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The reluctant game changer

1/28/2014

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Very few men can claim the legacy of changing the course of history with a single invention. Even fewer could claim to have accomplished it with just four kilos of sheet metal forged into a weapon costing less than $50. Mikhail Kalashnikov, who died last month at the age of 94, was one such man.

Kalashnikov’s invention, the ubiquitous AK-47, is probably the most prolific assault rifle ever produced. It has seen action in the hands of elite special forces like those of Israel, Russia and India as well as child soldiers of Congo, Somalia and Angola.
The AK-47 has been produced by several countries in the world and over 100 million of them are still in service somewhere—spewing death, protecting territory, hunting down rebels, launching coups and like the attacks in Mumbai, propagating terrorism. This is the weapon that drove Americans out of Vietnam and 15 years later, chased the Soviet Union out of Afghanistan. It is the preferred weapon of soldiers, rebels, gangsters and terrorists. Ironically, the man who started it all was almost killed by his own government when he was a little boy. (more) 
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An author who can remind you the joy of reading...

1/26/2014

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Recently I was introduced to Anne Fadimann, a brilliant author who will make you fall in love with the joy of reading. I went through her slim volume Ex Libres in one sitting and each essay is something that will make you want to reach out and touch the characters Anne sketches. A brilliant book from a brilliant author. Don't miss this one. 
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Fascinating Reads for this week!

1/23/2014

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'The righteous mind' by Jonathan Haidt is a fascinating insight into why 'good' people get polarised and convinced that their point of view is righteous and all those who oppose them are 'bad'. A must read to understand why conflict is hard-wired into our DNA and how we might perhaps better understand our adversaries and those we are trying persuade!

Another great book by the same author is The Happiness Hypothesis in which he explores the search for truth in the modern context by digging into ancient texts. Jonathan explains that our cognitive & recently evolved mind is not really the 'rider' controlling the 'elephant'  (the subconscious biases and preferences wired into us). Instead it is more of a 'press secretary' who tries to justify the actions of the elephant!

Both books highly recommended!
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To contact Raghu Raman click here or email at captraman@yahoo.com