There is no nonsense so errant that it cannot be made the creed of the vast majority by adequate governmental action.
- Bertrand Russell
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Friday, February 09, 2007
Excessive Entitlement
A couple of not-so-rare sightings in Pakistan:
This limo can be rented for Rs.40k for the first hour, and Rs.10k per hour subsequently. With status symbols getting so expensive, the rest of us can expect to become status-less very soon.
A 2006 Porsche 911 Turbo spotted in Lahore. 0-60 in 3.7 secs and 193mph top speed. No doubt the $400k price tag will help you get from Defense to Gulberg faster. Don't worry about the expendable peasants you'll leave in your dust along the way.
So it's established we're a rich nation, and have equally rich tastes; certainly a worthy outcome of moderated enlightenment (read: excessive entitlement). But does that entitlement give us any respect for law and order? Which way is the car going around the round-a-bout? I am sure the half second he will save by not going around the right way is also a part of his entitlement... or maybe he is saving valuable fuel. Sweet irony.
I have a thought (yes, just one): If I can ever afford to, will I choose to buy an expen$ive imported car in Pakistan? What's the opportunity cost (and to whom)? Is it the height of hubris, or am I justified in enjoying my (legally) hard-earned money? We'll know in 20 years.
This limo can be rented for Rs.40k for the first hour, and Rs.10k per hour subsequently. With status symbols getting so expensive, the rest of us can expect to become status-less very soon.
A 2006 Porsche 911 Turbo spotted in Lahore. 0-60 in 3.7 secs and 193mph top speed. No doubt the $400k price tag will help you get from Defense to Gulberg faster. Don't worry about the expendable peasants you'll leave in your dust along the way.So it's established we're a rich nation, and have equally rich tastes; certainly a worthy outcome of moderated enlightenment (read: excessive entitlement). But does that entitlement give us any respect for law and order? Which way is the car going around the round-a-bout? I am sure the half second he will save by not going around the right way is also a part of his entitlement... or maybe he is saving valuable fuel. Sweet irony.
I have a thought (yes, just one): If I can ever afford to, will I choose to buy an expen$ive imported car in Pakistan? What's the opportunity cost (and to whom)? Is it the height of hubris, or am I justified in enjoying my (legally) hard-earned money? We'll know in 20 years.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Thought of the Day: Nationalism
Nationalism is a disease. It's the biggest disease on the planet.
- Nick Negroponte
- Nick Negroponte
Monday, February 05, 2007
Together; finally; again!
Faiz is happy in his new home. Or maybe he's just always happy! :) I'll take both.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Rickshaa!
The doctor forwarded the following. Translation for the Urdu-challenged:
To General Pervez Musharraf Sahib: Please accept our congratulations on the victory of the Women's Rights Bill. We would be grateful if you could also make a bill for men's rights; we have so much difficulty in drinking.
To General Pervez Musharraf Sahib: Please accept our congratulations on the victory of the Women's Rights Bill. We would be grateful if you could also make a bill for men's rights; we have so much difficulty in drinking.
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