Things that Kept Me Awake in 2018
I don’t know if I spent too much time on the Internet or 2018 was really a tad bit too eventful. I have observed bad news usually gets more attention but this year certainly had an ominous feeling to it. On the positive side, advances in technology continued — we heard more of machine learning, artificial intelligence and the continued push towards a ‘shared economy’.
Personally, 2018 has been a year of more thought and less action. Overthinking and sleep deprivation are the best of friends and always appear together. Here are some of the leading causes of this:
The Web Gone Bad — Bots, Fake News and Whatsapp
I always thought of the web as a positive force, bringing people across the globe together. I saw it spreading rational thought and accurate information, blurring borders and generating equal respect for all cultures. It became clear this year, the web has been corrupted. It has always been a means of fraud at personal level, but as we saw in 2018, whole countries have been duped. We have seen how elections in democracies like the US were influenced by bots and fake social media accounts and we got global leaders like Donald Trump.
Fake news has become a constant headache with people eager to share anything even mildly spicy in their Whatsapp groups. In this scenario, I continue to subscribe to newspapers in print to get confirmed news.
Whatsapp groups have become havens to spread hate. Friends I considered open-minded are often found posting regressive posts — the ultra-nationalistic and ‘the Hindus are being victimised’ types.
The web has not shaped the way I thought it would. The disappointment of its creator is much greater. Read here.
The World In Conflict
We read about the world wars as something that happened way back in the past. But if you are really into world news you’ll see how many countries are in active conflict at this very moment. Syria, Yemen, large parts of Asia, Africa and South America are in deadly conflicts which I think are not being adequately covered in Indian media. For all the ‘intolerance’ in India, we Indians are enjoying a rather stable environment.
O Jerusalem!
I read this book on the recommendation of one of my colleagues. It’s a fascinating read — a history book written by great storytellers. It’s about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict which continues to rage from the 1920s. My fascination with Jerusalem reached its zenith, when in a very-detailed dream, I found myself working in an Israeli government office in the city which comes under armed attack. Jerusalem has been added to my list of to-go places and I intend to make a visit there in coming years.
Hans Zimmer
To finer things! Since I first heard The Dark Knight soundtrack, I’ve admired Hans Zimmer’s compositions. I came across several videos of his concerts in Europe and was absolutely blown away the the elegance and the quality of music.
See what I’m talking about —
Westworld
Another HBO show which lives under Game of Thrones’ shadows. The story is set in Westworld, a fictional, technologically advanced Wild-West-themed amusement park populated by artificially intelligent “hosts”. Mistake not, the show is not about displays of improbable futuristic technologies. It rather presents the ethical dilemmas we’ll face when artificial intelligence and related fields reach a point where telling the real and ‘artificial’ apart will not be straightforward.
The Tummy Returns
Self-deprecating humour is what I thrive on. I gained some kilos this year on account of lethargy. I lost sleep worrying about it, which I should have rather completed and then used my rested body for that elusive morning jog. That said, I am my own inspiration and by the end of 2019 I promise myself I will definitely be in better shape.
Travel Plans for 2019
2018 was not a great year in terms of travel. 2019 is going to be different as I intend to travel this year. I lost a lot of sleep in excitement and exploration of my travel options. I don’t regret it at all and am preparing for the year’s first trip. More details will follow in upcoming posts!
All in all, this year has only set the stage for the next year. I am drawing lessons out of my shortcomings this year and have resolved to redeem myself next year.
Here’s to an action-filled and productive 2019!
