Comments on: The Much-Discussed Altman Post http://indianeconomy.org/2007/09/09/the-much-discussed-iht-post/ Issues & insights Tue, 7 Oct 2008 11:52:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: thecupgr http://indianeconomy.org/2007/09/09/the-much-discussed-iht-post/#comment-217793 thecupgr Wed, 19 Sep 2007 23:22:53 +0000 http://indianeconomy.org/2007/09/09/the-much-discussed-iht-post/#comment-217793 B. Roman of India Outlook recently visited Sichuan province of China from August 26 to 31, 2007 and he filed this interesting piece regarding relations betweem India, China, Japan, US, and Australia: http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070919&fname=raman&sid=1&pn=1 B. Roman of India Outlook recently visited Sichuan province of China from August 26 to 31, 2007 and he filed this interesting piece regarding relations betweem India, China, Japan, US, and Australia:

http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070919&fname=raman&sid=1&pn=1

]]> By: Mouli http://indianeconomy.org/2007/09/09/the-much-discussed-iht-post/#comment-214523 Mouli Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:07:54 +0000 http://indianeconomy.org/2007/09/09/the-much-discussed-iht-post/#comment-214523 China-India comparisons just come across any basic discussion on countries or economies. The BRIC clubbing has done more harm to India than good. There's a very interesting article at http://www.publicrelationsindia.blogspot.com/. China-India comparisons just come across any basic discussion on countries or economies. The BRIC clubbing has done more harm to India than good. There’s a very interesting article at http://www.publicrelationsindia.blogspot.com/.

]]> By: Rookie http://indianeconomy.org/2007/09/09/the-much-discussed-iht-post/#comment-214158 Rookie Thu, 13 Sep 2007 18:26:01 +0000 http://indianeconomy.org/2007/09/09/the-much-discussed-iht-post/#comment-214158 If "client state" was a much harsher word, how did it get into the original article! :( If “client state” was a much harsher word, how did it get into the original article! :(

]]> By: Suraj http://indianeconomy.org/2007/09/09/the-much-discussed-iht-post/#comment-213911 Suraj Thu, 13 Sep 2007 06:39:32 +0000 http://indianeconomy.org/2007/09/09/the-much-discussed-iht-post/#comment-213911 The problem with Altman's blog post is that it is extremely superficial, particularly so when there had been a lot of publicity around Abe's visit, not just in the Japanese and Indian press, but elsewhere in the western news outlets. Several of these went to great lengths to describe the changing dynamics of the economic and strategic engagement in detail, underlining factors such as Japan's growing wariness of China, its economic necessitis, India's rapid recent industrialization and several other factors, including Abe's grandfather's ties to India via the Indian judge at the WW2 war crimes tribunal. Altman, on the other hand, came across as a supercilious ignoramus, who portrays gross exaggerations and extremely poor analogies (e.g. India-Japan to Sudan-China) as 'playful' . Those who've followed the wide coverage of the Abe visit would have little trouble identifying his blog as easily amongst the worst, yet he attempts to pretend that his woeful 'client state' logic holds water. As much as we'll need thick skin to deal with the criticism we'll doubtless face (and already have), there also needs to be a willingness to call out rubbish for what it is, especially when the author then attempts to patronize readers by claiming they lack a thick skin. The problem with Altman’s blog post is that it is extremely superficial, particularly so when there had been a lot of publicity around Abe’s visit, not just in the Japanese and Indian press, but elsewhere in the western news outlets. Several of these went to great lengths to describe the changing dynamics of the economic and strategic engagement in detail, underlining factors such as Japan’s growing wariness of China, its economic necessitis, India’s rapid recent industrialization and several other factors, including Abe’s grandfather’s ties to India via the Indian judge at the WW2 war crimes tribunal.

Altman, on the other hand, came across as a supercilious ignoramus, who portrays gross exaggerations and extremely poor analogies (e.g. India-Japan to Sudan-China) as ‘playful’ . Those who’ve followed the wide coverage of the Abe visit would have little trouble identifying his blog as easily amongst the worst, yet he attempts to pretend that his woeful ‘client state’ logic holds water.

As much as we’ll need thick skin to deal with the criticism we’ll doubtless face (and already have), there also needs to be a willingness to call out rubbish for what it is, especially when the author then attempts to patronize readers by claiming they lack a thick skin.

]]> By: Jing http://indianeconomy.org/2007/09/09/the-much-discussed-iht-post/#comment-213221 Jing Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:51:45 +0000 http://indianeconomy.org/2007/09/09/the-much-discussed-iht-post/#comment-213221 Shaswata the Ageia Physx example is a really poor one. The company is very likely not to survive long and the actual Physx card is quite crappy and really nothing more than a waste of money. Which goes to explain why virtually no one has purchased one. Shaswata the Ageia Physx example is a really poor one. The company is very likely not to survive long and the actual Physx card is quite crappy and really nothing more than a waste of money. Which goes to explain why virtually no one has purchased one.

]]> By: Nitin http://indianeconomy.org/2007/09/09/the-much-discussed-iht-post/#comment-213215 Nitin Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:01:42 +0000 http://indianeconomy.org/2007/09/09/the-much-discussed-iht-post/#comment-213215 Daniel, <em>The tone of my post was intentionally playful. A little provocation can be quite useful when starting a discussion.</em> Indeed. I believe that myself. So I think it should be perfectly fine if people do get provoked. Imagine a world where no one---not least bloggers---got provoked. It would be a boring world indeed. Moreover, I think it's important to challenge contentions, especially provocative ones, if smart people make them. As for the "thick-skin" argument---I'd say that thick-skin is the rule, rather than an exception in India. But it's the thin skinned minority that is vocal, so I won't blame you for your perception. Eddie, I'll take the charitable explanation that you too are trying to be provocative. But in your case, they fall on thick Indian skins. Daniel,

The tone of my post was intentionally playful. A little provocation can be quite useful when starting a discussion.

Indeed. I believe that myself. So I think it should be perfectly fine if people do get provoked. Imagine a world where no one—not least bloggers—got provoked. It would be a boring world indeed. Moreover, I think it’s important to challenge contentions, especially provocative ones, if smart people make them.

As for the “thick-skin” argument—I’d say that thick-skin is the rule, rather than an exception in India. But it’s the thin skinned minority that is vocal, so I won’t blame you for your perception.

Eddie,

I’ll take the charitable explanation that you too are trying to be provocative. But in your case, they fall on thick Indian skins.

]]> By: thecupgr http://indianeconomy.org/2007/09/09/the-much-discussed-iht-post/#comment-213043 thecupgr Tue, 11 Sep 2007 02:47:25 +0000 http://indianeconomy.org/2007/09/09/the-much-discussed-iht-post/#comment-213043 Shall all move on from Altman's and Eddie's comments? They are just opinions, not worthy to find how wrong they are or how great they are. They are just too obvious for merely expressing some opposing views (to what Indians like to hear). However, as Indians always love its democratic pricinples, would it be nice to just treat it as one of the views and show some tolerance? Altman is wrong to say sorry. The ones should say sorry are those who sent insults to him because a demarcracy, as its basic pricinples should demonstrate, is to tolerate different views and to respect such views with confidence. If we all only select to hear what we want to hear and try to get praises all the time, do we really want that? India is a big country, citizens must be confident and keep collective cool as it should be. Shall all move on from Altman’s and Eddie’s comments? They are just opinions, not worthy to find how wrong they are or how great they are. They are just too obvious for merely expressing some opposing views (to what Indians like to hear). However, as Indians always love its democratic pricinples, would it be nice to just treat it as one of the views and show some tolerance?

Altman is wrong to say sorry. The ones should say sorry are those who sent insults to him because a demarcracy, as its basic pricinples should demonstrate, is to tolerate different views and to respect such views with confidence. If we all only select to hear what we want to hear and try to get praises all the time, do we really want that?

India is a big country, citizens must be confident and keep collective cool as it should be.

]]> By: Shaswata Panja http://indianeconomy.org/2007/09/09/the-much-discussed-iht-post/#comment-212929 Shaswata Panja Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:18:02 +0000 http://indianeconomy.org/2007/09/09/the-much-discussed-iht-post/#comment-212929 I totally disagree with Eddie that India cannot keep up with Chinese programmers. You might know that TCS handles all the software requirements for Ferrari's F1 and road car divisions - be it in car traction control or telemetry or softwares for production processes. Developing software for Formula 1 traction control is one of the greatest challenges the human mind has ever faced regarding software engineering. traction control involves complex mechatronics and making CISC processors to send signals to a mechanical unit be it a clutch or a viscous coupling is quite tough and that being done at the rate of 2000 actions per second...Another really high tech where an Indian is involved is Ageia Physx processors. These processors simulate accurate physics in an 3D environment and are a total new innovation. yes this company came out with such a product even before Intel, nVidia, ATi could... and the chairman and CEO of this company is an Indian Manju Hegde. I could cite several other examples showing that Indians are really involved in te bleeding edge of software and computer tech development but as of now I see that two would suffice...Peace I totally disagree with Eddie that India cannot keep up with Chinese programmers. You might know that TCS handles all the software requirements for Ferrari’s F1 and road car divisions - be it in car traction control or telemetry or softwares for production processes. Developing software for Formula 1 traction control is one of the greatest challenges the human mind has ever faced regarding software engineering. traction control involves complex mechatronics and making CISC processors to send signals to a mechanical unit be it a clutch or a viscous coupling is quite tough and that being done at the rate of 2000 actions per second…Another really high tech where an Indian is involved is Ageia Physx processors. These processors simulate accurate physics in an 3D environment and are a total new innovation. yes this company came out with such a product even before Intel, nVidia, ATi could… and the chairman and CEO of this company is an Indian Manju Hegde.

I could cite several other examples showing that Indians are really involved in te bleeding edge of software and computer tech development but as of now I see that two would suffice…Peace

]]> By: Shefaly http://indianeconomy.org/2007/09/09/the-much-discussed-iht-post/#comment-212896 Shefaly Mon, 10 Sep 2007 15:34:44 +0000 http://indianeconomy.org/2007/09/09/the-much-discussed-iht-post/#comment-212896 "At least in India (to my knowledge), it is not a taboo term." Arjun, neither is the term 'Negro'! And boy, is it evident when Indians are visiting here in the UK or the US. “At least in India (to my knowledge), it is not a taboo term.”

Arjun, neither is the term ‘Negro’! And boy, is it evident when Indians are visiting here in the UK or the US.

]]> By: Arjun Swarup http://indianeconomy.org/2007/09/09/the-much-discussed-iht-post/#comment-212853 Arjun Swarup Mon, 10 Sep 2007 12:12:01 +0000 http://indianeconomy.org/2007/09/09/the-much-discussed-iht-post/#comment-212853 Vimal, As mentioned in my updated post, I used the term as an abbrieviation, while typing quickly. While posting, I did notice that, but since I was reproducing the email verbatim, I did not change it. Additionally, the term itself has derogatory connotations (to varying degrees) in the US, UK and Canada, but am not sure about other countries. At least in India (to my knowledge), it is not a taboo term. Anyhow, thanks for pointing this out, it was in my mind already, and have updated my post. As for the religious issue, there has been, for over three decades now, a lot of interest from Japan, through the government and its private sector, in developing Bodh Gaya, as it is the birthplace of Buddhism. I only mentioned that to prove that there are some sort of 'historical ties' between the two nations, more than India and Sweden, for example. Vimal,

As mentioned in my updated post, I used the term as an abbrieviation, while typing quickly. While posting, I did notice that, but since I was reproducing the email verbatim, I did not change it.

Additionally, the term itself has derogatory connotations (to varying degrees) in the US, UK and Canada, but am not sure about other countries. At least in India (to my knowledge), it is not a taboo term. Anyhow, thanks for pointing this out, it was in my mind already, and have updated my post.

As for the religious issue, there has been, for over three decades now, a lot of interest from Japan, through the government and its private sector, in developing Bodh Gaya, as it is the birthplace of Buddhism.

I only mentioned that to prove that there are some sort of ‘historical ties’ between the two nations, more than India and Sweden, for example.

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