Triumph of the City

Another cogent name for this book would be triumph of the human ingenuity. A perspective changer, written by Edward Glaeser. As its name suggests it, emphasizes on how cities came into existence and how they serve society. It would sure be an eye opener for urban environmentalists, activists (like me) who indulge in romanticizing country side, villages, greens. India has a tradition of idealizing small independent village societies. This book very aptly explains why this view is wrong in current scenario. Surely, this book is not incisive just because it weaves its ideas around economic buzz words (concepts) viz. efficiency and productivity (which are as abstract and subjective as concept of infinity), but it is based on a strong logical plinth.

It summarizes widely analyzed views about benefits of agglomerations. How cities are in tandem with current dominating economic frameworks. If you try to fathom the thought, you will realize its decisiveness. With growing population and extensive strain on resources there is no solution other than cities, big dense metropolitan areas. While Glaeser explains dislocated ideas in environmental activism. I could remember Humfry from Yes Minister, who implies environment is for urban youth. In a nut shell carbon foot prints generate by a city are much less as compared tosmall bungalow surrounded by laurels.Costs are restoring heritage monuments are much higher than satisfaction. Obviously some monuments ought to be restored but obsession with it is futile.

It portrays slums as an efficient housing. In cities like Mumbai where property prices are exorbitant, this housing provides a way out for lower income people in city. This is true at lest in case of Mumbai and must be in case of other cities. Slums are solutions and not problems.

A must read book though written lucidly, explains ideas in a sharp manner.     

Taxi Wala (cabbies)

Last month I had an opportunity to travel in Kolkata. I always like to interact with cab drivers or bus conductors or hawkers in new city. I find these discussions as informative as reading voluminous books or research papers on any city. I feel that, one can surely get the crux about cultural and social traits (& also economic environment) with such small discussions.  

While my journey from Air-port, I had a good deal of time. I was chatting with this slightly reluctant taxi guy. He was pissed off, because I had taken a prepaid coupon at air port and according to him, the rate charged by traffic control authority is quite less. Looking at his demeanor I could surely say that, due to such price restriction he was earning substantially less. (Here I would like to mention, when initially I tried to hire a taxi directly out of air port, the fare told to me was twice than what I paid in prepaid system). Anyways, as usual he was not happy with his condition. So I spent some time listening to him cursing his profession.

When things cool off, I could ask him some questions. Since, I was involved in some work related to taxi drivers in Mumabi. I asked him, “Dada dinka bachat kitna hota hain?” (What are your daily savings?) He said, “around Rs. 250”. I was shouting in my head “Bingo”. As his answer exactly matched with my experience in Mumbai. I along with few of my pals were involved in a survey regarding incomes of taxi drivers. Even in Mumbai on an average a cab drivers makes 250bucks a day. Now this is really insufficient for someone to survive in metropolis. In another interaction I found a higher saving. Again the reason was, the driver was owner of his cab. Again range of income in this category is same as drivers in Mumbai (again "bingo").

It was surprising to see analogs earnings and working conditions in two cities. A pyramid structure is prominent. If you are at the top of hierarchy (owner), you earn enough else you are in penury. Further, lower you are in pyramid lower are opportunities to grow. Alas, all these are prominent features of informal sector workers.

 

Fooled by Randomness

On the suggestion of one of my mathematician friend, I started reading a book, Fooled by randomness authored by Nassim Taleb. It was very fascinating and I could not stop before completing it. I would say this book can sit with those rare pieces, which impact your thought process.

To begin with, for me first stark difference about this book is, it is philosophically oriented book written by a trader. Taleb is a professional trader, who has very rich experience with various world class business houses. However, he is also been involved in academics. While reading we can experience a very practical approach with on the field experiences accompanied by a depth of knowledge in philosophy and modern psychology. This makes reading a very pleasant journey.  

If I had to explain about it in a sentence, I would say, “the book emphasizes on human mind’s incapability to understand difference between pure randomness and causal relations.” A more extreme interpretation can be, “the failure of human race in its endeavor to understand cause and effect relation.”