Critique:
The letter contends that the article, under concern here, is incorrect in saying that the hapless victims of corporate downsizing face serious economic hardships. Quoting a report on the U.S. economy, it says that, in fact, job oppurtunities have been increasing since 1992 and that these jobs come with above-wages plus, are full-time.
The author fails to account for the increase in population at a more dramatic rate than that of job creation. With increasing population, competition increases as a result of which job vacancies are limited. Also, the letter does not manage to prove that those who lose their jobs in this process do not suffer any economic hardship. So that fact cannot be denied on the basis of the arguments presented.
That the newly created jobs are well-paying is a fact, extraneous to the argument as the article only states that the victims of downsizing suffer only till they find sutable employment. So, even if their new-found job pays well, that can't do anything to change the suffering they underwent till they got the job. Even the information about the jobs being full-time is irrelevant to the argument.
The author, in order to put across his point, either must have cited first-person accounts of persons who have really been through the trauma of losing their job or must have quoted other reports that contain relevant information.
ETS.org's Pool of Topics No.2 - 00:55
"Students should bring a certain skepticism to whatever they study. They should question what they are taught instead of accepting it passively."
Assume, there existed conveyances to go back in time and imagine, you are sitting in the intellectual auspices of some celebrated pedagogoue in post-Coppernicus and pre-Galileo times and you hear him showing his pupils a model of the solar system, you know so well to be heliocentric, with the earth at the centre with the sun orbitting it! And still worse, the pupils are all awestruck and listen attentively.
When Galileo came up with his model of the heliocentric solar system he was ridiculed and even condemned. The folly of the reaction to his theory can be clearly discerned today many years after space exploration has become a reality. This incident in the annals of history could put one very serious point through and that is, what is the veracity of all the putative scientific theories in existence currently?
Right from school, students are made to think that what is present in their textbooks is beyond the scope of questioning as to how much of the content is true. This notion being ingrained, they never stop to question, reason or attempt to practically understand what is being taught to them. What we rarely realize is that most theories are primarily assumptions of the error-prone human mind and that these premises many not always turn out to be accurate. One may counter that all inventions and discoveries are derive basis from established facts and observable phenomenon. But again, how much ever one may try to stick to facts, somewhere subjectiveness of the inventor may take priority not to mention trivial assumptions will certainly be made throughout the creative process and some of them may turn out to factitious though they were unintentional.
Take for example, the famous Big Bang Theory that is nowadays, almost invariably quoted when explaining the origin of the universe. According to the theory, the original singularity that eventually exploded is quanitively defined as one which is of infinite mass, infinite temperature and infintesimal size none of which have been simulated in any laboratory.
Does that mean that the this theory is factitious? The answer is exactly what I am trying to get at. Theories are ongoing processes, in that they are the culmination of the research of many people and still many more will continue to add to them by means of skepticism, followed by further research and leading to new findings and herein lies the choice the individual in deciding whether he chooses to be a part of this process or just be a passive observer.
Assume, there existed conveyances to go back in time and imagine, you are sitting in the intellectual auspices of some celebrated pedagogoue in post-Coppernicus and pre-Galileo times and you hear him showing his pupils a model of the solar system, you know so well to be heliocentric, with the earth at the centre with the sun orbitting it! And still worse, the pupils are all awestruck and listen attentively.
When Galileo came up with his model of the heliocentric solar system he was ridiculed and even condemned. The folly of the reaction to his theory can be clearly discerned today many years after space exploration has become a reality. This incident in the annals of history could put one very serious point through and that is, what is the veracity of all the putative scientific theories in existence currently?
Right from school, students are made to think that what is present in their textbooks is beyond the scope of questioning as to how much of the content is true. This notion being ingrained, they never stop to question, reason or attempt to practically understand what is being taught to them. What we rarely realize is that most theories are primarily assumptions of the error-prone human mind and that these premises many not always turn out to be accurate. One may counter that all inventions and discoveries are derive basis from established facts and observable phenomenon. But again, how much ever one may try to stick to facts, somewhere subjectiveness of the inventor may take priority not to mention trivial assumptions will certainly be made throughout the creative process and some of them may turn out to factitious though they were unintentional.
Take for example, the famous Big Bang Theory that is nowadays, almost invariably quoted when explaining the origin of the universe. According to the theory, the original singularity that eventually exploded is quanitively defined as one which is of infinite mass, infinite temperature and infintesimal size none of which have been simulated in any laboratory.
Does that mean that the this theory is factitious? The answer is exactly what I am trying to get at. Theories are ongoing processes, in that they are the culmination of the research of many people and still many more will continue to add to them by means of skepticism, followed by further research and leading to new findings and herein lies the choice the individual in deciding whether he chooses to be a part of this process or just be a passive observer.
ETS.org's Pool of Topics No.1 - 01:41
"The only responsibility of corporate executives, provided they stay within the law, is to make as much money as possible for their companies."
When I was old enough to decide about converting any of my multitudes of vocations into a serious career, a knowledgeable someone told me I wouldn't make a good manager as I didn't have the "eye for money". Dumbed down, I thought that the business of managing an organisation required you to have the Midas' touch. Now, at the threshold of entering the the big business of money-making, I begin to realise what he said isn't entirely true.
That the ability to mint money at a mind-numbing pace would take a person places, though true, doesn't imply that he wouldn't need any other qualities. Though certainly not in a position to write a "What it takes to be a good corporate executive" manual, I can atleast theorize that it takes loads of other attributes such as leadership, felicity, the ability to instil fear, respect and warmth all in tandem, charisma, flexibility, humility and less importantly, the ability to match your tie and suit. If it doesn't take all this, then why do CEO's of major organisations indulge in other seemingly disparate pursuits such as improving the quality of school-level and college-level education by funding development projects and by alloting large parts of the company revenue for sponsorship programs. Wouldn't all these ventures merely drain company profits?
Take for example, India, where quizzing has become a rage among the Indian youth, starting from the school going kids and extending upto the employees of different organisations, particularly those in the software industry. There are a plethora of quizzing events held across the country which are permanent fixtures on major holidays of the year. All these events carry with them a huge prize money, being sposored by corporates. Added to this, several talent-hunt competitions for schools are held at an All-India level. To cite an example, the yearly talent-hunt organized by Intel identifies students talented in Natural Sciences.
Why I quote this example is because the motive behind corporates organizing such events is two-pronged:
1) To create a talent pool that would in turn benefit the organisation.
2) To play a role in edifying and honing the future minds that will play a vital role in nation- building.
The point about nation-building brings us to another phenomenon that has caught the savvy of corporate executives, namely, the Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR), a term that management gurus allude, will become the management mantra of tomorrow. Though it its nascent stages, the idea has spread across the corporate world like wild fire. Now, corporate executives are asked to be more "socially responsible" and have a heart and a purse for the less-priveleged in society. Rural-development and help for orphans, mentally-challenged and physically-disabled are mandatory entries in the work-scheduler of every corporate executive Now where did all that talk about money-making go?
When I was old enough to decide about converting any of my multitudes of vocations into a serious career, a knowledgeable someone told me I wouldn't make a good manager as I didn't have the "eye for money". Dumbed down, I thought that the business of managing an organisation required you to have the Midas' touch. Now, at the threshold of entering the the big business of money-making, I begin to realise what he said isn't entirely true.
That the ability to mint money at a mind-numbing pace would take a person places, though true, doesn't imply that he wouldn't need any other qualities. Though certainly not in a position to write a "What it takes to be a good corporate executive" manual, I can atleast theorize that it takes loads of other attributes such as leadership, felicity, the ability to instil fear, respect and warmth all in tandem, charisma, flexibility, humility and less importantly, the ability to match your tie and suit. If it doesn't take all this, then why do CEO's of major organisations indulge in other seemingly disparate pursuits such as improving the quality of school-level and college-level education by funding development projects and by alloting large parts of the company revenue for sponsorship programs. Wouldn't all these ventures merely drain company profits?
Take for example, India, where quizzing has become a rage among the Indian youth, starting from the school going kids and extending upto the employees of different organisations, particularly those in the software industry. There are a plethora of quizzing events held across the country which are permanent fixtures on major holidays of the year. All these events carry with them a huge prize money, being sposored by corporates. Added to this, several talent-hunt competitions for schools are held at an All-India level. To cite an example, the yearly talent-hunt organized by Intel identifies students talented in Natural Sciences.
Why I quote this example is because the motive behind corporates organizing such events is two-pronged:
1) To create a talent pool that would in turn benefit the organisation.
2) To play a role in edifying and honing the future minds that will play a vital role in nation- building.
The point about nation-building brings us to another phenomenon that has caught the savvy of corporate executives, namely, the Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR), a term that management gurus allude, will become the management mantra of tomorrow. Though it its nascent stages, the idea has spread across the corporate world like wild fire. Now, corporate executives are asked to be more "socially responsible" and have a heart and a purse for the less-priveleged in society. Rural-development and help for orphans, mentally-challenged and physically-disabled are mandatory entries in the work-scheduler of every corporate executive Now where did all that talk about money-making go?
Presidents, Smear Campaigns and Abrasive Politics
The whole affair that culminated yesterday with the unanimous choice of a woman to occupy the office of the President of India, was indeed a sordid one. Surprisingly, after all the drama, boycotts, frantic smear campaigs and not to mention, the disparaging Dr.Kalam-fiasco, the front page of The Hindu just carried a small, I feel, downplayed caption, "Pratibha is President". I only wished there had been some nasty and gaudy grafitti instead.
All along, the tactics employed by both the contending camps were disreputable. Frenzied by the oppurtunities that would come with a win, the two alliances resorted to brutal savaging on the part of both, taking turns playing the good fellas and in turn, leaving them both struggling with a bundle of contrived charges and outrageous aspersions. For the ruling UPA, it was the case of the non-payment of a government loan by their candidate and a string of other corruption charges against her while Mr.Bhairon Singh was asked to explain his service-related inclinations to the erstwhile British government. Well, quite a case of political stich-up, atleat that's what the candidates were left saying in defense.
As an interesting exercise, one could conduct a "career-scan", like the one that our President-elects were harassed with, for other members of the political fraternity, one whose results could lead to many a repercussion.
All along, the tactics employed by both the contending camps were disreputable. Frenzied by the oppurtunities that would come with a win, the two alliances resorted to brutal savaging on the part of both, taking turns playing the good fellas and in turn, leaving them both struggling with a bundle of contrived charges and outrageous aspersions. For the ruling UPA, it was the case of the non-payment of a government loan by their candidate and a string of other corruption charges against her while Mr.Bhairon Singh was asked to explain his service-related inclinations to the erstwhile British government. Well, quite a case of political stich-up, atleat that's what the candidates were left saying in defense.
As an interesting exercise, one could conduct a "career-scan", like the one that our President-elects were harassed with, for other members of the political fraternity, one whose results could lead to many a repercussion.
Sivaji, Rajni and the BOSS
"Give me one time style yeah!!" Well you don't have to ask for more as Superstar Rajni gives you just that in Sivaji, his big-budget extravaganza that released this week amidst a hype like never before. This time he is the archetype of the service-minded NRI as he sets out to serve the people and in the process take on corruption. He sets out on the daunting task of starting a medical college, setting up his "Sivaji Foundation" and also finding his choice of a wife, one with "Tamil Kalacharam".
The NRI software engineer returns home with a huge bank balance which is evident from his travel in a ritzy Merc to his residence in an estate probably leased to Director Shankar by the Dubai Sheikh(kidding!). Apparently, he is helplessly forced to bribe officials to start his venture. In the process, he is forced to sell all his assets to fund his kickbacks to the corrupt bureaucrats. Finally, when he is made the fall guy and taken to court, this laptop-weilding, goon-kicking and Rolex-flashing 'Bachelor of Social Service' decides to deal with the state of affairs his own way and at this juncture, we return to typical Rajni business.
Sivaji manages to convey all of Rajni's social and spiriual messages. One would be given to assuming that they are politically motivated though the actor has so far distanced himself from that mad rush. At the moment, all he has to say is "The rich get richer and the poor get poorer...." and it seems, he just got richer by 35 crores.....
The NRI software engineer returns home with a huge bank balance which is evident from his travel in a ritzy Merc to his residence in an estate probably leased to Director Shankar by the Dubai Sheikh(kidding!). Apparently, he is helplessly forced to bribe officials to start his venture. In the process, he is forced to sell all his assets to fund his kickbacks to the corrupt bureaucrats. Finally, when he is made the fall guy and taken to court, this laptop-weilding, goon-kicking and Rolex-flashing 'Bachelor of Social Service' decides to deal with the state of affairs his own way and at this juncture, we return to typical Rajni business.
Sivaji manages to convey all of Rajni's social and spiriual messages. One would be given to assuming that they are politically motivated though the actor has so far distanced himself from that mad rush. At the moment, all he has to say is "The rich get richer and the poor get poorer...." and it seems, he just got richer by 35 crores.....
CEO's, Inequality and Talk of Trillionaires
Recently, Dr.Manmohan Singh was at the receiving end of some negative remarks by the media. Apparently, during his address to the CII's annual meeting, being attended by top-end corporate executives, he alluded that our much celebrated and idolized CEO's might just survive on "a few rupees less". This drew great criticism from the media who accused him of trying to undermine the economic reforms process, of which CEO's play an important role.
The truth is that the whopping compensations, CEO's receive have been instrumental in creating gross inequalites among people. Talk of Mukesh Ambani becoming India's first dollar trillionaire and talk of the widows of farmers in Vidharba struggling for survival with daily wages of Rs.25.
Diametrical truths, ain't it....and certainly those that don't receive coverage in the front pages of newspapers. At the most, they'll be covered by the middle page editorials while Mr.Ambani will continue to flash a milllion-dollar smile, Oh i'm sorry,a "trillion-dollar" smile from a dozen front page photos.
Inequality is so vast and serious a topic it merits deeper analysis and thought than this.Well anyway, worth a mention.
The truth is that the whopping compensations, CEO's receive have been instrumental in creating gross inequalites among people. Talk of Mukesh Ambani becoming India's first dollar trillionaire and talk of the widows of farmers in Vidharba struggling for survival with daily wages of Rs.25.
Diametrical truths, ain't it....and certainly those that don't receive coverage in the front pages of newspapers. At the most, they'll be covered by the middle page editorials while Mr.Ambani will continue to flash a milllion-dollar smile, Oh i'm sorry,a "trillion-dollar" smile from a dozen front page photos.
Inequality is so vast and serious a topic it merits deeper analysis and thought than this.Well anyway, worth a mention.
G8, Globalisation and Heiligendamm
Beginning last week, the representatives of the different power-houses of the world have camped at an otherwise quite sea-resort called Heiligendamm for the "G8" summit. Poor residents of this town have had to put up with security arrangements, apparently nothing short of "alien-attack" preparedness what with electric-fencing along the perimeter of the whole area, battle-ready warships guarding the waters and sniffer dogs for identifying trouble-makers, Gestapo-style. Traditionally, venues of G8 summits have always been the scene of sanguinary battles between anti-globalisation protestors and hapless policemen.
Personally, the news of such protests at previous G8 summits have left me only thinking, "Well what's all the fuss about?". That was when I happened to read an article about the current surge in Philippines of the use of milk-powder derived milk by mothers for feeding, being aggresively marketed by US based multi-nationals and the attendant acute health crisis. Hopefully, that story'll will be content for the next post....
Personally, the news of such protests at previous G8 summits have left me only thinking, "Well what's all the fuss about?". That was when I happened to read an article about the current surge in Philippines of the use of milk-powder derived milk by mothers for feeding, being aggresively marketed by US based multi-nationals and the attendant acute health crisis. Hopefully, that story'll will be content for the next post....
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