Ninja Rants and Raves

Thanks to ERV’s post, I was pointed to Edge which is a good place to get your mind stimulated. In particular, Life: What a Concept! appears to be one of those major events. Being a layman, I’m still trying to get my head around it all. And as with all things when a group of diverse people are interviewed, not everyone will be agree on everything being said.

Copyright © 2008 Kulvinder Singh Matharu - All Rights Reserved

The Inquirer has an interesting article on how firm Abunga.com has allowed certain books to be banned from their bookstore. The firm allows its customers to to vote against books and if enough votes are cast then the books are banned. Well, just recently, Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials children books have got banned and it seems that a bunch of religious zealots were behind this. Abunga stated that they would abide by these votes even though the books are extremely popular. Well, I suppose that’s their business, but certainly my business isn’t going there for sure! Abunga obviously is aiming for a certain demography and I don’t care much for what they’re aiming at. Where does this stop? Segregated bookshops? Segregated shops? Polarisation of views? Safe havens for extremists? Just found that Pharyngula has his views on this too.

Copyright © 2008 Kulvinder Singh Matharu - All Rights Reserved

I’ve been reading the JayPinkerton.com site for several months. It’s funny. It’s brilliant! That site is actually quite big and trying to find particular articles requires a bit of effort. The Back of the Bible articles are funny, but may offend some people. So be warned. Check it out!

Copyright © 2008 Kulvinder Singh Matharu - All Rights Reserved

Skeptico has a great article on something that I’ve felt strongly about for some time. I’ve tried to introduce critical thinking processes to some people and have tried using various arguments for showing the perilous foundations that homeopathy, astrology, chiropractice, etc are built on. But most people are set in their ways and although I will continue to be quite vocal in my arguments I no longer expect people to change their minds. It’s hard for people to admit that they’re wrong and to let go of ideas they’re fond of. Of course some people do see the light and start the processes of questioning, to use critical thinking. But such people are rare. I haven’t given up. Gentle persuasion is the way to go with most people, especially with friends. However, when it comes to organisations…well, they’re fair game. Give them all you’ve got! You be the judge of the situation and act accordingly.

Copyright © 2008 Kulvinder Singh Matharu - All Rights Reserved

It recently came to my attention that the Feedback Form on my website was broken. It’s probably been broken for weeks! Anyway, there have now been some server changes and the Feedback Form should now be working, Which means that you can now contact me! Yippee!

Copyright © 2008 Kulvinder Singh Matharu - All Rights Reserved

Following my post regarding challenging the great James Randi, Audioholics has a great article summarising the Pear Cables fiasco, with a reference to Yahoo’s Worst Tech Products of 2007. It’s good to see that the industry itself knows how to recognise snake oil.

Copyright © 2008 Kulvinder Singh Matharu - All Rights Reserved

A few months ago I discovered Pandora Radio…it was a fantastic site that allowed me to enjoy music that I hadn’t heard of before. But then something happened. New draconian license fees basically stopped Pandora and other internet radio stations streaming to outside of the USA, and even their US domestic market has suffered financially. However, Pandora hoped that discussions with PPL and the MCPS/PRS Alliance would allow a financially-sustainable service to the UK so Pandora did not block the UK.

But today I got an e-mail from Pandora with some really sad news. This is part of the text:

Both the PPL (which represents the record labels) and the MCPS/PRS Alliance (which represents music publishers) have demanded per track performance minima rates which are far too high to allow ad supported radio to operate and so, hugely disappointing and depressing to us as it is, we have to block the last territory outside of the US.

So there it is. One of the most exciting and innovative companies has been forced to block streaming to everyone outside of the USA. I’m sure Pandora will continue fighting for what is right but they will need support from others. Remember, Pandora are a fully legal company and do not promote any forms of piracy. They do pay royalty fees. They’re the good guys.

Copyright © 2008 Kulvinder Singh Matharu - All Rights Reserved

OK, this is a bit of a vanity post but some people have asked for photos of me so I’ve gone through my published photos and have collated the links here. Someone also accused me of not smiling in my photos…you judge! I think you’ll find that most of the pre-2001 photos are of low quality as I hadn’t taken up photography as a hobby until 2001 and I’ve only got low resolution scans of the old photos.

Antarctica
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/antarctica/matharu_wideangle.htm
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/antarctica/matharu_and_water.htm
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/antarctica/matharu_at_door.htm
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/antarctica/matharu_wrapped_up.htm
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/antarctica/matharu_and_mountaintop.htm
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/antarctica/matharu_in_yellow.htm

Generic “artistic”
http://www.metalvortex.com/photo_art/matharu/index.htm
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/index.htm

Canada
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/canada/victoria.htm

Tenerife
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/canary/newpage3.htm

Egypt
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/egypt/philae.htm
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/egypt/mtsinai.htm

Hong Kong
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/hongkong/hongkongpark.htm
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/hongkong/taio.htm
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/hongkong/victoriaharbour.htm

Jordan
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/jordan/mountain.htm
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/jordan/mountain1.htm

Laos
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/laos/passport_picture_of_me.htm

Malaysia
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/malaysia/jb/housein.htm

Peru
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/south_america/pages/DSCN2132a.htm 

Singapore
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/singapore/group_photo.htm

Thailand
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/thailand/pathom_chedi_replica.htm

USA
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/usa/lincoln.htm
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/usa/seattle_space_needle.htm
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/usa/creolequeen.htm
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/usa/grand1.htm
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/usa/grand.htm
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/usa/yosemite1.htm
http://www.metalvortex.com/myphotos/usa/goldengate.htm

Copyright © 2008 Kulvinder Singh Matharu - All Rights Reserved

After my trip to Antarctica, I’ve now managed a quick trawl of my Antarctica photos and have put them online here.

Copyright © 2008 Kulvinder Singh Matharu - All Rights Reserved

I recently went on one of those Antarctic cruises in December 2007 spending Christmas out there. The cruise included zodiac landings on the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsular. Of course I took lots of photos and I’ll need time to sort through them and start putting them online…it will take me months! I’ll provide an update when the first series of photos goes online.

Apart from witnessing the amazing scenery and wildlife I made loads of fantastic friends most of whom were single and well travelled people like me…it wasn’t what I was expecting at all! We all had real fun and I miss them all!

One or two persons, with their enthusiasm, energy and kindness, reminded me that there is still so much goodness and joy in this world and that perhaps the world isn’t as doomed as I sometimes imagine. I suppose I’ve spent too much time recently looking at just the negatives and using my blog for criticism that I had almost lost perspective. Too many rants and not enough raves.

I now remember why I started travelling in the first place; to meet people and immerse oneself in various cultures, to be alive and enjoy the wonders of this world! It’s now a New Year…a time for reflection and a refreshed outlook. I’m looking forward to it! So thank you all!

Best. Trip. EVAH!

Copyright © 2008 Kulvinder Singh Matharu - All Rights Reserved