People often complain that products are not made to last. They feel that making products that wear out fairly quickly wastes both natural and human resources. What they fail to see, however, is that such manufacturing practices keep costs down for the consumer and stimulate demand.


Many people feel that products are not made to last, and correspondingly, many natural and human resources are wasted. On the other hand, it can be noted that such manufacturing practices keep costs down and hence stimulate demand. In this discussion, I shall present arguments favoring the former statement and refuting the latter statement.

Products that are not made to last waste a great deal of natural and human resources. The exact amount of wasted natural resources depends on the specific product. For example, in the automobile industry, the Yugo is the classic example of an underpriced vehicle that was not made to last. Considering that the average Yugo had (not "has," since they are no longer produced!) a life expectancy of two years and 25,000 miles, it was a terrible waste.

Automobile industry standards today create vehicles that are warranteed for about five years and 50,000 miles. By producing cheap Yugos that last half as long as most cars are warranteed, the Yugo producer is wasting valuable natural resources. These same resources could be used by Ford or Toyota to produce an Escort or Tercel that will last twice as long, thereby reducing the usage of natural resources by a factor of two.

Human resources in this example are also wasteful. On the production side, manufacturers of a poor-quality automobile, such as the Yugo, get no personal or professional satisfaction from the fact that their product is the worst automobile in the United States. This knowledge adversely affects the productivity of the Yugo workers.

Conversely, the workers at the Saturn plants constantly receive positive feedback on their successful products. Saturn prides itself with its reputation for quality and innovation—as is seen in its recent massive recall to fix a defect. This recall was handled so well that Saturn's image was actually bolstered. Had a recall occurred at a Yugo plant, the bad situation would have been even worse.

Another factor in the human resources area is the reaction by the consumer. A great deal of human resources have been wasted by Yugo owners waiting for the dreaded tow truck to show up to haul away the Yugo carcass. Any vehicle owner who is uncertain of his/her vehicle's performance at 7 a.m., as he/she is about to drive to work, senses a great deal of despair. This is a great waste of human resources for the consumer.

While the consumer senses the waste of natural and human resources in a poor quality product, so does the manufacturer. People who argue that low quality manufacturing processes keep costs low for the consumer and hence stimulate demand should look at the Yugo example. In the mid-1980s, the Yugo was by far the cheapest car in the United States, at $3,995. By 1991, the Yugo was no longer sold here and was synonymous with the word "lemon."

Media Activism -- Share you words !!

Media, is a plural of the word Medium, whose art and technique is used to produce your work across. Transmit. Media Activism talks about the correct and reasonable transmit of the Information. Whenever we see biased, opinionated or incorrect information conveyed, our natural response is an infuriated discussion in a closed room with a couple of friends or colleagues which dies out in some time without making any significance. The energy spent in anger demonstration was all a waste.
I still remember the time when Doordarshan or the Radio news was the only, comparatively, faster medium to convey information across the country, but now with numerous news channels that work 24*7, and their tamper, omission and distortion of information, is justified to me sometimes, when I think – “To show all 24 hours there should be some news available”. There is so much of competition to sell channels and the TRP - that CORRECT NEWS is nobody`s major concern today. Cooking up stories and to make news of it, it what is now Journalism all about, in the current scenario. I do not convict the media as It is easy to blame and difficult to change.
I understand it more easily as, there always needs not be anybody to have peers to keep a check on an organization or a running body, as government would be in this case. We are responsible citizens are a check to one another. If I see injustice, it is my right and lawful duty to stand for its correction. This is MEDIA ACTIVISM.
Our basic responsibilities are no large or huge. Just – Accountability, Education, and for most Participation.
Now I stand here as no activist, but only an attentive citizen. Apart from News channels and Newspapers there one big medium easily available to one and all and that is INTERNET and emails. Make appropriate use of it. Know your facts. Educate yourself and the people in your contact. Develop relations and use them here. Know your battle field and fight the battle when it calls for. This is Media Activism. Along with all of it that flows, act as a sensible and responsible human being that reacts not out of anger but of sensibility. Use the Journalist for correct convey of issues. I am sure you will find one to convey your word across.
The issue need not be big to make hype, but a general awareness and a support for the same is what we can expect of ourselves. Not going very far, the much talked “Jaago Re” Initiative - to come and vote for the nation’s future and support the leader that can make a difference, is one such cause that you can stand by. It is always one to begin and others join in. Be the first one.

Restraint in the use of that power impresses people most

Of all the manifestations* of power, restraint in the use of that power impresses people most.”
*manifestations: apparent signs or indicators
Explain what you think this quotation means and discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with it. Develop your position with reasons and/or specific examples drawn from history, current events, or your own experience, observations, or reading.


Power as defined by an Engineer is directly proportional to the voltage which is the potential at which the current flows. This is practically true as much as it is in the world of science, where facts and figures form the basis of any theory.

Definitely, I stand for the statement, that the refrained use of power impresses people most. But by supporting this I do not want to convey, that when required too, it should not be used. Power is meant to be demonstrated!!

Let me take you back in time - if stating and supporting requires live examples; to the ancient Indian history which opens and eloquently refers to a compelling, convincing and influential character from the time of the Pandavas & Kauravas – The Lord Krishna. He is known to us as GOD, and if I hold up to convey that I am a believer of the almighty, then there isn’t anybody more powerful known as him. Narrating his refrained use I quote two examples – One, He forgave Jiadrath, for his 100 sins before he chopped his head off. Second and the most important – He strongly stood up and was ready to bargain peace for the Pandavas with Kauravas for any deal that would avoid this devastating Epic that he could for see. He knew that they would win but would leave destruction, orphans, widows and tears. He refrain the use to such an extent that he agreed to be called a “Randchod” meaning the man who runs away from the battle ground. What better example can any of us take, if the Lord himself believes in deflecting from it.

Another perspective to look at this would be – An individual or a nation has exhibit such valor that their name is suffice to terrorize masses and put off rulers or nations from fighting, thus acknowledging the powerful, and respecting his use of peaceful dialect to war. Alexander, the great, who opted war not by choice but by shear will to live after his father was assassinated. Once tasted the flavors of success, they stopped for nothing as their insipid tongue earlier, now knew nothing, but determination and accomplishment. Similar example but different on backgrounds comes the King Ashoka, who latter part of life I shall conveniently discard.

Lets us dive out of the past and plunge into what stands ahead as present. United States of America, the developed nation that is persuasive, and is so ardently spoke about by all nations, is another example and is respected today for clasping hands of the UN to stand as a barricade to the present conditions that are favorable and vulnerable to cause war. Again it isn’t that he shall not be able to demonstrate the might of its weaponry, but just that it believes and can see ahead of time the tragedy and grief that follows. This is IMPRESSIVE & RESPECTED!!

Let me know what you think and quote more examples. I am sure we would have some. :)

A ‘flat’ organizational structure - In or Out ?

DEBATING TODAY -
Corporations and other businesses should try to eliminate the many ranks and salary grades that classify employees according to their experience and expertise. A ‘flat’ organizational structure is more likely to encourage collegiality and cooperation among employees.



Ah an awaited one.. all the frustrations bottle necked ..scream it on !! kidding ... ignore !!
To begin, we know the subject Organizational Behaviour; courtesy The Engineering curriculum - which clearly with all diagrammatic representations, explains the top-down pyramidal structure of an Organization and how these giants have verified this over and over again with time. What precisely is this structure for? I am sure many of you will be able to answer that yet for those who ponder --- An Org Structure defines the roles, positions & responsibilities with right and duties of a group of people at every level. On top of this resides a Central Decision making committee who we very popularly know as the "Top Management". It basically talks of a hierarchy concept of subordination of entities that collaborate and contribute to serve one common aim.


I wish the Organization and it`s manager strictly abides by the definition, coz many of of us have faced the tantrums, whims and moods of the "person on top" and screwed up what we so rightly wanted to shape-"my carrier". I do not intend to go far and pick up case studies, as I stand to quote examples of two very good friends, who planned to do the Post Grad right after the completion of Grad and ended up resigning from the Job, in a span as short as 6 months, just because they could not face "The Bosses Attitude" and some trivial matters that accompany. I Placed myself into the shoes of both the Boss and the bossed. For some time, as friends are always dear, they seemed right and we end up abusing the attitude guy with all the wonderful phrases we could then recollect. But with the pass of time, I was a little confused, Are my friends lacking the experience and endurance that is of prime importance to survive in an Industry? or Is it actually the hierarchy system that makes the upper level think they are Gods holding the string of our lives?


I still stand confused or may be u can say siding with no one. If I look at the growth of an organization- systematic and orderly, this hierarchy is clearly in place and correct, but then if I turn to look at the called victims - the employees, I call this crap n shit. Is it that no hierarchy works well only in small organizations? A hierarchy system a mandate for giants in corperate industry with a man power over 50,000 employees? I am bewildered !

Amazing ideas of a flat organization would be better communication, high team spirit,less bureaucracy and easier decision making, also fewer levels of management includes benefits such as lower costs as managers are generally paid more than worker, but This may hinder the growth of an organization, Workers will have more than one boss!! Function of each department/person could be blurred and merge into the job roles of others. Is it leading to growth?? I guess not. May be my brain is still not ready to think as hard as an entrepreneur, or may be he has a much simpler thought that makes things easy. To me both structures seem correct in their own way.


People .. let me know what is your philosophy behind your mindset. Me waiting eagerly !!

Protecting World`s Energy Resources !!

MATTER AT HAND FOR THE DAY:
It is unrealistic to expect individual nations to make, independently, the sacrifices necessary to conserve energy.International leadership and worldwide cooperation are essential if we expect to protect the world’s energy resources for future generations.



Well..... Did somebody say that charity begins at home? If yes, then I believe conserving energy begins at an individual level first to then go global!! And why not until you practise you cannot preach. But at the same time, conserving can begin with one but alone isn't capable of making the big difference. We will require co-operation, support & sacrifices across the globe to take effect.

A country grows in history not only because of the heroism of its troops on the field of battle, it grows also when it turns to justice and to right for the conservation of its interests. Coming to some global statistical data, In 2008, total worldwide energy consumption was 474 exajoules (5×1020 J) with 80 to 90 percent derived from the combustion of fossil fuels. This is equivalent to an average power consumption rate of 15 terawatts (1.504×1013 W). Not all of the world's economies track their energy consumption with the same rigor, and the exact energy content of a barrel of oil or a ton of coal will vary with quality.

Energy consumption is loosely correlated with gross national product but there is a large difference even between the most highly developed countries, such as Japan and Germany with 6 kW per person and United States with 11.4 kW per person. In developing countries such as India the per person energy use is closer to 0.7 kW. Bangladesh has the lowest consumption with 0.2 kW per person. The Above stats are just by the Primary energy consumption by Countries, they can be classified by sector, sustainability, per capita, etc. Yet cause remains the same - conservation; small or big, hold equal significance.

One such example is the well known and buzzed topic of Global Warming at Copenhagen. Though this climate change could not reach a common consensus, It clearly demonstrated the unity across globe to come together for a common cause; the "Climate Change", and the pose taken by the developed nations to be - flexible. But only if this wasn't a collective effort to make a significant difference, the issue would have lived like an open sore wound oozing of blood and remained unattended, therefore unrealistic and impractical of only one nation to individually blow the trumpet.

This is the need of the hour for the generations ahead, then just quote like that one favourite advertisement of mine --

Son to his dad standing at a Traffic Signal in his expensive car- "Dad! When I grow up, I will open a cycle repair shop"

To this the bewildered day replies --" Why the hell on earth would you have to do that?"

The Son politely and innocently seeing the pumping engines blowing horns, excessive fuel consumption replied --" The rate at which your generation is consuming and waste petrol, my generation would have to go back to bicycles and carts!"

Save the earth!! Save Energy !!

Sherry Sethi.