Reviews ...

Reading reviews has become an integral part of our buying process. We look at the overall ratings which are normally denoted as stars out of a maximum of 5. In some review ratings we also find how many people rated the product as 5 stars, how many rated it as 4 stars .. and so on.

I have observed some trends with reviews that baffle me. Lets look at the different review trends that you might see.

This is what you would call a normal curve in the world of reviews.

Mostly positive, gradually degrading to

the negative. the preponderance of 5 stars and 4 stars will make the reader take a probability call on whether she should buy the book or not.

This is a slightly erratic chart. hugely popular product, but with a sizeable number of distractors. You would notice here that the 1-star is higher than the 4-stars. There is still a good probability that you would like this book, but a good chance that you might be in the category of 1 star folks. You would still go for it.

This chart would be very misleading. Very few folks in the middle and a high number on either sides. Very risky proposition. Typical for a book where the author has taken a stand for which people have taken sides.

The review is not based on the merit of the product. People either like it or they dont based on some prejudice they have.

These are the kind of reviews that we all love.. isnt it. No doubt in anybody's mind that this is the product we should buy. Kudos to the maker. Lets go with what everybody is saying and buy this product!

This is similar to the highly erratic review with a bias towards the negative side of things.

Poker - Hindsight dilemma

In poker, after we make a decision to fold, we continue to watch and judge our decision based on what cards open up. How wise is that?

For example, flop is dealt. We realize the hand is no good and fold. As the turn and river are opened we make an assessment in hindsight if it was a correct decision to fold. It is possible that the turn and river might have been different if we had not folded. Your decision to fold might have determined what cards are dealt as turn and river.

Its a universal phenomenon and almost everybody who plays poker behaves similarly. I am sure most people also use this post facto judgement and shape their strategies accordingly.

hillary clinton's reasonable thought and people's response

Saw what i thought to be a very reasonable statement from the US secretary of State http://www.indianexpress.com/news/to-wipe-out-terrorist-from-this-world-overhall-paki.-army-and-i.s.i/493223
She said and I quote from Indian Express - " Clinton, who just concluded a five-day visit to India and was here to attend the ASEAN Regional Forum meeting, referred to "the very dramatic trial" of Kasab during an interview with The Nation, a partner of the Asia News Network. "What I found so interesting about his confession is that he was a young man without much purpose in life, he was in a job he did not find satisfying and he was susceptible to the blandishment of terrorist organisations: This will make you feel strong and powerful, this will give you a meaning and purpose in your life; and he bought into that and joined this group that was trained for the Mumbai attacks," she said.
Check out the comments below that news item. I tore my hair out and thought... if these are the educated people from India who "know how to access the internet" , really there isnt much correlation between education and sanity.
" The problem with the world, particularly with USA and countries that follow US model (almost entire world) started when they accepted corporate education model of America (mainly after Regan era). The sole purpose of education became to supply labors to industries and to earn money. The social value, humanitarian sides of education were deliberately kept aside and forgotten in many cases. Currently it’s only “degrees”, no education. That’s why many so-called highly “educated” people planed and executed violent terrorist activities like 9-11. Yes, education is the key to solve most of global problems and also problems in countries like India and Pakistan. But education must train young people to dream to make this world a better place. S/he can not do it if s/he concentrates only on him/herself and forget the bigger picture. "
2.
He would have been doing what Mr. Clinton did .Chasing girls around ...probably only the pakistani ones.
3.
HILLARY CLINTON FOR GOD SAKE STOP GIVING SERMONS WHICH ARE TOTALLY BULL SHIT . ITS ALL GARBAGE FROM AMERICANS . THE ONLY WAY , THE WORLD WOULD BE SAFER PLACE TO LIVE IN IS TO OVERHALL PAKI. ARMY AND I.S.I. AND HANG ALL THOSE WHO SYMPATHIES WITH TERRORIST AND FULLY SUPPORT THEM EVERY WAY . THE AMERICANS ARE FULLY AWARE THAT SOME PAKI. ARMY - I.S.I AND GOVERMENT OFFICIALS ARE FULLY SUPPORTING THE TERRORIST . SO DON'T TEACH LESSONS AND SAME TIME FOOL THE WORLD . THE GOOD TERROSIT WHO ATTACKS INDIA ARE FULLY SUPPORTED BY WEST AND AMERICANS . SO SHUT UP , CLINTON.

Trying for one post a day - again!

I know .. i know... I promised to myself in October that I would write a blog post a day and its close to 6 months that I have written a post. That does not mean I should not try again. Seriously, its easy to give up. Especially when you have been this bad at doing something. But I am thinking I will not let that stop myself from trying again. I might fail again, I will try once more...

B+

Yes .. thats my blood group. But really .. i meant the title to be "Be Positive" ;)

Bad Joke .. I know.

But Seriously.. Be positive. There are thousands of reasons to be unhappy in life. Money is never enough. Work is never perfect. Your spouse fights with you everyday. .. and the list goes on.

But it should take just one small ray of light to brighten you up. A cute kid, a nice movie, a joke shared with a colleague, your spouse's face as he/she come out of the shower, clean house ... seriously this list can go on as well .. if you want it to.

Be positive ... please. Spread some of the optimism around as well. Everybody needs it.

Doing what you should...

... should not be too difficult .. right?
Wrong.
As we look around, the most difficult thing is to get people to do what they should be doing anyway. However, I dont believe in whining and cribbing. I always tell my team members - Come to me with solutions. Dont come to me with problems. Its another thing I tell this to my wife sometimes and get a FO in return.
Anyway, coming back to the point, its difficult to get people to do what they should. And frankly, I dont have a very innovative solution to this. My solution is - Follow up, beg and cry. If it still doesnt work, Do it Yourself.
Seriously.
You would save yourself a lot of time and effort !

Great lyrics

I am hoping to run a half-marathon this november. Today was my first 10K run.. Carried my ipod today... heard some real good songs from "Rock On" -

Jaise Jeene Ko Dil Chahe Jee Waise Tu
Meri To Hai Bas Ye Raaye Ki
Apne Jitne Bhi Armaan Hain Poore Karle Tu
Rock On… Hai Ye Waqt Ka Ishaara
Rock On… Har Lamha Pukaara
Rock On….Yuhin Dekhta Hai Kya Tu
Rock On….Zindagi Millegi Na Dobaara…

When i am in the 70th percentile of my run for the day ... these lyrics egg me on.

and then ....


Aankhon Mein Jis Ke Koi To Khwab Hai
Khush Tha Wahin Jo Thoda Betaab Hai
Zindagi Mein Koi Arzoo Kijiye
Phir Dekhiye ……
Hoton Pe Jis Ke Koi To Geet Hai
Woh Haare Bhi To Us Ki Hi Jeet Hai
Dil Mein Jo Geet Hai Gun Guna Lijiye
Phir Dekhiye…….

Seriously ... what is life without ambition. It could be anything. Ambition to be fit.. ambition to do something new .. to learn a musical instrument .. to earn more money .. to travel..
Got to have something to keep on going..

Jaaved Akhtar Rocks......