Some Reflections: Three Years In NYC

My Back Against The Wall



Came To Launch Company

A Web 3.0 Manifesto

I moved to NYC summer of 2005 to launch my company, but I got distracted by urgent Nepal work. I got sucked into it. I was actually surprised that I cared about Nepal so much. It also felt like cutting edge work. It was not journalism, it was not in-your-pajamas blogging, it was cutting edge work, political work. What ended up happening in April 2006 was sheer magic. It was all over the NYC media, for one. I functioned in a cloud group dynamics environment. But my presence was felt. Let me share a story.

In February 2006 Madhav Nepal, then leader of the largest party in Nepal, was put under house arrest by the royal regime. A month later he managed to smuggle wireless internet access into his residence. It helped that his brother lived in the house next door. The first person he contacted was me. We chatted on Google Talk.

But during those first few months I did meet a guy who was about to launch a hatchery somewhere upstate. He claimed he met Bill Gates before Gates took his company public.

The Nepal work was intense: days, nights, weekends. It was a zombie existence. Best work I have done so far. April 2006: in a country of 27 million, the poorest country outside of Africa (we are the Arkansas of the world), a total of eight million people came out into the streets at one time or another over a period of 19 days to completely shut the country down until the royal dictatorship toppled. It was not easy. The king had issued shoot at sight orders.

The First Major Revolution Of The 21st Century Happened In Nepal
The French Revolution And DFNYC

There were two follow-ups: in January-February 2007, and more recently in February 2008. This was the civil rights movement for us Madhesis inside Nepal. We got our own state in a to be federal Nepal.

Most important, I think a formula has come out of Nepal that has to be shared with all those countries that are not yet democracies: Democracy Spreading Mechanism. I desperately want to sell this formula to the progressives in New York City and beyond. That is how you beat the neocons.



Weak Social Muscles

My natural self is I am bubbley and excited socially. But the zombie existence necessitated by the Nepal work and the subsequent Obama work came with a price. At the low points I would show up for events, I would find it is hard for me to connect to any one person for more than 30 seconds or a minute or two at most. It felt almost like a medical condition. It is an occupational hazard of the 2.0 workers like cabbies who don't exercise end up with backaches.

2.0 is not about to go away. Nepal work was followed by Obama work has been followed by a young startup. But the biggest lesson I have learned so far in the city has been that there is no 2.0 without 5.0. Got to strike a balance or you will go nuts. (Web 5.0: Face Time)

Barack's Mother Makes An Appearance
Barack Has To Talk Much About His Mother

During the Nepal work, I did not much notice, it felt like being in a trance. But I have noticed after that.

New York City's Progressive Galaxy



Politics, Business, Media, Academia

2.0 makes Nepal work and Obama work seamless. 2.0 also makes it possible to dip into a few different domains seamlessly: politics, business, media, academia.



Internet, Race, Gender

Internet access is the voting right for this century. That is why I can't imagine running for any office locally. That would be such a diversion from what I want to do for my people, my Global South people. My tech startup is really the 21st century NAACP, if you will. I am very political, true, but I think I would be a lousy legislator. It is the executive branch that gets me. A CEO is an executive. My digital democrat ways suit me perfect: I get to skip the shaking hands part.

The last was the American century. This is the Internet century. You can't bring everyone to America, but you can take America to everybody. The Internet is how you do it.

Internet is technology, but race and gender are social issues. How are they related? The Internet is a social technology, that is how. The Internet is the only way to bridge the gap between the West and the Global South.

So the jump from Nepal to Obama to tech startup is a progression. It is not like I jumped ship, quit politics, and went for a whole different career altogether. Think seamlessness.



Race, Gender

If you are not comfortable talking race and gender, you are not a true progressive in my book. That is the best way to make progress on both.



Love

Love is a mysterious thing. It is my social observation that most people stick to their own kind, and that is all cool. If shared interests is a good enough reason, perhaps shared culture is also a good enough reason.

Confronting My Own Demons

But all that mumbojumbo is until you find The Person. I have dropped the ball many times with the person I like. The mandatory coat check was only the latest trigger that threw me off balance. There were a few before that. But I believe I am past the obvious triggers by now. I still have a past to deal with. And race is part of the social reality. But I feel like I might be at the cusp of a new beginning. We will find out.

I Am Different

What excites me, what fascinates me is the future. Shared culture does not get me. The Nepalis in NYC are so full of social ills - ethnic prejudices, sexism, internalized racism - that they are like medical patients to me. 99% of them are from a very different ethnicity, it is like they were white, I were black. Same with my Indian heritage. I am Bihari. Most Indians in the US are Gujarati, Maratha and Tamil.

It is no accident that most people I have got to know and like in the city are political junkies. (Progressive Political Religion: No Place For Superpowers) I feel like I share a religion with them, nothing less. DL21C is the crown jewel among the organizations in the city. It has to grow fast and wild: Blueprint For DL21C: Party Inside A Party.

My closest friend in the city is my business partner, Adam. He is amazing. We are going to do big things together. Right now he is in Romania with his fiance and her family. I have asked Anna and Adam to pray for me Wednesday in Romania. The dude proposed to her towards the end of their cross country road trip last month. I believe they were up in the mountains.

Montana

Facebook Friends With Chelsea Clinton

Paramendra and Chelsea Clinton are now friends.10:58am

In The News

Analysis: Google App Engine alluring, will be hard to escape Ars Technica Aimed almost squarely at the loosely-coupled Amazon Web Services, Google is betting that developers and startups will opt to host their applications in Google's cloud, taking advantage of Google APIs, and leveraging the nearly unlimited processing power and storage capacity of Google's servers. ..... it allows you, the developer, to begin coding without having to worry about all the nitty-gritty issues involved with hosting, buying expensive hardware, and scaling your code. ..... Amazon's more open-ended EC2 service

Officials extinguish Olympic flame amid heavy protests in Paris CBC.ca
India joins queue for Africa's resources Guardian
Tibetan leaders struggle to speak for split populace Christian Science Monitor In the past 20 years, the Dalai Lama has transformed the Tibetan government in exile from the semitheocracy he brought from Tibet to a relatively independent democracy. In doing so, he has invested it with more responsibility. ....... 80 schools and 40 refugee settlements across South Asia .... 110,000 Tibetan refugees worldwide ...... more than 140 Tibetans have been killed in the crackdown. ....... embassy-like missions in 13 cities from New York to London to Tokyo ...... "He always says, 'You should work as though there is no Dalai Lama' " ...... 43-member parliament, which are held every five years in the subcontinent, Europe, and North America.
Barack Obama Opens Campaign Headquarters In Lexington WYMT
Clinton's Mark Penn Problem TIME Burson-Marsteller, one of the largest firms in the world of public relations ...... Penn's private blog for his Burson-Marsteller colleagues
Help for Sex-Starved Wives a desire gap ..... one out of every three couples experiences this difficulty ...... the kinds of hills and valleys that all couples go through, even when they have a really healthy sex life ..... what becomes the main issue in their relationship. ...... the person with the higher desire just lives their life in lonely misery ..... Low desire in men has got to be America's best-kept secret. ...... the vast majority of men who experienced low sexual desire were completely unwilling to talk with their wives, go to a doctor or go to a therapist ..... it is very, very common for people to be mismatched in their sexual desire ...... the person with the lower sex drive controls the sexual relationship ...... they have veto power. .... biological, emotional or relationship-oriented ....... most antidepressants dampen desire and the ability to be aroused. A cardiovascular disease of any sort is a problem too ........ depression is rampant ...... if he has a childhood history of sexual abuse, or if he grew up in a dysfunctional family and has low self-esteem ....... underlying, unresolved relationship problems ...... wives are critical or nagging ....... criticism and nagging are not aphrodisiacs. So, many men just go into a cave. ...... she has totally let herself go. She doesn't eat well. She doesn't exercise. All she ever wears is sweatpants ....... attraction is a very basic, animalistic thing ..... Men are more visually oriented ...... anyone wanting a more robust sex life can have it. It's never too late to have a great sex life.

Situation unfavourable for polls in five districts: NEMA NepalNews Dhankuta, Dhanusha, Dhading, Jumla and Kalikot ..... out of 290 incidents of code of conduct violations recorded over the last two weeks, Maoist have their involvement in all except for one in Doti

Violence-hit Nepal ups security ahead of polls AFP
The Life of a Polygamous Woman ABC News largest child abuse case in the nation's history ..... some wonder how and why women in the cloistered community led by the jailed polygamist leader Warren Jeffs were silent for so long. .... The women spend much of their days caring for children on the compound's 1,700 acres. The women till gardens, quilt and often were forced to marry while still in their teens. ..... it's the power of persuasion and control that keeps the women captive. ...... Women wear hand-sewn garments, their extremely long hair pinned up in braids, and don ankle-length dresses, as if from another century. ....... He allowed no television, radio or Internet access. Even laughter was forbidden. ....... he did allow iPods, which people could use to listen to hours of his sermons, and his control extended beyond what people could read, see and wear. He also controlled who married whom and, he claimed, who got to go to heaven. ........ You don't do anything except do what you're told ...... many women remain loyal to Jeffs ...... "I have a right to worship any damn thing I want; wear any damn clothes I want," said one female follower.
ANALYSIS: Asian giants India, China prepare to compete in Africa Monsters and Critics.com
Iraqi cleric cancels plans for massive protest march Los Angeles Times Shiite cleric Muqtada Sadr abruptly canceled plans for a massive anti-government and anti-U.S. march on Wednesday after accusing security forces of blocking followers from reaching the capital.
Why The Clintons Held Onto Mark Penn CBS News
Clinton Punches, Obama Bowls, and McCain Reminisces Media Channel
Obama to Question Petraeus This Afternoon CBS News
Obama visited Pakistan as a college student Thaindian.com
Strategist's behaviour may rob Clinton of weapon against Obama Globe and Mail

Clinton campaign wobbles after top strategist quits AFP Penn's departure had been rumored as early as January, when Clinton lost the leadoff nominating contest in Iowa to Obama, in what has evolved into a furious confrontation for the nomination. ..... But Clinton's win in New Hampshire a few days later staved off a shakeup and left internal rivalries simmering
Obama Raises Cash, Clinton Shakes Up Staff KCBS Obama raised more than $1 million at four private fundraisers
Clinton: ‘The Boys’ Made Me Tough New York Times all those years fighting off the “boys” that gives her the strength to resist calls to drop out ..... “Well, I have not bowled since I left the White House,” Mrs. Clinton said. ..... She didn’t fare much better than Mr. Obama. Her first try was a gutter ball. On the second try, she knocked down a lone pin.
Campaign to highlight Clinton's humanity after Penn's departure Guardian, UK clashes over his outside work for other clients - notably the government of Colombia, screaming matches with senior campaign staff, and withering criticism of his strategy. ...... Clinton would gradually try to shift the focus from experience and readiness to lead - Penn's vision for her candidacy - towards highlighting her more human side. ...... Penn would continue to provide polling for Clinton. ........ Penn's latest blunder had merely been a pretext to end a relationship that was no longer benefiting the Clintons. ...... Penn has earned $13 million for his work for the Clinton campaign - while maintaining his corporate jobs. ...... Garin describe him as a solid, data-driven strategist with a command of intricate polling data. ...... a more personable character than Penn, and is less likely to be a part of publicly aired infighting
Dean: Clinton or Obama Will Be Firm Leader for Nomination by July U.S. News & World Report, DC Once the Democratic primaries conclude in early June, the superdelegates will make their final decisions and put either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama on a clear path to the party's presidential nomination, says Howard Dean ....... he expects the unpledged delegates to clarify their positions by July 1 ...... will make the national convention in Denver much less contentious than is now feared. ..... Florida and Michigan ..... seat the delegates in some way ..... Puerto Rico, Montana, and South Dakota in early June .... the long fight for the Democratic nomination has been good for the party because it has generated intense excitement and drawn hundreds of thousands of new voters to the party ....... he liked an extended primary season because it allows candidates to build excitement, recruit supporters, and show their mettle over a long time. ....... the Texas Democratic Party has had a "rebirth"
Poll: Obama widening lead over Clinton Kansas City Star
Gallup Daily: Obama Moves to 9-point Lead Over Clinton Gallup Poll News









Tibetan Buddhism's next leader? International Herald Tribune In a thriller that is already a legend among Buddhists, the Karmapa and two fellow monks drove in secret from Tsurphu Monastery, north of Lhasa, to the remote and rugged border of Mustang, a former Buddhist kingdom now part of Nepal. From there he and his companions made a dash by horseback to the nearest Nepali airport, from which they were able to fly unnoticed via Katmandu to Delhi. The Karmapa, born Ogyen Trinley Dorji, arrived unannounced in Dharamsala, the Dalai Lama's base, in January 2000, and has remained under the watchful eye of the Tibetan leader since. ...... The Karmapa's American followers would like to have him establish his base in the United States, making him the first Asian religious leader of that magnitude to live in the West. ..... the wise older man and the vigorous young lama



McCain Calls Plans to Withdraw From Iraq, ‘Reckless’ New York Times
McCain rebukes Democrats' views on Iraq withdrawal Los Angeles Times
McCain says Iraq approaching normalcy MSNBC
Protest Disrupts Torch Relay in Paris New York Times
Olympic torch relay again met with protests Sports Network

Princess Diana unlawfully killed BBC News the "gross negligence" of driver Henri Paul and the paparazzi ...... Mr Paul's drink-driving and a lack of seatbelts contributed to their deaths. ....... unlawful killing through grossly negligent driving - or gross negligence manslaughter...... The total cost to British taxpayers of investigating Princess Diana's death is expected to top £10 million. ....... "For 10 years I have endured two police investigations. The French and the Scotland Yard inquiries were wrong. These inquests prove it. They said it was an accident and their findings are now dismissed." ........ there is no conspiracy



Hillary Clinton strategist quits amid Colombia trade flap Reuters
Top Clinton Aide Leaving His Post Under Pressure New York Times
Hillary's chief strategist is ousted Newsday
Penn Out As Clinton Senior Strategist The Associated Press
Campaign Memo Up Close, Montana Compares Clinton and Obama New York Times
Obama's trip out West MSNBC

Can Ed Rendell Deliver for Clinton? Time "I am the best messenger to Philadelphia and Pennsylvania about the 1990s," Rendell boasts. "What part of the 1990s didn't you like—the peace or the prosperity?" ...... "It's stunning. Does Keith Olbermann get checks from the Obama campaign?" ..... grew up on Manhattan's Upper West Side ..... "I like Barack," he says. "If he's the nominee, we'll bust a hump for him."
Being American — and Muslim Wearing the hijab is first and foremost an act of worship and obedience ...... In Saudi Arabia, there was easy access to mosques — almost every street or neighborhood had one. While out shopping, I didn't have to plan around prayer times: shops closed at each prayer, and we would simply walk over to the closest mosque, pray, then resume our shopping. It's different in America. ...... I have a husband who can't understand how I spend so much time at the mall; I have big dreams for work; I play sports; I love to run. ..... Shireen Khan is a producer for Time.com

Texas removes 183 women and girls from sect ranch Reuters
Zimbabwe Opposition Reluctant on Runoff The Associated Press
Rival Resists Zimbabwe Runoff, Saying He Won New York Times
135000 police on the streets as Nepal waits for vote that could ... Scotsman
Roles Collide: Adviser To Clinton Campaign Loses Job for His Firm Washington Post The two roles collided last week when Penn met with Colombian officials to discuss a pending trade agreement
In Tibetan Monasteries, the Heavy Hand of the Party Washington Post After widespread protests swept the Tibetan plateau last month, Chinese leaders responded with a combination of arrests, interrogations and vigorous education campaigns. ....... For Tibetan Buddhists, the education campaigns undermine their core beliefs and are a hated humiliation. For the Chinese, the campaigns boil down to a simple loyalty oath. ...... the two years since tough-talking Zhang Qingli took over as party secretary for the Tibet Autonomous Region ...... China liberated Tibet from oppressive feudalism in the 1950s ..... officials insisted the only problem in Tibet was that a small group of "splittists" had incited people to riot and that the monks needed more education. ....... The campaigns intensified in 1995 after China named its own Panchen Lama, the second-most-revered figure in Tibetan Buddhism, and the Panchen Lama recognized by the Dalai Lama disappeared. ...... so many monks have fled in the past five decades that there are no more senior monks living in Tibet itself. That makes it nearly impossible to pass on core Buddhist teachings and provides little buffer between Chinese government officials who control the monasteries and the increasingly restive young monks attempting to study there.
Crushing New Poll For Clinton: Obama Leads By 23 In NC 411mania.com After days of Pennsylvania polls showed Hillary Clinton crumbling in the state .... just one month ago, Rasmussen's NC poll had Clinton not far behind in the state, trailing by 7%, 47% to 40%. .... The huge drop also gives more credibility to her huge drops in PA. ..... Obama leads 86% to 9% among black voters while Clinton is holding on to a slight lead among whites, 47% to 38%. A month ago, Clinton led by 20 points among whites. ...... Obama is flooding states with ads which he can afford because of the massive amounts of money he's raising .... she is basically out of money ..... The end is near.
Casey’s backing may be Obama’s key to win Lebanon Daily News It positions the junior senator against virtually the entire Democratic political establishment in the state — while it pits him even in his home town of Scranton against Hillary Clinton, the “hometown girl.” .... Casey, who won his Senate seat with almost 60 percent of the vote .... Casey, who will travel to many campaign stops with Obama and help him navigate through the often-byzantine world of state politics ... Of the state’s 29 supers, Casey becomes only the fourth to side with Obama.
Clinton Ramps Up Call to Count Fla, Mich The Associated Press
No Re-Vote in Michigan a Blow to Clinton Washington Post