Wednesday 31 May 2017

'Being Human in the Age of the Electronic Mob'

Writing a good novel about the Internet is almost as difficult as shooting a good film about the effects of drugs. You may try all the available fireworks, and you’ll still fail. Blurred images, out-of-focus edges, tweaked sitar sounds, ridiculous echoes, and still you’ll get nothing close to representing the experience.

So far, defining the Internet with the language of literature has been as hard as explaining consciousness. Attempts to subsume the Internet into contemporary literature have been embarrassing. How can the instrument of knowledge understand itself? How can our own mind, slowly melting into a server where we store our photographs, memories, comments, emotions, chats, bank details, dreams and aspirations, understand its own technological nature? More importantly, how can a powerful instrument of meaning like literature be used to understand what seems to be its nemesis, the constantly distracting need for useless and disconnected novelties—the Internet of social networks?

One writer has succeeded in this mission, and in such a creative manner that, although everything indicated he would miss the mark, he triumphed. First of all, he wrote it on a computer. And he sees the contradiction: “Now writers used computers, which were the by-products of global capitalism’s uncanny ability to run the surplus population into perpetual servants. All of the world’s computers were built by slaves in China.”

Jarett Kobek, the author of I Hate the internet knows what he’s doing. And he tells you. In detail. It’s beyond meta-literature. It’s pure brilliance.

Writing “a bad novel”

It’s hard to write about the Internet because it is so ephemeral. Harder still is it to have the guts to self-publish a novel built with the hyperbolic language of online interaction. And then to market it as “a bad novel” that promises to mimic the Internet “in its irrelevant and jagged presentation of content.”

Kobek delivers on the promise, because his style is a mix between a troll’s rant against Silicon Valley’s tech barons and the language of Wikipedia entries, which is actually inspired by Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse 5.

I Hate the internet—A Useful Novel Against Men, Money, and the Filth of instagram, as the full title explains, has become an immediate sensation after an enthusiastic review in The New York Times. But it is a text that most publishing companies couldn’t print because of its candid attack on so much that Western society stands for. Including publishing companies. Funnily enough, success arrived thanks to the Internet. Kobek used his enemy’s weakness for the first successful pushback against the culture of Silicon Valley’s smiling billionaires—the perfect Judo move.

Tuesday 30 May 2017

NET Preparatory Classes in English


Openings @ IndiaFilings for Customer Support

IndiaFilings @ Chennai, is India's largest online business services platform dedicated to helping people easily start and grow their business, at an affordable cost.

My students (past and present) can use my name for academic reference. 

Saturday 27 May 2017

Confy @ Digboi, Assam

UGC Sponsored National Seminar
On
Violence Against Women in India:
Issues, Prospects and Challenges
28, 29 June 2017
@
DIGBOI MAHILA MAHAVIDYALAYA
Digboi – 786 171
Tinsukia, Assam

Last date for submission of abstracts: 22 June 2017

For more details, click on the brochure below.

Friday 26 May 2017

Confy @ SSUS, Trivandrum

UGC Sponsored National Seminar
hosted by
Department of Malayalam
Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit
Thiruvananthapuram Regional Centre
27 June 2017 to 30 June 2017

Thursday 25 May 2017

Meet up with the Waterman of India @ Chennai!

The Chennai Water Forum invites you for an extraordinary opportunity to meet Dr. Rajendra Singh, Waterman of India who was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 2001 and the Stockholm Water Prize in 2015 for his outstanding work. Dr. Singh will present his ideas of what to do against the drought situation in TN followed by a discussion on what could be done by the civil society - a vital contribution to the current situation prevailing.

These are grim times in Chennai and Tamil Nadu. The state is facing unprecedented drought, with water reservoirs running dry and drinking water supplies to last only a few more days. Tough times lie ahead - for farmers, cattle, office establishments, industries and homes - and water tankers will become a common sight.

And yet in contradiction the situation was the reverse barely a year and a half ago, when rain was in abundance and many Tmcft (thousand million cubic feet) of water simply flooded our homes or drained into the sea. It is indeed ironic that we are confronted with two disasters - one of flooding, and the other of drought within a span of just two years! The solution clearly lies in Integrated Water Management - where all of us recognize the life-force WATER is, and take unequivocal steps to harvest, protect, preserve and nurture it.

Friday 12 May 2017

A Wonderful Anthology of Sorts!

It was a memorable gift – a precious gift that I received in a long time, from a wonderful brother!

A lovely book! 

And an anthology of poetry at that! 

Professor Muthu and Professor Sebu, are two energetic, dynamic youngsters with an enthusiasm that is contagious, and a passion that is fiery!

What, do you think, could happen when such dedicated professors set out to write and publish an anthology of poetry? 

You wonder! 

Well, history is written! Or should I say, ‘RE-WRITTEN!!!’

The title of this wonderful anthology is highly symbolic too!

LET THE DEAD BURY THE DEAD

An anthology that comes out from the passionate heartbeats of five dynamic young poets who have many things in common – all of them studied Tamil at Madras Christian College, all are first generation graduates, and all of them are co-founders of Thudi, a youth movement dedicated to challenging oppressive social structures.

Bharathi Prabhu is currently carrying on doctoral studies on Tamil Culture and Buddhism at Madras Christian College. The others teach Tamil. Dumma Francis at Tagore College of Arts and Science, Parthiban at A. M. Jain’s, Muthu Kandhan and Sebulon Prabudurai at the Madras Christian College.

The translator of the book, Glen Frieden graduated from the Middlebury College, Vermont, USA, specializing in Russian and History. His interests include poetry, literature, music and organic farming.

The book is dedicated to Mrs. Anne Meredith Dayanandan.

The legendary Dr. P. Dayanandan (who needs no introduction to MCC-ians worldwide) has written the introduction to this wonderful anthology. In his thought-provoking introduction, Dr. Daya says that, “Had they [the five young poets] been in college a hundred years ago, one of them might have become a President of India! Bankers, industrialists, judges, bar-at-laws, election commissioners, advisors to Prime Ministers, Principals and Vice-Chancellors – options were many. As first generation readers after 2000 years of denial of education the ‘wounded psyche’ perceives a society still cursed with discrimination and injustice running wild. The poets are naturally sad and angry; they tease and mock; and they expect no sympathy from anybody, even if it exists. The poems are relevant because they record contemporary realities in and around the modern metropolis of Chennai.


Glen Frieden, after finishing college in the US, was here in Tambaram in 2010. Talented and brilliant, Glen knows his English and Russian languages and literature as well as his music. Like many of his friends, he dreams and believes in change and other possible worlds. 20 years before Glen was born, his father’s elder brother, Ray Frieden, was on the cover of the April 1969 Life Magazine as a student protester when anti-Vietnam War demonstrations erupted at Harvard University. Thirst for justice and freedom seems to run in some families! Friendship comes easily and naturally at this age of sensitivity and mutual seeking of each other’s worlds.

These are just excerpts from a profound preface. The Translator’s preface by Glen is also noteworthy. The book has a vibrant cover design with highly symbolic cartoons adorning almost every alternate page. It is worth a read for at least a hundred times! Such is the impact, the impression and the imprint it leaves on your minds and hearts!

Copies of the book can be had from the Department of Tamil, Madras Christian College and from the authors themselves, as well!

Fifty poems – fifty heartprints at that! – and the last one is a passionate signing off by Dr. Daya himself.

LET THE DEAD BURY THE DEAD fills you with energizing strength for today and provides a bright hope for tomorrow!

[Dr. Dayanandan's picture courtesy: Sincere thanks to Mr. Suresh Muthukrishnan]

Wednesday 10 May 2017

Congrats Esme Robina!


Congratulations to Esme Robina, our illustrious alumna for coming out with her updated anthology of poetry titled Upbeat Vista: An Enigmatic Portal.

The first edition of the book was released by renowned novelist Anita Nair at MCC just over a year ago. Esme is also an avid blogger.

We wish her the best in her tryst with writing, and many many more laurels in the years to come.

For all ye bibliophiles who would like to grab a copy of her book online, here’s your chance at Amazon India & Amazon US.

Monday 8 May 2017

Confy @ JNU, New Delhi

International Conference
on
Arts, Culture, Literature, Languages, Gender Studies,
Sexuality, Humanities and Philosophy
for Sustainable Societal Development
at
Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi

CALL FOR PAPERS: The Organizer cordially invites abstracts and full length research papers for oral/poster presentation from all over the World to participate in the International Conference on Arts, Culture, Literature, Languages, Gender Studies/Sexuality, Humanities and Philosophy for Sustainable Societal Development which is a premier forum for the presentation, discussion and publication. International Conference aims to bring together researchers, scientists, academia, educators, practitioners and scholar students to exchange and share their experiences, new ideas and research results about all aspects of Arts, Culture, Literature, Languages, Gender Studies/Sexuality, Humanities and Philosophy for Sustainable Societal Development.

Abstract Submission: Abstracts not exceeding 300 words on any of the aforesaid themes should be sent to the Organizing Secretary through email at info.worldcongress@gmail.com on or before 3rd June, 2017.

Wednesday 3 May 2017

Noble thoughts result in Noble actions!

Dr. Abdul Kalam says, “Dream, Dream, Dream. Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result in action.”

He also adds to say that, "for noble actions, you must have noble thoughts!"

Well, this past week, I was witness to two such noble actions!

One noble action is from an illustrious teacher with CSI Bains School, Chennai,

And the next noble action is from an illustrious professor with The American College, Madurai.

Mrs. Beulah Alfred, a dynamic and illustrious teacher with CSI Bains, passed away on 30 April 2017. Her last wish was that, her eyes should be harvested to help the visually challenged! Hence, quite promptly, her family called up Rajan Eye Hospital, who, wasting no time – arrived at the quickest possible time, and harvested both the eyes! While leaving the house, the doctor profusely thanked the family and said that, the eyes are perfectly in good condition and that they can be used to give sight to the needy!

What a noble thought resulting in a noble action!

It was indeed a great joy to witness yet another noble action today! Prof.Ravi from American College, Madurai called up this evening, - all excitement in his voice – saying that he has planted tree saplings in and around his street. I was sooo happy to hear this wonderful news!

Nobility that comes from teachers - who are venerated as the noblest of the lot!

Indeed, as an aside, I should add that, Prof. Ravi is one person, who has a wonderful interconnected living with the flora and fauna around him. A professional photographer, he sounded disconsolate as he narrated how a coconut tree climber destroyed a rare bird’s eggs laid on the stiff lower ribs of the coconut fronds!

He has a rare knack for attracting squirrels, kittens, dogs, deers and hens by the number!

Every time you visit his house, in Kadachanenthal, deep down Alagarkoil Road, Madurai, do take a peek into his kitchen and you are sure to find a family of cute little squirrels hip hopping their way to the food that’s kept exclusively for them in a corner of the room.

For the past two years, Professor is also giving shelter to a rare variety of hen, which is a great companion to him on all evenings!