Medium - Yet another blogging platform or ...

Recently Freia mentioned to me a blogging platform she uses and absolutely loves, Medium. And my initial reaction, fortunately only in my head, was, How can a blogging platform be different ? Isn't it a page of words and pictures ?

Nevertheless I decided to check out Medium. And I was pleasantly surprised. There's a lot you can do, even with just a blog.

Medium is the current project of Evan Williams, who happens to be the co-founder of Blogger and Twitter. Its become extremely popular, especially in the tech community and the platform was created only in August 2012. It seems like the same group of people are able to create successful products one after the other.

Trying to find the salient points of the new blogging platforms in general, and Medium in particular, I once again found quite a few people who could explain the difference better than me, so here goes.


"Medium and Svbtle Are Great for Discovery, but Less Customizable"
Thorin Klosowski
http://lifehacker.com/whats-with-new-blogging-platforms-like-medium-should-1518292181

“Medium is a beautiful space for reading and writing — and little else.“
Evan LePage
http://blog.hootsuite.com/3-new-blogging-platforms/


"Twitter’s new blogging platform Medium is a free and incredibly functional platform that finally went public in late 2013. Now a couple of versions in, Medium is still turning heads with its smooth, sophisticated appeal and community-driven backbone."
Marco Strzeszynski
https://medium.com/@rendr/best-blogging-platforms-of-2014-d62682d9b0aa

To read my favorite medium blog, check
https://medium.com/@freialobo/lessons-learned-from-a-summer-at-girls-who-code-ad3a0f737df9

And to read my favorite Medium blogger, check
https://medium.com/@freialobo

Undertstanding Rascism

I had recently written about Racism and thought I understood a little. In the last 2 months with several new incidents and movements, I've come to realize that I did not understand at all.

And so I found it very interesting when I came across this talk by Rich Benjamin "My road trip through the whitest towns in America". Its a must watch.

And then I came across something even more interesting. TED had created a playlist, seemingly to answer my question titled, "Talks to help you understand racism in America". So instead of writing what I think, let me ask you to watch them all.
http://www.ted.com/playlists/250/talks_to_help_you_understand_r


Mellody Hobson: Color blind or color brave?

The subject of race can be very touchy. As finance executive Mellody Hobson says, it's a "conversational third rail." But, she says, that's exactly why we need to start talking about it. In this engaging, persuasive talk, Hobson makes the case that speaking openly about race - and particularly about diversity in hiring — makes for better businesses and a better society.

 
Clint Smith: How to raise a black son in America

As kids, we all get advice from parents and teachers that seems strange, even confusing. This was crystallized one night for a young Clint Smith, who was playing with water guns in a dark parking lot with his white friends. In a heartfelt piece, the poet paints the scene of his father's furious and fearful response.


Nate Silver: Does racism affect how you vote?

Nate Silver has data that answers big questions about race in politics. For instance, in the 2008 presidential race, did Obama's skin color actually keep him from getting votes in some parts of the country? Stats and myths collide in this fascinating talk that ends with a remarkable insight.


Vernā Myers: How to overcome our biases? Walk boldly toward them

Our biases can be dangerous, even deadly — as we've seen in the cases of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner, in Staten Island, New York. Diversity advocate Vernā Myers looks closely at some of the subconscious attitudes we hold toward out-groups. She makes a plea to all people: Acknowledge your biases. Then move toward, not away from, the groups that make you uncomfortable. In a funny, impassioned, important talk, she shows us how.

James A. White Sr.: The little problem I had renting a house

Fifty-three years ago, James A. White Sr. joined the US Air Force. But as an African American man, he had to go to shocking lengths to find a place for his young family to live nearby. He tells this powerful story about the lived experience of "everyday racism" — and how it echoes today in the way he's had to teach his grandchildren to interact with police.

Bryan Stevenson: We need to talk about an injustice

In an engaging and personal talk — with cameo appearances from his grandmother and Rosa Parks - human rights lawyer Bryan Stevenson shares some hard truths about America's justice system, starting with a massive imbalance along racial lines: a third of the country's black male population has been incarcerated at some point in their lives. These issues, which are wrapped up in America's unexamined history, are rarely talked about with this level of candor, insight and persuasiveness.


Alice Goffman: How we're priming some kids for college — and others for prison

In the United States, two institutions guide teenagers on the journey to adulthood: college and prison. Sociologist Alice Goffman spent six years in a troubled Philadelphia neighborhood and saw first-hand how teenagers of African-American and Latino backgrounds are funneled down the path to prison — sometimes starting with relatively minor infractions. In an impassioned talk she asks, “Why are we offering only handcuffs and jail time?”


Stew: "Black Men Ski"

What happens when a black man visits Aspen? Singer/songwriter Stew and his band are about to let you know.


At the end of it, I've understood. That I don't understand and maybe never will. But that will not stop me from continuing to read and watch more on the subject and maybe one day, I'll get it and be in a position to have a strong opinion on the subject. For now, I think that there are issues. Complex issues. Issues that the extremists on both sides are hijacking with rhetoric and positioning to serve their own political agendas.
I think its time the silent majority to no longer be silent. And weigh in to make the world a better place.

Jana Gana Mana

Yesterday was Independence Day in India. In India we take great pride in the National Anthem and Independence Day is when it gets played multiple times. Feeling nostalgic, I was longing to hear the song when I realized that there were a few hundred versions available, sung by the famous as well as the not so famous to the regular persons and with several variations.

The original is rendered in 52 secs.

Jana Gana Mana : An Original version

Here are my top variations:

Jana Gana Mana : Lata Mangeshkar & Asha Bhosle

Performed by Various Artists * Musicians Celebrating 50 years of Independence.

WIFT India celebrates WOMEN'S DAY with this National Anthem featuring women - both technicians and actors - working across film fraternities in India!

Meaning of National Anthem Jana Gana Mana in an interesting way by kids.

The Siachen Glacier - Indian Army - Jana Gana Mana

and finally my favorite which is touching in many ways :
The Silent Indian National Anthem JANA GANA MANA by hearing impaired school children

Goodbye Jon

Thursday, August 6 was Jon Stewart's final show of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart".

As I've written before, ironically Jon Stewart in-spite of being a comedian, was one of the few television hosts who was able to give us hos take on the day's news that was real and not partisan or propagandist. The fact that is was funny and enjoyable and consistently brilliant was the icing on the cake. And he did this for over 16 years.

You can see his final show of 50 minutes at:
http://thedailyshow.cc.com/full-episodes/pjkw01/august-6--2015---jon-stewart-s-final-episode

or you can see a 10 minute summary below

We'll miss you Jon. At least for the next few months after which, I'm sure Jon will appear in a new, updated show on some other channel.

Happy 80th Dad

July 31, was my Dad's 80th birthday. And most of the family in Mumbai went off to Mahableshwar a hill station about 6 hours from Mumbai to celebrate this special occasion.

We had a simple dinner at the hotel restaurant which featured a live singer. The highlight was the cake cutting during which the singer sang the Indian and in my biased opinion better version of Happy Birthday.

On this momentous occasion I would like to highlight 5 things I learnt from my Dad. Not because he preached about it, but because he practiced it.


1.
Hard work, works and humility is a must.

2.
Honesty is the best policy.

3.
Do good without expectations.

4.
You can be tough, yet fair.

5.
Integrity is non-negotiable.

Thanks Dad for being a wonderful person, an awesome Dad and an amazing inspiration. May you have many more Happy years.