Fiction is more respected than fact

All of us have heard "Fact is stranger than fiction". The new slogan should be "Fiction is more respected than fact". How many people turn up to cheer a social leader who has done real work for the down-trodden. Compare that with the no of fanatic fans who turn up to have a glimpse of a run-of-the-mill singer who was a finalist at last year's American Idol. You know what I mean..

Past is past?

All of us have heard the saying, "Past is past", but it does not seem true at least in the world of reviews. How many of us read reviews of hotels, HDTVs, and conclude that the past experience of other buyers is also an indication of our future experience? We read that someone had a bad experience with a hotel, and think we might have a similar experience in the future. Maybe, Past is not past, after all?

Internet 'slaves'

Almost everyone these days relies on the internet for information about almost anything. This is true even in situations where people can figure out things by themselves. Computers are slowly making sure people can no longer write using their hands, thanks to the amount of typing they do. Similarly, internet, by enabling easy search, is slowly, but surely stripping people of their thinking abilities. In other words, we are all becoming internet 'slaves'.

In strangers, we trust

As children, we have been advised not to speak to strangers. It is a funny advice, considering the fact that we trust so many strangers every day.

The classic example is travelling by a plane. The passengers have no option but to trust their pilot, who is most likely a stranger for most passengers.

You can even consider more common examples like a cook in a restaurant, or even a barber.

In our everyday lives, we trust more strangers that we trust people whom we know. Is that strange?

The P-Squared Formula

One way to be positive is to associate a '+' or positive sign with everyone you meet. When you meet someone, imagine a '+' sign on that person. This will help you see everyone in a positive light. Or, easier still, remember P-Squared. That stands for the two P's - Person and Positive.

These days, it is normal to eye everyone else suspiciously. There is a lot of negativity in the environment. The P-Squared formula might just be what the doctor ordered.

Mail-in rebates

If you are living in the US, you cannot ignore mail-in rebates. These rebates are a good way for companies to offer discounts, since they know that not everyone who is eligible for a mail-in rebate makes use of it.

Here are some tips to ensure that you make use of your mail-in rebates

1. Try to send in the mail-in rebates immediately after you purchase the item. Otherwise, you are likely to forget it.
2. Do not trash the boxes that the items come in. Invariably, you need to send in the UPC code attached to the box.
3. Double check to make sure you have enclosed everything that is needed (typically the UPC Code, Receipt and rebate form).
4. Maintain a spreadsheet of all the rebates that you are eligible for, with dates that you sent those out, and the customer service numbers.
5. Check the above spreadsheet periodically, and call the numbers, if you realize that you have waited long enough.
6. Last, but not the least, do not forget to deposit the rebate check once you receive it!

The value of life

It is disturbing that different cultures, or shall I say countries, assign different 'values' to human life.

I shall attempt to explain this using an example. In India, when there is road construction, there is hardly any protection for the laborers. They wear their normal clothes and, if they are lucky, they will have a sign indicating that road construction is going on. Now, take the exact same scenario in United States. The laborers wear fluorescent clothes, there are ample signs alerting drivers about the construction, and very often there are cops flashing their lights in the area.

Is it because of inadequate resources in a country like India? I do not think so. I think there is a fundamental difference in the mind-set that is behind this. For some incomprehensible reason, a country like India places less 'value' on human life compared to one like the US.