no thank you!

Lately, I feel like everything I do these days is defined by my brownness. I hate it. I do not want my Indian ethnicity to define me as a person. Me as a person is multi-faceted I promise you. So multi-faceted I confuse myself more often than not ;-)

There are so many things about being Indian that actually cause me discomfort and shame: the inherent racism and classism in the indian mentality, the over-concern of society's image of you, the Victorian 'holier than thou' attitude, the deep-rooted shauvinism....i could go on and on because i feel like these are thrown in my face almost every other day!
1. I just finished talking to a friend of mine who is Indian who's first response when reading this horrendous story of an Indian man who murdered his estranged wife..was..and I quote "i beleive its not as straightdforward on the woman's side... as it is being projected." First response!
2. the Victorian 'holier than thou' attitude is not my brilliant assessment. google Indian history and you'll find that this ridiculous part of the culture that promotes and incestuates the religious basis for castes stems from a cultural depravity.
3. Indian gossip. women create little gossip circles at *every* social event. and when you aren't close enough to whisper to your neighbor...the desi chick in you've never met will update you in the elevator on what the others in the building are doing.
4. Yes, also I'm becoming bitter about not being able to fairly associate with those of the opposite sex because I'm picky and if I continue to be subject to rules like he must he have certain colors, resume lines, and religious affiliations I'll be forced to learn to like cats. Cats are scary, smelly and moody. I have enough female friends to now add a furry she-friend to the mix.
5. My Indian blood, if you will, has left me at odds with my project management. I don't feel like I can question those above me (typical Indian mentality) even though I know that's not how things work. I'm working on this but da--it, why can't we just find a way to erase the brown factor?

What's going on? I'm an American before anything else. I need someone to remind me. Where have all the Americans in my life gone?

Said friend (above) offered to help locate a job for me in India should the economy tank to the point that I am working at the dry cleaners (re: a comment I made about previously working at the dry cleaners.) I'll take the dry cleaning job here before I move to India. No thank you.

McKinsey on Healthcare Value Creation

Excellent 5 minute summary on Healthcare Value Creation across the sectors within Healthcare. Note providers. That's why we aren't getting jobs there. Pharmas, sigh.

http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Health_Care/Strategy_Analysis/Value_creation_in_health_care_A_sector_by_sector_analysis_2240

e-day & the morning after

After almost year of grueling democratic primaries and the fierce debate between McCain and Obama the fight is over. Election day came and left. About 55% of the country woke up this morning doing a silent dance - I know I did.

Last night, knowing that Obama had won was not nearly as monumental for me as I it was quite obviously for others (tears, hugs, street parades, etc.) but often the big moments take a day or so to sink in for me. I'm neither African American nor of Muslim blood but I think its fair to say that Obama's triumph in the 2008 election does speak to one good thing that America can now proudly claim: There are plenty of us who have control over our prejudices. Quite possibly 60 or 70%, right? Not all those who voted against Obama did so out of their prejudice.

There is plenty of anxiety to go around with the possibility of a depression looming over our heads but plenty of power festering about with the new found energy amongst many previously disenfranchised groups: young adults, African Americans, Hispanics, and women. In my opinion the greatest value Obama and his success thus far have brought to the US is the energy that has spawned amongst young voters. These are the same people that will after a few decades (or perhaps sooner) hold positions of great power within our government and within corporate America. I'd venture to bet a politician or ten are growing from this new energy as we speak.

Better said here: http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displayStory.cfm?story_id=12511205

recessive economy = recessive care

When you can't afford gas, bills, car, mortgage, and food which do you compromise? Your pills.

Although prescription drugs only account for 10% of healthcare costs in the United States it seems this is certainly an area Americans are willing to compromise on when it comes to their budget. Skip a pill here and there, keep the pain meds and drop the cholesterol ones -- potentially dangerous moves. Certainly agonizing for many too.

I am not the only one asking this: How is it again that the United States is the only developed without a national health care policy?

Disease Prevention the Modern Way

How's about an e-card to notify a partner of your and consequently his/her possibility of infection. inSPOT, the online e-card servicer for electronic cards with STD notification messages was first developed out of an initiative of the San Francisco Public Health Department. I had heard about this new service casually a while back but did not really undersand what it was.

Fox News had an article on it today and it happen to eappear on my RSS feed so I thought I'd do a brain dump. I'm sure there's controversy over the necessity and message this carries with it but I personally think its a refreshingly interesting way to use technology to combat a public health issue. Talking about STDs is scary and awkward -- especially if you're telling someone they may have gotten it from you. Granted if you're close to someone this is an in-person conversation but casual relations are quite common nowadays. E-cards are casual communication -- its a fitting facilitator.

Details are available on the inSPOT website and in this article from PloS Medicine.

Let's Be Lame

Let's get together after work -- us co-workers and gather at a bar and drink and talk about....DRINKING! -- and then drink some more.

and when the conversation slows lets switch to talking about salaries or work titles or our wives that are home taking care of the kids and when that dries up lets make a toast and start all over again.

freaking corporate-ville. exactly how long do I have to pay my dues again? someone show me the way out, please.

It's not clear why even modest amounts of alcohol may shrink the brain, although alcohol is "known to dehydrate tissues, and constant dehydration can have negative effects on any sensitive tissue," says Paul.

So a new study draws a correlation between how much you drink (over your lifetime) and the size of your brain. The more you drink the smaller it gets. I didn't realize dehydration can shrink your brain. Maybe that explains my memory loss - I'm horrible at staying hydrated because I hate drinking water and soda is off limits. (is/was - same deal :))

there was a point to this post but i've forgotten it.

memories come with a pricetag

"Memories come with a pricetag..." Yea? Probably quite true. Maybe this lends itself to a partial explanation for my current quarter life crisis: I'm cheap.

I used to be cheap when it pertained to the pennies in my pocket but I think I've become cheap on my life now. I neither feel motivated nor inspired -- by people or things -- and therefore find myself without the confidence to take a lot of actions in my life that would bring me to a place that is less "crisis" and more "living." I might be the only one that understands today's post but I'm using this as a way of coming to terms with my numbness.

Alas I am waiting for a lightbulb moment to guide me to a new way. Waiting for a lightbulb moment is an obvious useless endeavor. That's not how those moments work!

A friend of mine was discussing her listlessness with me and brought up the philosopher Nietzsche...and I can't recall the quote persay but paraphrasing he says that one must clear the mind and basically become "dumb" to cure restlessness and bring happiness. Hmm...how do you make yourself "dumb"?

corporal punishment in US schools

I have been living in the dark. I had no idea about how widespread *legal* corporal punishment was in the States and particularly in the South. Strange how this map looks like something out of the 1800s. No wonder northern VA has adamantly against being associated with "the South." If you thought the differences had narrowed, think again.

What do you think? Is it a good idea? I think if you think its a good idea - do it at home.

brain fart

just overheard on tv.."golf is like sex. you don't have to be good to enjoy it."

what?! ugh. i hate golf. i guess i'll always find men useless at this rate.

philosophies of life

(6/12) everything i've learned has led me to be beleive that struggle breeds strength, and that exploration and learning are the true purposes in life. sikhi teaches that (hence the name: sikh aka student). the wise philosophers of the past who have traveled far and wide all did so through such exploration and came with back the same conclusion.

why is it then that humans are unable to let go of what is familiar? why is insecurity so scary?

A quote I read earlier today reminded me of the same idea. "Middle age is when your broad mind and narrow waist begin to change places." Youth is envied so much. Why? For that very reason! Innocense encourages and lends itself naturally to learning and growth.

QOTD

my sister's away message: what if the classic response to "I love you" was "prove it"? betcha ppl wouldn't be tossin that phrase around like a hot potato. mmmmhmmmmm.

Manmohan Singh on Female Feticide in India

Alas, the prime Minister brings light to the issue.

Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss told the conference that stricter enforcement was not enough. "At the heart of the problem are deep-rooted prejudices," Ramadoss said.

I don't get the impression that Indians in India (or even NRIs here) realize the depth of the prejudices and prejudice practices so prevalent in our culture. Speaking out is the first step, I suppose so hearing these words from the Health and the Prime Ministers represents a good step forward. Things are only getting worse according to the article so I hope these words find their way to action.

The New York Times version of this article highlights campaigners who would argue against me:

“It is not enough for him to preach to us about the problem,” Dr. Bedi said. “The current laws are not being enforced. It is the government’s responsibility to take action.” Sabu George, another prominent campaigner, welcomed the prime minister’s decision to devote an entire speech to the subject, but agreed that the content was “very disappointing.” “We have a very good law, but it is not being implemented. That is the government’s responsibility,” he said. “He talked about changing mind-sets. He should have focused on how the law could be implemented.”

Why are Indians so against changing mindset? Do you think educated people are doing this because they're not afraid of the law? NO. Its because of their ridiculous mindset. I, personally, think there should be a shame campaign. A coordinated effort to denote such practices as downright shameful. Apparantly guilt and shame are the way Indians are maneuvered to do anything anyways! (And in this case I would finally be okay with that :)

Sex Selection in the US?!

"...a fundamental dynamic between technology and culture: Technology can coax cultures one way or the other by making it easier to do what you want to do, with less difficulty and without other people knowing about it."

Something I spent a lot of pondering when I decided to get into this field. "Technology." Is it really as evil as some people proclaim? No. But there are moments when you question what progress research has given us and whether to claim it as progress or to denounce it as the root of a demise.

Another thing I've already blogged about before is female feticide in India. These two themes come together in Slate's article here. Quite shocking, in my opinion, that Asians have carried and managed to hold onto this tradition in the US long enough for scientists to see the results in generations born here. Unfortunate. No further comment.

Another reason to NOT get married

Happily married people tend to have lower blood pressure than their single peers, but being single may be healthier than being unhappily married, a new study suggests.

Read on but its common sense. At least for me. Now ladies and gentlemen - a study to back me up.

Hospital of the Future: Palomar Pomerado Health

My latest discovery on the health care front...Sustainable Hospitals!

You want to talk interdisciplinary? Designers, Environmentalists, Physicians, .."nationally recognized architects, health forecasters, environmental leaders, technical engineers and additional industry innovators" Amazing results: http://www.pph.org/default.aspx?nd=322

I want to hear how they evaluate what results fall out of all this effort to create a hospital that that is also environmentally responsible.

Hmm...I also wonder how their IT budget looks. If spending is moving so far beyond the realm of patient care...they better have a nice EMR is all I can say ;-)