Friday, April 11, 2008

Stop complaining, people! We live in a bounteous land ruled by brilliant intellectuals

New Delhi-based economist Ajay Shah has a fascinating column in India's Business Standard (via Bayesian Heresy) in which he makes the case that the current financial troubles in the U.S. may bring a recession, but can't really be called a crisis. I recommend reading the whole thing, but here are a couple of key passages:

In such difficult times, why is the US economy still rolling with the punches? Why has the US economy not collapsed in a mire of failed firms, finger-pointing by government agencies, morchas in the streets, and JPC inquiries? Understanding how this shock is being absorbed, and the equilibriating forces in play, is important in making a call on whether this is a crisis or a mere recession.

In the idealised world of securitisation, a parcel of home loans is converted into securities, which are then sold into the broad market. The ownership of these securities is dispersed amidst international hedge funds, pension funds, etc. The originator of the home loan is largely immune to the outcome : if a default takes place, the losses are borne by the owners of the securities.
Many critics of securitisation have pointed out that this theory has not quite panned out as expected. However, at the same time, there is no doubting the fact that securitisation has given a substantial dispersion of the $400 billion loss. For this reason, the impact of the massive loss on the US financial system is not as large as it might otherwise have been.

A JPC appears to be a Joint Parliamentary Committee, a morcha is a "public demonstration for conveying a protest or making a demand." I'd say we've already had the equivalent of a few JPC inquiries in the U.S., with many more yet to come. As for morchas, those are probably coming, too--although they'll remain pretty calm affairs unless the economy gets really bad.

The point about securitization is really interesting. As lots of smart folks have been saying lately, we've got an insolvency problem. But it may be dispersed so widely that relatively few financial institutions are in fact insolvent.

Then there's this gem from Shah:

Unlike many countries which have experienced crises, monetary policy in the US is manned by brilliant intellectuals like Ben Bernanke and Fred Mishkin. Few people in the world understand the interplay between monetary policy and financial sector difficulties as well as them.

Fed governor Mishkin goes by Rick, not Fred (his full name is Frederic). But whatever--he is really smart, and Bernanke (whom I don't know nearly as well) seems to be too. I'm generally hesitant to place all too much trust in smarts. But I guess it's better than putting trust in dumbs.

Stop complaining… Here is a way to make new India!”

We see many people complaining about the system in India mostly tracing the roots down to the corruption and inefficiency of the politicians. First of all, we all know very well that we have a very little choice of electing the right people in the local elections (either MPs or MLAs, for the reasons of money, muscle power, etc.). We do not have the chance of directly electing Head of the Government (Chief Minister or Prime Minister). The elected MPs/MLAs will elect the head of the government. The so-called elected head of the government has to please the MLAs/MPs and it is where most of his time and efforts are spent. His direct responsibility to the voters of the state/country is of second priority for him. It has been obvious in many situations that the head of the government is not a choice of majority voters. This system of elections has showed us its dangerous draw backs. For example, if a party has good candidate to serve as a Prime Minister, he can not become the PM unless that party gains the majority in the country/state elections. In practise, the present indirect election of the head of the government has become a dangerous procedure pulling things like money, muscle power, cast based politics, etc. into any kind of elections. In electing the head of the government we observe the regional and cast feelings are raised most of the times.

Here we are talking about one cause of inefficient governance in the country; but there are many more which has completely changed the political culture over the years. Many of us understand some/most of the causes and there are few probably with some solutions. But until recently, it has not been possible for anyone to put them into actions for the reasons of courage and practicality. Though there are many interested people, the like-minds are scattered and lack of knowledge of the methodology prevents them finding out any practical ways of putting their ideas into actions. Here is a way paved for such people… LOKSATTA - the party! Loksatta has realized that the basic problem can only be solved by cleansing the present political culture and that is the change, apart from the economic growth, that India needs at this moment to sustain its position as a stable nation in the emerging world.

From “Self-governance” to “Good Governance”

Once India fought against its foreign rulers for “Self-governance”. It is the time for its people to go for another revolution on its own corrupted political culture to bring “Good-governance”.
THE LOKSATTA PARTY
Loksatta party, the off-spring of the Loksatta - Peoples’ movement for Good Governance, aims at bringing-in a new culture in the Indian politics. It consists of people who have/have been working as government servants at various capacities and understood the functionality and administration of the state government. Apart from their experience they are overwhelmingly dedicated to see a purer tomorrow, the self-less visions once our great leaders had.

After launching several successful campaigns and programmes to pressurize the present governments to bring-in better governance methods/policies, Loksatta - the non-partisan movement- has come forward to cleanse the system by providing a political party with high values. It is our time to stop complaining, but to come into action to do whatever little we can!

Links:
www.loksatta.org,
www.voteindia.org

Deal with People Who Always Complain - wikiHow

Deal with People Who Always Complain - wikiHow


How to Deal with People Who Always Complain


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

There are a lot of lame people out there who like to whine and complain about others for no reason. This step by step guide will (hopefully) help you get over it.

Steps


  1. If you're being complained about for something you're sure you didn't do, then it's not your problem. Realize that YOU are not the problem, it's the one complaining who has a problem. That's right, they have a problem.
  2. Ignore them. Chances are, they are complaining about you because they are jealous of you.
  3. Don't let their complaining get to you. Make your face neutral, put on the 'I don't give a crap about it' look. Thinking that you are a brick wall and they're the rubber ball might work. Rubber balls bounce off brick walls.
  4. Ask them to put their complaint in writing. Tell them that it is important that they only state the facts, not their feelings. Then encourage them to give their comments to the person(or persons) who can actually do something about their complaint. Nine times out of ten, they will stop complaining and they won't write anything down.
  5. Think of them as a three year old. Their life is more suited to a little kid than a teenager because all they do is whine and complain for no reason.
  6. Lastly, If you must walk by the complainers, walk by them with your friends. You will be less of a target.


Tips


  • Here are some reasons about why people who whine & complain all of the time are so lame.
  • Remember, these people are immature, mature people don't waste time whining and complaining.
  • It's likely that they have a big ego. They think they're better than the rest, and that's not true. Everybody is equal.


Warnings


  • People who whine and complain all of the time are very poisonous. Avoid them if possible.


Things You'll Need


  • Resiliency
  • Some good friends


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Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Deal with People Who Always Complain. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Always Win an Argument - wikiHow

Always Win an Argument - wikiHow


How to Always Win an Argument


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Want to get your way? Read on and you'll learn how to win every argument you enter.

Steps


  1. The First, and most important point is to attempt to pick the strongest side of the argument. Having the strength of advocacy on your side is by far the easiest way to win an argument. While most arguments have an easily identifiable winner and loser, some arguments are not so clear. Try to identify these arguments and either stay away, or be very careful about getting into it.
  2. Think about the possible arguments for and against your side, and the opposite side. If there is any major weakness in your argument, you must fill it before coming to a confrontation with the opposition, or risk losing the argument. Also try to take each argument to its logical conclusion, and identify any major pitfalls your opponent can step into. A gentle nudge here and there to get them to make some sort of statement that allows you to close the beartrap is psychologically damaging and can win an argument on the spot.
  3. When in the argument, keep calm, and present your side of the argument in a logical manner. When the opposite side brings up a point, always counter this point with something relevant supporting you.
  4. Always take full advantage of any illogicality or fallacy in your opponent's argument. Return any illogical points with as many relevant logical facts as possible, to completely quash their point. If this is not possible, take their point and use it in your favor logically. (e.g, when males grow their hair long in western society, 'its not natural' is a common argument for those opposed to it. However, it is more natural than cutting it as hair grows when it is left. Long hair, by using their argument against them, is completely natural for both genders.)
  5. If you point out a mistake that your opponent made, and declare it a logical fallacy, don't under any circumstances make the same mistake. Your opponent gets a free pass because he or she didn't know it was a mistake, you on the other hand are guilty of knowing what's right and what's wrong. It's a quick way to assasinate your own Ethos.
  6. It's always possible to lose an argument, these tips will greatly reduce the chance of losing. However, arguments do sometimes come to standoffs, where no side is stronger than the other and nobody wins or loses. when this happens, learn to leave the argument as nothing can be gained by continuing to confront your opponent. When this happens, don't lose control or get desperate.


Tips


  • Religion is not a valid basis for views in a confrontation. Remember: The devil himself could quote the bible for his own purposes.
  • Don't make the mistake of trying to use logical tactics to argue an opinion, a theory, or something that has no basic in logic. For example, "Men are superior to women" is an opinion; "superior" is a subjective judgment.
  • Similarly, it is counterproductive to try to argue about emotions ("You shouldn't feel that way"). Trying to talk people out of their feelings isn't logical; it's controlling and insensitive.
  • If you can't shake the wish to argue something that is just your opinion, ask yourself why. Remember you can choose to keep your opinion to yourself, or take positive action towards a social or political cause, rather than merely talking yourself blue in the face. Don't draw everyone you know into endless debates over your pet theory in the hopes that they will deliver a logical fallacy for you to knock down. This is in itself a complex form of the "straw man" fallacy. Besides, if you go around arguing all the time, people will avoid you and there will be no one left to argue with.
  • Using 'childish' tactics, such as shouting "Shut Up," will only decrease the credibility of your argument. This will certainly detriment your cause.
  • Keep control of yourself. Appear calm, even in a heated argument. Don't use harsh language, or succumb to your anger. This will muddle your thinking and hinder your argument.
  • If you succeed in making the other person angry, it doesn't mean you've won the argument.
  • Think constantly. By not thinking something through entirely before you say or do it often jeopardizes your argument. Do not do anything in the absence of thought.
  • Never use the word "should." It denotes a subjective obligation.


Warnings


  • This approach may annoy those who cannot stand to lose, and they often become violent.
  • Never lose control of yourself.
  • This is often very difficult for many people. Don't try it if you'll break down halfway through.
  • Pick your battles wisely!
  • If there is no-one there to judge the argument, or declare a winner, don't hold on to hope the other guy may see your view. Move on after the argument is made, you can go back later and review the argument and decide whether you won or lost, and modify from there.


Related wikiHows





Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Always Win an Argument. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.