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*.gem
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---
The OSI model lays down specifications on how to think about achieving inter-process communication across machines. This article goes over breaking down the
what and why of this model and introduce the readers to some of the jargon surrounding this topic.
what and why of this model and introduces the readers to some of the jargon surrounding this topic.
![OSI Outline]({{site.base_url | absolute_url}}/images/osi-outline.png)
@ -32,11 +32,11 @@ is a purely logical construct.
## The Postal Network
The postal network is an indispensible system when it comes to delivering mails. It lays down rules regarding how a mail needs to be submitted so that it is suitable for transfer - which makes many of the steps before and after the Postal network step in the above analogy the way it is. Clearly this is the most important of them all.
The postal network is an indispensable system when it comes to delivering mail. It lays down rules regarding how a mail needs to be submitted so that it is suitable for the transfer - which makes many of the steps before and after the Postal network step in the above analogy the way it is. Clearly, this is the most important of them all.
If we double click, we broadly get the following roles -
1. **Post collector** - collects posts from the postbox and transfers to the post office, ensures stamps and addresses are present.
1. **Post collector** - collects posts from the postbox, transferring them to the post office, ensuring stamps and addresses are present.
2. **Post office** - collects all posts from and to a locality. Maintains routing registries based on PIN or ZIP codes and determines the target post office to send the mail to, for each mail.
4. **Means of transport** - mails arrive at the destination locality post office through vans, trains, ships or planes
5. **Post dispatcher** - dispatches the post to individual houses based on the address
@ -46,11 +46,11 @@ Each role has
* well-defined set of responsibilities.
* well-defined, limited, interactions with the rest of the system.
A "post dispatcher" understands the protocol related to delivering a post to a house. The "post office" might operate just on the post bundle it gets, creating few more bundles grouped by destination office. The "means of transport" only understands transferring a bundle from one place to another.
A "post dispatcher" understands the protocol related to delivering a post to a house. The "post office" might operate just on the post bundle it gets, creating a few more bundles grouped by destination office. The "means of transport" only understand transferring a bundle from one place to another.
We could now start with laying down a convention for all postal systems to contain these roles. With some more elaborate treatment of the subject, we can come up with a **model** of a postal network.
It is now easy to identify people, or machines, to train and fit into these roles easily. Not only can they work in a given postal company for that role, they can work in any postal company for that matter. The users also have a fairly good idea on how a specific postal system operates, if it uses the above model as a guidance.
It is now easy to identify people, or machines, to train and fit into these roles easily. Not only can they work in a given postal company for that role, but they can also work in any postal company for that matter. The users also have a fairly good idea of how a specific postal system operates, if it uses the above model as guidance.
In the computer world, a similar abstraction has been laid down for the postal network in the form of the **OSI Model**.
@ -58,37 +58,35 @@ In the computer world, a similar abstraction has been laid down for the postal n
Owing to the complexity of the problem there are 7 different abstractions - the **7 layers of the [OSI model](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OSI_model).**
Out of this, the first 4 layers are responsible for end to end transport of a message from a process in one device to another process in another device. This includes converting the application data to a packet, transporting it to a target and delivering it to the intended recipient process.
Out of this, the first 4 layers are responsible for the end-to-end transport of a message from a process in one device to another process in another device. This includes converting the application data to a packet, transporting it to a target and delivering it to the intended recipient process.
The below is a simplified description of these 4 layers. An actor in each layer could be either a software, hardware or a hybrid of both.
Below is a simplified description of these 4 layers. An actor in each layer could be either software, hardware or a hybrid of both.
## Layer 4 - Transport Layer
The application sends the required data to be sent to this layer. The Transport Layer batches the data in a way that is easy to transmit further.
This layer cannot understand the application data, and just knows when the first bit starts and the last bit ends in the message. The agents at this layer are typically OS level softwares that stamp this data with some additional metadata - such as the source and destination IP addressses, port numbers, and the size of the message.
This layer cannot understand the application data and just knows when the first bit starts and the last bit ends in the message. The agents at this layer are typically OS-level software that stamp this data with some additional metadata - such as the source and destination IP addresses, port numbers, and the size of the message.
When a process sends application data to this layer, it can expect that the data will be received by the target process.
## Layer 3 - Network Layer
The Layer 4 hands off the application data packet (or network packet) to Layer 3. This is a combination of hardwares and softwares working in tandem to route the network
packet from source device to the target device over the internet. It can complete with reliable multiple hops over many other devices. This is an encapsulation of the postal system from
the letter anology.
Layer 4 hands off the application data packet (or network packet) to Layer 3. This is a combination of hardware and software working in tandem to route the network packet from the source device to the target device over the internet. It can be complete with reliable multiple hops over many other devices. This is an encapsulation of the postal system from the letter analogy.
## Layer 2 - Data Link Layer
Responsible for transmitting a 'frame' of data reliably from one node to another in a network without errors. A 'frame' contains some more metadata that is required to perform the error detection and correction when the data is received at a node. This is to make sure that the correct data is being passed on. These are often intelligently deviced hardwares that understand if a piece of data has been correctly transferred or not. Network packet transfer at Layer 3 hands this off to Layer 2 that transmits them as 'frames' and hands the data back (removing any 'frame' metadata) to the Layer 3 in the second node.
Responsible for transmitting a 'frame' of data reliably from one node to another in a network without errors. A 'frame' contains some more metadata that is required to perform the error detection and correction when the data is received at a node. This is to make sure that the correct data is being passed on. These are often intelligently devised hardware that understands if a piece of data has been correctly transferred or not. Network packet transfer at Layer 3 hands this off to Layer 2 which transmits them as 'frames' and hands the data back (removing any 'frame' metadata) to Layer 3 in the second node.
## Layer 1 - Physical layer
In order for the Layer 2 device to send and/or receive a frame, it needs a medium to send the information in. Layer 2 hands off the frame expecting it would reach as is in the target. The Layer 1 entities - which are typically hardwares - are responsible for transmitting the 0s and 1s through them. (Think of cables).
For the Layer 2 device to send and/or receive a frame, it needs a medium to send the information in. Layer 2 hands off the frame expecting it would reach as is in the target. The Layer 1 entities - which are typically hardware - are responsible for transmitting the 0s and 1s through them. (Think of cables).
## Layers 5 and up - The Application Layer
We can call the remaining 3 layers as the Application Layer.
We can call the remaining 3 layers the Application Layer.
When you write a letter to some one, you assume that the other person is able to understand the language, as well as comprehend your writing. Likewise, this layer is an abstraction over the protocols used by the processes themselves so that they know how to read a message.
When you write a letter to someone, you assume that the other person can understand the language, as well as comprehend your writing. Likewise, this layer is an abstraction over the protocols used by the processes themselves so that they know how to read a message.
The Application layer constructs whatever message it needs to send, and transfers it to the Network Layer in that machine. It also receives the message from the Network layer. This is generally the code that developers write as part of their application.
@ -97,11 +95,14 @@ Pedantically that is the Layer 7 of the model, but practically it makes a lot of
# In Summary
This is how a transfer of information from source application to destination application would look like, if we are to talk in terms of the different abstraction layers of the OSI. Note that the data travels across multiple devices in the network (such as routers). While the network packet has not reached the destination machine, that packet is not forwarded to the transport layers of other intermediate machines.
This is what a transfer of information from a source application to a destination application would look like if we are to talk in terms of the different abstraction layers of the OSI. Note that the data travels across multiple devices in the network (such as routers). While the network packet has not reached the destination machine, that packet is not forwarded to the transport layers of other intermediate machines.
![OSI Outline]({{site.base_url | absolute_url}}/images/osi-outline.png)
It is common practise to abbreviate the layers as **L4**, **L7** and so on.
It is common practice to abbreviate the layers as **L4**, **L7** and so on.
## What's next
Developers program at the application layer and have constructs in the programming language that would talk to the Transport Layer of the machine. For the most part, the Transport layer's behavior is governed by the **[Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_protocol_suite)**. It is important to have a practical understanding of TCP/IP which would prove useful in a variety of situations.
More on this in the next article!

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The Internet Protocol Suite consists of multiple protocol specifications that are implemented by almost all computers and other network devices. One primary abstraction available to the developers to process communication scenarios is a **connection**. The developer would get typically get hold of a connection object and send and receive messages through it from the application layer.
Available to the application developer are 2 widely used connection protocols - [Transmission Control Protocol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transmission_Control_Protocol) and [User Datagram Protocol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_Datagram_Protocol). While both the protocols are in general use, TCP is the most common. It is also the protocol that developers are mostly going to concern themselves with. Therefore, this post will focus on TCP.
Available to the application developer are 2 widely used connection protocols - [Transmission Control Protocol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transmission_Control_Protocol) and [User Datagram Protocol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_Datagram_Protocol). While both the protocols are in general use, TCP is the most common. It is also the protocol that developers are mostly going to concern themselves with. Therefore, this post will focus on TCP.
There is abundant literature on the exact packet structure at different layers in the internet. This post will limit itself to discussing about TCP connections - what are they and how to use and reason about them in your applications.
There is abundant literature on the exact packet structure at different layers on the internet. This post will limit itself to discussing TCP connections - what are they and how to use and reason about them in your applications.
---------------
Lets start with some definitions.
Let's start with some definitions.
## Network
Interconnected group of computers that are able to send and receive information from one other defines a network. There are different [network topologies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_topology) that define how the computers should be connected to one other.
The Internet is a network.
An interconnected group of computers that can send and receive information from one other defines a network. Different [network topologies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_topology) define how the computers should be connected to one other. The Internet is one such network.
## IP Address
An IP address is an identifier for a machine in a network. It was initially 32 bits in size, but for more than 2 decades now, a 64 bit version is also in use. The limitation of the 32 bit address is that [there are more than **2<sup>32</sup>** devices](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPv4_address_exhaustion) connected to the internet. There are some mitigation strategies for this limitation that change how these 32 bit addresses are handled and exposed.
An IP address is an identifier for a machine in a network. It was initially 32 bits in size, but for more than 2 decades now, a 64-bit version is also in use. The limitation of the 32-bit address is that [there are more than **2<sup>32</sup>** devices](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPv4_address_exhaustion) connected to the internet. There are some mitigation strategies for this limitation that change how these 32-bit addresses are handled and exposed.
Here's how the 2 versions of IP addresses are expressed for this site.
@ -33,15 +31,15 @@ Here's how the 2 versions of IP addresses are expressed for this site.
This is a logical construct identifying a process in a computer.
An application, when it needs to send/receive packets from another computer, it needs to create a binding to a port. When an application sends a packet intended for a specific application in another computer, the operation system of the target computer looks at the port number in the incoming packet, and forwards the packet to the application process that is listening for packets on this port.
An application, when it needs to send/receive packets from another computer, it needs to create a binding to a port. When an application sends a packet intended for a specific application on another computer, the operation system of the target computer looks at the port number in the incoming packet and forwards the packet to the application process that is listening for packets on this port.
It is an integer from 1 to 65536. The operating system might prevent binding to port numbers less than 1000 as these are well-known ports. These run well-known processes and therefore optimises routing at the OS layer. Examples are - port 80 for web server applications an 22 for SSH.
It is an integer from 1 to 65536. The operating system might prevent binding to port numbers less than 1000 as these are well-known ports. These run well-known processes to optimise routing at the OS layer. Examples are - port 80 for web server applications and port 22 for SSH.
## TCP and UDP
These are 2 widely used connection protocols. Under TCP, the application get a guarantee that the target computer indeed received the packet (an acknowledgement). For this reason TCP is called connection oriented protocol. UDP doesn't provide an acknowledgement and is therefore called a connection less protocol.
These are 2 widely used connection protocols. Under TCP, the application gets a guarantee that the target computer indeed received the packet (an acknowledgement). For this reason, TCP is called a connection-oriented protocol. UDP doesn't provide an acknowledgement and is therefore called a connection-less protocol.
The crux of these protocols is that, they add header and footer metadata on the message to construct a packet. When such a packet is delivered to the network, the network takes care of forwarding the packet to the correct target using these headers and footers.
The crux of these protocols is that they add header and footer metadata on the message to construct a packet. When such a packet is delivered to the network, the network takes care of forwarding the packet to the correct target using these headers and footers.
## Connection
@ -60,7 +58,7 @@ When we say that a TCP connection is established, both the source and the destin
A message in the below paragraphs is a connection + some message bytes.
To establish a TCP connection, the source computer sends a message called **SYN** - signalling start of connection establishment. The destination computer responds with a **SYN-ACK** - indicating that it is ready to accept a connection. The source receiving the **SYN-ACK** validates the target ip address. The source computer now sends an **ACK** - signalling that it will send messages using that 5-tuple from this point onwards. The destination receiving this **ACK** means that the destination's previous message reached the source, validating the ip address of the source for the destination.
To establish a TCP connection, the source computer sends a message called **SYN** - signalling the start of connection establishment. The destination computer responds with **SYN-ACK** - indicating that it is ready to accept a connection. The source receiving the **SYN-ACK** validates the target IP address. The source computer now sends an **ACK** - signalling that it will send messages using that 5-tuple from this point onwards. The destination receiving this **ACK** means that the destination's previous message reached the source, validating the IP address of the source for the destination.
1. Source : Send SYN, (IP<sub>source</sub>, Port<sub>source</sub>, IP<sub>dest</sub>, Port<sub>dest</sub>, TCP)
1. Destination : Receive SYN, (IP<sub>source</sub>, Port<sub>source</sub>, IP<sub>dest</sub>, Port<sub>dest</sub>, TCP)
@ -71,20 +69,20 @@ To establish a TCP connection, the source computer sends a message called **SYN*
1. Destination : Receive ACK (IP<sub>source</sub>, Port<sub>source</sub>, IP<sub>dest</sub>, Port<sub>dest</sub>, TCP)
1. Destination : Mark connection as established.
This handshake is also called the [3-way handshake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handshaking). This establishes the source and target ip address validity.
This handshake is also called the [3-way handshake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handshaking). This establishes the source and the target IP address validity.
## Security
With TCP, the destination can setup ip firewall rules to only accept packets from specific sources, as well as only send packets to specific sources.
With TCP, the destination can set up IP firewall rules to only accept packets from specific sources, as well as only send packets to specific sources.
But this is not enough.
If the network is compromised, malicious agents can inspect the data segment in the packet. Therefore, in practise, apart from the 3-way handshake, there is also the [TLS handshake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handshaking) that establishes a connection to also send encrypted messages that can only be read by the source and destination and not by anyone intercepting the message.
If the network is compromised, malicious agents can inspect the data segment in the packet. Therefore, in practice, apart from the 3-way handshake, there is also the [TLS handshake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handshaking) that establishes a connection to also send encrypted messages that can only be read by the source and destination and not by anyone intercepting the message.
## Cost of a connection
Because of multiple handshakes involved, developers should keep in mind that establishing a new connection is an expensive process. A TLS connection takes around 1 to 2 seconds to setup. When the source and targets are fixed, reusing a connection is of utmost importance.
Because of the multiple handshakes involved, developers should keep in mind that establishing a new connection is an expensive process. A TLS connection takes around 1 to 2 seconds to set up. When the source and targets are fixed, reusing a connection is of utmost importance.
## What's next
While IP Addresses identify the destination computer, it is not practical to remember IP addresses of different machines. IP Addresses have proxies to them called **Domain Names**. In the next post, I will try to talk about how a Domain Name maps to a specific IP address.
While IP Addresses identify the destination computer, it is not practical to remember the IP addresses of different machines. IP Addresses have proxies to them called **Domain Names**. In the next post, I will try to talk about how a Domain Name maps to a specific IP address.

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@ -10,20 +10,20 @@ My thoughts on the 1884 novella **Flatlands - a romance in many dimensions by Ed
[Edwin Abbot Abbot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Abbott_Abbott) was an English master by profession and had studied and published works on Mathematics, Philology and Theology during his lifetime of which [Flatlands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatland) is one such work under the Mathematical fiction genre.
The book follows the adventures of a Square that lives in a 2 dimensional world.
The book follows the adventures of a Square that lives in a 2-dimensional world.
The first question that came to my mind when I read this premise was, given that all beings in such a 2 dimensional universe can only see a straight line, how then can they distinguish different shapes? This problem is tackled very early on in the book, with one of the methods being using sight to understand different gradients in the straight line that they see. For example, a triangle when looked at directly is a straight line with the brightest point in the center, and both the sides with a reducing intensity gradient.
The first question that came to my mind when I read this premise was, given that all beings in such a 2-dimensional universe can only see a straight line, how then can they distinguish different shapes? This problem is tackled very early on in the book, with one of the methods being using sight to understand different gradients in the straight line that they see. For example, a triangle when looked at directly is a straight line with the brightest point in the center, and both the sides with a reducing intensity gradient.
![Triangle_Perspective]({{site.base_url | absolute_url}}/images/flatlands.png)
As soon as I read this, it struck me how we do the same thing in perceiving depth when we see a 3 dimensional picture.
As soon as I read this, it struck me how we do the same thing in perceiving depth when we see a 3-dimensional picture.
Most of the mathematical concepts in this book are taught even to kids at a very early stage, but the perspective given to that knowledge by this book, especially without pictures - the interaction of the 3<sup>rd</sup> dimension with the 2 dimensional world, was a very good mental exercise for me.
Most of the mathematical concepts in this book are taught even to kids at a very early stage, but the perspective given to that knowledge by this book, especially without pictures - the interaction of the 3<sup>rd</sup> dimension with the 2-dimensional world, was a very good mental exercise for me.
My favourite part of the book comes towards the end where the author draws similarilities and brings to our attention the patterns while going from one dimension to another. This book teaches us how to think about the 4<sup>th</sup> dimension, how a higher dimension's being interactions with a lower dimension manifest itself to the eyes of the lower dimension. There is a common trope in sci-fi films where an object vanishes out of existence when dealing with the 4<sup>th</sup> dimension. A little bit of reflection on the contents of the last few chapters of this book makes it clear why that trope is necessary!
My favorite part of the book comes towards the end when the author draws similarities and brings to our attention the patterns while going from one dimension to another. This book teaches us how to think about the 4<sup>th</sup> dimension, how a higher dimension being's interactions with a lower dimension manifest itself to the eyes of the lower dimension. There is a common trope in sci-fi films where an object vanishes out of existence when dealing with the 4<sup>th</sup> dimension. A little bit of reflection on the contents of the last few chapters of this book makes it clear why that trope is necessary!
There is a [video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CePeCicTqCM) of [Neil De'grasse Tyson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_deGrasse_Tyson) (the video is not related to this book) explaining the concepts in passages of the book. I do not want to give too much away from the book and would suggest to go through the book first before the video so that you do not spoil the satisfaction of learning this through the words of a professor from 1884!!
There is a [video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CePeCicTqCM) of [Neil De'grasse Tyson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_deGrasse_Tyson) (the video is not related to this book) explaining the concepts in passages of the book. I do not want to give too much away from the book and would suggest going through the book first before the video so that you do not spoil the satisfaction of learning this through the words of a professor from 1884!!
Apart from mathematics, the book is also filled with political commentary on the 2 dimensional universe - different levels of hierarchy in the society, power and control, education and even a revolution. It was an amusing exercise to draw parallels with the real world
Apart from mathematics, the book is also filled with political commentary on the 2-dimensional universe - different levels of hierarchy in society, power and control, education and even a revolution. It was an amusing exercise to draw parallels with the real world
The book is a small one and can be completed in a single sitting in less than two hours when reading at a leisurely pace. The English in the book was a bit difficult for me to follow as it is very different from the form of English that is spoken today. If you are intereseted in Physics, Mathematics, Dimensions and Time Travel like me, then this books is a must read. I read this book as a pre-cursor to the [Quantum Series](https://www.goodreads.com/series/237217-quantum) by [Douglas Philips](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7161775.Douglas_Phillips).
The book is a small one and can be completed in a single sitting in less than two hours when reading at a leisurely pace. The English in the book was a bit difficult for me to follow as it is very different from the form of English that is spoken today. If you are interested in Physics, Mathematics, Dimensions and Time Travel like me, then this book is a must-read. I read this book as a pre-cursor to the [Quantum Series](https://www.goodreads.com/series/237217-quantum) by [Douglas Philips](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7161775.Douglas_Phillips).

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@ -4,31 +4,31 @@ title: DNS Basics
categories: ["networks"]
---
Today, computers run useful processes that other users would use using their own computer device. Examples of such processes are the google search engine, the amazon online store, your favourite flight operator's booking service and so on. How does your computer know where these processes are running ?
Today, computers run useful processes that other users would use using their computer device. Examples of such processes are the google search engine, the amazon online store, your favorite flight operator's booking service and so on. How does your computer know where these processes are running?
---------------
## Where is my coffee ?
## Where is my coffee?
You are in _Coffee Land_ on a business visit and feel like drinking coffee after a long day at work. You want to go to a restaurant. You decide you would to walk into _Quality Coffee_ after spending some time consulting your colleagues.
You are in _Coffee Land_ on a business visit and feel like drinking coffee after a long day at work. You want to go to a restaurant. You decide you would walk into _Quality Coffee_ after spending some time consulting your colleagues.
You are told _Quality Coffee_ is at _No 4, Coffee Bean Avenue, Roasted County, Coffee Land_. You go there, order coffee, drink it and leave satisfied (possibly after paying in case you don't want to be arrested).
With some reflection, you can see that the address is more useful to you when you need to navigate to the correct shop and order coffee. However, the product that you sought was _Quality Coffee_. When you later talk about this to your other colleagues back home, you would say you visited _Quality Coffee_ and not _No 4,..._. The shop can move to a different place, but the service that you experienced is tied to the brand and it would remain the same.
Here we have two pieces of information - **Name** and **Address**. You seek the services of **Name**. You need to know the its current **Address** to actually get the services you need.
Here we have two pieces of information - **Name** and **Address**. You seek the services of **Name**. You need to know its current **Address** to actually get the services you need.
The **Name** is generally the brand associated with the service. In the computer world, the address would be the **IP Address**.
> Recall that an **IP Address** is the unique identifier for a machine. There are 2 versions of it - IPv4 and IPv6. An IPv4 IP address looks like this - `10.0.0.1`.
## OK, lets get to YouTube
## OK, let's get to YouTube
Getting to YouTube is similar to walking into a restaurant to order coffee. YouTube is the service provider with the brand. The restaurant is your browser. Coffee is the video, or the service provided by the service provider.
Getting to YouTube is similar to walking into a restaurant to order coffee. YouTube is the service provider with the brand. The restaurant is your browser. Coffee is the video (or the service provided by the service provider.)
In order to provide this service,
To provide this service,
- Software engineers at YouTube have run programs in their own computers that makes video content searchable and playable.
- They then advertise its IP address to everyone.
- Software engineers at YouTube have run programs on their computers that make video content searchable and playable.
- They then advertise their IP address to everyone.
- You go to the browser and type in the IP address of youtube.
- You are presented with a web page - which is an interface used for searching and playing videos.
@ -38,24 +38,24 @@ Everyone does!
As of writing this article, one of the IP addresses of the youtube services is `74.125.68.93`.
It is impractical to remember IP addresses of any target service. In the real world, these IP addresses would change over time more often than how real world addresses change. It would be a nightmare for both the youtube engineers as well as the end user to keep track of this.
It is impractical to remember the IP addresses of any target service. In the real world, these IP addresses would change over time more often than how real-world addresses change. It would be a nightmare for both the youtube engineers as well as the end user to keep track of this.
Enter the **Domain Name System** or **DNS** for short. DNS solves this problem of remembering arbitrary numbers for addresses to online services by providing it a more memorable **Domain Name** such as `www.youtube.com`. The engineers at youtube can simply say - if you want to search and watch videos, head over to **YouTube** (the name or brand). And hey, you can find YouTube at `www.youtube.com` (the address).
Enter the **Domain Name System** or **DNS** for short. DNS solves this problem of remembering arbitrary numbers for addresses to online services by providing it with a more memorable **Domain Name** such as `www.youtube.com`. The engineers at youtube can simply say - if you want to search and watch videos, head over to **YouTube** (the name or brand). And hey, you can find YouTube at `www.youtube.com` (the address).
For most people `www.youtube.com` is more memorable than `74.125.68.93`. This also solves the problem of moving IP addresses. When the IP address changes to lets say `74.125.68.100`, we can simply update the domain name system so that the domain name `www.youtube.com` points to the new address. This change is silent and there is no impact on what the end user types in on their browser.
For most people, `www.youtube.com` is more memorable than `74.125.68.93`. This also solves the problem of moving IP addresses. When the IP address changes to let's say `74.125.68.100`, we can simply update the domain name system so that the domain name `www.youtube.com` points to the new address. This change is silent and there is no impact on what the end user types in on their browser.
## I still have some questions
If you've come this far, you should be having a grasp of what a domain name is and know that there is a system called the domain name system that translates the domain names to IP addresses. If you are not content, and If you are curious to know how a domain name system is set up to translates the addresses, read on!
If you've come this far, you should be having a grasp of what a domain name is and know that there is a system called the domain name system that translates the domain names to IP addresses. If you are not content, and If you are curious to know how a domain name system is set up to translate the addresses, read on!
When you open your browser and type in `www.youtube.com`, the browser first negotiates with the domain name system to find out the IP address. This process is called **DNS address resolution**. Once the address is resolved, then the browser establishes a connection and is able to send and receive meaningful data (in this case, watch videos).
When you open your browser and type in `www.youtube.com`, the browser first negotiates with the domain name system to find out the IP address. This process is called **DNS address resolution**. Once the address is resolved, then the browser establishes a connection and can send and receive meaningful data (in this case, watch videos).
It would seem there would be a straight forward process of maintaining a directory of a domain name to its ip address. But this poses few challenges.
It would seem there would be a straightforward process of maintaining a directory of a domain name to its IP address. But this poses a few challenges.
- **Scalability** : There are a lot of websites and querying a single directory can be computationally expensive. If a lot of users are querying to resolve the address of `www.youtube.com`, this can negatively impact other users that are trying to resolve lesser queried domain names such as `www.mysite.com`. The owner of `www.youtube.com` should somehow be help accountable for traffic coming in to the domain name system querying their domain. Sites can also have multiple sub-domains such as `www.blog.mysite.com` so there isn't a strict one to one mapping with a owner of a web site.
- **Security** : Coordinating updates from different domain name owners securely is challenging. For example, I should not update the address of `www.yoursite.com` while I was updating `www.mysite.com`.
- **Conditional resolution** : Often times, a service is hosted in multiple locations for better user experience (think multiple branches of _Quality Coffee_ setup in different cities so that the brand is more accessible). The YouTube IP addresses shown above are probably the one on a computer physically closest to my house so that my computer has a fast connection to YouTube. So the central directory should now keep track of different locations and determine where the lookup request is coming from.
- **Cost** : Solving any of the above problems would require more money to set up this domain name system directory. More disk space, computing power (to serve domain name queries), power supply, cooling system etc.
- **Scalability**: There are a lot of websites and querying a single directory can be computationally expensive. If a lot of users are querying to resolve the address of `www.youtube.com`, this can negatively impact other users that are trying to resolve lesser queried domain names such as `www.mysite.com`. The owner of `www.youtube.com` should somehow be accountable for traffic coming to the domain name system querying their domain. Sites can also have multiple sub-domains such as `www.blog.mysite.com` so there isn't a strict one-to-one mapping with the owner of a website.
- **Security**: Coordinating updates from different domain name owners securely are challenging. For example, I should not update the address of `www.yoursite.com` while I was updating `www.mysite.com`.
- **Conditional resolution**: Often, a service is hosted in multiple locations for better user experience (think multiple branches of _Quality Coffee_ set up in different cities so that the brand is more accessible). The YouTube IP addresses shown above are probably the ones on a computer physically closest to my house so that my computer has a fast connection to YouTube. So the central directory should now keep track of different locations and determine where the lookup request is coming from.
- **Cost**: Solving any of the above problems would require more money to set up this domain name system directory. More disk space, computing power (to serve domain name queries), power supply, cooling system etc.
### Delegated resolution
@ -71,11 +71,11 @@ This distributes the DNS traffic and it is now up to the owners of the domain na
There are a set of reserved suffixes by which a domain name can end. Example `com`, `in`, `us`, `org`, `net`. These are called **Top Level Domains (TLD)**.
Each one of this have their own DNS server operated by an organisation or a country. The owner of `youtube` would set up a DNS server resolving IP addresses of all their sub domains ending in `youtube.com`. Then they would get hold of the operator for the `com` domain and ask them to add a record for `youtube` pointing to a DNS server that they just set up.
Each one of these has its DNS server operated by an organization or a country. The owner of `youtube` would set up a DNS server resolving IP addresses of all their sub-domains ending in `youtube.com`. Then they would get hold of the operator for the `com` domain and ask them to add a record for `youtube` pointing to a DNS server that they just set up.
> So if I know the DNS server of `com` I can reach the DNS server for `youtube.com`. But wait, how do I figure out the DNS server for `com` ?
All the top level domains are hosted in another DNS server called the **Root DNS Server**. These are operated by a non-profit [Internet Assigned Numbers Authority](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Assigned_Numbers_Authority) organization. The list of the root dns servers are hard coded in your computer when you buy it.
All the top-level domains are hosted in another DNS server called the **Root DNS Server**. These are operated by a non-profit [Internet Assigned Numbers Authority](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Assigned_Numbers_Authority) organization. The list of the root DNS servers are hard-coded in your computer when you buy it.
Now a typical name resolution works like this

26
_posts/2021-12-02-timeconvention.markdown
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@ -10,20 +10,20 @@ My proposal of an alternate convention for how we split and view the 24 hours in
## The Problem
A day is composed of 24 hours. In most places the 24 hours are roughly divided as follows (weekdays excluding holidays).
A day is composed of 24 hours. In most places, the 24 hours on weekdays are roughly divided as follows. Times are in [24-hour clock](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/24-hour_clock) format.
- Around 6 hours of sleep from *`0000`* to *`0600`*. The sun has still not risen.
- Around 6 hours of sleep from *`0000`* to *`0600`* when the sun hasn't risen yet.
- Around 12 hours of day time from *`0600`* to *`1800`*. Adults generally go to work and kids to school. The sun is up.
- Around 3 hours of family time from *`1800`* to *`2100`* that includes dinner. The sun has set.
- Around 3 hours of sleep from *`2100`* to *`2400`*. It is dark outside.
- Around 3 hours of family time from *`1800`* to *`2100`*. The sun has set.
- Around 3 hours of sleep from *`2100`* to *`2400`*/*`0000`*. It is dark outside.
> I see a couple of problems with this convention.
1. We have approximately 12 hours of day time and 12 hours of night time, but it is split unevenly across the 24 hour clock as
1. We have approximately 12 hours of day time and 12 hours of night time, but it is split unevenly across the 24-hour clock as
- *Day* - *`0600`* to *`1800`*
- *Night* - *`0000`* to *`0600`* and *`1800`* to *`2400`*
1. By the time people wake up, quarter of the day has already passed.
1. By the time people wake up, we are already approximately 6 hours in. It is absolutely ridiculous to start something from the number `6` instead of the number `0` or `1`.
## The Perfect split
@ -32,27 +32,27 @@ To correct the above 2 problems, we can calibrate the time people wake up, and t
- People wake up at around *`0000`*. Sun rises at around this time.
- Adults get ready to work by *`0300`*, Kids get to school by *`0200`*.
- Work time ends by *`1200`*. Kids get back home by around *`0900`* and play till *`1200`*.
- Family time from *`1200`*to *`1500`*, that includes dinner.
- Family time from *`1200`*to *`1500`*.
- Sleep at the end of the day from *`1500`* to *`2400`*.
> People now wake up at the start of the day. The sun occupies the sky from *`0000`* to *`1200`*, while the moon stays from *`1200`* to *`2400`*.
The suffices **AM** and **PM** can be replaced by **D** for day and **N** for night. The 12 hour time notation would be simply **0 D** to **12 D** and **0 N** to **12 N**.
The suffices **AM** and **PM** can be replaced by **D** for day and **N** for night. The 12-hour time notation would be simply **0 D** to **12 D** and **0 N** to **12 N**.
## Implications
People would require some time to adjust to this convention. However, I think this could be beneficial to humanity in the long run and worth the discomfort.
- All historical events will have to be shifted by one day on either side depending on the time of the day happened. This would be a one time inconvenience at the time of implementing this change. This includes your birtday too!
- All historical events will have to be shifted by one day on either side depending on the time of the day happened. This would be a one-time inconvenience at the time of implementing this change. This includes your birthday too!
- Holidays and festivals, now only start when people wake up. People don't have to stay up late to celebrate new year or christmas or a friend's birthday. They can come back from work the previous day and sleep. They need not leave work early for planning etc. Celebrations can start the next day rejuvenated.
- Holidays and festivals, now only start when people wake up. People don't have to stay up late to celebrate the new year or Christmas or a friend's birthday. They can come back from work the previous day and sleep. They need not leave work early for planning etc. Celebrations can start the next day after rejuvenation.
- Late night parties can be converted into early -morning parties. It could be safer and healthier for people to party in broad daylight. Humans are not nocturnal creatures.
- Late-night parties can be converted into early-morning parties. It could be safer and healthier for people to party in broad daylight. Humans are not nocturnal creatures.
- When an alien civilization visits us, they would be impressed by our love for symmetry in our time keeping!!
## I'm sold, can we switch ?
## I'm sold, can we switch?
Not so fast. In all seriousness, the cost of adjusting to the new convention is too high that I do not see how this new system will ever be in use in our times.
However, if human beings go extinct, I hope the next intelligent species that gets to shape earth, follows this convention while keeping time!!
However, **if** (or is it "when"??) human beings go extinct, I hope the next intelligent species that gets to shape the Earth, follows this convention while keeping time!!

16
_posts/2022-01-10-meaningoflife.markdown
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@ -4,37 +4,37 @@ title: Man's Search For Meaning
categories: ["books"]
---
A summary of what to expect from the book of the same name. The author of this book - Viktor Frankl is an holocaust survivor who later goes on to publicize and practise Logotherapy with success.
A summary of what to expect from the book of the same name. The author of this book - Viktor Frankl is a Holocaust survivor who later goes on to publicize and practice Logotherapy with success.
--------
## Concentration Camps
The first part of the book is about the punishment, torture, humiliation, starvation, dehumanization and finally death faced by the concentration camp prisopners, and observation on their psychology - from the time they are inducted into the camp, to the time when they are liberated. In order to survive in such a totalitarian system, the prisoners had to themselves go behind the backs of fellow prisoners.
The first part of the book is about the punishment, torture, humiliation, starvation, dehumanization and finally, death faced by the concentration camp prisoners, and observation of their psychology - from the time they are inducted into the camp, to the time when they are liberated. To survive in such a totalitarian system, the prisoners had to go behind the backs of fellow prisoners.
According to the author’s chilling remark, **the best ones did not make it out**.
## Logotherapy
The second part of the book deals with Logotherapy as a technique for Psychotherapy. Psycho-therapy is therapy through talking. Some other well known practised psychotherapy techniques are the Freudian and Adlerian therapies. All of them seem to have some criticism associated with them because they are all non-falsifiable techniques born from personal experiences.
The second part of the book deals with Logotherapy as a technique for Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is therapy through talking. Some other well-known practiced psychotherapy techniques are the Freudian and Adlerian therapies. All of them seem to have some criticism associated with them because they are all non-falsifiable techniques born from personal experiences.
Logotherapy has a premise of finding a meaning of any person’s life to cure their psychological illnesses including existential crises.
Logotherapy has the premise of finding meaning in any person’s life to cure their psychological illnesses including existential crises.
> The meaning of life differs from person to person. But, once someone has a why, any how is bearable.
Frankl argues, that we have the capacity to find meaning in 3 places
Frankl argues, that we can find meaning in 3 places
- Producing or creating something. Frankl himself wanted to publish his unfinished paper and cites this as a reason that helped him bear the harsh conditions of the concentration camps.
- Loving someone or something. People would want to devote their lives to their loved ones or kids.
- Under the conditions of unavoidable suffering. Frankl makes a distinction with avoidable suffering - when suffering is avoidable, efforts should be made to remove the cause of suffering.
Frank gives the example of a guy who had lost his life wife and had no will to live, reach out to him for therapy. Frankl tells him that by dying first, the wife had been relieved of suffering that would have otherwise been present in the woman, had the man died first. In this way, the man now has found a meaning to his life, and continued living.
Frank gives the example of a guy who had lost his life wife and had no will to live, reach out to him for therapy. Frankl tells him that by dying first, the wife had been relieved of suffering that would have otherwise been present in the woman, had the man died first. In this way, the man now has found meaning in his life, and continued living.
## Paradoxical Intention
The book also talks about *Paradoxical Intention* as one of the practices that encompasses Logotherapy. It is used to cure illnesses that simply are in our head. While personally I couldn’t see the relation between this and the overall aim of finding meaning, nevertheless, this is an interesting technique we can all use in our lives.
The book also talks about *Paradoxical Intention* as one of the practices that encompass Logotherapy. It is used to cure illnesses that simply are in our heads. While I couldn’t see the relation between this and the overall aim of finding meaning, nevertheless, this is an interesting technique we can all use in our lives.
The core of this technique is to intend to do the exact opposite of what one is supposed to be afraid of. This reportedly helps the patients to actually get rid of the things one fears. Frankl shares the following personal anecdotes -
The core of this technique is to intend to do the exact opposite of what one is supposed to be afraid of. This reportedly helps the patients to get rid of the things they fear. Frankl shares the following personal anecdotes -
- A person comes in with a problem of profusely sweaty palms whenever talking to someone. He is advised to make fun of himself in this matter and challenge himself to sweat more than what he normally sweats the next time he meets someone. This, interestingly, causes him to sweat considerably less.
- Another person suffered from sleeplessness. He is asked to “intend to never fall asleep for as long as possible“ when on the bed. This had the opposite effect of making him fall asleep sooner.

12
_posts/2022-01-24-wordle.markdown
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@ -18,18 +18,18 @@ Once you figure out the word, you are given an option to share your score. This
**_I hate when people brag._**
I'm tired of coming across people sharing their scores on social media platforms everyday. The game is a fun way to pass some time, and has no bearing on one's skills of deduction, or grasp over the language itself.
I'm tired of coming across people sharing their scores on social media platforms every day. The game is a fun way to pass some time and has no bearing on one's skills of deduction or grasp over the language itself.
One way to stop this bragging is to reduce the percieved value of any score that one gets because of playing the game.
One way to stop this bragging is to reduce the perceived value of any score that one gets because of playing the game.
If the solutions are easily accessible, anyone who figures out the current word in lesser attempts and brags, would now have to prove that they did not cheat.
If the solutions are easily accessible, anyone who figures out the current word in lesser attempts and brags would now have to prove that they did not cheat.
Eventually people would just play the game for their own satisfaction and keep their results to themselves. People who got into the game due to a [fear of missing out](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear_of_missing_out) would probably stop playing this game and save themselves some precious time.
Eventually, people would just play the game for their satisfaction and keep their results to themselves. People who got into the game due to a [fear of missing out](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear_of_missing_out) would probably stop playing the game and save themselves some precious time.
## The Solution
I whimsically made [Wordle Solutions](https://wordle.neophyte.me). *[Edit - this site is no longer accessible due to cost cutting decisions :P]* The solutions were previously accessible in the source code of the game anyway. Solutions are now easily accessible.
I whimsically made [Wordle Solutions](https://wordle.neophyte.me). *[Edit - this site is no longer accessible due to cost-cutting decisions on hosting this blog :P]* The solutions were previously accessible in the source code of the game anyway. Solutions are now easily accessible.
The page lists three words at all times, yesterday's word, today's word and tomorrow's word in that order. This is because the current word of the day is dependent on the player's current geographical location.
The complete list of words are [here](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cool-mist/WordleWords/main/words.json). As per the list, the last word is _**shave**_ and would happen on <u>25 October 2027</u>.
The complete list of words is [here](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cool-mist/WordleWords/main/words.json). As per the list, the last word is _**shave**_ and would happen on <u>25 October 2027</u>.

40
_posts/2022-01-26-sciencefiction.markdown
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@ -4,58 +4,58 @@ title: Science in Fiction
categories: ["ideas"]
---
Diving into some of the ways in which Science Fiction can incorporate the concepts of dimensions of space and time, and at the same time stay grounded to actual science.
Diving into some ways how Science Fiction can incorporate the concepts of dimensions of space and time, and at the same time stay grounded to actual science.
--------
## 4th Dimension of Space
**1. Objects can appear out of nowhere, and vanish as if they never existed**
**1. Objects can appear out of nowhere and vanish as if they never existed**
Consider passing a 3d cone through a 2d flat plane (a paper). If the cone is passed with respect to the plane as shown in the diagram, the intersection of the paper with the cone would produce a circle on the paper. Initially the circle would be the same as the base of the cone. As the cone is pushed further, the size of the circle would reduce, until it becomes a point. And then it completely vanishes, because the cone is now below the paper
Consider passing a 3d cone through a 2d flat plane (a paper). If the cone is passed with respect to the plane as shown in the diagram, the intersection of the paper with the cone would produce a circle on the paper. Initially, the circle would be the same as the base of the cone. As the cone is pushed further, the size of the circle would reduce, until it becomes a point. And then it completely vanishes, because the cone is now below the paper
![4d_CrossSection]({{site.base_url | absolute_url}}/images/4dcrosssection.png)
A 2 dimensional being occupying the paper would see a circle appear out of nowhere in their world and then disappear (In reality, the 2 dimensional being would only see a straight line from their point of view. Multiple different 2 dimensional observers would also see the same, and therefore infer that the shape was actually a circle). This would be really confusing for 2 dimensional beings if they were not aware of the existence of the third dimension - that would be the height in this case.
A 2 dimensional being occupying the paper would see a circle appear out of nowhere in their world and then disappear (In reality, the 2-dimensional being would only see a straight line from their point of view. Multiple different 2-dimensional observers would also see the same, and therefore infer that the shape was in fact a circle). This would be confusing for 2-dimensional beings if they were not aware of the existence of the third dimension - that would be the height in this case.
Extending this for the 4th dimension, a 4th dimensional being could push objects through 3 dimensional space, and we would be spooked out!
Extending this for the 4th dimension, a 4th-dimensional being could push objects through 3-dimensional space, and we would be spooked out!
**2. You can see everything in 3d space at once from 4d space**
Consider the same paper as the 2 dimensional world. The Blue circle is a 2 dimensional being with Green colored internal organs. This person has a secret Red colored vault inside their house. Money in their world is Maroon colored rectangles. From the perspective of the Pink eyes of this being, they would look at a Red straight line. Once inside the vault, they would see maroon straight lines. By looking at it at different angles, and feeling it, this being will come to understand that the Maroon colored object is a rectangle and is therefore money.
Consider the same paper as the 2-dimensional world. The Blue circle is a 2-dimensional being with Green colored internal organs. This person has a secret Red colored vault inside their house. Money in their world is maroon-colored rectangles. From the perspective of the Pink eyes of this being, they would look at a Red straight line. Once inside the vault, they would see maroon straight lines. By looking at it from different angles, and feeling it, this being will come to understand that the maroon-colored object is a rectangle and is therefore money.
![4d_AllAtOnce]({{site.base_url | absolute_url}}/images/4dallatonce.png)
There are a couple of things to reflect on.
There are a couple of things to reflect on.
1. The view of the 2 dimensional being is always one dimensional in a given direction. They have other means to perceive depth. This is similar to how we, the 3 dimensional beings, always strictly see a flat object, but because we have 2 eyes, are able to make out the depth and picture a 3 dimensional object in our brain.
1. The view of the 2-dimensional being is always 1-dimensional in a given direction. They have other means to perceive depth. This is similar to how we, 3-dimensional beings, always strictly see a flat object, but because we have 2 eyes, can make out the depth and picture a 3-dimensional object in our brain.
2. Any being cannot see through opaque objects. You cannot see the internal organs of your friend. You cannot see how much money the bank vault holds just by looking at the door. All this is true for our Blue being too. However, as a 3 dimensional being, we are able to look right through everything. We can see 2-d money inside a 2-d vault. We can see the internal organs of a 2-d being.
2. Any being cannot see through opaque objects. You cannot see the internal organs of your friend. You cannot see how much money the bank vault holds just by looking at the door. All this is true for our Blue being too. However, as 3-dimensional beings, we can look right through everything. We can see 2-d money inside a 2-d vault. We can see the internal organs of a 2-d being.
We might as well push our hand through into the 2d world, take some money. The money would vanish causing panic for the 2d beings. We can then push the money to a different place in their world. Money disappearing from one place and appearing elsewhere is definitely going to cause the 2d beings to resurrect their superstitious beliefs in the supernatural, if they are not scientifically literate enough!
We might as well push our hand through into the 2d world, and steal some money. The money would vanish causing panic for the 2d beings. We can then push the money to a different place in their world. Money disappearing from one place and appearing elsewhere is definitely going to cause the 2d beings to resurrect their superstitious beliefs if they are not scientifically literate enough!
## Time Travel
There are 2 well-understood time dilation effects. Time dilation is the difference in the elapsed time as measured by two clocks.
**1. Due to relative velocity**
**1. Due to relative velocity**
Let’s assume there are two people A and B. A is in motion relative to B. Both A and B would experience time. A would measure B’s time to be flowing slower than A. Likewise, B would measure A’s time and conclude it ticks slower than that of B.
When both A and B stop, they would each see that time flows the same for both of them. There will not be any difference in how A or B had aged, and both of them would probably report that the same amount of time had passed for themselves and also report that a lesser amount of time had passed for the other person.
When both A and B stop, they would each see that time flows the same for both of them. There will not be any difference in how A or B aged, and both of them would probably report that the same amount of time had passed for themselves and also report that a lesser amount of time had passed for the other person.
This is a counterintuitive effect that is bound to impress anyone when first encountering. However, I personally don’t see a way to make this time travel. Maybe we could arbitrarily say that moving faster slows time for the person, but that doesn’t follow from this particular mode of time dilation and would therefore fall into the realm of magic.
This is a counterintuitive effect that is bound to impress anyone when first encountering it. However, I don’t see a way to make this time travel. Maybe we could arbitrarily say that moving faster slows time for the person, but that doesn’t follow from this particular mode of time dilation and would therefore fall into the realm of magic.
**2. Due to gravity**
Let’s now assume, A and B are in different gravitational fields. Time flows slower for the person experiencing a greater gravitational force. If A gets close to a black hole in the earth year 2022, stays in its gravitational field for a year (one year with respect to A), and comes back to earth, he might instead see earth in 2032, or some future date.
Let’s now assume, A and B are in different gravitational fields. Time flows slower for the person experiencing a greater gravitational force. If A gets close to a black hole in the earth year 2022, stays in its gravitational field for a year (one year with respect to A), and comes back to earth, he might instead see Earth of 2032 or some future date.
From the perspective of the person nearer to the gravitational field, they have jumped a number of years in future by spending fewer years near a black hole.
From the perspective of the person nearer to the gravitational field, they have jumped a number of years to the future by spending fewer years near a black hole.
This is time travel!
The problem is that this type of travel is not instantaneous, as one would like. Moreover, this cannot be used to travel backwards in time.
The problem is that this type of travel is not instantaneous, as one would like. Moreover, this cannot be used to travel backward in time.
A counterpart to this would be to spend, let’s say 1 year of one’s time, in an area of very low gravitational field and then come back to earth to see that only one month has passed. The protagonist could train themselves for a boxing competition in short notice for instance. This could be a plot device to correct the protagonist’s age to their correct age after any forward jumps so that they can lead a happy life with their loved ones.
A counterpart to this would be to spend, let’s say 1 year of one’s time, in an area of a very low gravitational field and then come back to earth to see that only one month has passed. The protagonist could train themselves for a boxing competition on short notice for instance. This could be a plot device to correct the protagonist’s age to their correct age after any forward jumps so that they can lead a happy life with their loved ones.
## Science Fiction
@ -63,8 +63,8 @@ The 4th dimension of space looks a bit overpowered in itself - as anyone who pos
With regards to time travel, only the second option listed above would appeal to me as science fiction. It would not be possible to go near a black hole and survive for a year, but if such a technology is assumed to be invented in the future as the fiction in the story, it makes perfect sense to consider that work as science fiction. However, such science fiction is generally boring as one would normally want to go back to the past, or future, to learn something and use it to their advantage in the present.
Most interesting time travel stories also try to incorporate some kind of closed loop in them - and different versions of the same person from different time periods might often be working together without their knowledge. For example, the protagonist gets saved from their enemies because of a distraction. The protagonist then shortly afterwards gets access to a time travel device that allows travel to the past. They then travel backwards in time to create the distraction in the first place. All these, however, do break causality and create a lot of paradoxes leaving the plot unconvincing.
Most interesting time travel stories also try to incorporate some kind of closed loop in them - and different versions of the same person from different periods might often be working together without their knowledge. For example, the protagonist gets saved from their enemies because of a distraction. The protagonist then shortly afterward gets access to a time travel device that allows travel to the past. They then travel backward in time to create the distraction in the first place. All these, however, do break causality and create a lot of paradoxes leaving the plot unconvincing.
Such stories, that involve a backwards jump in time, while interesting, don’t appeal to me as science fiction. They might involve scientists, secret labs, crazy experiments, references to existing establishments devoted to scientific enquiry (CERN or NASA) and ‘woo-woo’ explanations of scientific concepts - a string of science sounding words put together that doesn’t mean anything. As long as the main plot device used in the story, that is used to move the story forward, does not draw from existing science, I classify such stories as magic-fiction. They are no different from the world of Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter.
Such stories, that involve a backward jump in time, while interesting, don’t appeal to me as science fiction. They might involve scientists, secret labs, crazy experiments, references to existing establishments devoted to scientific inquiry (CERN or NASA) and ‘woo-woo’ explanations of scientific concepts - a string of science-sounding words put together that doesn’t mean anything. As long as the main plot device used in the story, which is used to move the story forward, does not draw from existing science, I classify such stories as magic-fiction. They are no different from the world of Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter.
I would be remiss if I did not mention Multiverses. The Multiverse Theory hypothesizes existence of multiple parallel universes. A fictional faster than speed of light travel device could help one travel to the same point in a different universe. Exploring alternate universes would make for an exciting adventurous story. One advantage that alternate universes provide writers , over exploring other planets in our universe, is the possibility of looking at a slightly different version of the same person, setting, and relationships in a different universe.
I would be remiss if I did not mention Multiverses. The Multiverse Theory hypothesizes the existence of multiple parallel universes. A fictional faster than the speed of light travel device could help one travel to the same point in a different universe. Exploring alternate universes would make for an exciting adventure story. One advantage that alternate universes provide writers, over exploring other planets in our universe, is the possibility of looking at a slightly different version of the same person, setting, and relationships in a different universe.

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_posts/2022-01-27-quantumseries.markdown
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@ -12,47 +12,46 @@ The first few sections are spoiler free, and there is a warning before you read
## Quantum Incident
The prologue introduces us to a couple of main characters in the subsequent books. Daniel Rice is a science investigator and Nala Pasquier is a scientist in a private organisation working on a government project. We are shown a demonstration of interaction between the 4th dimension of space with the real world.
The prologue introduces us to a couple of main characters in the subsequent books. Daniel Rice is a science investigator and Nala Pasquier is a scientist in a private organization working on a government project. We are shown a demonstration of the interaction between the 4th dimension of space with the real world.
## Quantum Space
## Quantum Space
The 4th dimension of space and its relation with the 3rd dimension is explained in detail. The fiction is well within the imagination of the reader. The premise is that of a Spacecraft accidentally vanishing upon re-entry into orbit. The treatment is an extension of the book *[Flatlands](https://blog.neophyte.me/books/2020/12/17/flatlands/)* and is similar to my previous article *[Science in Fiction](https://blog.neophyte.me/ideas/2022/01/26/sciencefiction/)*. The book mainly deals with how Daniel Rice and others investigate and retrieve the spacecraft.
## Quantum Void
## Quantum Void
This book tries to provide explanations around where the 4th dimension of space exists and what is present around it. I couldn’t wrap my head around this concept or make any logical conclusions further down the story based on what was explained previously. There are definitely a few logical inconsistencies over the course of the book. Often the science part is ignored and we are left with plain magic. Some of the scientific explanations sounded like something that the author concocted in an attempt to provide a logical explanation for an extraordinary event.
This book tries to provide explanations around where the 4th dimension of space exists and what is present around it. I couldn’t wrap my head around this concept or make any logical conclusions further down the story based on what was explained previously. There are a few logical inconsistencies throughout the book. Often the science part is ignored and we are left with plain magic. Some of the scientific explanations sounded like something that the author concocted in an attempt to provide a logical explanation for an extraordinary event.
The probabilities of quantum particles - that quantum particles do not have a specific position, but a probability distribution graph on where they could be - applied to the macro world was an amusing part of the story.
There is also an exploration of life on other parts of the Universe that I thoroughly enjoyed reading - especially one from a certain planet. We are presented with a social hierarchy and probably a political statement on how the workers are treated in that planet.
There is also an exploration of life in other parts of the Universe that I thoroughly enjoyed reading - especially one from a certain planet. We are presented with a social hierarchy and probably a political statement on how the workers are treated on that planet.
While reading this book, I became more sensitive of the following two facts.
While reading this book, I became more sensitive to the following two facts.
1. Human cultures, rituals are arbitrary - life everywhere is bound to come up with their own set of eccentric practises.
1. Human culture and rituals are arbitrary - life everywhere is bound to come up with its own set of eccentric practices.
1. The scientific method of investigation and research is the way to progress for society. Scientific discoveries can have major economic and social impacts and one must not neglect science even in the face of other pressing issues to solve.
2. Scientific method of investigation and research is the way to progress for a society. Scientific discoveries can have major economic and social impacts and one must not neglect science even in the face of other pressing issues to solve.
(*Going on a tangent here! Skip if you are busy*)
(*Going on a tangent here! Skip if you are busy*)
This reminded me of the scientific discovery of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance - the fact that the nuclei of different atoms resonate differently to magnetic fields. This was made by a Physicist with no background in medicine. However, the MRI scan is now the most potent medical device to look into a human body without cutting one open. A politician talking about how useless scientific investment is, when we could invest on solving poverty (for instance) fails to understand that this particular discovery would save millions of lives in the future.
This reminded me of the scientific discovery of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance - the fact that the nuclei of different atoms resonate differently with magnetic fields. This was made by a Physicist with no background in medicine. However, the MRI scan is now the most potent medical device to look into a human body without cutting one open. A politician talking about how useless scientific investment is when we could invest in solving poverty (for instance) fails to understand that this particular discovery would save millions of lives in the future.
> Books 1 and 2 introduce a lot of scientific concepts to the reader.
## Quantum Time
My personal favourite of the three, even though I felt this book to be the most close to magic in a science fiction setting as opposed to science fiction.
My personal favorite of the three, even though I felt this book to be closer to magic in a science fiction setting as opposed to science fiction.
As the name suggests, this deals with time travel and, apart from the host of paradoxes that comes with any time travel fiction, this was an entertaining read throughout. The book presents a dark future of totalitarianism in America controlled by a religiously dogmatic “party”. The entire plot with the overlapping events and time jumps was definitely gripping and stimulating even with a lot of causal paradoxes. The eerie description of the state gave off similar vibes as the book 1984 by George Orwell.
As the name suggests, this deals with time travel and, apart from the host of paradoxes that come with any time travel fiction, this was an entertaining read throughout. The book presents a dark future of totalitarianism in America controlled by a religiously dogmatic “party”. The entire plot with the overlapping events and time jumps was gripping and stimulating even with a lot of causal paradoxes. The eerie description of the state gave off similar vibes as the book 1984 by George Orwell.
## Summary
Even though there are plot holes, the main characters temporarily going out of character, and logical inconsistencies, I enjoyed reading this trilogy for the most part.
Even though there are plot holes, the main characters temporarily going out of character, and logical inconsistencies, I enjoyed reading this trilogy for the most part.
> This article, with the spoiler heavy analysis below, is in no way intended to discourage the reader to pick up this book or belittle this book. I strongly believe this book is going to influence a lot of new science fiction stories and movies and TV shows.
In my opinion, this trilogy is going to stick out for a long time in its treatment of space time. I would definitely recommend reading this. If you are short on time, I would at least encourage you to pick up Quantum Time (you would have to ignore parts that reference the relationship of the characters from the previous books).
In my opinion, this trilogy is going to stick out for a long time in its treatment of space-time. I would recommend reading this. If you are short on time, I would at least encourage you to pick up Quantum Time (you would have to ignore parts that reference the relationship of the characters from the previous books).
## Discussion of the plot
@ -61,17 +60,17 @@ In my opinion, this trilogy is going to stick out for a long time in its treatme
The below section is spoiler heavy. Stop reading if you are intent on reading the books. If you are not going to read the books, the below section won’t make any sense to you. If you have already read the books, proceed!
1. In _Incident_, we are shown an experiment demonstrating that light from the 4th dimension reaching into the 3rd. However, in Void, Nala is not able to interact much with the 3rd dimension from the 4th.
2. In _Space_, Marie, who is shown to be an intelligent woman, however, on the topic of suspecting Nala for lying, Marie suspends logic and immediately takes her side, even uttering something to the effect of “Women are never wrong”.
3. In _Void_, the smoke from the factories are supposed to get into the 4th dimension. However, it is not shown what technology is being used to make that movement. If smoke can continuously go out of the 3rd dimension into the 4th, why can’t any human just walk into the device and get out into the 4th?
4. In both _Space_ and _Void_, the expansion of space in the 4th dimension is shown to be accompanied by a corresponding contraction in the 3rd dimension (at least that is how I understood it even after a couple of reads). However, we are never shown a contraction and its effect in the 3d world.
1. In _Incident_, we are shown an experiment demonstrating that light from the 4th dimension reaches into the 3rd. However, in Void, Nala is not able to interact much with the 3rd dimension from the 4th.
2. In _Space_, Marie is shown to be an intelligent woman. However, on the topic of suspecting Nala of lying, Marie suspends logic and immediately takes her side, even uttering something to the effect of “Women are never wrong”.
3. In _Void_, the smoke from the factories is supposed to get into the 4th dimension. However, it is not shown what technology is being used to make that movement. If smoke can continuously go out of the 3rd dimension into the 4th, why can’t any human just walk into the device and get out into the 4th?
4. In both _Space_ and _Void_, the expansion of space in the 4th dimension is shown to be accompanied by a corresponding contraction in the 3rd dimension (at least that is how I understood it even after a couple of reads). However, we are never shown a contraction and its effect in the 3d world on a regular basis (except for when it happens as part of the main plot in _Void_).
5. In _Void_, Marie being allowed to get close to and jump into singularity was a bit unconvincing. Having identified a singularity, one would expect strong protection around it.
6. In _Time_, the FBI plays an important role. But why were they not present in Void when the singularity was causing problems?
7. The law of probabilities are shown to affect the 4th dimensional space. However, it shouldn't have affected Marie even before she jumped into the singularity. In reality, she places the headband down and jumps in. She should not be having the headband in _Void_
7. The law of probabilities is shown to affect the 4th-dimensional space. However, it shouldn't have affected Marie even before she jumped into the singularity. In reality, she places the headband down and jumps in. She should not be having the headband in _Void_
8. In _Time_, the Prime minister, President and the German chancellor discuss time travel with Daniel directly, instead of leaving the experts in the field to do the talking.
9. In _Time_, the Goldilocks zone is described as though it is a zone from the perspective of the center of the galaxy, as opposed to the center of a star system. But then, the book goes on to explain that the planets such as Jupiter and Mercury cannot have life because of this. From the center of the galaxy., I would assume that the distances between the planets within the solar system is so small, that all the planets of the solar system would be in the Goldilocks zone.
10. In _Time_, Daniel acknowledges that science was too far removed from the life of the average man. However, in Void, the discussions gave me a vibe such a view being illogical (as I’ve explained above). Such a statement from the protagonist felt unnecessary to me and caused confusion as to what his actual stance is on the subject.
11. In _Time_, Daniel disproves multiverse theory by a watch - stating that by finding the watch in the same configuration, Daniel has reached the future of the same past that he started from. While this observation is correct, the conclusion is not. Daniel simply might have reached the same future this time. Maybe the device that he uses to travel can only travel within the same universe it started from. The Multiverse theory posits that there are multiple universes far out of reach of one other. This particular conclusion gave me an impression that Daniel wasn’t as scientific literate or logical as he is shown to be so far.
12. There is a lot of informational inconsistency in _Time_. It is acknowledged that changing the past changes the future. But often, changing the past is made possible only because the future is not yet changed. An explanation given is that all time exists all the time and the change in the events is like a wave from the past to the future. In the first wave events could have turned out one way. In the second wave, new set of events could take place in the same palace based on differences in decisions made by the characters - which would eventually change the future. But it is not made clear where the wave starts and where it ends.
9. In _Time_, the Goldilocks zone is described as though it is a zone from the perspective of the center of the galaxy, as opposed to the center of a star system. But then, the book goes on to explain that the planets such as Jupiter and Mercury cannot have life because of this. From the center of the galaxy., I would assume that the distances between the planets within the solar system are so small, that all the planets of the solar system would be in the Goldilocks zone.
10. In _Time_, Daniel acknowledges that science was too far removed from the life of the average man. However, in Void, the discussions gave me a vibe such a view being illogical (as I’ve explained above). Such a statement from the protagonist felt unnecessary to me and left me confused as to what his actual stance is on the subject.
11. In _Time_, Daniel disproves the multiverse theory by a watch - stating that by finding the watch in the same configuration, Daniel has reached the future of the same past that he started from. While this observation is correct, the conclusion is not. Daniel simply might have reached the same future this time. Maybe the device that he uses to travel can only travel within the same universe it started from. The Multiverse theory posits that there are multiple universes far out of reach of one another. This particular conclusion gave me the impression that Daniel wasn’t as scientific literate or logical as he is shown to be so far.
12. There is a lot of informational inconsistency in _Time_. It is acknowledged that changing the past changes the future. But often, changing the past is made possible only because the future is not yet changed. An explanation given is that all time exists all the time and the change in events is like a wave from the past to the future. In the first wave, events could have turned out one way. In the second wave, a new set of events could take place in the same palace based on differences in decisions made by the characters - which would eventually change the future. But it is not made clear where the wave starts and where it ends.
This section was aimed at only to spark off discussion or thoughts in the reader on these parts. In all fairness, this is a fantastic book that has led me to investigate deeply into some of these scientific concepts and some thought provoking discussions with friends on these plot devices.
This section was aimed only to spark discussion or thoughts in the reader on these parts. In all fairness, this is a fantastic book that has led me to investigate deeply into some of these scientific concepts and some thought-provoking discussions with friends on these plot devices.

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_posts/2022-02-18-eatinganimals.markdown
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@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ title: Eating Animals - Should we stop ?
categories: ["books"]
---
Eating animals : Should we stop by Jonathan Safran Foer is a case for changing our food habits to reduce suffering for the animals.
Eating animals: Should we stop by Jonathan Safran Foer is a case for changing our food habits to reduce suffering for the animals.
--------
@ -12,37 +12,37 @@ Eating animals : Should we stop by Jonathan Safran Foer is a case for changing o
Meat was traditionally family farmed. The animals (cows, pigs or hens) were raised with love and care in a stress-free environment. These animals were given pastures to graze and grains to feed on according to their biological needs. Their social and emotional needs were taken care of too. Strict attention was paid to the hygiene in such farms.
When it was time to slaughter the animal, the animals were taken to a slaughter house, and killed one by one, such that animals next in line did not know what was going on to the other animals. The process of killing an individual animal was made as quick as possible (often stunning the animal with a stun gun before slicing the throat) thereby reducing the overall suffering of the animals.
When it was time to slaughter the animal, the animals were taken to a slaughterhouse, and killed one by one, such that the animals next in line did not know what was going on to the other animals. The process of killing an individual animal was made as quick as possible (often stunning the animal with a stun gun before slicing the throat) thereby reducing the overall suffering of the animals.
## Factory farmed meat
> 99.9% of meat in America today comes from factory farmed meat. This is a fairly recent practice from the last century in the developed nations that has already spread to some developing countries like India.
All types of animals are shut in a small area where they can barely move. They live their entire life in their own feces and the feces of the previous generation. Chickens that once had a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years are being killed at 6 weeks after feeding “nutritious” food. With the advent of a “disassembly line” and move towards efficiency and money, the animals are not stunned properly before killing, causing them to be conscious when bleeding to death.
All types of animals are shut in a small area where they can barely move. They live their entire lives in their feces and the feces of the previous generation. Chickens that once had a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years are being killed at 6 weeks after feeding “nutritious” food. With the advent of a “disassembly line” and the move towards efficiency and money, the animals are not stunned properly before the killing, causing them to be conscious when bleeding to death.
Such factories serve as the breeding grounds for many types of life threatening infections, bacteria, viruses that could occasionally jump the species barriers to cause a pandemic for humans. Large water pits are created around the slaughterhouse onto which the excrements and fecal matter are dumped. Sometimes, the animals are thrown into such pits to kill them. Sometimes humans fall into these lagoons by mistake and die. The pigs are held by their legs and “thumped” on concrete walls to kill them quickly.
Such factories serve as the breeding grounds for many types of life-threatening infections, bacteria, and viruses that could occasionally jump the species barriers to cause a pandemic for humans. Large water pits are created around the slaughterhouse onto which the excrements and fecal matter are dumped. Sometimes, the animals are thrown into such pits to kill them. Sometimes humans fall into these lagoons by mistake and die. The pigs are held by their legs and “thumped” on concrete walls to kill them quickly.
Foer also talks about fishing about which even most discussions around animal cruelty misses to talk about. He goes into detail on the practices in the food “processing” (read slaughtering) factories. It is heartbreaking to know that food companies resort to in-humane practices to reduce the price of meat. It is truly heartbreaking to remind ourselves that a vast majority of people are simply unaware, or pretending to be unaware of such practices while being happy at the reduced prices and increased availability.
Foer also talks about fishing which even most discussions around animal cruelty misses to talk about. He goes into detail on the practices in the food “processing” (read slaughtering) factories. It is heartbreaking to know that food companies resort to inhumane practices to reduce the price of meat. We should remind ourselves that a vast majority of people are simply unaware, or pretending to be unaware of such practices while being happy at the reduced prices and increased availability.
## Why should we stop ?
## Why should we stop?
Some more arguments that could make one consider stopping, if the above description of the live of farm animals isn't disturbing enough!
Some more arguments that could make one consider stopping if the above description of the life of farm animals isn't disturbing enough!
### Philosophical
- People who eat meat hold double standards on their positions towards animal cruelty. Why don’t people eat dogs? Why is it okay to care for dogs, but eat pigs and cows and fishes? Where do non vegetarians draw the line?
- People who eat meat hold double standards on their positions towards animal cruelty. Why don’t people eat dogs? Why is it okay to care for dogs, but eat pigs and cows and fishes? Where do non-vegetarians draw the line?
- Taste is one of the 5 senses of human beings. Why should 5 minutes of one of our sensory pleasures require the torture and suffering and death of another conscious being? Would anyone say that they would kill a dog, just because that person wants to derive a 5 minute sensory pleasure from listening to that wailing dog?
- Taste is one of the 5 senses of human beings. Why should 5 minutes of one of our sensory pleasures require the torture and suffering and death of another conscious being? Would anyone say that they would kill a dog, just because that person wants to derive a 5-minute sensory pleasure from listening to that wailing dog?
- Is it not sadistic to kill an animal by-proxy and then turn a blind eye towards the act of killing?
- Is it not sadistic to kill an animal by proxy and then turn a blind eye toward the act of killing?
- Even in the case of factory farming, the welfare of the life of the animal is not a strong argument towards it. Why should the animal suffer - even if brief? Would anyone turn into an apologist for exploiting or killing a human slave under the promise that they would take good care of the slave during their life otherwise ?
- Even in the case of factory farming, the welfare of the life of the animal is not a strong argument towards it. Why should the animal suffer - even if brief? Would anyone turn into an apologist for exploiting or killing a human slave under the promise that they would take good care of the slave during their life otherwise?
### Factual
- Animal agriculture contributes more to global warming than all the transportation in the world combined.
- Today, it is potentially practical to follow a diet based on plants. A well planned vegetarian diet is appropriate for individuals in all stages of their lives. The amount of farming done in order to feed the animals that are then slaughtered, far exceeds the amount of crops that are required to feed humanity.
- Today, it is potentially practical to follow a diet based on plants. A well-planned vegetarian diet is appropriate for individuals in all stages of their lives. The amount of farming done to feed the animals that are then slaughtered far exceeds the quantity of crops that are required to feed humanity.
- Vegetarian and vegan diets are lower in saturated fat and cholesterol, have higher levels of dietary fiber and are generally associated with more health benefits (lower cancer rates, lower risk of heart disease etc)
@ -50,11 +50,11 @@ Some more arguments that could make one consider stopping, if the above descript
> Whenever practicable, it seems immoral to not contain oneself to a plant based diet. We owe our animals the highest level of existence.
The important word here is **practicability**. There could be situations, because of economics of food, or personal health conditions, that might require one to eat animals. But even there, a reduction in the suffering of animals should be kept in mind. When one is able to otherwise follow a plant based diet, not doing so is highly immoral of them.
The important word here is **practicability**. There could be situations, because of the economics of food, or personal health conditions, that might require one to eat animals. But even there, a reduction in the suffering of animals should be kept in mind. When one can otherwise follow a plant-based diet, not doing so is highly immoral of them.
The fight for animal welfare and rights definitely cannot be won by a few people turning vegan. This is the least one can do. Eating is a cultural activity and there are bound to be opportunities for discussions over one’s food habits that could potentially influence others at the table.
If you eat meat, please read this book to at least be aware of the factory farming practices and the sentiments of people involved around this industry. If you are already a vegan, this book is a good read to reinforce your stance on eating animals. Ironically, after all this, Foer reduces himself to a vegetarian diet, with occasional meat (if it is family farmed). However, in my opinion, if any suffering can be avoided, it should be.
If you eat meat, please read this book to at least be aware of the factory farming practices and the sentiments of people involved in this industry. If you are already a vegan, this book is a good read to reinforce your stance on eating animals. Ironically, after all this, Foer reduces himself to a vegetarian diet, with occasional meat (if it is family farmed). However, in my opinion, if any suffering can be avoided, it should be.
If you currently eat animals and if it is practicable for you to stop eating animals, **will you stop** ?
If you currently eat animals and if it is practicable for you to stop eating animals, **will you stop? If not, Why?**

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@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ About the Netflix culture and what they’ve gotten right to be a successful com
## The Culture
This book by Reed Hastings (CEO of Netflix as of writing this article), co written by Erin Meyer is best summarized by - leadership at Netflix inculcating the following three practices to form a successful culture.
This book by Reed Hastings (CEO of Netflix as of writing this article), co-written by Erin Meyer is best summarized by - leadership at Netflix inculcating the following three practices to form a successful culture.
1. The first operation the company undertakes is to attract and **build up talent**. Underperforming employees (dubbed ‘adequate’ employees by the CEO) are terminated with a hefty severance package. He feels adequate employees take up more resources to run and could shoo away stunning talent.
@ -18,31 +18,31 @@ This book by Reed Hastings (CEO of Netflix as of writing this article), co writt
3. Once the company has the brightest talent, comfortable among themselves, and always improving themselves, **remove controls** over the employees under the trust that the employees act responsibly.
Some such **controls** are
Some such **controls** are
- Remove vacation policy. Employees can take a vacation whenever they feel like.
- Remove vacation policy. Employees can take a vacation whenever they feel like it.
- Remove travel expense approvals trusting the employees to act in the best interests of the company.
Strict rules exist though, to audit and occasionally catch cheaters who are them promptly fired with a huge severance package.
Strict rules exist though, to audit and occasionally catch cheaters who are promptly fired with a huge severance package.
### Rinse and Repeat
..but something more
- Attract more talent and make sure they stay in the company by compensating them with top of the market prices for that role. They even go to the extent of asking their employees to attend calls from recruiters from other companies and understand how much they are ready to pay, so that the employees can immediately talk to their managers and express their intent to be compensated more. Managers are provided a framework in the form of “Keeper’s test” to decide if they think an employee should be fired or compensated more.
- Attract more talent and make sure they stay in the company by compensating them with top-of-the-market prices for that role. They even go to the extent of asking their employees to attend calls from recruiters from other companies and understand how much they are ready to pay so that the employees can immediately talk to their managers and express their intent to be compensated more. Managers are provided a framework in the form of “Keeper’s test” to decide if they think an employee should be fired or compensated more.
- Increase feedback cycles. There is tooling present that formalizes providing and acting on feedback. Employees are encouraged to provide actionable feedback (another guideline called the 4A system). And teams are also encouraged to informally meet outside the office for lunch and give each other informal feedback.
- Remove more controls and make sure employees have as much freedom as they can to make decisions for the company - such as signing multi million dollar deals with creators around the world. Just make sure everyone is aligned correctly with the company’s core principles and they will make the right decisions in such deals.
- Remove more controls and make sure employees have as much freedom as they can to make decisions for the company - such as signing multi-million dollar deals with creators around the world. Just make sure everyone is aligned correctly with the company’s core principles and they will make the right decisions in such deals.
Netflix also understands that this mode of operation is specific to American culture and has made a lot of efforts to globalize this after trying to understand different cultures. For example, employees in Singapore would be easily offended by negative feedback, that would be completely normal talk in America. Likewise, Europeans could be extremely straightforward with their feedback that often they might come out as rude. China has a model of authoritative decision making that granting more freedom doesn’t help much and causes confusion.
Netflix also understands that this mode of operation is specific to American culture and has made a lot of efforts to globalize this after trying to understand different cultures. For example, employees in Singapore would be easily offended by negative feedback, which would be completely normal talk in America. Likewise, Europeans could be extremely straightforward with their feedback that often they might come out as rude. China has a model of authoritative decision-making that granting more freedom doesn’t help much and causes confusion.
## My Take
Netflix does provide a lot of freedom and comfort for its employees, allowing them to perform at their best. They also seem to have solved most of the problems that plague both the employees and the employers.
Netflix does provide a lot of freedom and comfort for its employees, allowing them to perform at their best. They also seem to have solved most of the problems that plague both the employees and employers.
Their culture is based on the premise of having the best employees, performing at their best all the time.This makes it difficult for other companies in similar fields to emulate their game-plan. The number of such motivated, intelligent, focussed employees would probably only be representative of a smaller population - who may also not motivated be motivated enough in all stages of their lives.
Their culture is based on the premise of having the best employees performing at their best all the time. This makes it difficult for other companies in similar fields to emulate their game-plan. The number of such motivated, intelligent, focused employees would probably only be representative of a smaller population - who may also not motivated be motivated enough in all stages of their lives.
This means that there can only be few companies like Netflix in this world.
This means that there can only be a few companies like Netflix in this world.

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@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ An opinionated article on the topic!
# Definitions
- __Blog__ - Generally a collection of one's absurd ideas. Marketted as 'interesting' ideas instead.
- __Blog__ - Generally a collection of one's absurd ideas. Marketed as 'interesting' ideas instead.
- __Blogging__ - Transfer of said ideas from the human brain to the digital cloud.
# Why
@ -27,18 +27,18 @@ An opinionated article on the topic!
- For most people, this is the text to enter in the address bar of the browser application, when **they** (mostly only you) decide to visit the blog to see what's up. Eg: https://neophyte.me
- This is the branding for your blog so choose wisely! Try to make it short and memorable.
- Extra points if you can choose a domain name that can be used for [Domain Hacks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_hack). These are domain names that suggest word/phrase when read as a whole. Eg: Using the country code top-level domain of Belgium - `.be`, Youtube has a domain called `youtu.be`.
- Lease the domain for a longer period of time. Domains names are cheaper the first time your purchase them. Renewals are generally expensive.
- Lease the domain for a longer period of time. Domain names are cheaper the first time your purchase them. Renewals are generally expensive.
## Hosting
- A host is the physical infrastructure (computer) where your articles live when in the digital cloud. There are both free and paid options.
- A host is a physical infrastructure (computer) where your articles live when in the digital cloud. There are both free and paid options.
- Host for free on [Github Pages](https://pages.github.com/) using [Jekyll](https://jekyllrb.com/). Probably the best option at the moment because it is free while still allowing you to take full control of the look and feel of the blog.
- Once done, make fun of anyone hosting themselves on paid plans from providers such as Medium or Wordpress.
## Do's
- **Be clean and simple.** Clean themes are easier on the readers' eyes. The navigation controls on the site should be straighforward. There should be a way to list all your posts grouped by date or categories. Optionally, there should be a way to search through your posts.
- **Be blogger friendly** Make sure that, outside of writing and drawing, you don't do too much work to put out a new post.
- **Be clean and simple.** Clean themes are easier for the readers' eyes. The navigation controls on the site should be straightforward. There should be a way to list all your posts grouped by date or categories. Optionally, there should be a way to search through your posts.
- **Be blogger-friendly** Make sure that, outside of writing and drawing, you don't do too much work to put out a new post.
- **Be responsive.** The site should load just fine and adjust itself on all devices. Most people are likely to open your site on a mobile device.
- **Be lightweight.** The site should load within a few milliseconds. Nobody wants to wait 10 seconds looking at a blank browser tab. Even if they did for the first time (because you pestered them), they wouldn't visit the site again :(
- **Be RSS friendly.** Add a [**R**eally **S**imple **S**yndication](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSS) feed to your blog so that regular blog readers can simply add yours to the list of blogs they already read on their RSS reader application.
@ -47,8 +47,8 @@ An opinionated article on the topic!
## Dont's
- **Lock yourself to a vendor** Try to lookout for free stuff and read the copyright licenses properly for all digital content. Do not place yourself at the mercy of some vendor for your blog. You'll end up paying a fortune as time progresses.
- **Place ads.** It makes the site look ridiculous. Also respect anyone who wants to read your blog. You wouldn't slap an ad on your friend's coolers just because they are looking at you. You shouldn't do that to their browser too.
- **Add trackers.** This is the ultimate disrespect for anyone giving their time to go through their blog. No one deserves to be tracked. If any model requires tracking personal information, either change your model, or get roasted by me!
- **Add comment's section** This is yours and yours only! No one is allowed to pass comments on what you say. (But seriously, this is only here because there isn't a free solution available for tracking comments that also doesn't track the users...yet. I'm currently working on such a solution and if it works, I'll change my stance on this particular point :D)
- **Think too much** Often, we feel strongly for what we think for a limited period of time. Take advantage of that window or you'll never write that down again! (You can dissect its cringiness when you are sane again).
- **Lock yourself to a vendor** Try to look out for free stuff and read the copyright licenses properly for all digital content. Do not place yourself at the mercy of some vendor for your blog. You'll end up paying a fortune as time progresses.
- **Place ads.** It makes the site look ridiculous. Also, respect anyone who wants to read your blog. You wouldn't slap an ad on your friend's coolers just because they are looking at you. You shouldn't do that to their browser too.
- **Add trackers.** This is the ultimate disrespect for anyone giving their time to go through their blog. No one deserves to be tracked. If any model requires tracking personal information, either change your model or get roasted by me!
- **Add comments section** This is yours and yours only! No one is allowed to pass comments on what you say. (But seriously, this is only here because there isn't a free solution available for tracking comments that also doesn't track the users...yet. I'm currently working on such a solution and if it works, I'll change my stance on this particular point :D)
- **Think too much** Often, we feel strongly about what we think for a limited period. Take advantage of that window or you'll never write that down again! (You can dissect its cringiness when you are sane again).

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index.html
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@ -45,5 +45,5 @@ layout: default
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{% endif %}
</div>
{% endif %}
{% endif %}
</div>