COLOMBO - Social Media Day 2012

In 2 hours, Colombo celebrates Social Media Day 2012. As of now, Mashable indicates 1600+ cities around the world are celebrating June 30th as Social Media Day. It was started in 2010. For Colombo this is the second event. First in 2010, now the second in 2012.

Today, I will be presenting " Social Media to lift economy of rural communities" based on the work at Sarvodaya-Fusion, to 150+ social media enthusiasts. It starts at 4 PM at Excel World. 

It will be followed by sessions from 'SL meme' and JehanR.

Gonna be fun. Excited.

In the mean time, on twitter, the party has already started with #SMdayCMB hash tag. Do follow. 

Why Should You Come to Refresh Colombo?

Despite 'Refresh Colombo' been popular, many asks me why I go there, and why should they go.
I can answer that. Click the link below.


5 Reasons For Why Should You Be At 'Refresh Colombo'


That's a blog I have posted in August 2011. Still hold true. (And it is the most viewed post in this blog)


And for all still wondering, here's the link for today's line up of speeches.

FOMO ( Fear Of Missing Out ) ?

According to JWT Intelligence, FOMO - ' Fear Of Missing Out' is,

" The phenomenon of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), the uneasy and sometimes all-consuming feeling that you're missing out—that your peers are doing, in the know about or in possession of more or something better than you. While we've always had a fear of missing out, today it's exploding with the onset of real-time, location-based and social media tools. We're exposed more than ever before to what others are doing, and we're filled with a gnawing uncertainty about whether we've made the right choice—not just in a given moment but in stages of our lives as well. "

I am a part of social media, as we all are. There is very good side of it, and there is a bad side of it. FOMO is one bad symptom of a problem, if ignored, can be a vicious cycle. 


Play the 1.5 minutes video above, and have a look at the info-graphic below (You can click on info-graphic to Zoom in). I tried to ignore this, but the more I read about it, the more I get convinced, there are some aspects of it with in me. 


So what is the alternate?  
Completely shut down from Social media? Well, it would be like asking to stay out of TV. Social media is so ubiquitous, to stay away. Then what?


Let's try to balance. It's in our minds to shift, and change. Do drop a comment below. Looking forward to your honest opinions :)

Source: mashable.com via isura on Pinterest

Embed Tweets On BLOGGER

It is nice way to tell a story about something happened on twitter, if you can embed those tweets in a blog post. This is also called - 'speech bubbles' by many.

I am using Blogger, and I could not find how to do that after painful search on Google. Then I asked Azker how he did it in his blog post. He sent me a wordpress plugin since he's running his site on word press.

@isura are you referring to the embedded tweets as bubbles?
— Azker Mohamed (@azkerm) June 20, 2012

I again made a request to him, and then he made this blog post with all the instructions. Going through the instructions I was able to do this post with embed tweets. Nice, Isn't it? 

@azkerm do you know a plugin for blogger? I am dying to find one :(
— ICT4D (@isura) June 21, 2012

Check out Azker's GeekLK site. Pretty neet and informative. http://www.geeklk.com/

Social media is about sharing what you know with others. Azker was very kind to respond immediately to me, not only that, to draft a blog post so that others also can be benefitted. Great. 

Wow, FLIPBOARD

This is a post to share with you, the most beautiful smart phone app I ever used up to date (Today is 23 June 2012)

Wow, Flipboard.

This has been in iOS platform for a long time. I got to know, because it was launched for android this week. Not only for Android, but to Nook and Kindle Fire too. In future it will come to Samsung apps too (BTW, samsung is coming up with their own app store called 'Samsung Apps')

If you are in iOS, Android, Nook or Kindle Fire, this is a must have. In-fact, you SHOULD HAVE Flipboard.

Why?

• Flipboard let's you swipe (I repeat Swipe) through blogs, news feeds (these are amazing) and.....your social networks on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Youtube, Google Reader, Tumblr, Instagram etc etc etc like flipping through a posh designer magazine. 

• The best Facebook client I have ever used. We all know FB official app for android and iOS sucks, because it takes ages to load among other woes. And Friendcaster was the only solace. With Flipboard, you are in wonderland. And this is the best part. You can share any FB post from Flipboard. I could not do sharing from any FB app I used so far.

• If not for Flipboard you will be missing on a wonderful experience of surfing your net and your social networks.

So get on board. And when you do, drop a comment below. Much appreciated your feedback.

Windows Phone 8 and NFC

Not even having a breather, from 'Surface' launch, 2 days back, MSFT unveils Windows phone 8 (code named 'Apollo') at Windows Phone Developer Summit.  Phew...

Well I would love to see at-least this shipped. Soon. 

First the good news:

Windows Phone 8 supports dual- and quad-core CPU, HD resolutions, External storage on SD card expansion, and...... near field communications (NFC) technology. Very cool. 
Basically OEMs can turn handsets into virtual wallets. So MSFT joined Apple and Google, in the race of getting our wallets in to our smart phones. MSFT has done the home work better with the mobile operators, way better than Google, and may be Apple.

For those who are wondering WTH is NFC. 

Near field communication (NFC) - is a set of standards for smartphones and similar devices to establish radio communication with each other by touching them together or bringing them into close proximity, usually no more than a few centimetres. Present and anticipated applications include contactless transactions, data exchange, and simplified setup of more complex communications such as Wi-Fi. Communication is also possible between an NFC device and an unpowered NFC chip, called a "tag".

Still not getting it? Here's the 2 minute video which would undo your doubts and blow your mind.This is on Google Wallet, which is kinda same in the function in NFC with with any smart phone wallet. 

Bad news:

MSFT has no plans for Wallet with NFC in US for this year. Google has many issues with Security in the eyes of mobile operators, and the outlook for this COOL tech overall, is dim. 

Early adopters of Win 7 and 7.5 are frustrated because they cannot upgrade to 8. They are angry of course, with right reasons. All these tech launches, on a rapid scale confuses consumer. 

'Chinaman' Is Making Waves in US

Well, I blogged about Shehan Karunatilaka and his novel 'chinaman' last week.

Today Indi featured him on MTV SPORTS morning show. Shehan connected via Skype from US, where he is currently on a book tour promoting his novel. Man, A novel 1000% on cricket, in US? He sure has some talent. I am really happy to see this progress. A Sri Lankan novelist, making waves. Really really happy.


Or BTW, the novel is renamed to 'Legend of Pradeep Mathew' as 'chinaman' is offensive to Chinese. I don't know. *face palm*


If I was working for Sri Lanka Tourist Board, I would do a campaign for 'Sri Lanka' along side. He's basically pitching Sri Lanka. What more do we need as a nation, at this opportune moment?

Do watch the video below. It's hilariously informative. 

Happy Birthday, Amma

With Amma, at Galle Fort, April 2011.

My Amma (Amma = Mother in sinhalese) saved my life many a times, knowingly and unknowingly. 

Life advises, Pushing me through AL's, attending to me when I was critically ill, are few things out a million things she have done to me knowingly.

She saved me from tsunami in 2004, unknowingly.

On that fateful day, at the exact timing around 930 am, I was supposed to be at Galle Bus stand, to get a bus to Colombo. I was packing my bag, when Amma came and said " Putha, we are giving a lunch to Aunty, why not you stay and take lunch with us and go". Luckily I agreed. 

For 8 days, I worked shoulder to shoulder with few of my friends, to distribute food, garments, dry rations, milk bottles for kids, around Galle. I am so happy to date, as we were able to reach the real grassroots, not a Divisional Secretariat, to give away to people who were frustrated and in real genuine help. I still remember the look in those eyes, and the faint 'thank you' they murmured. 

In my prayers, thanked Amma million times, for that single thought, that not only saved my life, but gave me the opportunity to help people in need. 

Today Amma turns 62. 

I am blessed to be living with in 5 km radius of both Ammas. (My Amma and Muditha's Amma). 

I wish both of them great health and piece of mind. Thousand blog posts cannot pay tribute to their good deeds for me, still this is a humble attempt to think a minute on all mothers in this world who take the same trouble to bring the best in a child.

So in that sense everyday is a Mother's day ! Cheers !

Those Are The Arrogant Jerks Who Saved Your Life

House MD poster : Pic Credit

House MD is my favorite TV show. It's now in its' 8th season. 

Dr.House is a very lucid character. He is arrogant, technically very competent and crosses any line to get his work done.

His work is - curing ailments, not patients. He believes talking to patients is useless, as for him patients are liars, which makes you inept.

His methods are unorthodox, and hence despised by everyone. His team despises him the most.

Only reasons he gets to hang around in the hospital is because he gets the X files. The patients nobody can solve.

In the episode 'poison' in season 1, two teenagers are dying from some strange poison. Using every trick in their sleeves, the doctors  try to locate the poison and its' source. They nearly killed one of the patients in the process, yet manage to cure both of them at the end. The diagnostic methods they use are highly unconventional. Mother of one of the teenagers, resists House and his team's aggressive methods. House become very unpopular, even after teenagers get recovered.

This is the best part of the episode. The resistive mother meets House and his assistant, as she wheels her recovering son out of hospital 

"Who are they?" Son asks. 

"Those are the arrogant jerks who saved your life" mother replies.

Both House and assistant hear that, and slowly walk in to the elevator.

In life, most of the time, it is respectful even to be despised, when you know you have done the right thing. What your conscious said.

It is so easy to be popular. Not at all easy to command respect.

Microsoft Surface - Finally

Microsoft is stepping on to hardware business big time, with the announcement of 'Surface'. Finally. 

Above features there ad, and below a report by Forbes on launch. Microsoft is taking the Apple route. Basically now Microsoft is in direct competition with its customers, the likes of Dell, HP, and Lenovo. 
Surface products are really cool. I ve seen the Keynote and the design aspects. It really has the steam to give Android a run. 

iPad is undisputed leader in Post PC era. Android tab is making a mark. Now MSFT on board.

Interesting times are ahead for consumers world wide.

But with all the buzz, there is some confusions too. 

Confusing operating system names like Windows RT, windows 8 Pro is not helping much.

How much will it cost? 

when it will be available to consumers. (Because all this has to wait till Windows 8 launch somewhere in October/November, still not confirmed.)

Will this confuse the MSFT hardware OEM partners?

What is the battery time? Any 4G, LTE in coming versions? (No mentions were in the keynotes)

Related Articles: 

On MSFT challenge ahead, and a comparison of specs with iPad - http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/story/2012-06-18/microsoft-surface-tablet/55676790/1

Mashable on unanswered questions - http://mashable.com/2012/06/18/microsoft-surface-unanswered-questions/

The full KeyNote video from Microsoft press; http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/presskits/windows/videogallery2b.aspx

Android Kid

This video features my cousin's 2 year old kid, playing with an android smart phone.

Not-just-playing. He can unlock the screen, call his mother, show pictures upon request. 
Just see how he cuddles the phone between his 2 small hands and sync his 2 thumbs for touch and flip.

Basically he's learning fast, according to his father. 
Just 2 years old. Gosh. (Ignore the small talk in the back ground courtesy me & my relatives)
And I swear I did not teach this kid on android :)

Who Is An Ideal Husband?

From 'Satyamev Jayate' FB page

Today's 'Satyamev Jayate' was on 'who is an ideal husband'.

By default, my wife had a sudden enthusiasm for the show, and it was too late to switch off (LoL)


Then we understood it was about ' Domestic Violence'.

What women featured in the show request is equality. They don't ask special consideration or attention. 

Just equal opportunity to live a happy life.

So what's the big deal? The all male audience have discussed in length. What they see is this.

It is not about education, not about attitudes, it is all about the masculine social mentality. 

They call it 'genetically inherited' mentality that's in the subconscious of a male, pressurizing him to be manly.

So he scapegoat his work pressure and other pressures on his wife. Well, pretty absurd, yet that is what is happening.

The show is again an eye opener. I learned many facets of a problem. 

A home should be a place with equal rights. What do you think?

Take one hour of your time. Watch this youtube episode (with English subtitles & no ads). It's damn good.

Aung San Suu Kyi - Nobel Speech

Leaving podium after the Nobel Speech .  More pics

Yesterday (June 16) Aung San Suu Kyi, delivered one of the best Nobel acceptance speeches in history. She delivered the speech after 2 decades of acceptance of Nobel award, which was then received by her son, as she was under house arrest under the Burmese military junta.

"What the Nobel peace prize did was to draw me once again into the world of other human beings outside the isolated area in which I lived, to restore a sense of reality to me. This did not happen instantly, of course, but as the days and months went by, and news of reactions to the award came over the airwaves, I began to understand the significance of the Nobel prize. It had made me real once again"

Let me just not waste words. You can hear her words below.

Chinaman by Shehan Karunatilaka

Shehan Karunatilaka from wikipedia

I read Smriti Daniel's article on Chinaman.  Loved it.

The book 'Chinaman' won overall commonwealth book price. Author Shehan Karunatilaka is a Sri Lankan. He wrote something cool, and got an award. Very cool. This is not everyday news in Sri Lanka. Hence worth a post and a RT/Share from you.

Michael Ondaatje is a Sri Lankan born Canadian novelist. In 2008, Christine, a dear Canadian friend of mine, gave me a copy of "Running in the family" and made a statement with a sparkle in her eye.

"Ondaatje is THE national literature asset of Canada" 

I can still remember her smile. 

I downloaded sample of Chinaman on Kindle. I read it like a breeze. Now I am in dilemma whether to buy hardcopy or kindle version. It's nice to see a Sri Lankan doing good on books, enjoying and getting heard.

I am smiling. With a sparkle in my eye.

Persons With Disabilities - We Can Fly!

A still from the show

Now I watch Satyamev Jayate every Sunday at 11 am. Kinda become a ritual now.

This week it was on "Persons with disabilities - We can fly!". Watch online with English Subtitles

There was a story of one disable kid. Parents of that kid went from school to school, to no avail. All principals refused stating he should be placed under special care.

Parents did not give up. Finally they dressed the child in school's uniform and went in. Principal could not help but take the child.

Aamir laughed quoting one of the scenes in '3 idiots' when he says " if you wanna study, all you need is a uniform. Because no body will recognize you in a sea of kids ! " :)

My mother-in-law was also watching with us. She recalled her story, ironically similar in spirit of above story.

In 1986, My wife (her daughter) has to be admitted to a school in Colombo. Principal would tell all is well, yet not get her admitted.

Different reasons in different days, and mother sensed he's after money.

Mother with aid of her sister, made a school uniform, and took her daughter dressed in uniform.

Principal was found off guard. He had to take her. Problem solved.

So in real life, we all have power to make decisions and stand up for what is right.

I spent an inspirational day, with the show, relating to our lives. 

Satyamev Jayate - Truth Alone Prevails

Aamir Khan, debuts in TV, in sensible manner.

Once in a while come a TV show that inspires us. Aamir Khan's 'Satyamev Jayate' (Truth Alone Prevails) is great. It's a talk show on social issues in India. Aptly relevant for Sri Lanka, and host of other asian countries. 

The show has a cinematic appeal with deep research rigor. Everyone  I know, who watched the show, acknowledged they cried during the show. I did too in some scenes. The show starts with a revealing of a disturbing, inconvenient truth. For 40 minutes, it penetrate the issue with a physician's accuracy. Then in last 20 minutes, it comes up with an alternative that inspires all of us to take action on the issue, in our own ways. The stage for the show is owned by real ordinary people, amazingly moderated by Aamir.

The 5 topics covered so far: Female foeticide in India, Child sex abuse, Dowry system in India, Medical malpractice & Social un-acceptance of love marriage.

This is not another Oprah. It's about us, our issues, the ordinaries - with a courageous & committed approach.

Do watch. Your perspectives about life and society are sure to be changed. 

How you can connect. Interact. Engage.

1) Official site http://satyamevjayate.in. There are many fake sites, hence take note. 

2) Subscribe to official youtube channel which gives you full access to episodes of Star world India with English subtitles.

3) Watch every Sunday at 11 am on Star World India with English subtitles.

4) Twitter: @smjindia

5) FaceBook : https://www.facebook.com/SatyamevJayate 

Below I have embedded the first episode for your easy viewing.

Related Posts:

Indi has done 3 posts on 'Satyamaev Jayate'

1) http://indi.ca/2012/06/love-marriage-and-those-who-hate-on-it-smj/

2) http://indi.ca/2012/06/satyamev-jayate-great-show/

3) http://indi.ca/2012/06/aamir-khan-bringing-the-cardigan-back-smj/

- - - - - -
Pic Credit: Agence India Press.

Unlearn

We talk about value of learning. Learning as a life long process. 

Problem is - learnings in the past can build walls around our minds. We keep on using frameworks, tools, systems, or even learnings, which were cool in the past - thinking it is working now, and will work in future as well.

Technology is moving fast. Existing Business models are crumbling. Partnerships/teams/communications are getting more informal and flexible. Real time collaborations, diverse cultural teams, different time zones are becoming the norm.


We should have the ability to unlearn, the ability to have a clean slate, 
ability to have a child mind set - where everything we see is fresh and new. 


"Millions saw the apple fall, but Newton asked why" ~ Bernard Baruch


Pic Credit: PhotoConcepts

Respond NOT React

For every action, there's a reaction. (Einstein !)

We see people react. Everyday. 

On the road, people honk for no apparent reason. They can see there's chock a block of traffic and vehicle infront of them cannot move. But still they honk. 

In color lights, when 'Red' is on - still honk. When someone infront of you does not move for a fraction of second, when green light comes up - Still Honk (for a long time) (basically they sit on the horn for this)

And in daily life, we give and expect instant solutions. 

We expect people to answer to our incessant requests, now - right now. We expect our emails to be answered with in 15 minutes. 

We eat instant noodles. Fast foods.

We need things faster. Not better.

Now, for humans, reaction is bad. Reaction is what you do impulsively. You don't think - you don't have time to think.

But you can choose to RESPOND. You can Pause. Pause is the thinking time between the trigger and your action. 

Ability to Respond = Responsibility

Reaction triggers reaction. 

Pic credit : Robert Daly

Family Super Stars

It's unfortunate to see how family members are not communicating to each other now.

We have time for super stars, idols, and IPL stars, but no time to discuss openly with a family member. We care so much for superstars that our discussions are centered around them.

We forget our family super stars. The ones who took great effort that no one else  in this world would dare to think.

We've lost in stardom, designer clothes, and manufactured sellable talent. We forgot superstars at home who took RESPONSIBILITY to put food on the table, who were there when we were sick, who shared our agony in testing times.

Family members don't talk to each other as they used to. It's time to switch off some time from TV, and switch on to REAL super stars behind us - Our parents, neighbors, friends, relatives, teachers etc.

Remember, all it takes is to listen.

Related Post: An inconvenient Truth

Pic courtesy: Dorling Kindersley