Years ago, I finally met a writer I only knew by his works. His writing oozed satire, irreverence, and iconoclasm. His personality reflected warmth, kindness, and thoughtfulness. The contrast between his writing and social self couldn’t have been sharper. In his magnum opus, “The Story of Philosophy”, Will Durant chronicles the lives of philosophers alongside... Continue Reading →
Looking back at 2024
“Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.” ― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft Write a newsletter every week: that was my new year resolution for 2024. When I wrote my first newsletter on Jan 6th, 2024, I didn’t know if I... Continue Reading →
The Medium is the Metaphor
I explore why writing is fundamentally different from the video-audio format. To this end, I borrow extensively from Neil Postman’s works, particularly, “Amusing Ourselves to Death”. I argue, with examples, why the medium is the metaphor.
In Defense of Passive Writing
I cite instances where passive writing is superior to the active voice. If all writers concur that an active voice is better, why is passive writing still in use? If this were such a universal truism, it begs the question as to why so much of the business writing is overwhelmingly passive. I explore this at length and find ways to navigate the politically correct maze and still convey our truth.
Bicycle for your Note-taking
I talk about my experiences in note-making. Because, the 5 most deceptive words in humanity’s history are: “I will remember this later”. I discuss how I came to discover the limitations of note-making in a book. And, why I was forced to go digital.
How Frugality fuels Creativity
I go down the memory lane, to the 90s where technology was still on the fringes of life. I revisit the days when we exchanged letters, where photos were taken to mark an important event. And, then, I ask whether the abundance of technology has cheapened what ideally should be treasured.
The Future of Reading
The same writing appears dramatically different when you shift your gaze from a printed copy to a digital screen.
Are You a Hedgehog or a Fox?
“The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing.” ~ Greek poet Archilochus
Don’t Fix What’s Not Broken
“Change” is a magic word, whether in organizations or societies. In 1792, the French Revolutionaries created a new calendar and decimal time system to mark the dawn of the new Republican era. In the 18th edition of the newsletter, I dig into why this ‘scientific’ system isn’t still around. It’s a story of how tradition quietly reclaimed the lost ground.
The Write Way to Heal
"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” – Maya Angelou. That writing about your problems could have some merit may seem far-fetched in the era where LinkedIn too has joined the cringe-bandwagon. However, research indicates that there’s more to this than meets the eye. The crucial role of writing in... Continue Reading →
Musings by Madhav 