In a great editorial piece, David Brooks reflects on how we have developed an exaggerated sense of self-importance. Case in point: Only 12 % of people in the 50s thought they were important. By the 90s, 80% believed they were. What a profound shift this is. We have gone from being realistic to narcissistic in the …
Every time a trend moves very far in one direction, a counterweight pushes in the other. When disposable becomes the rage, products that endure suddenly appear. When ‘new age’ becomes too extreme, retro returns. Consumers who can choose from the latest and the glitziest pine for a style that is not cutting edge but has …
Reality shows are anything but real, but in India, it is interesting to see how a western show is packaged to reflect Indian sensibilities. The US version of the reality show is crisp, businesslike and fast-paced. In India, we go the whole hog of tears, friends, and family. Melodrama is king. In American Idol, the …
I wonder who writes those ‘How-to’ books. You know what I mean. ‘How to become a topper’, ‘How to start a business with no money’ ‘How to have great sex – all the time”. I am not going to link to any of these abominations. They treat readers like prize idiots and I don’t know …
Long before blogs and photo blogs came to define a digital age, Vivian Maier maintained her own personal record of the people and places she came into contact with. Her output was prolific – she left behind over 100,000 black and white negatives and about 20-30,000 color slides ranging from the 1950s to the mid-1990s. Another 2,000 …
She shone in a small role in Slumdog Millionaire. Her career has not gone places after its blockbuster success. Unike Freida Pinto, no one hangs on to her words or report on the clothes she wears to galas. She hasn’t signed another role or acted with Woody Allen. In fact, she would be glad to just go …
There’s a well-expressed view that photographing an event leads to a denial of the actual experience. When eager parents carry their handy cams and record their child’s moments on stage to capture it for posterity, they miss out on the feeling it generates. They obsess about the lighting, get irritated if their view is obstructed …
There’s as much politics in edible oil as the oil we run our vehicles on. And while it has never incited a war, debates rage in research laboratories and in the markets. Coconut oil is much loved in Kerala. Extracted from the creamy white flesh of the coconut, its devotees swoon over the distinctive taste …
NPR is asking if you can write your love story in just six words. Reminds me of the class assignment turned in by a student who was asked to write a short story that had royalty, intrigue, and passion. This is what he came up with – ‘The Queen is pregnant. Who did it?’ From …
Their savories are ubiquitous in Indian shops around the country. Just as popular on the party circuit as it is with those looking for a quick cheap bite on the run. When families curl up to watch TV or welcome guests, one of the products served to them is most likely from the gigantic kitchens …
