Unreal Blog

Is Bill Gates being disingenuous in his philanthropic efforts? Some people think so, and see the associated tax benefits as the true motivation. I prefer to see goodness of concrete actions, rather than speculate on possible motives. After all, who am I to cast the first stone? Haven’t I sinned? Haven’t you?

Read the rest of "Systems and People"

On Bill Gate’s philanthropic efforts. Giving credit where credit is due, though grudgingly.

Read the rest of "Latter-day Robin Hoods"

Here’s wishing you a Happy 2010… May your resolutions hold up longer than those of the years past. And may you find peace, happiness, good health and prosperity.

Read the rest of "Happy New Year!"

I found this charity initiative that I believe will make a real difference. It is called “Giving What We Can,” and it lists a few recommended organizations that are efficient and focus on the extremely poor. Helping others can be more rewarding that helping yourself.

Read the rest of "Giving What We Can"

On what is important in life. And what is not.

Read the rest of "Midlife Crisis"

Memories of a classmate of mine from IIT who passed away recently. When I heard the shocking news, I wanted to write something about him. What came to mind were a couple of disjointed memories, and I thought I would share them here.

Read the rest of "Candle that Burns Bright"

Switching from God, philosophy and other higher pursuits, here is a topic close to home. How do people make a lot of money? Can I do it too?

Read the rest of "How to Make Money"

People tend to follow the money gradient. When a particular field is lucrative, more people tend to end up there. During the IT boom time of the previous decade, most of the talent flowed in there. Finance also has been a not-so-strange attractor for academics. Here is a look at the culture shock associated. Another excerpt from my upcoming column in the Wilmott Magazine.

Read the rest of "Group Dynamics"

It has been a while since I wrote anything on my blog. I was writing furiously, though, for my second book (http://pqd.thulasidas.com). After turning my sleep deprivation into a habitual insomnia, I turned in my draft manuscript, and I am ready to blog again.

Read the rest of "Back to Blogging…"

The last post in this series, this one exposes the extreme cases both in allowing and in denying bonuses, and their implications. Both the options imply our acceptance of certain economic idea. And, as with most things in life, it is not quite clear which is right, once you think long enough about it. A happy and stable middle ground is what we should seek and find.

Read the rest of "Bonus Plans of Mice and Men – VI"

If you generate profit, don’t you deserve a share of it? Profit generation and increasing shareholder value — these are the hallmarks of top talent in our capitalistic world view now. What is good for the shareholder is certainly good for the talent as well.

Read the rest of "Bonus Plans of Mice and Men – V"

Another common argument is that bonuses are necessary to retail the so-called “talent.” Are they?

Read the rest of "Bonus Plans of Mice and Men – IV"

If hard work does not entitle us to fat bonuses, perhaps our “talent” does? This is the third in the series of posts based on an upcoming column of mine in the Wilmott Magazine.

Read the rest of "Bonus Plans of Mice and Men – III"

The second in the series of posts based on an upcoming column of mine in the Wilmott Magazine, here is the common argument about hard work and the perceived entitlements.

Read the rest of "Bonus Plans of Mice and Men – II"

This is another series of posts based on an upcoming column of mine in the Wilmott Magazine. In this series, I will examine at the arguments for and against huge bonuses and golden parachutes. The first in the series, this post merely sets the stage for the next half a dozen. The starting point of this series is the public resignation letter by Jake DeSantis, ex-EVP at AIG, and his reasons for believing in the fairness of the huge bonus packages. And my arguments against them, with the personal suspicion that my views are perhaps more a case of sour grapes than of moral high horse.

Read the rest of "Bonus Plans of Mice and Men – I"

Time and money represent the basic conflict of work-life balance. Here is an unreal look at the old problem.

Read the rest of "How Much is Your Time Worth?"

Do you think kids are more materialistic these days? I think so. And I think I know why.

Read the rest of "Little Materialists"

A word of caution on charismatic gurus and shortcuts to salvation.

Read the rest of "Gurus of a Disturbing Kind"

Stressed out at work? Try these stress-reduction techniques. Well, musings, really…

Read the rest of "Unreal Stress Reduction Techniques"

It is a jungle out there. Do you have what it takes to survive? If not, don’t worry, I’m here to help.

Read the rest of "An Office Survival Guide"