Book Review: Outliers

Malcom Gladwell has rightly adapted the tag line of the book as "The Story of Success." I find the book amusing in many ways---there are reflections on my own life which I can relate. The quest started with "Bad Luck or Dumbness (the details span over to Luck vs. Details debate by Salman Kasbati.

Some answers I learned in life myself, and some other answers were provided by the book. The nice thing is that Malcom has gone through case studies and hence there is considerable empirical analysis on which he basis his claims.

The Emperor's New Clothes

A stupid story read in the childhood seems so relevant and to the point in the mid-ages! I am sure you have read The Emperor's New Clothes in one form or another.

Time and again, I have seen people praising something just because some other people were praising the same thing! In fact, people seem stupid (or backward or conservative) if they don't appreciate the "new clothes" which either do not exist or are very low quality from what they actually have. Usually, the person "demonstrating the new clothes" is a consultant or a new inductee, who tries to impress others by his "vast experience" and acumen---not necessarily duping them but selling them an idea without facing any resistance. Finally, the ideas are very well appreciated by the people attending the presentation, even though very little would have gone in their heads.

I remember someone told me years ago, "God has created a fair share of stupids for each one of us; it's upto us to find them."

On Change: Part II

If a change begets a new set of problems, am I suggesting that one should always remain tied with the daily tedium? No, not at all. It's just that one should set the right expectations with "a change." With every change, some unknown reveals itself, imparting you more knowledge. If your expectation with a need for change is to gain more knowledge/ skill accompanied with the readiness for new challenges, you are the man!

This brings me to the ultimate question of "fight or flight?" Consider the organization you are working with; there must be a few things which trouble you in your employment---be that a bad manager you have to work under or a project which is causing you nightmares. There can be two types of changes, both potentially solving your problem: you could either fight your way and change the way your organization is working OR you can take a flight (perhaps resign and join some other organization).

What is the criterion behind such a decision?

Well, it's just which direction will give you the type of knowledge you are interested in: fighting your way will teach you how to bring a change in everyone else and resignation will teach you about a new organization and their working style (if nothing else). You might also lose a few things if you switch your employer (such as building your reputation from scratch with the new colleagues, and the tendency to always take a flight should something goes wrong in life). Your decision should be deeply thought out.

There are more interesting facets to the phenomenon of change: when people want to deal with the same set of problems, they come close to each other. On the other hand, if there is a disinterest in each others' set of problems, their ways are apart.

I would end this by saying that "fight" is the way forward if you can find comrades having similar interests (or a leader whom you have confidence in), while "flight" is the path to chose if you are too lonely and weak to bring a change.

When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. (Victor Frankl)

On Change: Part I

TPS or Avanza? Phoenix or Nimbus? We are always making choices, and sometimes we make a choice which negates some of our choices in the past, just for the sake of change. Switching companies is one such example.

So many people want change in life; so much so that nobody seems to be happy/ contended with what they have or what they do. While this might sound selfish but I believe change in itself is not bad. Contrary to that, stagnation is death. But what surprises me most is usually others' definition of a "better world" or a "better future."

Human beings are constantly challenged by their environment. The brain is always solving puzzles, finding answers to the unknown or overcoming something which is a threat, a danger or at the least an annoyance. In this pursuit, sometimes the problem gets solved (or the threat is dealt with) and a change occurs. But each changes brings forth a new set of problems or a new sets of challenges.

Consider, a person living in a semi-developed metropolis like Karachi, and not having a vehicle to commute. He has a certain problem in commutation which he wants to resolve. The solution, to him, is to buy a car, which he does after saving some money, and getting the car leased. To him, the problem is solved, and truthfully, it is. But he is now presented with a new set of problems; this set comprises of vehicle maintenance, car theft, fuel prices, etc.

And no, this is not a pessimist's view of the world. It's the realistic view.

---

Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced. - James Baldwin

Zombies!

First, it was parthenogenesis of Komodo dragons, and then I came to know about the same for sharks. Now, we have zombie cockroaches and spiders.

There is a creepy video on YouTube which is a must see (if you can stand creepy stuff).

Another Instance of Parthenogenesis!

As if the Komodo Dragons' virgin birth was less surprising, this time sharks in captivity have reproduced asexually!!

A more detailed article on the phenomenon can be found here.

Life - Seen as a Revolution

I'm getting extremely busy with a backlog that is now difficult to eliminate. Incidentally, I received a very good piece of writing from a friend, Sarah Sallahuddin, that is almost on the topic I wanted to write about. I shall try to be back with something less abstract next week. Here is Sarah Sallahuddin's article, published with her persmission

Life is a revolution. There are times when the revolution affects the lives of many and there are times when the revolution is just within one being. Revolution that makes you realise the true power of thought, of words, of justice of numerous elements of life which we live through and which are nonetheless very integral.

We live a revolution to discover our beings. To discover the reason for existence, to find out the drive behind passions, aims and ambitions. Will it be a discovery or a realization, a thin line differentiating the two. Discovery is beautiful, it takes the self through challenges and challenges are exciting, this leads to finding new things and no matter how hard they seem new always impresses the mind in a way that is different. Realization on the contrary can be dull, not to say it can't be exciting but dull for it is mostly the aspects avoided or not sought after and when they surface they remain no more out of sight and are hard to be ignored.

The revolution that exists or is to be born is independent of either, it is just a desire to move on and put aside all that does not appreciates the beauty of life, whether we chose to discover or realise what the essence lies in is seeing through our heart and mind, seeing through the eyes of life as is, seeing through with honesty, and with justice not only for ourselves but be able to give justice to others who are linked to us. That is what will make the discovery more enjoyable and the realization less bitter. If we can make ourselves happy and give happiness unto others, if we live our dreams as they are shaped by reality and not run after the contours traced by our imagination then we shall see that life is beautiful, the revolution helps us see the truth we longed for -- Life is beautiful!

---

Pushups Count: 1981 (till Sun, 28th Nov)
Average: 132 (lagging by 59)

About Graphology

Wikipedia defines Graphology as "the study of handwriting and its connection to behavior, personal information and other human traits."

In my first year at FAST, I went to the twin cities to participate in FBISE Award Distribution Ceremony (what the award was for is a different story). I happened to meet one Mr. Mansoor through my cousin. The guy claimed that he could do my personality analysis by seeing my handwriting.

He dictated me six or seven sentences; they were very expressive statements like "I am the strongest person in the world." He then took the piece of paper and drew many lines and circle around the letters. He then told me some personality traits that I think were very accurate. In fact, much of what he told is different from what my relatives think of me. So, it wasn't possible for my cousin to tell him these things. But he did miss a few points---he didn't say anything about patriotism.

On the other hand, he said that I had very realistic goals. I asked him to explain the word "realistic", and he said, "Like you will never like to become Bill Gates because it's not realistic". I said that I would like to be even if it contradicts common sense and that his analysis was wrong. He gave me a few more sentences to write and after analyzing them he said, "No, I still think that you have very realistic goals."

Many years after that, now I think that he was right. I tend to adjust my goals a lot. I start with a very vague picture and then unconsciously analyze my performance in say 10% of the time and then adjust everything. This has become my habit - even in something as simple as walking to the university in the morning. Linking back with Mr. Mansoor's analysis, not only I think that it's almost impossible to be Bill Gates (I knew he is one in billions of people back then as well), I don't want to be. I see no point in striving for something like that.

So how does Graphology work? I asked the same question from him. He said that it's pretty straightforward and very convincing. I give you some examples:

• People usually write "I" as in first-person different than in words like "it."
  
• An "o" or a "b" represent how much "closed" you are. Some people are careless while writing and they don't close the circle in "o" or "b" properly. Others make sure that it's not possible to enter.
  
• The horizontal bar on "t" represents your goals. Some people put it way too up and some very low. Some people don't even care; their bar isn't placed on "t" properly.
  
• etc.
  

"But my personality changes," one may argue. So what? Your handwriting changes as well. "What if I write differently when I am being analyzed?" It's same as trying to tell a lie. Some people are very good at it but most of us always get caught. It reflects in your handwriting as well. But the most interesting thing is to think in the other direction: If changes in personality are reflected in handwriting, then change in handwriting might affect personality! While it might be difficult for some to digest, people are now using "handwriting" to cure diseases. Instead of medicine, a patient is given a few sentences to write in a particular way!

---

Push-ups count: 1075 (till 20th Nov '04)
Average: 134 a day

جاگے ھے سوے نھہں، ایسی ھے میری بےچینی
دن بھی وھی، راتیں وھی، سانسوں میں سانسیں ھیں نھیں
(Atif Aslam, Jal)

Ingredients of a Genius

What's common in Einstein and Edison apart from the starting letter of their names? Einstein was one of the most dull students of his class until he started studying Mathematics after high-school (with support from his father and uncle). Edison was considered a symbol of disgrace by his teacher. But his mother withdrew him from school and taught science to him herself! Both the men were genii and their creations have significantly affected our lives.

Nature has rules and they aren't usually violated. I believe that there are rules that dictate when a genius has to be born! At the least, I have found one thing common in every person who is commonly thought of as a genius: One or both of the gifted child's parents belong to the same field in which he later shows expertise. It's the continuous struggle and interest of the parents which gives the child a good start - a start from where his parents left off!

An individual is based on two things: what he inherits from his parent(s) and how the environment affects him. In terms of being eminent, these correspond to hereditary intelligence and hard work. Also, I believe that if you are interested in some field but couldn't prove to be "eminent" in it, try putting your child into it in very early ages. The results would be very promising.

These ideas of mine are based on the biographies of great people that I read during my student years. However, recently, I was surprised to learn that Francis Galton did an extensive research on similar lines and published his work as Hereditary Genius: An Inquiry into Its Laws and Consequences in 1869. He studied men from various fields of life: men who are born leaders, great warriors, eminent scientists, gifted poets, etc. He, then, checks the family tree of these eminent people to discover parents/ siblings in the same field - in a very thorough manner as compared to what I did.

Quite interestingly, though Darwinish it may sound, Galton states that particularly in order to be a successful person in science, you need to have an able mother and I agree. Ofcourse, there is a margin of error in everything and that's where probability kicks in!

This post was written several years ago; it must be read in conjunction with a review of Outliers.

Why? Because I believe something you do not? No! I stand here without fear because I remember. I remember that I am here not because of the path that lies before me, but because of the path that lies behind me!
(Morpheus: The Matrix Reloaded)

The Center and Its Importance

For every activity there is a center, like the vortex of a whirlpool or the yolk of an egg. Usually there is an orbital (or at least a fixed) path associated with the surrounding particles. The center not only provides the centripetal force which is necessary for orbital motion but sometimes has other very important functions to perform. For example, here's an article which states that the nucleus is really the living cell's mothership, a crucial and very active source of information, support and control.

Though not exactly orbital, blood circulates in the body following a fixed path, going through the heart. The heart is the center and the only instance when blood violates its definite path is when bleeding occurs.

The orbital motion is very prominent in the electrons tied to every atom's nucleus; the moon of every planet; the planets of every sun, etc. Not surprisingly, Muslims perform a circular ritual around Ka'aba during Haj. This center of all the activity has to be practically demonstrated at least once in a lifetime.

If something breaks its designated path, it goes astray. The suns and moons are very obedient creations (some people would like to replace the word obedient with dumb). But man has been given choice, which unfortunately is a very complex topic. The life of a human being can revolve around many centers. Or in other words, the center keeps shifting. To realize/ recognize our true center is the first and foremost duty.

A long time ago, PTV telecasted a very good drama with the title, "2 Suraj ka Siyara" (which translates into A Planet of Two Suns). Are you a planet of more than one sun?


"I am a trafficker of information, I know everything I can. The question is, do you know why you are here?"
(Merovingian: The Matrix Reloaded)

The Quest for Completeness

Much has been said and written about the quest for completeness in human beings and thus the attraction towards the opposite. What we term as attraction is actually "completeness being sought." This completeness can't be attained by merging the opposites but by merging things that complement each other.

Take example of two opposite poles of a magnet. What the north pole possesses isn't available to the south pole and what the north pole lacks can only be fulfilled by the south pole. Thus, they get attracted and combine to manifest unity.

Look into another example of two oppositely charged particles. Both positive and negative particles actually seek "completeness" which makes them come close to each other and thus unite. Positive and negative charged particles are not opposites [They don't cancel each other. "Light" and "dark" are real opposites.] Charged particles complement each other to form unity. Everything in this universe is in search for its missing parts.

What makes Na (sodium) react with Cl (chlorine)? If you remember lessons from your high school chemistry, sodium has 1 electron in its outermost shell while chlorine has 7. Sodium can "complete" its outermost shell by losing one electron (where completeness is defined as having the last shell 2 or 8 electrons) and chlorine can "complete" its outermost shell by gaining an electron. Thus, its the universal quest for completeness that makes them have an attraction towards each other and hence combine to form sodium cholride (table salt).


And based on my experience I would say that people who are almost alike in personalities can never constitute a good friendship; there is usually a teacher-student relationship in these cases or worse: there is professional jealousy in these cases. So even our friendship is a manifestation of a lost part of our-self. And this brings me to a very perplexing question: "Where exactly do I end and where exactly do you, my friend, begin?"

Patterns for Humanity?

The effect of diversity on the quality of a solution is interesting. But I must say that diversity is itself a manifestation of unity! Otherwise, what good these patterns are! One would be justified in saying that application of these patterns to human beings is really complex. Actually, the complexity arises from only one thing: choice! This very word is one of the core issues discussed in the trilogy of Matrix movies.

Agent Smith: Mr. Anderson, you must know it by now! You can't win, it's pointless to keep fighting! Why, Mr. Anderson, why, why do you persist?
Neo: Because I choose to.
(Matrix Revolutions)

The issues are getting out of my grasp but still the comments provide an alternative view point of some intelligent people. On with the show:

Stagnation is Death:

Have you ever wondered why 0K (Zero Kelvin) is the lowest possible temperature? Life is all about being dynamic. Everything in the entire universe is moving - from things smaller than electrons to solar systems and beyond. Matter can't be at rest. If it ceases to move, it ceases to exist! An atom must retain at least one quantum of energy and this keeps it from cooling below Absolute Zero. This means that nothing can ever be at rest.

What we term as death is actually a portal - from this world to the presumably broader one. Another form of death within this world lies in being stagnant or in other words, having the state of in-activity - a scholar who no more thinks of new ideas is dead, an IT professional who can't pace with the emerging technologies is obsolete, etc.

Occurrence of events is must for imparting knowledge. The amount of knowledge gained from the occurrence of an event is directly proportional to its rarity (or inversely proportional to its frequency).

Building on the example of the last pattern, when you are pushing a car even in the wrong direction, at the least, you are doing something. And this doing something is very important. In no time, one of the enlightened persons, amongst those who are pushing the car, will realize the wrong way! He would announce it and make sure that people understand the idea. And making mistakes (and learning from them) is as important as doing it right.

But what if there is a stalemate - a situation where everyone is waiting for everyone else to do things for them? Or when everyone is motionless just to avoid some inescapable situation; to avoid a future that exists only in the minds? In the words of Noon Meem Rashid (if I can recall them correctly):

Un-kahi say dartay ho?
Jo abhi naheen howa hai, us ghari say dartay ho?
Un-kahi to tum bhi ho, un-kahi to hum bhi hain.
Khud say tum naheen dartay?

where khud: self,
ghari: moment,
un-kahi: something that hasn't been said yet.

Patterns Debate Continued...

Some of you might be right that life exists only when "the part lives and dies/ has identity within" the whole. As one can argue on anything, I might say that what exactly is within? And we will never reach anywhere. Instead of putting questions just for the sake of argument, I am trying to demystify things and thus will come back to this question sometime in future (when I have a reasonable answer). But do keep your thoughts pouring in!

Present day science and common sense do not explain everything. Still both are the tools that have enabled mankind to come this far. There is a parallel way of being powerful: the paranormal explanation of things. Having interest in both paranormal experiences and scientific laws as well as their intersection, I am not going to support either. This blog is about life in general and practical social life in particular. So this time I am going to discuss the alignment of elements:

Alignment of Elements: The Power Hence

What is the difference between an iron bar and a magnetic bar? No, I am not interested in being told that one attracts the other and hence has power. What I want to know is the difference in internal structures. You can take a piece of iron bar and magnetize it by rubbing a magnet from end A to end B repeatedly (always in the same direction). This would magnetize the iron and give it power; but what has actually changed? It's the orientation of atoms within the iron bar.

Take another example, think of a group of people that are pushing a car where everyone is disoriented and pushing it in a different direction. Where would it take them? Nowhere! What if they are properly aligned and asked to push the car in one specific direction? If all the elements get aligned the power originates from within!

Re-apply this pattern to anything and you would conclude that dis-orientation is powerless and alignment gives you power! The first example is more enlightening in the sense that it seems a bit esoteric. Taking a step further I would say that merely thinking in the same direction (alignment of thought) is very powerful - perhaps that's the basis of importance of prayer with jama'at (congregation).

Do share your thoughts.

"Because you didn't come here to make the choice, you've already made it. You're here to try to understand why you made it. I thought you'd have figured that out by now."
Matrix Reloaded: Oracle

Design Patterns in Nature

Design Patterns is a fancy word in the field of computer science, frequently abused. I take this opportunity to apply the word with reference to Mother Nature. Just as a design pattern serves as a blueprint for solving one particular kind of problems, there are patterns in the nature itself. And just because I have a limited vocabulary, I have used the word Design Pattern for these patterns. Let me know if you can term the following something else:

. System within Individual: Life and its Definition
. Orbital Motion
. Ingredients of a Genius
. Alignment of Elements: The Power Hence
. Attraction Towards the Opposite: The Quest for Completeness
. Generalizing Khans, Blacks and Sikhs (without any racial discrimination)

System within Individual: Life and its Definition

Let me start by putting a question: What are you - an individual or a system? If you think for some time, you are both. And your answer would /should be: "depends on your level of abstraction."

I would then like to put another question: "So if you are a system, why do you think you have life?" And if you are not a thinker this might be a perplexing question.

Let me approach from another direction. If I say that a room in which you are sitting alone is full of life, would you believe me? Think about the micro-organisms and the activities they are doing every moment. If a cell has life then each cell of your body might think that "it has life and it's actually working inside a dumb system with other cells."

Now consider the organization where you work/ study. Isn't each individual person part of a system - whether it's a company or an institute? Does the company have life? Is your educational institute an 'organism'?

Start examining a bee hive - it's a complete system. See inside the hive, you will find individuals - the bees. Take a bee as an individual and dig deeper, see the digestive, neural, respiratory and other systems. Look further inside, you would see a system of tissues and then cells. Don't stop, explore a cell thinking it's an individual and not a system - you would find another complete system (cell membranes, nucleus, acids, etc.). But does it end here? Isn't an acid a system of atoms of various elements? Is an atom an individual or is it again a system of electrons, protons and neutrons? If you think that an electron is not a system, I sympathize with your knowledge of quantum physics [There are Leptons, Baryons, Mesons and the forces].

Is an electron matter or energy? Are you matter or energy?

Re-start from the bee hive and this time start moving in upward direction of abstraction. You will move up and up and will never finish. There is a system within every system! Our concept of life validates only the systems that work as an individual at our level of abstraction!

They say a little knowledge of science takes you away from religion and a comprehensive knowledge of science brings you back! Think about it and let me know via your comments!