Category Archives: 1-By Laksh

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1-By Laksh, Books

So Good They Can’t Ignore You

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‘So Good, They Can’t Ignore You” by Cal Newport, has quite a few merits.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3870466996?utm_campaign=reviews&utm_medium=widget&utm_source=search.schlowlibrary.org

But as mentioned in this lovely review on goodreads, it harps a bit too much on the ‘passion that kills’ and the book would have been a worthy read without this aspect.

Here are a few interesting points that are a must for everyone to ponder and work on.

  1. Craftsman mindset: To focus on work and keep getting better at it. In short, being so good, others can’t ignore you. This also reminds us about the famous quote from Bhagavad Githa, where we are urged to focus on work at hand and not worry about the result.
    • The movie Groundhog Day offers an amazing example where in the life of Phil (Bill Murray), the weatherman, changes forever when he adopts a craftsman mindset instead of dwelling on what he would like to do.
    • In the movie The Shawshank Redemption, Andy (Tim Robbins) resorts to the same craftsman mindset and the results are the best prison library, wonderful chess set and most important all, a way to escape the drudgery of prison life.
  2. Career capital starts accumulating when the craftsman mindset is in action and it is of immense value. Two types exist–that of winner takes it all, and the other, auction. Once you understand and choose the type, the more the career capital, the merrier.
    • In the TV series Madmen, the protagonist Donald Draper (Jon Hamm), keeps on improving his craft in the ‘winner takes it all’ capital market and delivers one win after the other, making his dubious past irrelevant in the overall scheme of things.
    • When relegated to mailroom, Clark Morelle (Jack Quaid) in the Martin Scorsese TV series Vinyl, briefly forgets that the career capital market is ‘winner takes it all’, and attempts to do multiple things (as in auction career capital market)to climb back up the ladder. Luckily for him, when he stumbles onto an old album, he realises that good music is all that matters and finds his footing back. This is a bit similar to the TV writer example, Carl Newport, showcases in the book, where once aspirant realises that good writing is all that matters to get ahead in his career.
  3. Experiencing a sense of control in one’s career and avoiding the career traps—one, that of getting into something way too early that doesn’t work out and two, that of an employer attempting to obstruct the new path by giving a promotion or a raise or meting out more freedom.
    • Trap 2 is wonderfully depicted in Manirathnam’s Guru when a young Gurukanth refuses a promotion from his boss, when he thinks he has enough career capital to launch his own business.
    • Trap 1 finds an interesting depiction in the movie The Fighter when Micky (Mark Wahlberg) picks another coach instead of his brother Dicky (Christian Bale), and soon finds his beginner’s luck running out. He teams up with him Dicky again, who understands what works for him and with his help, fights his way back to the top.
  4. Having a mission in one’s life and testing it in small bets.
    • In Groundhog’s day, Phil’s routine and mundane existence is transformed the moment he finds his mission in life–to help people no matter what. Interestingly, his mission is always tested in small bets as he keeps reliving the same day, that of Groundhog Day and has to start all over again.
    • In Space Cowboys, four old men discover that it is never too late to discover their lost mission and have a wonderful day out in the outer-space.

Overall, the book a good read for anyone who is interested in perspectives to improve their work, career and life.

Related Links
Steve Martin’s interview where he actually said ‘Be so good…”

Excellent summary of the book

1-By Laksh, ET, TV

The Patient

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nemesis

  • Someone’s nemesis is a person or thing that is very difficult for them to defeat.
  • (a cause of) punishment or defeat that is deserved and cannot be avoided:

Nemesis and Greek Mythology (Source: Merriam-Webster Dicitionary)

Nemesis was the Greek goddess of vengeance, a deity who doled out rewards for noble acts and punishment for evil ones. The Greeks believed that Nemesis didn't always punish an offender immediately but might wait generations to avenge a crime. In English, nemesis originally referred to someone who brought a just retribution, but nowadays people are more likely to see animosity than justice in the actions of a nemesis.
‘The Patient’ Streaming on Disney Hostar

The Patient is about a psychiatrist and a serial killer, whose interactions form the crux of the TV series, made for Hulu, now streaming on Disney Hotstar. It stars Domhnall Gleeson (Sam Fortner), Steve Carell (Alan Strauss), Laura Niemi (Beth), Andrew Leeds (Ezra), Linda Emond (Candace) and David Alan Grier (Charlie).

Imprisoned, and displaced to an unfamiliar setting, and that too by a compulsive serial killer, who seeks help to curb his homicidal urges, Alan Strauss wonders if he has met his nemesis. Several questions plague him during the course of his captivity including that of his personal life, related to his wife’s recent death and troubled relationship with his son. His struggle seems uphill with imaginary conversations with his dead mentor, and the biggest question hanging in front of him—will he come out of this situation alive? If he cannot, can he hope for some form of redemption?

The TV series is engaging for most part with excellent performances and terrific script. It offers a unique take on therapist-patient relationship, and presents it with as little theatrics as possible. One can debate about the ending, but relationships can never be fully reconciled. This is true even when there is forgiveness and acceptance, as the residue still pours into the future. Life and death are inevitable, and life after death of loved ones, changes forever.

In treatment is another interesting TV series on therapist-patient situations.

Related Links
Agastya Sastry’s ‘Aa geethaki atu itu’

1-By Laksh, ET, Movies

Rita Hayworth and The Shawshank Redemption Vs The Shawshank Redemption

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The movie ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ stays true to the short story by Stephen King. In fact it is a matter of great surprise how much the story has to offer as is that makes it into Frank Darabont’s screenplay. Yet, Frank Darabont manages to leave his mark with some nice changes to the overall scheme of things. (Spoilers ahead)

  1. Character of Tommy: In the book, Tommy takes a deal from the warden and moves to a better prison, however in the movie, he is killed by warden. The change in the movie is much better as it provides a drama (the manner in which he his killed) and adds another feather to the cap of ruthlessness of the warden (no prisoners approach). 
  2. Getaway plan: In the book, the plan is a bit complicated with Andy having an associate outside and the details to his getaway plan (once he escapes the prison) is hidden under the black volcanic rock in the field of Buxton. While the aspect of both Andy and Red, coming to the same field to look for their final escape is interesting, the movie simplifies the plan, with Andy taking charge of everything (which is actually true to his character, not depending on anyone),but still leaves instructions to Red, incase he gets out. Most importantly letter to Red is taken as is from the book, as is.
  3. Boggs: Andy’s victory over Boggs and sisters is much clear and presented it better than book.
  4. Warden and main guard: In the book, this combination changes over time, but in the movie they remain same. This is actually good, to keep the villains same throughout.
  5. Time-period: The story drags on for some more years, while the movie understandably reduces it, with the period ending with Lovely Rachael. May be, point 4 is the reason.
  6. Overall narration: The story goes back and forth, with Red narrating it non-linearly, rather jumpy. It is justified, as Red with little education and no special skills in writing, can manage it that way. Frank Darabont, should be credited for making this easy on the viewers, with his screenplay nicely picking the threads and tying up into a whole fabric. He does this with élan, without leaving the important and best parts of the book.
  7. Warden’s investigation into Andy’s escape: The book scores a few brownie points here with details about a skinny guard going through the Andy’s tunnel and finding out the sewer. In the movie, Red’s narration and Andy’s visuals takes care of it, but the skinny guard (may be from the ‘I gave up drinking’ episode) could have made it effective. Frank might have chosen to opt out, because of film’s duration?
  8. Redemption and Revenge: The movie ties this theme neatly, better than the book. Andy’s revenge plot on the Warden is a new addition and provides the last dimension to his Redemption. 
  9. Mozart episode: It is not there in the book. Shows the genius of Frank, and builds on ‘Hope is a good thing’ theme.
  10. I gave up drinking, Andy getting a mouthorgan for Red, Brooke’s episode: All new, added by Frank.