Aravind Adiga has won (2008) the Man Booker Prize for his very first novel. Curious, I had placed a hold on the book at my town library and sure enough the book is in big demand and is on a strict 15 day turn-around.
[Note for readers unfamiliar with current day India : This post is dated November 2, 2008 when the book had been released. The movie was released on Netflix on January 13, 2021. Since then there is great interest in this post. The movie is set in 2008 and India and the world has made great technology strides in the meanwhile. The biggest is cell phone cameras and social media participation in a very participatory and exuberant democracy. For eg. , towards the end of the movie the existing taxi contractors remain docile upon being harassed by police in Bangalore India. We believe that this is very difficult in 2021 as the you can expect a vociferous opposition. We mention this to put the 2021 movie in historical context ]
Author Archives: StratoServe
Stock market bubble,sub-prime lending, Alan Greenspan and the monkey story
// <![CDATA[ var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); // ]]> // <![CDATA[ var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-857684-6"); pageTracker._trackPageview(); // ]]> I have only limited understanding of the financial sector , particularly the ways of the stock market,mortgages and the the sub-prime mortgage mess. Have beenContinue reading “Stock market bubble,sub-prime lending, Alan Greenspan and the monkey story”
When Machiavelli and Plato collide- change and innovation may not be difficult !
Innovation and attendant change is difficult – for people are normally opposed to change. Many people are resistant to change in even silly things like the cup we use for our morning coffee ! In good or even in moderate times, leaders have a real tough time in promoting innovation and change.
700 or 2% of US car dealers may close- but could there still be light for US Auto?
// <![CDATA[ var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); // ]]> // <![CDATA[ var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-857684-6"); pageTracker._trackPageview(); // ]]> With all the turmoil in financial markets the troubled US auto industry seems to be on the verge of total collapse. 700 dealers might closeContinue reading “700 or 2% of US car dealers may close- but could there still be light for US Auto?”
US Senate approves India agreement for cooperation on peaceful uses of nuclear energy- a day before Gandhi’s Birthday
var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-857684-6"); pageTracker._trackPageview(); I guess the bailout approval by the Senate eclipsed a very significant bill that was passed by the US Senate-A bill to approve the United States-India Agreement for Cooperation on Peaceful Uses ofContinue reading “US Senate approves India agreement for cooperation on peaceful uses of nuclear energy- a day before Gandhi’s Birthday”
Banking is a mess, B2B trust and Karl Marx smiles at “mother of all bailouts”
The “nationalization” of institutions like Freddie, Fannie, AIG and so on and so on reminds me of what we thought we had left behind. Namely, socialism, the socialistic pattern and communism. Marx would be smiling and his more moderate followers like “Fabian Socialists” would be laughing more loudly. Nationalization protects the consumer somewhat but createsContinue reading “Banking is a mess, B2B trust and Karl Marx smiles at “mother of all bailouts””
Hurricane Ike and gas prices
var gaJsHost = ((“https:” == document.location.protocol) ? “https://ssl.” : “http://www.”); document.write(unescape(“%3Cscript src=’” + gaJsHost + “google-analytics.com/ga.js’ type=’text/javascript’%3E%3C/script%3E”)); var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker(“UA-857684-6”); pageTracker._trackPageview(); Hurricane Ike has caused immense damage and hardship in the Gulf coast. 25% of the US refining capacity is in this area and most of this capacity is shut down and will takeContinue reading “Hurricane Ike and gas prices”
“Hot Flat and Crowded” The ET industry
var gaJsHost = ((“https:” == document.location.protocol) ? “https://ssl.” : “http://www.”); document.write(unescape(“%3Cscript src=’” + gaJsHost + “google-analytics.com/ga.js’ type=’text/javascript’%3E%3C/script%3E”)); var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker(“UA-857684-6”); pageTracker._trackPageview(); Thomas Friedman was on NBC with Tom Brokaw this morning on Meet the Press and was talking about his new book. Watch the video here. I am a fan of Friedman and ofContinue reading ““Hot Flat and Crowded” The ET industry”
Outsourcing and innovation – Hackett Study and NESCON Workshop
var gaJsHost = ((“https:” == document.location.protocol) ? “https://ssl.” : “http://www.”); document.write(unescape(“%3Cscript src=’” + gaJsHost + “google-analytics.com/ga.js’ type=’text/javascript’%3E%3C/script%3E”)); var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker(“UA-857684-6”); pageTracker._trackPageview(); Apparently there is a new study by the Hackett Group that finds that while Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) is on the rise because of cost savings , outsourcing executives are generally unhappy withContinue reading “Outsourcing and innovation – Hackett Study and NESCON Workshop”
CRM on iPhone
var gaJsHost = ((“https:” == document.location.protocol) ? “https://ssl.” : “http://www.”); document.write(unescape(“%3Cscript src=’” + gaJsHost + “google-analytics.com/ga.js’ type=’text/javascript’%3E%3C/script%3E”)); var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker(“UA-857684-6”); pageTracker._trackPageview(); The new iPhone 3G is great, although being tied down to one carrier (AT&T) might be constraining for some as are the extra charges for Internet access. However, it is really a greatContinue reading “CRM on iPhone”