diff --git a/content/blog/2016/2016-01-27-making-presenations-using-markdown.md b/content/blog/2016/2016-01-27-making-presenations-using-markdown.md index 470da2d..edeb1e6 100644 --- a/content/blog/2016/2016-01-27-making-presenations-using-markdown.md +++ b/content/blog/2016/2016-01-27-making-presenations-using-markdown.md @@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ date: 2016-01-27T00:00:00+00:00 url: blog/2016/01/27/making-presenations-using-markdown/ categories: - projects - - uncategorized --- It’s often a pain to make presenations. How many times have you just wanted to make a simple presentation but have had to deal with bulky software like MS Office? diff --git a/content/blog/2016/2016-10-31-just-installed-a-new-theme-for-the-blog.md b/content/blog/2016/2016-10-31-just-installed-a-new-theme-for-the-blog.md index 6575f9f..76ca082 100644 --- a/content/blog/2016/2016-10-31-just-installed-a-new-theme-for-the-blog.md +++ b/content/blog/2016/2016-10-31-just-installed-a-new-theme-for-the-blog.md @@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ categories: - uncategorized tags: - ajax - - wordPress + - wordpress format: status --- diff --git a/content/blog/2016/2016-11-09-some-journal-publications-require-you-to-put-author.md b/content/blog/2016/2016-11-09-some-journal-publications-require-you-to-put-author.md index 018a659..e8e7de5 100644 --- a/content/blog/2016/2016-11-09-some-journal-publications-require-you-to-put-author.md +++ b/content/blog/2016/2016-11-09-some-journal-publications-require-you-to-put-author.md @@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ type: post date: 2016-11-09T16:59:35+00:00 url: blog/2016/11/09/some-journal-publications-require-you-to-put-author/ categories: - - uncategorized + - notes tags: - latex format: status diff --git a/content/blog/2017/2017-02-14-survey-paper-on-security-in-wireless-sensor-networks.md b/content/blog/2017/2017-02-14-survey-paper-on-security-in-wireless-sensor-networks.md index 38fe718..9d061e0 100644 --- a/content/blog/2017/2017-02-14-survey-paper-on-security-in-wireless-sensor-networks.md +++ b/content/blog/2017/2017-02-14-survey-paper-on-security-in-wireless-sensor-networks.md @@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ date: 2017-02-14T12:46:54+00:00 url: blog/2017/02/14/survey-paper-on-security-in-wireless-sensor-networks/ categories: - projects - - uncategorized tags: - iot diff --git a/content/blog/2017/2017-05-20-xfce4-keyboard-shortcuts-for-clementine.md b/content/blog/2017/2017-05-20-xfce4-keyboard-shortcuts-for-clementine.md index 6f8f2d9..3418cc2 100644 --- a/content/blog/2017/2017-05-20-xfce4-keyboard-shortcuts-for-clementine.md +++ b/content/blog/2017/2017-05-20-xfce4-keyboard-shortcuts-for-clementine.md @@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ categories: - foss - notes - tutorials - - uncategorized - xfce tags: - fedora diff --git a/content/blog/2017/2017-07-27-216.md b/content/blog/2017/2017-07-27-216.md index add94c5..993239f 100644 --- a/content/blog/2017/2017-07-27-216.md +++ b/content/blog/2017/2017-07-27-216.md @@ -1,25 +1,31 @@ ---- -title: Death of Ivan Illyich -author: rhnvrm -type: post -date: 2017-07-27T20:40:51+00:00 -url: blog/2017/07/27/death-of-ivn-illtich/ -categories: - - uncategorized -tags: - - misc - - sociology -format: status - ---- -While conformity and the playing out of social roles can help shore-up our bridges of self-deception, this may in the end turn out to be more of a curse, than a blessing. For given the brevity of life it is far better to become aware of our deceptions while we still have time to change. But sadly, it is often only when one is at death’s doorstep that they come to recognize the vanity and falseness of their existence up to that point. - -This idea is illustrated in The Death of Ivan Ilyich, one of Leo Tolstoy’s masterpieces. The main character in this work is a Russian magistrate who attains great success in rising to the top of Russian society. However, while enjoying the fruits of his labours, he becomes afflicted by a terminal illness and reflecting deeply on the meaning of life is haunted by a nagging feeling that his life was wasted: ++++ +title = "Death of Ivan Illyich" +date = 2017-07-27T20:40:51+00:00 +draft = false +tags = ["misc", "sociology"] +categories = ["books"] +type = "post" +url = "blog/2017/07/27/death-of-ivan-illyich/" +author = "Rohan Verma" ++++ + +I had read this book a while ago, and it struck a chord with me. In essence, +I think, this book has shaped my mental model in a deep way. I often ponder if +I would have had a different world view if I had never read this book. Here +is an excerpt from academy of ideas about the book. One day, I will reread this +book to write and reflect on it. + +> While conformity and the playing out of social roles can help shore-up our bridges of self-deception, this may in the end turn out to be more of a curse, than a blessing. For given the brevity of life it is far better to become aware of our deceptions while we still have time to change. But sadly, it is often only when one is at death’s doorstep that they come to recognize the vanity and falseness of their existence up to that point. + +> This idea is illustrated in The Death of Ivan Ilyich, one of Leo Tolstoy’s masterpieces. The main character in this work is a Russian magistrate who attains great success in rising to the top of Russian society. However, while enjoying the fruits of his labours, he becomes afflicted by a terminal illness and reflecting deeply on the meaning of life is haunted by a nagging feeling that his life was wasted: > “It is as if I had been going downhill while I imagined I was going up. And that is really what it was. I was going up in public opinion, but to the same extent life was ebbing away from me. And now it is all done and there is only death.” (Leo Tolstoy, The Death of Ivan Ilyich) -This passage by Tolstoy strikes at the root of the danger of living at the mercy of our self-deceptions. Maintaining our illusions requires a massive amount of time and energy and often diverts our attention to vain pursuits. Therefore, our ability to engage in projects and strive after goals which would lead to a more fulfilling life is greatly restricted. To ensure that we don’t face a similar fate as Ivan Ilyich, it is crucial that we take a more honest look at ourselves and the life path that our deceptions have led us down. While most of us have spent years, if not decades, relying on our many self-deceptions, it is still within our ability to break down our false self. +> This passage by Tolstoy strikes at the root of the danger of living at the mercy of our self-deceptions. Maintaining our illusions requires a massive amount of time and energy and often diverts our attention to vain pursuits. Therefore, our ability to engage in projects and strive after goals which would lead to a more fulfilling life is greatly restricted. To ensure that we don’t face a similar fate as Ivan Ilyich, it is crucial that we take a more honest look at ourselves and the life path that our deceptions have led us down. While most of us have spent years, if not decades, relying on our many self-deceptions, it is still within our ability to break down our false self. _Source:_ + + + \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/content/blog/2017/2017-10-11-yumex-dnf-is-locked.md b/content/blog/2017/2017-10-11-yumex-dnf-is-locked.md index e5eb25b..6cddafd 100644 --- a/content/blog/2017/2017-10-11-yumex-dnf-is-locked.md +++ b/content/blog/2017/2017-10-11-yumex-dnf-is-locked.md @@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ url: blog/2017/10/11/yumex-dnf-is-locked/ categories: - foss - notes - - uncategorized - xfce --- diff --git a/content/blog/2017/2017-12-21-setting-up-python-on-spacemacs-and-using-pyenv-to-use-python3.md b/content/blog/2017/2017-12-21-setting-up-python-on-spacemacs-and-using-pyenv-to-use-python3.md index fdb060d..531ae1a 100644 --- a/content/blog/2017/2017-12-21-setting-up-python-on-spacemacs-and-using-pyenv-to-use-python3.md +++ b/content/blog/2017/2017-12-21-setting-up-python-on-spacemacs-and-using-pyenv-to-use-python3.md @@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ url: blog/2017/12/21/setting-up-python-on-spacemacs-and-using-pyenv-to-use-pytho categories: - foss - notes - - uncategorized tags: - fedora - python diff --git a/content/blog/2018/2018-02-23-featured-on-googles-instagram-instagram.md b/content/blog/2018/2018-02-23-featured-on-googles-instagram-instagram.md index 4174874..206be64 100644 --- a/content/blog/2018/2018-02-23-featured-on-googles-instagram-instagram.md +++ b/content/blog/2018/2018-02-23-featured-on-googles-instagram-instagram.md @@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ client-modified: categories: - misc - projects - - uncategorized format: aside --- diff --git a/content/blog/2018/2018-03-18-extract-filenames-without-their-extensions.md b/content/blog/2018/2018-03-18-extract-filenames-without-their-extensions.md index 877db58..6311b51 100644 --- a/content/blog/2018/2018-03-18-extract-filenames-without-their-extensions.md +++ b/content/blog/2018/2018-03-18-extract-filenames-without-their-extensions.md @@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ client-modified: - "1521385389" categories: - tutorials - - uncategorized tags: - linux format: aside diff --git a/content/blog/2018/2018-07-30-functional-options-for-testing-without-mocks-in-golang.md b/content/blog/2018/2018-07-30-functional-options-for-testing-without-mocks-in-golang.md index 92ed0c6..3b5fd11 100644 --- a/content/blog/2018/2018-07-30-functional-options-for-testing-without-mocks-in-golang.md +++ b/content/blog/2018/2018-07-30-functional-options-for-testing-without-mocks-in-golang.md @@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ date: 2018-07-30T16:55:48+00:00 url: blog/2018/07/30/functional-options-for-testing-without-mocks-in-golang/ categories: - notes + - golang tags: - api - golang diff --git a/content/blog/2019/2019-01-08-setting-so_reuseport-and-similar-socket-options-in-go-1-11.md b/content/blog/2019/2019-01-08-setting-so_reuseport-and-similar-socket-options-in-go-1-11.md index 59adc15..af012db 100644 --- a/content/blog/2019/2019-01-08-setting-so_reuseport-and-similar-socket-options-in-go-1-11.md +++ b/content/blog/2019/2019-01-08-setting-so_reuseport-and-similar-socket-options-in-go-1-11.md @@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ date: 2019-01-08T12:38:24+00:00 url: blog/2019/01/08/setting-so_reuseport-and-similar-socket-options-in-go-1-11/ categories: - notes + - golang tags: - golang - networking diff --git a/content/blog/2019/2019-08-04.md b/content/blog/2019/2019-08-04-deep-work.md similarity index 99% rename from content/blog/2019/2019-08-04.md rename to content/blog/2019/2019-08-04-deep-work.md index 826f72b..883b244 100644 --- a/content/blog/2019/2019-08-04.md +++ b/content/blog/2019/2019-08-04-deep-work.md @@ -1,9 +1,9 @@ +++ author = "Rohan Verma" -categories = ["notes"] +categories = ["books"] date = "2019-06-26T07:30:00+00:00" draft = true -tags = ["books"] +tags = ["books", "productivity"] title = "Deep Work by Cal Newport - A summary" type = "post" url = "blog/2019/06/26/deep-work-a-summary" diff --git a/content/blog/2019/2019-11-26-utopia-for-realists.md b/content/blog/2019/2019-11-26-utopia-for-realists.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3b95d33 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/blog/2019/2019-11-26-utopia-for-realists.md @@ -0,0 +1,66 @@ ++++ +title = "Utopia for Realists" +date = 2019-11-26T15:30:03+05:30 +draft = false +tags = ["books", "sociology"] +categories = ["books"] +type = "post" +url = "blog/2019/11/26/utopia-for-realists" +author = "Rohan Verma" ++++ + +This book was a recent recommendation from [Dr Kailash Nadh](https://nadh.in). A +small but heavy book, that is engaging and well researched. Rutger Bregman has +done a thorough job of making arguments for three major policy ideas whose time +has come in the land of plenty that we live in (as compared to a human living +a century ago). + +- Universal Basic Income +- Reducing Working Hours +- Open Borders + +Universal Basic Income or UBI, might sound ludicrous at the first glance, but +numerous studies and on-field experiments have time and again shown that +the way ahead for the welfare-state might be direct money transfer (not just +benefits). The basis of the argument for UBI stems from the dignity given +to recipients of the no-strings attached benefits leading to a more efficient +and effective utilization of the safety net. + +The second policy of reducing working hours eventually, stems from the current +state of "Bullshit Jobs" that produce nothing of value but just move value +around. He mentions Keynes prediction that soon we will have 15 hour work weeks +based on an interpolation of the work hours at the time of writing his study. He +critiques the measure of economic progress used in this era, the Gross Domestic +Product (GDP), a perfectly reasonable measure nonetheless created during wartime +when it was not unreasonable to borrow from the future. A quote from the book +on where all the time has gone when productivity has skyrocketed. + +> It's quite simple really. Time is money. Economic growth can yield either more +> leisure or more consumption. From 1850 until 1980, we got both, but since then +> it is mostly consumption that has increased. Even where real incomes have +> stayed the same and inequality has exploded, the consumption craze has +> continued, but on credit. + +The only way to solve this would be to legally reduce the working hours and +make multiple people share the work and giving everyone more time for leisure. +He even goes on to mention how this could end up solving a lot issues plaguing +our society such as inequality between the sexes. + +Also, he suggests taxing ventures such as banking and hedge funds that move +value around and to rather give incentives such as salary hikes or grants to +people to take up careers that are useful for the society like research, +teaching, maintaining cities etc. + +His third idea, of open borders, is a critique of what he calls "apartheid on +a global scale" that has been committed by closing down borders. It is a fact +that there is a huge disparity in pay and lifestyle around the world. He +mentions that economists predict an approximate >2 fold increase in global +prosperity if the world were to open their borders today and allow free +movement of human capital. + +He ends it with a final note on ideas. How ideas like Neo-Liberalism changed and +mobilized the world at a time of crisis. It made me realize that the only way for realists to +achieve the utopia we crave for, we must discuss these ideas in the open. It +may be through talking +about these in your workplace, discussing with friends and family, or publicly +writing on them. Makes you wonder, maybe we are living in a revolutionary time. diff --git a/layouts/section/archive.html b/layouts/section/archive.html index a3c4643..45ec150 100644 --- a/layouts/section/archive.html +++ b/layouts/section/archive.html @@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ {{end}} {{.Date.Format "02 Jan"}} - {{.Title}} + {{.Title}} {{if .Draft}}(draft){{end}} {{ $prev = .Date.Format "2006"}} {{end}}