My first author chat

It was my first author chat in person, and I was *very* nervous. 

Will anyone turn up at all?

Will they stay? 

Will I have anything interesting to say? 

A few close friends came for moral support and God knows I needed every bit of it. 

The first two people walked in 5 minutes before the event was due to start. I walked over to say Hello. Met a bright young person in the process. 

We started the event. 

The questions came from the moderator, and then from the audience. 

Then, people started sharing their own experiences. 

People turned around to listen. 

Somewhere at the back, we ran out of chairs. The club staff very sweetly gave up their own. The room continued to fill. 

Some friends, whom I had not met in a long time, made the time to be present. They listened - first out of love, and then, as the conversation got richer and richer, with genuine interest. 

We expected the event to last 35-40 minutes. An hour later, we were still talking. 

For me, of course, it was an evening to remember and celebrate. But the crowning moment was a conversation with a friend later in the night. As I thanked him for coming, he said, "For one hour, no one looked at their phones. Everyone was talking and listening. Do you realise what you have achieved today?" 

Today's post is for the gratitude of last Friday. 

On Learning

 One of my favourite Sanskrit suktis on learning translates thus:

A quarter you will understand when you read the text
A quarter when the teacher explains it
A quarter when you discuss it with your peers
A quarter - only in due course of time will you understand.

Compliment to Probe8

In the last two days, two different readers gave the same feedback - "I like reading your stories because of the language. This language is very polished. It's a pleasure to read." 

#Grateful 

Probe8 is also on Walmart!

 

My book is now also listed on Walmart!! 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Probe8-8-Modern-Mysteries-of-Detective-Fiction-Paperback-9798890026521/2231863219

So happy! 

What the Panch Bhoot really means

The Elements of life: 

The first element of life is mass - a body. That comes from Earth - Prithvi.  

75% of the Earth is water. 60% of the human body is water - Jal. 

The next thing that makes a living being is Breathing - Praan - Vayu. 

After that, we need the digestive energy and homeostatis - Agni 

And finally, the difference between a body on ventilator - breathing, producing urine, and heart beating, and one living, is the concept of soul. A soul is also the connection with the infinite. It comes from the infinite, and merges back into the infinite. It literally descends into the body and goes up from the body. It is our connection with the universe - Antariksh / Akash

And therefore, the Panchabhoota - the five elements, are not elements of chemistry. They are elements of life - elements that must exist for each living being to be "alive". 

What worries me about the US AF failed simulation is not that the drone killed the pilot, et al. 

It is that the drone valued points. 

As we all know, points are not vital to the drone's existence. They add no value to the drone's "life". They are one of the many useless, artificial currencies we have created in the world to "motivate". They are intrinsically worthless. 

The drone gets its inability to understand that the points are intrinsically worthless from.. humans! 

More than the dangers of AI, this is a wake-up call to us, humans, to understand worthless currencies and put them in perspective in our lives. They meet a need - but only that, and no more. They are not worth killing over. They are not worth ignoring one's health, family, or life. 

The proliferation of "gamification" has also led to a proliferation of these currencies. But how much is too much? When does fact merge into fantasy and dilute our view of the world? When do we start valuing things that give instant gratification but add no intrinsic value beyond that instant high? 

What are the intrinsically worthless currencies around you? 

How to Join an Existing Group

Tuckman's 5 Stages of Group Formation - Forming - Storming - Norming - Performing - Adjourning are well-known.

But how does one get inside a group? What are the stages of joining a group?

Stage 1: At this stage, one or perhaps two members of the group know you. If they like you, you are invited if there are places to fill and someone is needed. Example: Stuart in 'The Big Bang Theory'.

Stage 2: At this stage, you are invited, but your absence leaves a void the size of a pailful of water from the river. In short, your company is enjoyed, but your absence is not particularly missed.

Stage 3: At this stage, plans are made keeping your calendar constraints in mind. If you don't turn up, it doesn't feel like 'fun' to others. You are missed.

How does one move from Stage 1 to Stage 3? It is as simple as 1-2-3.

> Pay Attention
Pay attention to people. Listen. Understand them. Truly. They are humans. Before acting, watch and understand the group norms, communication style, and patterns.

> Show Up
Showing up is 50% of the work done. Just showing up is very important. Make time for this group. Make them a priority.

> Be Consistent and Be You
To get into the group might take initiative and action, but to remain takes just - honesty, and consistency.