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1-By Laksh

Embracing Self-Sufficiency: The Importance of Owning Your Tools in the Digital Age

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‘Digital Craftsmanship’: Generated by the author and DALL.E-3

In the movie Grand Torino, Clint Eastwood’s character takes a young boy to a tool store. They buy tools and other items like a tool bag and a tool belt for the boy’s new construction job.

This made me think about how workers like plumbers bring their own tools to work. Imagine if a plumber came to your house and asked if you had a wrench? So why do office workers expect their company or clients to give them all the tools they need? 

Think about IT tools like a computer. Why should a worker only depend on their company to provide these important tools? This might have started in the 90s when computers were expensive or needed to be brought in from other countries. Or maybe the company had special stuff on the computer that only they could provide. It could also be because computers were heavy and hard to carry around. Or perhaps it’s just an old practice from when offices would supply things like pens and paper to their desk workers. 

Now, when laptops are cheaper than the common iPhone, what’s stopping us?

Or, if we believe a smartphone is enough, why not add accessories to help with daily work? Either way, it’s time to own the tools we need for our work.

This concept came naturally to me. I’ve always purchased my own IT equipment. In fact, I was thrilled when I bought my first computer in the USA in 1997. My boss, Steve, was quite puzzled by my excitement. Since then, I’ve continued to buy my own equipment, unless a company, like Satyam, provided a laptop for security reasons.

Talking about a laptop, it also makes working much easier because you can do it from anywhere. My first laptop was given to me by the company (they were really costly back then) and my boss Steve was glad that I was working from home during the weekend. But my main goal wasn’t just to work. I wanted to enjoy the freedom of moving around. So, I connected to the office network anyway, and my coworkers were annoyed at how much time I was spending online according to the Novell LAN logs.

However, my online presence wasn’t just about work. It was also about learning and growing. I used my laptop to educate myself on new technologies, programming languages, and software. I spent hours exploring the depths of the internet, reading articles, participating in forums, and downloading resources to expand my knowledge. This self-learning not only enhanced my skills but also made me a more valuable asset to my company. As time passed, I realized that owning my own IT equipment was more than just a convenience, it was a means of personal and professional growth. Now, as we move further into the digital age, I believe it’s more important than ever for workers to take ownership of their tools, just like a plumber with his wrench.

So, it’s a good idea to buy your own tools and enhance your online skills.

In conclusion, the evolution of technology and the shift towards remote work have created a new paradigm where self-sufficiency is key. Whether it’s a laptop, a smartphone, or a set of software skills, owning and maintaining your tools gives you the freedom and flexibility to navigate your career path. Just as a craftsman takes pride in his toolbox, we too should invest in and cherish our digital tools. They not only enable us to perform our jobs efficiently but also empower us to continually learn, adapt, and grow in this ever-evolving digital landscape.

Tailpiece: By the way, Dirty Harry, a character played by Clint Eastwood, owns his own tools—Smith and Wesson guns 🙂

1-By Laksh

Emphasizing Inputs Over Outputs: Insights from Andrej Karpathy and the 10,000 Hours Rule

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“Skill Odyssey” : Image generated by Author & DALL.E-3

Often, discussions surrounding inputs and outputs are predominantly focused on financial aspects. For instance, purchasing an item for a certain price or investing a sum of money and subsequently evaluating the profit or loss incurred. However, we seldom emphasize the vital aspect of time investment, which, arguably, is a resource entirely within our control. Hence, it was quite insightful to observe Andrej Karpathy, a distinguished computer scientist at OpenAI, emphasizing the importance of focusing on inputs as efforts or time, and not placing undue weight on the output. This approach underscores a profound shift in perspective towards a more balanced and sustainable model of productivity.

Considering his extensive experience and expertise in the field, Andrej Karpathy’s perspective holds significant weight. The development and implementation of Large Language Models (LLMs) indeed underscore the importance of data, which serves as the input, in conjunction with the technology and infrastructure.

The concept of inputs and outputs extends even further when we delve into the realm of software and AI development. As mentioned in the context documents, the effectiveness of software is largely dependent on the quality of the code that underlies it. This, in turn, is determined by the time and effort put into writing, testing, and refining the code.

In the world of AI, this concept takes on an even more complex dimension. The input here is not just the data fed into the AI models, but also the numerous functions, plugins, and native things that are built and organized for the AI to operate efficiently. In essence, the time, effort, and thought invested in creating and organizing these tools are the inputs that can directly influence the output, i.e., the performance of the AI.

Moreover, the use of advanced AI models like GPT can significantly enhance the capabilities of the software, making it more robust and adaptable. For instance, the AI can be trained to analyze business strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT), and provide actionable insights for cost efficiency, time efficiency, and overall business strategy. This is a testament to how inputs in the form of well-organized code and strategic training can lead to highly valuable outputs in the form of deep, insightful analysis.

Andrej Karpathy, interestingly also mentions about 10,000 hour rule as a way to keep giving one’s input before something actually happens.

Andrej Karpathy’s @karpathy advice for young people 

(i) focus on inputs rather than outputs

(ii) put in your 10,000 hours

(iii) run your own race; only compare yourself with your past self”

This advice can be interpreted in the context of any professional or personal domain and not just AI development.. Focusing on inputs refers to the importance of quality work, dedication, and strategic organization of resources. The reference to the 10,000 hours rule emphasizes the need for practice, time, and effort to master a skill or achieve a goal. Finally, running one’s own race and comparing oneself only with one’s past self underscores the importance of personal growth and development, rather than comparing oneself with others. This is particularly relevant in any field where new advancements and breakthroughs are occurring rapidly. Instead of getting caught up in the pace of progress, it’s crucial to focus on personal growth and learning. Whether you’re an artist, an entrepreneur, a teacher, or a scientist, these principles can guide you towards success and fulfillment.

“The emerging picture from such studies is that ten thousand hours of practice is required to achieve the level of mastery associated with being a world-class expert-in anything,” writes the neurologist Daniel Levitin. “In study after study, of composers, basketball players, fiction writers, ice skaters, concert pianists, chess players, master criminals, and what have you, this number comes up again and again. Of course, this doesn’t address why some people get more out of their practice sessions than others do. But no one has yet found a case in which true world- class expertise was accomplished in less time. It seems that it takes the brain this long to assimilate all that it needs to know to achieve true mastery.”-P,40

– From ‘Outliers’, P-40

The 10,000 hours rule is a concept popularized by Malcolm Gladwell in his book “Outliers: The Story of Success.” It suggests that to achieve world-class expertise in any skill, one needs to practice the correct way for approximately 10,000 hours. This rule doesn’t merely state that time is the only factor to master a skill. Instead, it emphasizes the type of practice, referred to as ‘deliberate practice’, which involves consistent and mindful efforts to push one’s ability just beyond its comfort zone. This could be in any field, be it music, sports, coding, or any other skill.

The rule is based on a study by Anders Ericsson, who found that elite musicians had accumulated over 10,000 hours of practice by the age of 20. It’s important to note that the 10,000-hour rule is not a guarantee for success but rather a common factor in many cases of world-class expertise. It’s a guideline that underlines the importance of persistence, hard work, and consistent practice. It is a testament to the idea that great achievement isn’t merely a product of talent, but a significant time investment in honing that talent.

In conclusion, the insights from Andrej Karpathy and the principles of the 10,000 hours rule emphasize the importance of focusing on inputs – the time, effort, and dedication invested in mastering a skill or achieving a goal. This perspective shifts the emphasis from the immediate results to the process itself, promoting a more sustainable and balanced approach to success and productivity. As in the Bhagavad Gita, where the focus is on one’s duty and actions rather than the outcomes, this approach encourages us to invest our efforts mindfully and consistently, trusting that the outputs will naturally follow. Whether it’s in AI development, business strategy, or personal growth, this wisdom holds the potential to guide individuals and organizations towards meaningful progress and fulfillment.

1-By Laksh

Embracing the Power of Listening: Insights from an Ancient Sanskrit Verse

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In the journey of life, we encounter various teachers and mentors who leave an indelible mark on our minds. During my intermediate college years, I had the privilege of learning from a Sanskrit teacher who was both respected and feared by students. His stern demeanor was well-known throughout the school, and there was a memorable incident where he disciplined a misbehaving student in the schoolyard. However, behind that stern exterior lay a teacher whose teaching methods were nothing short of exceptional.

What set him apart was his unique way of imparting wisdom through the verses of our Sanskrit textbook. Instead of the typical drab recitations, he would sing these verses in a melodious voice, making them not only easier to remember but also enjoyable to learn. He encouraged us not just to memorize these verses but to incorporate their meanings into our exam answers, a practice that forced us to truly understand and internalize the teachings.

As the years passed, many of us moved on with our lives, and like most people, I retained only a handful of those Sanskrit verses. However, there is one verse that has remained etched in my memory:

स्वायत्तमेकान्तगुणं विधात्रा
विनिर्मितं छादनमज्ञतायाः ।
विशेषतः सर्वविदां समाजे

This verse, taken from Bhartruhari Satakam, emphasizes a timeless and invaluable lesson – the virtue of silence in the presence of those who are more knowledgeable or wise. It suggests that maintaining silence when in the company of those who possess greater wisdom is a sign of respect for one’s own limitations and a deep acknowledgment of the wisdom held by others.

image generated by author with DALL.E-3

In the context of management and leadership, this verse offers profound insights. In the corporate world, where knowledge and expertise are highly valued, leaders often find themselves in the company of individuals who possess specialized knowledge or extensive experience in a particular domain. It is in these moments that the wisdom of Bhartruhari’s verse becomes particularly relevant.

Leaders who exhibit humility and restraint by choosing to listen and learn from those who are more knowledgeable are likely to foster an environment of respect and collaboration within their teams. This verse embodies a deep reverence for wisdom and learning, highlighting the importance of acknowledging one’s own knowledge gaps and the opportunity for growth through the insights of others.

In the fast-paced world of business, where the pursuit of success can sometimes overshadow the importance of humility and wisdom, Bhartruhari’s wisdom serves as a timeless reminder. It encourages leaders to pause, reflect, and recognize that true leadership involves not only guiding others but also the willingness to be guided and enriched by the collective wisdom of the team.

To underscore the significance of this lesson, let us turn to two memorable movie quotes:

In “The Godfather,” Don Vito Corleone wisely advises, “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.” This quote, while not explicitly about silence, highlights the power of strategic communication and the wisdom of choosing words carefully.

Similarly, from “The Shawshank Redemption,” we can draw wisdom from Andy Dufresne’s words, “Get busy living, or get busy dying.” This quote, although not directly related to silence, emphasizes the importance of making meaningful choices and taking thoughtful action.

In conclusion, the teachings of Bhartruhari Satakam, as exemplified by this profound verse, offer valuable lessons for management and leadership. It reminds us that in the quest for excellence, humility and the willingness to acknowledge the wisdom of others are qualities that can elevate not only our leadership but also the overall success of our endeavors. So, let us carry this wisdom forward and strive to be leaders who embrace the silence of learning in the presence of greater wisdom. As the great teacher once said, “स्वायत्तमेकान्तगुणं विधात्रा” – Silence is the highest virtue in the presence of the wise.