Let's Talk

The world has seen a lot in the past 2 years, a global pandemic, lots of lives lost, restrictions in movement, economic hardship, divisiveness in society. Despite the omicron surge in late 2021, 2022 was beginning to look like year when the world would turn a corner. But of course, it wasn't to be - in fact, it could still potentially dwarf anything that we witnessed in the past 2 years by devolving into a nuclear war propelled catastrophe.  All because one little person was feeling a bit ignored and left out as the world was coming back into the path of continued economic recovery and progress. Putin - who at one time just seemed like yet another egomaniacal dictator has shown his final form - the Hitler wannabe. Domination of the east. He wants to protect the eastern world from the corrupt influences of the west. The same west that has seen the standard of life of its citizens go through the roof as everyday Russians under Putin struggle to make ends meet and grapple with intense...

 Layoffs are a part and parcel of corporate America. Not many companies are immune to them. It's a great way for employers to save costs and improve their balance sheet without improving anything fundamentally. It's also a tacit admission by an employer that they were not diligent at hiring, operations, management - but of course the cost for these failures are often paid by the employees and not the management itself. Atleast not directly - in most cases. Can a company avoid layoffs? Most definitely - it requires you to plan your operations rigorously, have a clear roadmap for your employees, have good line managers who are able to estimate resources based on customer needs, product roadmap, company finances. Sounds hard? Yes - it certainly is.  What is the easy way around this hard work? Hire on a whim, then when the work is done or projects dry up, blame the employees for not being productive and fire them. What if you hired contractors for the duration of the project inste...

I moved to the Bay Area in 2009. Since then, I've lived in various cities all the way from Berkeley and San Francisco to San Jose. There are many things I love about the Bay - the climate is moderate and pleasant throughout the year, jobs are plenty, it's very cosmopolitan and I don't feel out of place as a foreigner. But this blog isn't about the good - there are plenty of places to read that. This blog will talk about the things we don't want to talk about openly with our friends, co workers, neighbors.  So let's talk about the ugly side of the Bay Area. And no, I'm not referring to the ever increasing House Prices that out prices everyone but the top 1% of the earners from home ownership, or the homelessness - which is rampant, or the traffic - which rivals some third world countries with poor infrastructure and population issues. The above issues are relevant - but I can understand why it happens and in some ways can be handled. House prices goes up? Get...

> "We seldom find any person of good sense, except those who share our opinions." There are many such insightful quotes on agreement. The gist generally being - we always look for those who agree with us.  Why not, right? Conversations are easier,  there isn't a need to elucidate your opinions on any topic, friendships aren't clouded with judgment based on disagreements. Life is smooth. I have friends like this. People that I know aren't capable of seeing a different viewpoint. It's their way or the highway. When I'm with them, I'm torn on whether I should risk annoying the person with a different take or just play the supporting friend who nods to everything. One is always walking a fine line. Sometimes, you just have to let a person get their points across and wait for them to cool down sufficiently before you try to get them to see a different aspect. If not done in a sufficiently delicate manner, you risk alienating them completely. Most of us w...