Wanna play some snake?

This is a true story. Hence there is no disclaimer. If I hurt anyone’s sentiment, I do not take any responsibility for it. If you feel hurt, do write to me at idontcare@meme.com, and leave a comment.

Everyone has played snake. I bet you have too. It is a reflex based game in which the snake gets longer with each prey it swallows. All that is simple, and addictive to some extent. You might have played it, but do you have an interesting story associated with it. If yes, do let me know. I too have one and am sharing it in the following paragraph:

Here I was, sitting at home watching ‘Rounders’, the Matt Damon flick in which he is a sucker for gambling. Suddenly I feel the need to eat something, so I decide to run down and get something to hog. Before that, I go over to my roommate and ask him if he wants something to eat as well.

He seems disinterested and is apparently engrossed in watching YouTube videos. I enquire whether he ever gets bored watching videos online. He replies in the negative and quips in – “There is more to You Tube than videos, a lot of discreet programming is involved.”

“What do you know”, is my rehearsed response.

“Well, for one, you can play snake on You Tube.”

“How?”

“It’s simple. All you have to do is run downstairs and get me some burgers.”

(to be continued…)

PS: If you know the trick, do tell me in the comments section, or on twitter

Has Facebook benefited Foursquare?

Facebook  recently launched its ‘Places’ feature, enabling users to tag themselves and friends at actual geographic locations. Everyone remotely interested or even aware of the situation instantly predicted the demise of ‘Foursquare’, the existing geo-location giant.

Speculation is rife that with Facebook having a gigantic people base, it would wipe out all other competitors in whichever segment it confidently enters. Foursquare loyalists also agreed, for them it was 2012 already.

Here is what Facebook places is all about: (currently only on apple devices)

• You go to a place, and tag yourself (announcing that you are there)
• You can write reviews et al about the place
• You can tag your friends (if they have allowed it) notifying all their friends as well (ah, let the privacy activists shout from the rooftops)
• That’s about it for now

Foursquare does all the same things already, and it is a separate network. It all looks set for the giant to crush the pioneer. Or is it?

On the day Facebook places launched, Foursquare achieved its highest ever single-day signups. Click here for proof. What does this mean? Actually, nothing much. If we go beyond the surface and think, this was bound to happen. People using Facebook Places would obviously be keen to check out other similar services to compare. Hence the increased number of Foursquare signups.

The above does not yet give us a clear indication of the impact on Facebook on Foursquare. I would be watching this space very closely to find out. If more and more people experience Foursquare as a result of being exposed to Facebook, and they like it, then who knows? This could turn up to be the biggest own goal in Facebook’s history.

More soon….

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deep thoughts are overrated

the biggest bane of a generic blog is the expectation to think and write about something which might interest others…

heard in the rickshaw

If you live in an Indian metro, and like me, you do not own a car, then chances are that you would be a part of many a conversation with the rickshaw wala. After all, the guy has things to share, and if you lead him on, there is no limit to the information you might receive. I for one have a lot of these conversations. Keeps me busy you see.

Most of the times, its about the state of the world. Sometimes, it could be about religion, and hatred. Today, it was about desi ghee. I don’t know what that means in English, so just google it if you cannot infer.

Just as I hopped on the rick at Hiranandani, Powai, Mumbai, the strong acrid smell of something burning tingled my nostrils. I coughed twice, then enquired about the source to the obviously all knowing rick guy.

He replies: “It’s the smell of burning desi ghee”

I nod in agreement, hoping for the smell to subside as we move further towards my destination – Juhu. He continues: “You know why these people burn desi ghee?”. I have a slight idea, so i tell him that it could be for some pooja or havan which rich people conduct to purify their souls. He nods, and then commences a baiting of rich religious practices so cruel, that Al Gore could be seen smoking at the south pole before his conviction weakened.

The rants ranged from the usual “fraud pundits”, “god is in the heart” to amazing ones such as “if docs prescribe magical rings, then it’s ok, but uneducated babas should refrain from the same”. All this time, I was receptively imbibing the one-sided expression. I dared not open my mouth, lest he get re-opinionated.

When I was finally dropped off at my place, I asked him whether he meant what he said. He replied:

“Arre sir koi baat karne ko mil jaata hai to dil khush ho jaata hai, nahi to main to kuch bhee bakwas karta rehta hoon”

Translation:
”Sir, if someone talks to me, my heart gets flush with glee, otherwise I just mutter nonsense all the time”

As he zoomed off, I stood there, dumbfounded.

Am I of the rare breed who engages in conversation with the very people who serve me? What about you?

Inspiring Gray Matter

Before I get to anything, is it gray or grey? Oh wow, the curly red underline below the 'grey' instantly tells me that its gray and not grey. Thank you, O curly red arrow. What would a blogger do without you?

Why this blog? Thank the guys at Indiblogger for this one. I attended the #indimum meet-up today and came out brimming with ideas about a blog which is not controlled by a niche, a blog where the curly red underline can sometimes be ignored, a blog where self moderation doesn't even have a clue about its whereabouts. A blog.

I was talking to a friend of mine, whose name shall remain undisclosed for now. So Anshika asks me the meaning of the word blog. Actually this followed a discussion in which I dissed people who write 'about' themselves, thus letting their ego have a virtual breathing space. I am not against such self-gratification, I just fail to see the bigger picture.

So here I was, thinking what exactly a blog meant. It all started with celebs posting weblog entries about their lives. Online journals which were readily consumed by salivating voyeurs - and nothing more. Then came blogger, and things changed. Everyone was a celeb now. This quo was maintained till the bubble burst and people were left basking in their own insignificance. A few who were willing and free enough to put effort became the so called pro-bloggers and early adopters and influencers. Whoa, influencers is not a word. Whatever.

So what was originally a self-exposure tool became a playtool for the niche marketers and the people who followed the original mantra were left searching for an identity. Irony never had a better example. During the course of this blog post, I have been proved wrong. I my own writing. Welcome to life as a blogger.

More updates on the conundrum coming up....