Engaging Computer Scientists In Interdisciplinary Domains

Here's a talk I gave to Computer Science students to showcase how, with a few elective courses, they can very well work on a wider range of problems that don't traditionally lie in the field of Computer Science: Dr Brijesh Eshpuniyani on 10th May 2023 (youtube.com)

Here I discuss how they could work in the domain of Aerospace Engineering if they wish to. I'm sure it's possible to build bridges between computer science and other areas as well.

I think this talk also gives an example of how one can introduce research problems to undergraduate students. One has to find a balance between the amount of technical content presented, the speed at which it is presented, and the level at which it's pitched. I think I got it fairly right here. Hope some of my colleagues find it useful.

Note: While the audience was incredibly sincere, bright and committed, I have reservations regarding the chap running this college that are summarized in the following post: A Scientific Invitation I Regret Accepting .

Two Good Reasons To Choose Computer Science

There are two good reasons to choose computer science as your field of study and profession:

1 (✓). You are interested in how computers work (hardware and software), how they are designed, how they have evolved, and would like to be involved in making the next generation of computers.

If this is what excites you, then be ready to master electronics, chip fabrication, motherboard design, compiler design, and every other aspect of the subject that will enable you to create the coming generations of computers. And be ready to master advanced mathematics 🙂. There is simply no escaping that 🙂!

2 (✓). You are interested in the theory of computation and theory of algorithms, would like to master these, and either apply your knowledge in writing deep computer programs that make life more secure and easier (eg. cybersecurity, the internet and applications on it such as search, etc.) or take the theory itself deeper.

If this interests you, be ready to study advanced mathematics 🙂! There is no possibility of doing good deep computer science without a solid command on mathematics 🙂.

Both the above are good reasons to choose computer science as your field of study. Alongside, make sure you absorb knowledge of other domains in science and technology as computers and computer programs are now a part of every domain and you should have the knowledge and readiness to work in different domains from time to time.

However, the following two are NOT good reasons to become a computer scientist 🙂:

3 (×). You like writing computer programs 🙂.

Computer programming is a part of every single domain of science and technology anyway 🙂! If you enjoy writing programs 🙂, good 🙂, but think first about which domains would you be most interested in writing programs for: Robotics? If so, go to Mechanical Engineering. Spacecraft? If so, go to Aerospace Engineering. Medical Devices? If so, go to Biomedical Engineering or Biosciences and Bioengineering. Chemical Plants? If so, go to Chemical Engineering. And so on ... 🙂

You can get a Programming/IT job after a degree in any of these disciplines anyway because you will learn programming (and you can pick up some extra programming languages on your own). But the reverse is not true. If you just learn programming languages, then applying them to these domains is not easy.

4 (×). Computer Science is the "best branch" 🙂.

This is just plain bull shit 🙂. ALL fields, engineering or non-engineering, medical or non-medical, are good fields if *you* are interested in them. For those coming from families that are struggling economically, the market does play a big role in making life decisions. But for the rest of us, the big question is: What do *you* want to do in life? First passion, then money 🙂. Not the other way around 🙂.

Hope this helps 🙂. Watch this space, as I will put out articles over the next few weeks that will help you think about choices you will make soon 🙂!

Best of luck 🙂!

The Origin Of Ripped Patched Jeans

In case you ever wondered about the origins of ripped/patched jeans, here's a little history lesson you may enjoy :):

Denim first came in as "workman's cloth". People working in factories needed a fabric that was rugged and would not "wear and tear" fast - and denim was the answer to that as it lasted longer than normal cotton clothes. But of course, denim too would start fading in color after a while and eventually start tearing at places that suffered the maximum stress (usually the knees).

Since denim was affordable and lasted longer, it was also often the choice of fabric for the relatively poorer sections of society. These good folks simply didn't have enough money to keep buying new clothes often, so they would either let the wear and tear show or patch up the tears with scraps of cloth themselves.

Alongside grew rock n' roll! And many "superstar bands" started wearing deliberately ripped and patched jeans "to show solidarity" with the working class and the relatively poor. Now this, other than bands and musicians who actually shared their wealth with those not as well off, was a bit silly and pretentious. What these superstar bands ought to have done is share some of their wealth with the needy and, through their music, argue for a bit more of "sharing and caring" in society. Instead, many blew up millions on drugs, alcohol and women, while wearing ripped and patched jeans to show solidarity with those who were finding it difficult to get even the basics: food, clothing, shelter.

Then come in the "big brands" who want your money :)! So they create a whole fashion cult around wearing deliberately faded, ripped and patched clothes, and showcase them as expensive products in their showrooms. And we fall for this lock, stock and barrel :)!

So today everyone has forgotten why faded, ripped and patched denim appeared in society in the first place (folks who could not afford new clothes often) and spends hard earned money on buying damaged clothes from expensive showrooms :).

If you think about it calmly, it really doesn't make much sense :)!

Some Free Advice For University CEOs, Chancellors And Vice Chancellors!

As I recall my days in Dehradun and transition from my "University of Yesterday" to a humbler but an academically richer and more sincere environment, here's some free advice to University CEOs, Chancellors and Vice Chancellors who would like to put their ventures firmly on a downward spiral:

1. Invest crores on guest houses, cricket grounds and cafeterias but cut corners heavily on faculty resources. For example, provide office furniture as in the pictures below to department heads (and even lesser to junior faculty - if you give them offices at all).

2. Make sure you establish an environment wherein your non-academic administration and HR enjoy a higher privilege and sense of importance and authority than your teaching faculty. The teaching faculty is always expendable (what do they do anyway? - everyone knows that anyone can teach!) and when attrition happens (which surely will if you follow my advice sincerely), then you can have more high level meetings involving non-academic administration and HR to sit and opine on why that might be happening!

On that note, "mmmuuah!" sweethearts! Phir milenge! Theek hai 🙂?

Aryabhatta and Ramanujan

A friend wittily remarked today: It is apt that Aryabhatta is from India. Because India's contribution in the world of mathematics, at least for the last couple of centuries, has essentially been Zero.

I countered: What about Ramanujan?

Pat came the reply, tongue firmly in cheek: Hardy, a British mathematician, recognised his talent and mentored him. Left to fellow Indians, he would've been firmly kept at Zero.

On that note, here's a movie recommendation: The Man Who Knew Infinity (2015).

What Makes A University Great?

Great universities are not just about great campuses, great recreational facilities, great buildings, fancy guesthouses and great canteens and restaurants.

Great universities are first and foremost about great education: Excellent professors (teaching + research), excellent laboratories (teaching laboratories + research facilities), excellent libraries (books + journals).

Once these are in place, then anything else.

And this is exactly where many Indian private universities keep going astray. They invest millions in everything non academic and cut costs on everything academic. Their priorities are upside down!

Getting Ahead In Life!

There are two ways to move forward in life:

1. Focus on your work, maintain high quality, and when its the right time to progress in your career, seek it with clarity and firmness. In addition, take up administrative assignments with a view to serving your institute or company: stay honest, work hard, respect everyone and be fair.

2. Continuously "be ambitious" for higher positions and power and instead of focusing on work and quality, start playing politics, suck up to those in power, bend over backwards, and use your administrative positions to exercise power and authority just for the sake of feeling "powerful".

The first way is classy. You will feel good about yourself as well as gain respect from others.

The second way is shallow. No one respects people with such an attitude. And the minute your term is over, you are put in your place firmly by everyone.

Do you see what I'm saying?

Getting Ahead The Right Way!

An erstwhile friend once made the following most important remark:

Getting ahead of a competitor in any field is like drawing a line that is longer than the one being drawn by someone else. There are two ways of going about it:

1) Sharpen your pencil and draw faster, firmer, better.

2) Pick up an eraser and start rubbing off your competitor's line.

Always choose the first option as you will grow in strength. Then you are likely to stay ahead for a longer time.

If you choose the second option, remember that "bounce backs" are inevitable. And when your competitor fights back, he/she will be wiser, stronger, and more difficult to beat.

[Then there is of course the matter of character. Those choosing the second option are basically just pimps. But this needn't be said as those with character already understand this and those without character cannot.]

Remove Religious Affiliation From University Names!

Attaching a religious affiliation to a university's name or giving preference to students of any religion in the admission process is not fine as it excludes - and that is opposite the spirit of education: to include everyone.

We need to rename several of our universities to correct this:

Banaras Hindu University --> Banaras University.

Aligarh Muslim University --> Aligarh University.

Madras Christian College --> Madras College.

And so on...!

Mata Amritanandamayi: A Gentle Caution

I don't think its wise to speak too negatively against a spiritual master (Guru) without due cause as it can disturb faiths.

Yet, giving a gentle caution when one steps away from a person or group himself is perhaps not too bad an idea as this can hopefully help folks stay a bit more alert when making a decision on committing to a spiritual path.

Hence this post:

I used to be affiliated with Mata Amritanandamayi. I have lived at her Ashram in Kerala on two occasions: 1) August - December 2006, 2) April - September 2012. During my stay in 2006, I also taught a class at their university's Amritapuri Campus.

I decided to eventually step away some years ago for the following reason:

Several people in the organization / Ashram conduct themselves in a manner that is anything but spiritually evolved. They can be callous and can take steps that hurt you deeply. I guess to a certain extent this can be expected in any group of people. But beyond a point it can leave emotional scars. Once I sensed this limit was being reached, I walked away (its necessary to have the courage to do so).

Also, since I hold a spiritual leader / Guru completely responsible for how people in his/her Ashram / organization conduct themselves, I walked away not just from the Ashram and organization but from Mata Amritanandamayi herself (again, I believe its necessary to have the courage to do so when you are convinced that a person or place is not right for you).

A Guru - Shishya relationship is considered the most sacred relationship in the world in our culture. So accepting someone as your Guru has to be a very carefully thought through decision as its a really long term commitment :). But even then, sometimes it can become clear after a while that someone is not right for you. At such a time, although its hurtful, its important to be able to fold your hands, say a sincere thank you for all the knowledge received, and walk away.

I wish everyone the very best in all aspects of their lives: material as well as spiritual.

Note: Although not directly, this post might hold some academic relevance as well since it talks about a religious organization that also operates universities. (You can also read "Holy Hell: A Memoir of Faith, Devotion and Pure Madness" by Gail Tredwell.)

Hindu Scriptures: Shrutis And Smritis

This is an important post for those interested in Hindu philosophy:

Hindu scriptures are divided into two categories: Shrutis and Smritis.

Shrutis are scriptures comprehended by sages in deep meditation. These are the Vedas and the Upanishads. Some scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita are said to be directly based on the Upanishads. These scriptures contain the essence of Hindu philosophy and describe the spiritual goal to be attained. They do not change with time.

The Itihasa scriptures (Puranas, Mahabharat and Ramayana) fall under the category of Smritis. These were written from time to time to guide societies as needed at the time. The Smriti relevant for our time is our Constitution, and it too is modified from time to time as needed.

It is important to bear in mind that we need to stay focused on the Shrutis for spiritual clarity and our constitution for guidance on how to conduct ourselves as a society.

Much of the religious, spiritual and societal confusion we encounter today is a result of not being aware and clear about the above.