Once upon a time, six friends found themselves stranded on the sandy shores of a tiny, rugged island called Lleh. Just across the sparkling blue channel sat a beautiful, lush land known as Nevaeh. They desperately wanted to reach those green trees and soft grass, but between them lay a sea of restless powerful waves.

Trial One: The Long Walk

The friends looked at the water. Near the shore, it was only a foot deep. "Let’s just walk!" one suggested. They began to trek through the surf, splashing and laughing. But as they walked a kilometer out, the seafloor suddenly dropped away. The water grew deep and the currents became too strong for their feet to hold. Realizing they couldn't walk across the ocean, they turned back to the safety of Lleh.

Trial Two: Too Much Gravity

Back on the beach, they found a sturdy boat named Ayag. "Perfect!" they cried. All six climbed inside and grabbed the paddles. However, the waves crashing against the shore were powerful. With all six friends sitting in the boat, it was too heavy and sluggish. No matter how hard they paddled, the waves just pushed them back onto the shores of Lleh.

Trial Three: Speed without Gravity

"If we are too heavy inside, let’s push it from the outside!"

They decided. They lined up and gave the empty boat a massive, running shove into the surf. Because the boat was light and empty, it hit a wave, bounced high into the air, and capsized, splashing upside down into the water.

Bon Voyage: Teamwork, Science and Timing

The friends sat on the sand and thought hard. They needed a plan that balanced weight, power and could give direction. Finally, they came up with a clever strategy:

1. The Watchman: One friend stayed on the shore to keep a watchful eye and call for help from the village people if anything went wrong.

2. The Starters: Two friends climbed into the boat to provide grounding, direction and rowing

3. The Pushers: The remaining three stayed in the water, using their strength to shove the boat past the heavy breaking waves.

As the boat picked up speed, the plan went into motion. Once the boat was gliding, the first pusher jumped in and started rowing along with the other two. Then the second pusher hopped aboard. Finally, as the boat reached the deeper, smoother water, the last pusher climbed in.

Remarkably, the boat stayed steady! With everyone working in harmony, the Ayag began to sail gracefully toward the horizon. The friend left on the shore cheered loudly, watching the miracle of his friends finally conquering the sea through patience and clever thinking. He immediately ran back to the village of Lleh to tell the people of his friends great adventure

<to be continued>……..

Once upon a time, there lived a nervous squirrel named Pip.

Pip lived at the edge of the Great Thicket, a messy, dark forest where the trees grew in every direction. The elder squirrels had old, dusty maps with straight, neat lines. They told everyone, “Stay on the sides , or you will get lost if you step inside.”

As time went by, the world around Pip changed rapidly. The ground had shifted, the rivers had moved, and the old lines didn’t lead to acorns anymore. Pip wanted to explore and find new havens, so he decided to venture out, gathering all the courage he could find within his tiny self

The First Walk: The Noise

Pip stepped off the old path and into the Thicket. Right away, he was hit by the Noise. Every snapping twig sounded like a fox. Every rustle in the leaves felt like a hawk.

Because Pip didn’t have a map, his heart beat very fast. He was in “High Alert.” To him, the Thicket was just Chaos. It was a scary jumble of things he didn’t understand. He ran back home with no acorns, feeling scratched and tired. He thought,

The Repeated Walk: The Signal

But Pip was hungry, so he went back the next day. And the next. By the Nth time he walked into the Thicket, something in his brain shifted. He stopped being so afraid. He began to filter the noise.

He realized that the scary shadow on the left was always the same Bent Oak Tree. He learned that the “growl” in the bushes was just the wind blowing through a hollow log.

Pip was no longer just reacting to chaos; he was recognizing patterns. He saw exactly where the thorns were and where the ground stayed dry. He was drawing a new map in his head. He used his own survival to find the way.

The Desired Path: The Paving

After many many repeated walks, Pip didn’t even have to think about his steps. His feet just knew where to go. Other squirrels saw how calm Pip was and they began to follow him.

His constant walking had worn a thin, brown path into the green grass. This path was not a straight line like the elders’ maps. It curved around big rocks that were too heavy to move, and it dipped down to a stream where the water was sweet. It was Pip’s own Desire Line, a path made by his repeated journey’s in to chaos.

Finally, the village builders came to the edge of the woods. They didn’t try to force a new, straight road through the trees. Instead, they looked at the dirt paths Pip had made with his own feet. They simply laid flat stones over the path that was already there.

The Lesson

Looking back, Pip learned that Order is not a map someone gives you before you start. Order is the reward you get for walking through the Chaos many times. Once you walk through the noise long enough, you find the patterns, and eventually, you pave a path that actually works.

Pip realized that whenever he was trapped in chaos, the answer was simple: keep walking. By treading the same ground again and again, he learned to filter the signal from the noise, turning a tangled mess into a smooth and steady journey. He also knew that a paved path was a gift to other traveling squirrels, a place where they could finally find rest and rejuvenation before continuing their journey in through the chaos.

Big was the size of a Sun and liked things “Mega-Sized.” Little was the size of an atom and liked things “Little-Sized.” They landed on Earth to draw the lines.

The Divide

It was the most organized breakup in history:

• Big took the Continents. Little took the Islands.

• Big took the vast, salty Oceans. Little took the tiny Puddles and fresh water.

• Big took the Sun (he liked the heat). Little took all the Planets (he liked the variety).

• Big claimed the Whole Universe, but Little snagged all the Galaxies inside it.

For a while, it was perfect. They even had a strict “No Stepping on Toes” policy.

The Deadlock

The stars were aligned, the lines were drawn, and the Universe was perfectly divided. But as the suns began to set, a heavy weariness fell upon the two friends.

Big, being the size of a sun, looked at the swirling, misty clouds of a Galaxy. “That looks like a soft pillow,” he sighed. He leaned his massive head back to rest among the stars.

“Stop!” squeaked Little. “The Galaxies belong to me. You are a giant, and you are trespassing in my garden of stars. Remember the policy!” Big snapped his eyes open. He owned the vast Universe, but he had nowhere to lay his head that didn’t belong to Little.

Little was just as tired. His robotic joints were clicking with every step. He looked down at the beautiful, golden shores of Bali. “I shall take a nap where the waves meet the sand,” he whispered. He packed his tiny suitcase and prepared to land.

“Not so fast!” Big boomed, his voice shaking the atmosphere.

“Rule [1]: The Continents and the Oceans belong to me. You are stepping on my territory, Little. You have no permission to touch my sand.”

The silence that followed was louder than any explosion. They stood in the center of their perfect creation, two masters of everything, yet both were stranded. Big had the Sun, but he couldn’t sit down because the planets belonged to Little. Little had the planets, but he couldn’t walk on them because the ground belonged to Big. They had built a magnificent house, yet they couldn’t enjoy a single room.

The Wisdom

Suddenly, the sky flickered like a faulty lightbulb. Pop! Out stepped Middle. He wasn’t big, and he wasn’t little; he was exactly “Human-Sized.” He wore a very shiny suit and carried a briefcase made of stardust.

“Gentlemen, gentlemen!” Middle chuckled, adjusting his glowing tie. “You’re making this way too complicated. Big, you want to keep your dirt. Little, you want to keep your drops. But without movement, there is no progress!”

Big and Little tilted their heads. “What do we do?”

Middle reached into his pocket and pulled out a shiny, jingling coin. “It’s simple! We use Money.”

“From now on, if someone wants to stand on Big’s land to drink Little’s water, they just pay a small fee. We’ll call it ‘Rent-a-Space’ and ‘Sip-a-Buck.’ A coin is not a wall; it is a bridge.”

“Money?” Big asked. “Can I eat it?” “No,” Middle winked. “But you can use it to buy a hat for your Sun!”

And just like that, the Universe stayed split while the friends made progress. The deadlock was broken, and Middle opened the very first Intergalactic Bank.

The Trade

The trade began. Big finally got his glass of fresh water, and Little finally got to take his nap on the warm sands of Bali. The Universe was no longer a silent museum of “No Trespassing” signs; it was a bustling marketplace of stars and sips.

Middle sat in his glowing office at the Intergalactic Bank, polishing his shiny coins and watching the two friends happily swap their fortunes back and forth.

But as the stardust settled, one question remained for all the little humans watching from below:

The Puzzle

Which of these three has the higher demand today: the giant who owns the entire Sun but must pay for a glass of lemonade; the tiny guy who owns all the Galaxies but must pay a parking fee just to stand on a grain of sand; or the Middle Man, who enables everything to move within this split?

Boundaries make us neighbors, bridges make us roommates, wondering what will make friends ?

Scrolling through my feed today was a lot. One video claimed a specific group is plotting a global takeover, another warned that people from a certain country are “stealing all the jobs,” and a third was convinced a specific religion is “invading” Europe. Honestly, it felt like my brain was being hit with a 4K resolution version of the Dark Ages. It’s heavy, confusing, and, let’s be real, exhausting. As usual, I started digging into old stories to see if mythology or history had anything to teach me.

Iranyan and Prahaladan

Reading about Iranyan, I see a father who turned his power into a massive ego-trap, demanding everyone, especially his own kid, be a carbon copy of his tyranny. But then there’s Prahaladan. Even though he was raised in that shadow, he didn’t let his father’s “villain tendencies” define his life. It makes me realize that even if a father, a family, or a whole society goes down a dark path, there is always a chance for individuals to bear the light and lead the way back.

Ravana and Vibhishana

Then there’s Vibhishana, who lived in a palace of pure arrogance with his brother, Ravana. He could have just played along because “blood is thicker than water,” but he listened to his gut instead. He realized that being loyal to your brother shouldn’t mean you’re obligated to participate in his mistakes. Leaving his home wasn’t about “betraying his people”; it was about realizing that being born into a group doesn’t mean you’ve signed a contract to support their wrongdoings.

The Realization

Through these stories, I’m starting to see that a family’s shadow, a country’s past, or a religion’s reputation doesn’t have to be a follower’s future. Judging a whole subset of people because of the actions of a few, or the past, feels like a glitch in human logic. It ignores the fact that every single person has the power to be decent on their own. Just like a lotus grows in muddy water but stays clean, integrity is something we build ourselves. Our background is just the soil we grew from; where we actually bloom is a choice we make on our own.

The Reality Check

So, here I am, finishing up my deep, soulful scribble about not judging people by their “subset,” feeling all enlightened and wise. Then, right on cue, my wife yells that it’s time to get the kids ready for school. Naturally, my “sovereignty of the soul” evaporates instantly. I find myself snapping:

“Ugh! Everyone in this family is exactly like this! No one let me have five minutes to myself!”

he irony hits me harder than my self-enlightened realization. One minute I’m a philosopher shielding the world from unfair generalizations, and the next, I’m basically a total hypocrite

Even if I’m currently failing my own moral test by generalizing the people around me, I’m learning a tough lesson: the hardest place to stop 'generalizing' isn’t on a random YouTube comment section. It’s right here in the house with the people I love, in the cubicle with my coworkers, and on the field with my friends. What matters most is keeping my heart aimed where I want to be and hoping the waves of life guide me toward it.

Today’s conversation summary between Gemini 2 LLM and myself.

If horoscopes and prophecies are true, they imply a pre-lived timeline, a cosmic movie we are simply reliving. This suggests we inhabit a replayed reality where the illusory “future” has already occurred in the past.

However, if free will exists, we possess the ultimate “gift”: the will to alter doomsday prophecies into beautiful, unwritten realities.

What If, Whether through God, Nature, or the Prophets, we are given warnings of what to watch for as any beloved parent would, to guide us, not to trap us.

But as usual like any Child, Are we moving in to the same outcomes that those prophets/scriptures warned us to watch out for ?

Also “How” do we alter these doomsday prophecies in to beautiful outcomes ? Gemini 2 LLM didn’t have an answer worth writing here.

The outpost had three people: a Security Guard, a Cook, and a Housekeeper. The Security Guard watched the border, day and night, through binoculars, coffee in one hand, boredom in the other. The Cook made warm soup, and the Housekeeper kept the place livable (or as livable as frozen misery could be).

One fine morning, a Minister from the capital arrived, shivering in royal wool and armed with a new government mission: cost-cutting. The King wanted efficiency. No more wasted coins guarding snowflakes.

The Minister observed the Guard for a while. The man just sat there staring into white emptiness. No raiders, no smugglers, not even a wandering yak. “What risk is there here?” the Minister thought.

After some serious “risk assessment” using all the latest risk/management terms. optimization, resource synergy, and lean operations, the Minister came to a grand conclusion:

“This Guard is doing nothing. We can make him cook and clean too!”

And just like that, the Cook and the Housekeeper were dismissed. The Guard, now holding a mop in one hand and a ladle in the other, followed orders. After all, one doesn’t argue with a Minister in a fur hat.

Days passed. The Minister proudly reported to the King that efficiency had improved by 200%. The Guard was now multitasking, a true example of productivity reform.

But one night, as the Guard scrubbed the kitchen floor, something stirred on the horizon. It wasn’t a man or a beast, it was a machine. A silent metal swarm, creeping through the snow.

The Guard didn’t see it. His binoculars were in the sink, soaking in soap water.

By morning, the outpost was gone. The machines had crossed the border unchallenged.

When news reached the capital, the Minister was stunned.

he cried.

Indeed, there weren’t. The Guard hadn’t been watching for people at all, he had been guarding against machines. Machines that didn’t eat soup or care for mopped floors.

And so, the outpost became the most efficient ruin in the kingdom, clean, cost-effective, and completely conquered.

Moral: Efficiency is wonderful, until you optimize yourself into extinction.

PS :

I am pretty sure no one noticed the outpost required 2 guards to start with in the first place.

What is a Dream?

As per to science, A dream is a sequence of images, emotions, thoughts, or sensations that occurs in the mind during sleep, most commonly during the rapid-eye movement (REM) stage. Dreams can be vivid or vague, realistic or fantastical, and are usually involuntary experiences shaped by memories, feelings, and sometimes wishes or anxieties

Why do we Dream?

One common agreed articulation is that we dream because our brains process memories, handle emotions, and solve problems during sleep, helping us make sense of daily experiences and maintain mental health.

Types

• General Dreams

  • Ordinary dreams that happen during sleep

  • Everyday processing of thoughts, sensations, and experiences, usually forgotten upon waking.

• Lucid dream

  • Being aware you are dreaming. You recognize you’re dreaming and may even control the dream’s events or your actions.

• I Have a Dream

  • Dreams that does not let you sleep and move others deep.

Let’s take examples of famous two “I have a dream” from history.

I Have A Dream

Martin Luther King had this one which he shared with a large following

“This will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with new meaning. My country, ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim’s pride, from every mountain side, let freedom ring.” And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania. Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado. Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California”

For the Savvy, the abstract of his dream is

• Every person no matter their background, will experience liberty and justice

• The nation will realize it’s founding promise “ Land of Liberty”

• Freedom shall ring in all direction of the nation

A beautiful dream indeed!

Ain’t I A Woman ?

Here is another Dream spoken by Sojourner Truth

That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain’t I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain’t I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain’t I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother’s grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain’t I a woman?

I always wondered Why do these dreams occur ? Should we encourage them ? Or double down on them with an Iron hand ? To be honest, I didn’t have any answers but this is where i settled my thoughts with my kind of blind reasoning

• These dreams reflect intense emotional pressure building up inside in individuals and societies, just like a volcano accumulating force beneath the surface before an eruption. Embrace them and find meaningful way for them to achieve those dreams so the pressure build subsides or double down on them and let it erupt and find it’s course.

Parting Thoughts!

I am going to leave with these thoughts which has shaped my life, Thanks to Alchemist from Pulo Coelho

So Let’s dream a better world. then

References

[1] Dream: Dictionary APA

[2] Science behind dreaming

[3] Dream Causes

[4] Type Of Dreams

[5] I Have a Dream

[6] Teach a Girl To Lead

At least for myself, it was a question I felt compelled to explore. I decided to allocate two hours out of the thirty-odd years I may have left on this mundane curiosity.

Some modern toxic influencers might call that decision something a "fool" or a “weak man” would make, but hey,

So, let me present to you what I found.

The Fear Grin

According to science and research, the origin of the smile can be traced back to the “fear grin” or “silent bared-teeth display” used by primates to show submission or to appease predators.

Was it really a signal of weakness and submission?

Universal Language

In modern times, smiling is one of the most effective ways to express friendliness, spark conversations, and foster social bonding among humans.

Toxic Masculinity

Lately, I’ve come across videos and content where toxic masculinity is exalted and portrayed as the norm for a man’s life. I admit, I sometimes fall for those hooks, but whenever I do, I’m left with a recurring dream of Batman confronting my dream self and asking,

Smile The Brightest Style

We humans face many hardships in modern times , whether it’s work, life, or, for some, the harsh reality of war. I know how difficult it can be. I can only hope that nature, grants us the strength to smile through those moments and emerge well unharmed, regardless of the side of the situation we find ourselves trapped in.

Long time ago, I studied this couplet from Thirukural by Thiruvalluvar.

Which means

which is

Easier said than Done, at least to myself

Then I saw this video and thought wow some are able to do it in real life.

May be this is masculinity ? because It has not hurt anyone in the process of showing courage and strength ?

See you all in another post. Long live the smile!

References

[1] When did we start to smile

[2] Smile Origins

What are job termination scams ?

Job termination scams are a type of cyber attack where cybercriminals send fake emails that appear to be from a company's HR department, informing employees they have been terminated.

How does these scams operate ?

The scams operate by using deceptive emails to trick employees into taking actions that compromise their personal and company security;

Here is a detailed breakdown of how these scams operate

1. Initial Contact: Employees receive an email that appears to be from their HR department or another authoritative source. The email's subject line typically indicates termination or dismissal

2. Deceptive Content: The email is crafted to look legitimate, often using the company’s logo and branding to reduce suspicion. The content is designed to invoke an immediate, emotional response, leveraging the shock and anxiety associated with job loss to make the recipient act impulsively.

3. Malicious Attachments: The email includes an attachment, such as a PDF or Word document, or a link to a supposed termination notice or severance package details. The attachment or link points to malicious software.

4. Malware Installation and Execution: Once the attachment is downloaded or the link is clicked, malware is installed on the employee’s device. This malicious software steals login credentials, which cybercriminals use to gain unauthorized access to the company’s network and sensitive data.

5. Exploitation of Stolen Credentials: With stolen credentials, attackers can hijack email or other accounts to access sensitive corporate data and networks for theft and extortion. If the employee uses the same logins across multiple accounts, the attackers may launch credential stuffing campaigns to unlock those accounts as well

How do we recognize such scams ?

• Urgent language designed to create a sense of panic and prompt immediate action without careful consideration

• Suspicious attachments or links, especially if they come from unfamiliar sources or are related to sensitive topics like termination. Hovering over links may reveal subtle misspellings or unusual characters in the URL.

• Email addresses that are similar but not identical to the company’s official domain

What measures can we take to stop them ?

• Employee Education and Training

• Clear Communication Channels and Policies

• Vigilance

Above do work at times!

The Case for Offline Communication

We think offline methods for sensitive communication is very effective and secure because

• Reduces such phishing risks

• Prevents panic

• Builds trust

May be we are old school and biased! What do you all think ?

As usual, let’s start with some juicy ‘creation myths around the world’. But before we begin let’s define some terms in simplest scientific way to ensure we all read the scriptures on common ground!

Glossary

• Chaos : Chaos is unpredictable behavior in complex systems, where small changes lead to vastly different outcomes.

• Void : void refers to an empty space or region in the universe where matter is nearly absent, such as the vast empty areas between galaxies. It's essentially a region of space with very low density, containing very few particles, energy, or objects

• Random : Random refers to a non-deterministic behavior or outcome at any point in time, meaning that the result cannot be predicted with certainty, even if all initial conditions or inputs are known

Now we have defined them! Let’s look at some juicy ‘Creation Myths’ around the world.

Creation Myths

Hinduism

The Rigveda, specifically the Nasadiya Sukta (Hymn of Creation), presents a concept of the universe emerging from a primordial void. It describes a time before the universe existed, where there was neither existence nor non-existence, no air, and no sky, just darkness and a deep void. The hymn ponders how creation might have come from this chaotic state.

Buddhism

In Buddhism, the universe undergoes cycles of creation and destruction. At the end of each cycle, the universe dissolves into a state of nothingness or chaos, from which it will eventually be reconstituted.

Abrahamic Religions

The Book of Genesis in the Bible describes the creation of the world by God. Before creation, there was "tohu wa-bohu" often translated as "formless and void," indicating a chaotic state of the earth before God brought order to it.

Big Bang

The Big Bang theory is the scientific explanation of the universe's origin. It posits that the universe began as a singularity, a point of infinite density and temperature, about 13.8 billion years ago. The initial moments after the Big Bang were characterized by extreme chaos, with rapid expansion and the formation of basic particles and forces from this chaotic state.

Wow, nice, isn't it? Some common themes in all creation myths are...

• Chaos

• Void

• Randomness

Fooled By Randomness

In our daily lives, we are often fooled by randomness. Thoughts, events, and outcomes can sometimes become random and induce chaos in our lives. Often, we assign meaning to this randomness with words like 'Fate', 'Karma', 'Nature', or even 'God'. However, we must remember the words of Nassim Nicholas Taleb in his book Fooled by Randomness, which can be summarized as follows

Predicting Randomness

Rather than me writing paragraphs about this, Please watch the video from Action Lab on predicting randomness!

I am going to leave the words of Sir Francis Galton here as a summary

Mind-blowing, isn't it? Suddenly, prophets, prophecies, and the art of foreseeing the future seem like a clever dance with probabilities.

Did you know ?

Cryptography relies heavily on randomness to secure information. Randomness ensures that cryptographic keys, which are essential for encrypting and decrypting data, are unpredictable and unique. This unpredictability is crucial for preventing unauthorized access, as it makes it nearly impossible for attackers to guess or calculate the keys. High-quality randomness in cryptographic processes is the backbone of secure communication, safeguarding data from interception, tampering, and other forms of cyber threats. Without effective randomness, the security of cryptographic systems would be compromised.

Above is a good example of how humanity has turned randomness around us in to an opportunity for confidential communication.

Sayonara!

References

[1] Nasadiya Sukta

[2] Buddhist Cosmology

[3] Tohu Wa Bohu

[4] Fooled By Randomness

[5] Predicting Randomness

For some of us, when we first wake up in the morning, our minds often turn to the day ahead, wondering about the things we need to accomplish. These ‘before thoughts’ help us set intentions, prioritize tasks, and mentally prepare for the challenges of the day.

Similarly, for many of us, before we go to sleep, there is a time where our brain plays certain selected events of the day and leaves us pondering about them to reflect upon. At times, these afterthoughts result in our growth and lead us to new insights, helping us make better decisions in the future and understand ourselves more deeply.

This reflective vicious cycle of forethought and afterthought has helped us get to the point where we are as humans, constantly shaping our decisions, actions, and growth. It’s through this ongoing process of planning ahead and reflecting back that we learn from our experiences, refine our goals, and continue to evolve both personally and professionally.

The Reversal

However, when it comes to science and innovation, the process often reverses. We first invented the atomic bomb before harnessing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. we first learned to kill with a knife before using it as a tool in the kitchen.

In these cases, action precedes reflection, and invention precedes understanding, leading to unintended consequences that we must later grapple with. This reversal of forethought and afterthought reminds us that progress is not always linear, and sometimes, we must learn from the consequences of our creations before we can fully harness their potential for good.

The Legends of Prometheus and Epimetheus

In ancient Greek mythology, Prometheus and Epimetheus were two Titan brothers, known for their distinct personalities and roles in the creation and development of mankind.

The Creation of Mankind

Zeus, the king of the gods, tasked Prometheus and Epimetheus with creating all living creatures on Earth. Epimetheus, whose name means "afterthought" or "hindsight" was given the responsibility of distributing various qualities and traits to the animals. He gave strength to some, speed to others, the ability to fly to birds, and protective shells to turtles. By the time he got to humans, he had run out of traits to give, leaving mankind weak and defenseless.

Realizing this, Prometheus, whose name means "forethought" took it upon himself to ensure that humans would survive and thrive. He decided to give them the gift of fire, a powerful and divine element that would enable them to cook food, stay warm, and develop tools and technology.

The Hindsight

Now, as with any tales or events, we have the power of ‘afterthought’ represented by Epimetheus, to analyze this Greek mythological story and consider how we could approach it differently if given another chance. We are going to list some of them here just for the laughs or giggles

Shared Responsibility

If Prometheus and Epimetheus had worked together from the beginning, combining Prometheus’s foresight with Epimetheus’s afterthought, they might have created a world where humans and animals had complementary traits, fostering a more harmonious coexistence.

Balanced distribution of traits

If Epimetheus had been more thoughtful in distributing traits AKA had a little more of forethought in him, he would have left some beneficial qualities for humans such as physical strength or natural protection along with intelligence.

Let it be

Creating life involves countless variables, many of which are unknown or unknowable in advance. This makes it impossible to fully plan or foresee the consequences of every action. Even with the best intentions, unforeseen outcomes, like the need for fire or the unintended consequences of distributing traits, are inevitable. So, let it be as it is, accepting the inherent unpredictability of such complex processes.

The Journey Forward

Now, we have created social media platforms that connected the world before considering their impact on mental health and privacy. We are developing artificial intelligence systems capable of performing complex tasks before fully understanding the ethical implications. Here, innovation often outpaces our ability to foresee the consequences, forcing us to confront challenges and make adjustments only after the occurrence. This pattern highlights how the rush to create can sometimes leave us to address the repercussions later, as afterthoughts catch up with the inventions themselves.

We have two(?) choices going forward

LET IT BE

OR

EYE OF THE TIGER

Thanks for reading this blog and listening to those three awesome songs! If you really liked reading this please do share in your circle! ONLY if you enjoyed it or benefited from it!

Sayonara Kara!

References

[1] Prometheus and Epimetheus

[2] Let it Be

[3] Eye of the Tiger

[4] Sayonara Color

Suprabhātam pāṭhakāḥ!

Recently, there's been a significant push towards centralization in our modern ecosystem. We're increasingly relying on centralized systems, be it super cities, federal systems with strong central authorities, or cloud-based solutions.

What do history and mythology teach us about over-reliance on such ecosystems? Let’s dive into the depths of past times and see if we can avoid becoming the next chapter in Centralization Gone Wild!'

Tower Of Babel

As per to the scriptures, Long long ago, after the great flood, We humans united under a single language and lived in one place. It was really an amazing experience to speak one tongue and untied in one place without any differences. To celebrate our success and show our capabilities We decided to build a supercity with a large tower that reached the stratosphere.

As we built this magnificent marvel of a tower, the Lord came down and said,

Look at them, they’re united and speaking the same language. This is just the beginning. nothing will be impossible for them. Let’s mix up their language and scatter them around so they can't understand each other.

So, the Lord confused our tongue which gave birth to languages and scattered us abroad over the face of earth.

Such a story isn’t it!

We will not analyze whether this actually happened, whether it will happen, or who the 'Lord' character is, whether 'Lord' is 'God' or if they are different. Instead, we will explore the possible reasons of

What benefit does learning this story hold today?

Possible Reasons

From a centralized eco-system perspective there are two important aspects told in this story

• United under single language

• United under single location (specially after the great flood)

Outcome of the “Lord’s” actions are,

• Confusing our tongue ( Languages were born )

• Scattering us around the earth

It is evident that our ancestors intended to caution us about the dangers of 'single points of failure' and 'centralization' in our existence.

Rise & Fall of Rome

Rome is clearly another example of a glorious centralized success and failure. Rome had an enormous empire due to the following

• Unified legal system

• Efficient centralized administration

• Centralized cohesive identity

• Centralized military command structure

But

A boon can also be a curse!

The same centralization that led to Rome’s success also contributed to its rapid decline due to following weaknesses,

• Administrative Overreach

  • As the empire expanded , centralized management of distance provinces became a pain in the rain!

• Economic Strain

  • Centralized control of economic resources and heavy taxation created financial burdens on the empire

• Political Instability

  • Centralized power led to political corruption and instability

• Military overextension

  • Centralized Command & Control often led to overextension of military resources , defending extensive borders became increasingly challenging and costly

Centralized Thought Networks

Cloud Computing

Now in modern era, there has been an increase push to build centralized systems in technology through cloud computing adaptations. In cloud computing data, applications and services are hosted on centralized servers managed by cloud service providers such as Amazon, Google and Azure.

As with any initiative, Cloud computing does provide following benefits

• Scalability

  • The ability scale resource up/down as per to demand

• Efficiency

  • Simplification of resource management

• Accessibility

  • Ability to access services from anywhere

The nature of our existence is that if there are benefits , there is always an inherent risk attached to it as well. Some of the risks of cloud computing are,

• Single point of failure

• Monopoly by central authority

• Flexibility

• Administrative burden

• Overreach

Brain Computer Interface

With the invention of machine/brain human interface devices, especially the keyboard, microphone, and camera, we have been uploading our knowledge and experiences to the cloud through various mediums such as

• Facebook

• LinkedIn

• Tiktok

• Youtube

• Etc, etc

It is evident that in the future, humanity will develop the capability to communicate via thought instantly. For example, if Neuralink or similar technologies were to evolve into a networked system where multiple users could communicate directly through a centralized platform, this could introduce instant communication via thought across the globe, giving birth to 'Centralized Thought Networks’

In other words we will be united under

One Tongue under the Globe

just like the Tower Of Babel story!

As mentioned above such a “Centralized Thought Network” does come with risks and benefits, Some of the risks worth mentioning are;

• Single point of failure

• Corruption

• Overreach

• Overextension

• Privacy invasion

• Data breaches

• Unauthorized access

• Loss of individuality

And most importantly due to over dependence on technology

We might forget how to speak languages over time, as they become unnecessary.

It is important to remember the wise words someone said long long ago!

Menawa Gigawabamin!

References

[1] Tower of Babel

[2] Cloud Computing Risks

[3] Decline and Fall Of The Roman Empire

[4] Neuralink

Folks, how many of you remember the good old days when the IT guy would show up at your desk with a floppy disk or CD, bringing in the latest patches? It was the perfect time for a fun chit chat while the updates did their thing on the screen. One of those days, amid the usual laughter and tech talk, we got to hear about an unfortunate aircraft disaster in history which impacted us deeply.

The Tenerife Airport Disaster

The Tenerife airport disaster took place on March 27, 1977, when two Boeing 747 passenger jets collided on the runway at Los Rodeos Airport on the Spanish island of Tenerife. The collision happened as KLM Flight 4805 began its takeoff in dense fog while Pan Am Flight 1736 was still on the runway. The impact and subsequent fire resulted in the deaths of all 248 people on the KLM plane and 335 of the 396 people on the Pan Am plane, leaving only 61 survivors in the front section of the latter aircraft. With a total of 583 fatalities, this disaster remains the 3rd most deadliest accident in aviation history.

The most intriguing aspect of this unfortunate airline disaster incident is the events which lead to this incident. Let’s look at them one by one in detail.

Event 1 : The Diversion

On March 27, 1977, a terrorist bombing at Gran Canaria Airport forced multiple flights, including KLM Flight 4805 and Pan Am Flight 1736, to be diverted to Los Rodeos Airport on the Spanish island of Tenerife.

Event Probability: 1/1000

Event2: The Capacity Limitation

Los Rodeos was a regional airport that couldn't easily handle the traffic diverted from Gran Canaria, including five large airliners. With only one runway and one major taxiway, the diverted planes had to park on the taxiway, making it unusable for taxiing.

Event Probability: 1/100

Event 3: The Fog

As the diverted flights awaited clearance to return to Gran Canaria, dense fog began to settle over Los Rodeos Airport. The heavy fog significantly reduced visibility, making it challenging for pilots and air traffic controllers to see the runways and taxiways clearly.

Event Probability: 1/100

Event 4: Miscommunication and Language Barriers

With visibility severely compromised, clear and precise communication became crucial. However, a series of miscommunications and language barriers between the flight crews and air traffic control led to confusion about taxiing instructions and takeoff clearance. the crew mistakenly assumed they had received clearance from air traffic control. Despite the lack of explicit permission, Captain of KLM flight initiated the takeoff roll, believing the runway was clear.

Event Probability: 1/10

Event 5: Runway Confusion

At the same time, Pan Am Flight 1736, piloted by Captain was instructed to follow the KLM aircraft and exit the runway. Due to the poor visibility and unclear signage, the Pan Am crew missed the designated exit and continued down the runway, unaware of the KLM plane's intentions.

Event Probability: 1/100

Event 6: The Collision

As KLM Flight 4805 accelerated for takeoff, the Pan Am crew suddenly saw the KLM aircraft emerging from the fog, heading straight toward them. In a desperate attempt to avoid a collision, the Pan Am crew tried to turn sharply off the runway, but it was too late. The KLM aircraft collided with the Pan Am plane, resulting in a catastrophic explosion and fire. The exact timing of both planes being on the runway at the same moment was the result of all previous delays and errors compounding into this fatal incident.

Event Probability: 1/1000

Combined Probability

1/1000 * 1/100 * 1/100 * 1/10 * 1/100 * 1/1000

= 1 / 10000000000000

This clearly illustrates how unfortunate and rare this incident is (1 in 10 trillion), yet it occurred in our times and was able to claim 583 precious lives.

It has ingrained in us the importance of addressing risks as individual occurrences rather than assessing them on combined probabilities when assessing risks from a cost perspective.

But to this day, in modern risk assessment world we do tend to make decisions based on combined probability than individual incident occurrence reduction.

Crowd Strike’s on Microsoft

During the second week of July 2024, we faced another incident that is still causing widespread inconvenience and mayhem at the time of writing this blog.

The Incident

The CrowdStrike and Microsoft incident began with a CrowdStrike update that caused compatibility issues with Windows, leading to widespread system crashes and blue screen errors (BSOD).

The Impact

This incident had a great impact at global level due to the widespread adaptability of Windows + Crowd Strike in modern critical infrastructure such as,

• Aviation

• Healthcare

• Border and Immigration Services

• Manufacturing

• Emergency Response Systems

At this moment, it is also important to understand the events which lead to this incident one by one,

Event 1 : Windows In Critical Infrastructure

Windows is widely adopted in critical sectors such as healthcare, finance, and aviation due to its reliability and comprehensive support and extensive monopoly

Event Probability: 1/2

Event 2: Crowd Strike in Windows

Crowd Strike's advanced threat detection and response capabilities have made it a preferred choice in the cybersecurity market, particularly in protecting endpoints.

Event Probability: 1/3

Event 3: Windows Update / 3rd party Update Compatibility Issues

Although compatibility issues between updates from different vendors are less frequent but still plausible due to the complexity of software environments.

Event Probability: 1/100

Event 4: Blue Screen Errors (BSOD) due to Updates

The specific occurrence of BSOD due to update conflicts is relatively rare but possible given the right circumstances.

Event Probability: 1/1000

Combined Probability

1/2 * 1/3* 1/100 * 1/1000

= 1 / 600000

Interesting there is nearly a 1 in million chance that this could become an occurrence

The Mitigation

In our opinion , the steps one could take are,

Minimize the risks individually than writing them off collectively

We are thankful that there was no major significant human cost due to this incident, but it is important to also remember that Nature DOES NOT repeat lessons in a kind manner all the time.

Reference

[1] Tenerife Airport Disaster

[2] Crowd Strike Incident

[3] Crowd Strike Incident 2

The intimidation and power projected by the Lion's feet .

Had an eerie feeling in our minds

It was indeed a strange feeling to be caught in. Now, nearly 30 years later, when we think back about it, we are left to ponder, ‘Did Kashyappa and his Engineers pull off one of the best

Psychological Warfare Tactic

in Sri Lankan history, which continues to intimidate visitors to this day?

Sigiriya: Origins

Once upon a time, in the land of Sri Lanka, there lived a king named Dhatusena. The king was quite the player, with many wives and sons. As he aged, he wanted to hand over the throne to his rightful heir, Moggallana, the son from his royal consort.

All was going well and dull until another of the king’s sons, Kashyappa, from a non-royal consort, decided he wanted the throne for himself. He plotted a coup, colluding with the commander of the armed forces to dethrone Dhatusena.

The coup was hugely successful, and in the end, Dhatusena was walled up alive by Kashyappa. The rightful heir, Moggallana, fled to South India in fear for his life and to gain support and gather a resistance force to defeat and kill Kashyappa.

Sigiriya: The Masterpiece

If someone killed their own father and their half-brother is constantly plotting to avenge his death and claim the throne, naturally, that person would need extra defense around them 24/7. The solution? Build a masterpiece of architecture that is impossible for any enemy to penetrate.

Above is the best reconstruction of Sigiriya we could create based on descriptions from reference sources using generative AI. Now, it is time to delve into the defense-in-depth capabilities built around and within Sigiriya!

Sigiriya: Defense in Depth

Sigiriya is a prime example of defense in depth in ancient history. Let's examine these features in detail as we enter the premises.

Outer Rampart

The first thing we encounter when we enter is the outer rampart, a defensive wall providing the first line of defense. The outer rampart is a massive earthen structure, about 130 feet wide and nearly 6 miles long. Strangely, this wall was made of mud, according to scientists [5].

Outer Moat

Once we pass the outer rampart, we are greeted by the outer moat, which is about 175 feet wide and 13 feet deep.

Plain Green Field

Once we cross Outer Moat, we are greeted with plain field.

Middle Rampart

In the middle of the plain green field, we can see the middle rampart, an additional defensive barrier between the outer and inner moats. Scientists believe this was built with bricks.

Inner Moat

Once we cross the middle rampart and the plain area, we are greeted by the inner moat, another defensive water body about 80 feet wide and 14 feet deep. It is believed that Kashyappa had some crocodiles roaming the area to deter sightseers and coup plotters.

Inner Rampart

The final defensive wall protecting the inner area.

Water Gardens

These gardens served not only as aesthetic elements but also as obstacles for intruders, making movement difficult and enhancing the natural defenses.

Boulder Gardens

Natural rock formations and strategically placed boulders created physical barriers against attackers.

Terrace Gardens

Terraces made the terrain challenging to navigate, slowing down and exposing attackers.

Caves

These caves provided strategic vantage points and hiding spots, useful for surveillance and surprise attacks.

Mirror Wall

These defensive structures carved directly into the rock added difficulty and confusion for attackers.

Palace on the Summit

The summit palace, accessible only via a narrow staircase, was the final line of defense, providing a secure retreat for the king.

Sigiriya: The Uniqly Sri lankan Measures

Sigiriya employed several unique defensive measures which are not much found in other fortresses or castles around the world, those are

1. Camouflaged Fortress: The entire fortress blends seamlessly with the natural rock formation, making it difficult for attackers to identify and approach.

2. Mirror Wall: This polished surface was used to monitor approaching enemies through reflections, providing an early warning system.

3. Water Gardens with Hydraulic Systems: Beyond aesthetic appeal, these gardens included hidden canals and water traps that could be used to flood areas or hinder attackers.

4. Lion's Gate: The imposing entrance, flanked by giant lion paws, served as both a psychological deterrent and a defensive choke point.

5. Natural Rock Cisterns: Cut into the rock, these cisterns ensured a reliable water supply during sieges, maintaining the fortress’s resilience.

6. Symmetry and Asymmetry: The blend of both symmetry and asymmetry in Sigiriya's design not only contributed to its beauty but also its effectiveness as a defensive stronghold.

But was it enough?

For those wondering, did Kashyappa lived a blissful life in that secure pleasure palace built to withstand even the toughest invasion, The Answer is “Nope! He did not”

Despite Sigiriya's formidable defenses, it ultimately fell when Moggallana, leading a force from South India and allies, declared war on Kashyappa. In the final battle, Kashyappa's strategic maneuver on his battle elephant was misinterpreted as a retreat by his army, leading to their abandonment. Too proud to surrender, Kashyappa took his dagger, cut his throat, raised the dagger proudly, sheathed it, and fell dead.

Even the most impregnable fortresses can succumb to miscommunication and human error. What a wonderful lesson.

So in short it looks like!

Ayubowan!

References

[1] Sigiriya Wikipedia Article

[2] Sigiriya 1

[3] Sigiriya 2

[5] Sigiriya Map

Android is a well-designed, simple operating system created to be secure and easy to use. However, like any complex operating system, it naturally comes with features intended for usability that may put smartphones or tablets at serious risk of infection.

Today, we are going to look into a feature that is worth caution or could be regarded as the most dangerous of all. We will also explore practices we can follow to minimize the risks.

Accessibility

Accessibility is a powerful Android feature (Settings → Accessibility) originally designed for people with impairments. It enables them to interact with devices by:

• Control phone through voice commands

• Read screen through screen reading

It is important to note that for those with impairments, these features are not just a convenience but essential. However, the nature of Accessibility’s modus operandi violates the principle of strict isolation, i.e., an app can listen to and control everything going on within the Android operating system.

Non-Accessibility Apps

Several types of apps use accessibility services for purposes that extend beyond the original intention of aiding users with disabilities. These non-accessibility uses often involve enhancing functionality or providing convenience features. Here are some common app types that use accessibility services for non-accessibility purposes::

• Automation Apps

  • Ex : Automate, MacroDroid

• Password Managers

  • LastPass, 1Password

• Screen Capture & Recording Apps

  • DU Recorder

• Overlay & Floating Apps

  • Bubble Cloud Widgets

• Anti-Theft & Security Apps

  • Cerberus

Risks

As with any feature, Accessibility can be weaponized by malicious apps. These apps can request the above permissions under the guise of Accessibility and perform malicious activities such as

• Gathering your passwords

• Reading your OTP tokens

• Reading private/sensitive information

• So on , so forth..

In short, an application using Accessibility can see everything happening on the Android device’s screen. It also has the capability to perform any action on the user’s behalf.

Mitigation

Google has implemented several mitigation measures to enhance the security and privacy of Accessibility services on Android devices.

• Permission Transparency

  • User Consent : Apps must explicitly request permission to enable accessibility services

  • Permission Review : Users can review and manage accessibility permissions to apps

• Play Store Policies :

  • Strict Guidelines : Google Play Store enforces strict guidelines for apps requesting accessibility permissions. Developers need to provide valid justification for using these services. Apps that misuses these services will be removed from the store

What Can We Do ?

We can protect ourselves from the abuses of Accessibility feature by following these practices:

• Beware of apps requesting access to Accessibility features.

• Always install apps from official stores.

• Regularly review your Accessibility permissions.

Reviewing Accessibility Permissions

1. Go to “Settings —> Accessibility “ in your Android Phone.

2. Click “Installed Apps”.

3. Confirm permissions for the apps “On/Off” is as per to your intent.

References

[1] Android Most Dangerous Features

[2] Restricted Setting In Android 13 and 14

[3] Risk Of Accessibility Permission In Android Devices

[4] Google Removes Play Store Apps Misusing Accessibility Services

Good day to you all! Today we are going to start with one of our favorite excerpts from the Abrahamic scriptures.

Reading the above gives us a sense of pride and the feeling that mankind is amazing! Isn’t it? While we rejoice in our glory and awesomeness, it is also time to do justice to this post's title. Let’s begin.

Battle Tactics 1: Troy

Greeks laid siege to Troy for ten years primarily to retrieve Helen, the wife of the Greek king Menelaus, who was taken by Paris, the Trojan prince, sparking the Trojan War. One of the military advantages that Troy had at that time was their impregnable walls.

Troy was able to sustain the siege because of its massive wall, which was ahead of its time. It is believed that Troy had ample supplies of food and water within the city, possibly from springs and local food production, allowing life to continue normally without any disruptions.

Finding the Weakness , Breaking the Defense

Odysseus, a military strategist who observed the Greeks for ten years on the battlefront, understood the following simple truths or weaknesses about the enemy

• Overconfidence (For 10 years, they could not break us)

• Sole reliance on unbreakable wall (Made by the gods)

• Reliance on their divine favor (The gods love us)

• Desire for victory

A determined foe finds a way

Odysseus, as any determined enemy , devised a brilliant plan to exploit every weakness mentioned above.

He proposed sending a large wooden horse as a gift and offering and as a symbol of the “Greeks accepting defeat”. It worked because it appealed to Trojans,

• Desire for victory

• Divine nature ( Deities do accept offerings :-p )

• Confidence

It also enabled maneuvering past their defensive walls with ease by hiding soldiers inside the horse.

Outcome

Troy accepted the offering and took the horse inside their defensive walls, celebrating the entire night with victory dances and drinks. This allowed the Greeks to break the wall defenses and defeat Troy.

Battle Tactics 2: The 'Perfect Battle' at Chancellorsville

In the Battle of Chancellorsville, Confederate General Robert E. Lee faced a major hurdle: he was significantly outnumbered by Union forces under General Joseph Hooker.

A Bold Risky Strategy

Determined to win, Lee executed a bold and risky strategy. He divided his already outnumbered army, sending a large portion under General Stonewall Jackson on a flanking march around the Union army’s right flank. To add icing on the cake, he maintained a smaller force in front of the Union army at Chancellorsville to engage and distract them.

Unfortunately, Hooker fell for this strategy. Convinced that Chancellorsville was the main Confederate effort, he focused all his attention and resources there, neglecting to scout his flanks adequately.

Outcome

This oversight and carelessness allowed Jackson’s forces to complete their flanking maneuver unopposed. When Jackson's troops attacked the unsuspecting Union right flank, it caused chaos and panic, collapsing multiple Union defense lines that had been weakened by the concentration of resources on the front.

This strategic diversion by Lee, making it appear that the primary threat was directly in front while a more dangerous threat was building on the flank, is a prime example of shifting an opponent’s focus to exploit weaknesses in their defense lines.

Defense Of Humanity

Here is another one of our favorite lines from the Abrahamic scriptures.

How cool is that!

On the surface, Humanity defends itself through a sophisticated system of defenses.

• Collectively

  • We are located in the far corner of the universe, alone and well protected by the void (it takes light years to reach us).

  • We are massive in size (last we checked, 8 billion of us here and we are still growing).

• Individually, our bodies have well-defined defenses at macro level

  • Ears perceive auditory dangers.

  • Eyes detect visual threats.

  • The nose senses harmful odors.

  • The brain processes these signals.

  • Limbs initiate protective responses like reflexes, fight-or-flight reactions, and strategic attack planning to ensure survival.

• Many more!

The Hypothetical Siege On Humanity

Now, let's embark on an imaginative journey to explore a hypothetical scenario where an unseen enemy faces the challenges of breaking through humanity's defenses. How might such an adversary overcome these obstacles? Let's delve into this hypothetical scenario.

Breaking the Wall of Void

Physically, we are well protected by a void of vast empty space. For an enemy to reach us from a nearby star system, it would take a minimum of 4.24 light years. What a marvelous design to protect one’s children, isn’t it?

Yet, there are weaknesses in the design: we are reachable by following for a distant enemy

• Darkness

• Light

• Thought

• ??

Let’s assume the enemy decides to use ‘Thought’ as the horse to break into our defenses, how would such an enemy would do so ?

Breaking the ‘Size Advantage’ : Winning the First Battle!

Through thought enemy would do the following;

• Divide us into Race

• Divide us into Language

• Divide us into Religion

• Divide us into Countries

• Divide us into many other forms by simply using ‘Thought’

By such divisions , the enemy is able to keep us at odds and busy with problems among ourselves shifting our focus and energy totally internally!.

Breaking Individuals : Winning the Next Battle!

A determined hypothetical enemy will not stop at mere single battle victories. If the hypothetical enemy wants to win the war, they would need to defeat every individual guarding such a system. However, we are inherently well protected by design. If such an enemy wants to break us, then they have to:

• Break our individual defensive protections at macro level

  • Ears

  • Eyes

  • Nose

  • Limbs

  • Brain

The hypothetical Enemy could gradually introduce the following to take our defenses and focus them on something else:

1. Radio: Saturate the ears with distracting or misleading information.

2. Television: Utilize visual and auditory stimulation to manipulate opinions and distract attention.

3. Smartphone: Create dependency on constant notifications and social media, diverting focus and our senses ( ears / eyes / hands ).

4. AR/VR: Immerse individuals in virtual environments, blurring the lines between reality and fiction.

5. Neuralink: Directly interface with the brain to control thoughts and behaviors. Take control of our Command & Control.

By gradually integrating these technologies, an enemy could shift focus away from critical awareness and weaken our natural defenses.

Also, this hypothetical enemy could top it up by enabling competition and scaling it globally at rapid speed through instant connectivity.

Alright! We are going to stop our imagination horse right here! and move on to most important thing we want to talk about!

Why This Blog ?

For those wondering, why such a horrible imagination ? We want to emphasize a crucial cyber hygiene through this blog which is,

Using Technology Wisely With Well Defined Boundaries and Practices!

and to remind each of us of the importance and strengths of our design. Hope it was entertaining to read!

Oh, by the way, did you all know that Cassandra and Laocoon warned the Trojans of deception regarding the horse? However, fueled by the desire for victory, their confidence in their superiority, and their belief in divine favor, they decided to bring the horse in anyway!

See you all on another weird post!

References

[1] Battle of Chancellorsville

[2] Flanking Maneuver

[3] Cassandra & Laocoon

Aegis and the Amulet

Once upon a time, in the land of Elysia, there was an amazing hero named Aegis, famed for his cunning and bravery. No one stood a chance against him; he always emerged victorious in every battle and challenge in his life.

One day, the Oracle at Delphi invited him for a chat and warned him, “Beware, Aegis! Death will find you in the most unexpected ways.” Aegis replied, “It’s all good; I can defy death itself,” and walked off with confidence and pride.

The problem with warnings and cautions is that once you hear them, you see them everywhere. As usual, Aegis started seeing threats everywhere; even mundane events looked like potential dangers.

One evening, as Aegis was feasting with his companions, a humble traveler arrived at his camp asking for shelter and food. Aegis, being kind that day, invited the traveler to dine with him. As they dined, the traveler spoke highly of a powerful amulet that could protect its wearer from any harm.

Intrigued by the stories he heard, Aegis inquired if he could see the amulet. The traveler produced a simple pendant from his pouch, presented it to Aegis, and said,

This amulet will protect you from any danger. All you have to do is wear it everywhere you go.

and gifted it to Aegis and left.

Aegis happily wore the amulet and felt a sense of invulnerability from that day onwards. Months went by, and Aegis started noticing strange occurrences around him. One by one, his companions fell ill or dropped dead.

Worried, Aegis brought the traveler back to his camp. This time, the traveler revealed himself to be the God of Death and laughed, saying,

One cannot defy death, Aegis. It is inevitable. You sought protection, but in your quest for safety, you invited me into your life

And moved on to claim Aegis life…

So Sad!

We are going to stop our imagination here and move on to our main theme

The Curious Cases Of Exploding Electronics

Recently, there have been many incidents in which the electronics we use have been exploding around us. The Federal Aviation Administration has produced amazing data on this for air incidents[1].

Remember, the above chart is ONLY for the aviation industry for the past 28 years. Additionally, the New York Fire Department (FDNY) has warned that exploding lithium batteries are the primary cause of deaths and fires in the city [2].

Why?

For those wondering why these devices explode, the reason comes from the power source of our devices. In the modern world, our rechargeable devices are powered by lithium batteries, which have the capability to explode under the following conditions or reasons,

• Natural defects during manufacturing

• Physical damage during use

• Crushing or dropping devices

• Overcharging

• Extreme temperatures

• Aging

What is Powered By “Lithium Batteries“

• Smartphones

• Laptops

• Tablets

• Electric vehicles

  • Cars / e-scooters / trucks

• Air Pods / wireless headphones

Stay Calm , Be Wise

Remember, it is important to stay calm and not become paranoid about this and avoid technology altogether. The key point to remember is that for our betterment and progress, we do need these devices.

However,

is the question we all need to ask ourselves.

Cyber Hygiene

We are going to recommend a list of cyber hygiene practices that could minimize our chances of being in the line of fire:

• Purchase original equipment

• Do not overcharge

• Keep devices in safe places

• Do not overuse

• Monitor your charging

• Stay informed

Most importantly

Parting Thoughts

As usual, since we also need to entertain the philosophical ancestors in our heads, we're going to leave you with this thought as a parting gift

Sayonara surfers!

References

[1] FAA Lithium Battery Incidents

[2] New York Fire Department Warning

[3] EU Lithium Battery Regulation

In the folklore stories of King Vikramaditya and Betal, the wise and brave king is presented with a series of moral challenges through stories by the clever spirit Betal. Each story ends with a challenging riddle from Betal that the king must solve.

Today, we are excited to share one of our favorite story from this folklore: 'The Three Suitors’.

The Three Suitors

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful girl named Mandravati. When it was time for her to marry, three suitors approached her parents, each asking for her hand in marriage. However, their requests quickly turned into obsession, as they vowed to kill themselves if Mandravati married anyone other than themselves.

Mandravati’s parents, wanting the best for her and everyone involved, decided not to marry her off to anyone until the issue with the three suitors was resolved amicably.

One day, Mandravati caught a terrible disease and died abruptly. All three suitors, grief-stricken, attended her funeral with deep sorrow and pain. After the funeral, each suitor, overwhelmed by grief, made drastic changes to their lives:

• Suitor 1 decided to stay in the cemetery, collecting the ashes of her body and sleeping next to it.

• Suitor 2 took her bones to the Ganges to perform her final rites.

• Suitor 3 became an ascetic and wandered off.

During his wanderings, Suitor 3 met a mysterious person who possessed a book capable of reviving the dead from the ashes. One night, while the person was sleeping, Suitor 3 stole the book and returned to Mandravati's cremation ground.

By this time, all three suitors had reunited, and with the help of the book, Suiter 3 was able to revive Mandravati from the ashes. Once Mandravati was reborn, or more accurately reanimated, the suitors began arguing and fighting among themselves over who should be eligible to marry her.

Now, we'll pause the story here and pose the same question to our viewers that Betal asked King Vikramaditya.

Who among the three suitors should be the husband of Mandravati?

While Vikramaditya reflects on the answer, let's take a radical step forward and discuss 'Open Source’

Open Source

An open-source project is a collaborative project endeavor where the project's outcome is made freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute by its collaborators.

Wait! People Do it For Free ?

We do know that, 'If We’re good at something, We should never do it for free’.

But, when it comes to passion and interest one has to understand that,

So, Individuals or groups with a personal interest or passion often start open-source projects to solve problems without worrying about getting paid or reaping any benefits.

As these projects evolve, they gain traction, become widely adopted, and frequently end up in the devices we use daily.

Open Source Projects Around Us

• Linux

• Android

• Mozilla Firefox

• VLC Media Player

• 7-Zip

• Kodi

and millions of other projects which are either one way or another used in systems and products around us in our homes and day to day lives

Suitors Of Open Source

As with any other collaborative ecosystem, open-source has the following suitors in the playground,

• Creators

  • Originators of the project idea, initial developers and designers, people who set the project’s vision and goals

• Collaborators

  • Contribute code, documentation, and design, review and test contributions from others, Participate in discussions and planning, provide feedback and suggestions

• Users or Beneficiaries

  • Utilize the open-source project in their own work or products and request features, share feedback on usability and functionality

• Advocates

  • Promote the project through blogs, social media, and talks, Educate others about the project and its benefits, Help grow the community by attracting new contributors and users

• Sponsors

  • Provide financial support or resources, Fund development, events, and infrastructure, Offer grants, bounties, or donations

The Freedom

The main attraction of open-source is the freedom for individuals or groups to come together and solve problems without restrictions from regulations and organizational bureaucracy.

The open-source project governing licenses specifically define this through 'No Liability' and 'No Warranty' clauses. These clauses allow collaborators to pioneer their vision rather than be bound and restricted by their environment.

The core characteristics that made open-source successful so far are,

• The Personal Interest or Passion

  • Open-source project begins by an individual’s or group of individual’s personal interest

• The Freedom

  • Open-source project sustains when the developers have the autonomy and empowerment to define the future vision of it

• The Transparency

  • Open-source project is widely adapted due to the transparency nature of it’s working mechanisms.

• Cost Effectiveness

  • It is ‘free’ as in Money

• The Collaborative Community

  • People invest their time and energy without pay out of passion and personal interest

The Dilemma

Mission Creep/Drift

As the open-source project grows in popularity and adaptation, sometimes the first casualty is the original vision of the project. The collaborators, rather than working toward the initial founding vision, end up catering to the needs and wants of users and beneficiaries.

The original aspect of personal interest and personal itch takes a back seat, and the project rolls into an informal sphere of organized bureaucracy governed by feature requests dictated by the beneficiaries of the project.

The desire to appeal to a broader audience takes the front seat, while the original vision silently succumbs in the back.

Regulatory Burden

Recently, the pressure of compliance to regulations has taken the open-source projects by storm, limiting the ability or diverting the focus for innovation and experimentation in this sphere one way or another.

The Reputation Burden

Finally, in response to the rise in supply chain attacks, we have proposed implementing reputation scores for open-source projects to classify and penalize 'good' and 'bad' projects informally.

Although commendable and noble intention, one long-term impact of such scores is that projects may focus more on attaining good scores than on solving the primary problem or advancing towards their vision.

The Riddle

We are strong believers that ensuring security and safety in the open-source software supply chain is crucial. However, the riddle for us is,

How should the scales balance among 'Freedom & Innovation ' vs 'Regulation and Reputation' ?

who among the open-source suitors shall be tasked with balancing it?

The Answer

As for those who are waiting patiently for the answer to the 'Three Suitors' riddle above, according to King Vikramaditya,

The one who brought her to life with a spell is her creator, equivalent to her father. The one who carried her bones to the Ganges is equivalent to her son. But the one who laid himself on her ashes out of love could be her husband

References

[1] An Interview With Linus Trovald

[2] Opensource has a funding problem

[3] EU Act on Open Source AI

[4] Executive Order 14028

[5] Scorecards for Opensource Projects