, BJP will bring ram rajya’,
  • ‘Anna Hazare is the saviour’,
  • ‘we need a dictatorship’ (which, both the above options might easily deliver), my etc.

No one, not even the most intelligent, insightful IIT/IIM educated folk I’ve met or read, suggest what I find to be the obvious: ‘strong, independent government institutions’.

The strength of western democracies isn’t derived from non-corrupt leaders (they are corrupt here too, just not in such an open manner), or from being led by a god anointed party or leader (highly religious states in EU seem to have higher corruption), or from a great leader(!) who has lead them into a shining future.

The strength of western democracy, IMO, is derived from its strong institutions which deliver what they are responsible for, irrespective of – government of the day, mood of the populace and mood of the boss. More importantly, institutions which, while consistently delivering their responsibilities, rarely over reach.

About time that we stopped thinking in terms of individuals and personalities, and started thinking in terms of institutions, organisations, structures and processes. Yes, it’s boring, it doesn’t let you (or anyone) be a hero. But, it delivers. Time, after time.

Continue reading Institutions

Swim Class

Happy with the last few swims after today’s class. Finally starting to breathe every 3rd stroke. Did feel better, faster that way too.

Also learnt that my backstroke needs more work. Core muscles are weak and cause me to flip bit to much.

It helped that there were just 3 of us for the class today. Got proper attention finally :)

Posted from WordPress for Android

Shame on you, LCC

Using a double negative to fool people into allowing you to mail them is one of the cheap tricks of trade for spammers and unethical websites. Not something I’d expect of a reputed cycling advocacy charity.

Shame!

P.S.: I did submit the petition. But that’s because I believe strongly in the cause. That stupid checkbox label almost put me off signing it, though.

Advertising Effectiveness

If you ever wondered about the effectiveness of advertising in turning a product or a campaign around (for good or for worse), this might help. According to numbers published by WSJ,

43% of all spending by Super PACs so far has been to oppose Newt Gingrich.

75% of all ‘opposing’ spending by Super PACs has been targeted at Newt Gingrich

Super PAC spend opposing Newt Gingrich was 8.7 times of spend supporting him.

If the result in South Carolina and the ratings in Florida are any indicator, these figures seem to be presenting a pretty damning statement against advertising effectiveness.