Propogation of bias in social media

It was interesting to read the article which developed on the existence of so-called algorithmic bias in the computing world. Numerous studies by different researchers were cited which confirm the existence of a bias in decision-making capabilities of artificially intelligent (AI) computing systems. It works in a closed-loop feedback system wherein the application data, as it grows, trains the logic of machine learning and deep learning algorithms. The growing data, especially in the case of social media, reflects mass mentality and inherent biases of the society, be it related to race, skin color, gender, political views or religion.

The reflection of apparent trends based on bulk data which gets generated with millions of posts on social media platforms does not necessarily portray the myriad voices and opinions which help in giving our society a balanced character. The suggestions, filters, and recommendations on such platforms affect the independent choice-making capabilities of individuals. There have been vigorous stirrings in different parts of the world vowing to preserve the neutral character of the internet, and there have been instances when social media giants have been stopped from tinkering with the neutral order in place.

There is a cue in place for programmers trying to leverage the capabilities of machine learning algorithms, that the data-sets they use to train their models are not free of biases because the source of that data is far from perfect. Efforts and means need to be put in place which could indeed help in minimizing it.

Kashmakash

Wohi dunia hai wohi kashmakash hai
Besabr ho chali in hawaon se betaab hua falak hai
Dhoop mein chal rahe hai hum sab hi
Aur karte seher ki talaash ka naatak hai


Kaali abr ka ek gumnaam sa dar hai
Vapis jo le kar aaya aaj fir ghar hai

Darodeewarein ab kehti hain bahar ghoom aao
Hawayein kehti hain nahi ghar jao
Zameen kehti hai ye nahi hai tere raaste
Aasman ne bhi tod diye humse vaasta

Hum fir bhi nikal pade hai
Kal ki talaash mein
Kya jaane kal hi aa jaye humari aas mein

Wo dur se chali aati hai awaz meri
Kahi chattano me dabi hui cheekho ki tarah
Kisi ki dheemi siskiyo mein aaj bhi jaise aasman garaj raha hai
Kahi dil k kisi kone me aaj bhi Allah bas raha h


Dastoor hai zamane ke jo gala ghot dete hai
Maarte to nahi par adhmara chhod dete hai
Shayad is neele aasman k paar ek aur duniya hai
Jaha muflisi mae jeena jayaz hai
Jaha insaan ki insaan ko kadr hai
Jaha dil bhi sheeshe sa paak saaf hai

Mehroom ho mera har katra wahi
Aur jab insaaf ki ghadi ho
Aur gunaaho ka hisaab ho
Meri ibaadatein bhool kar
Meri masoomiyat nakaar kar
Toota dil dena mujhe uska
Jiske kal ki badnaseebi mae Tune
Khushnaseebi meri rakhi thi chhupakar

Some questions

Do I think a lot?
What is worth thinking?
What is priority?
What is a life without not thinking?
Does it serve purpose?
Has it?
What am I looking for?
Is it outside?
If it is inside who will value it?
Is it always about earning bread and butter and aiming for better the next day?
Who am I?
Disoriented?
Need a reset button?
Is it about forgetting self and start imitating?


Nothing good happens after 2 a.m.
sleeping. good night

The Man In The Glass

Came across an inspiring poem, reproducing it below. Particularly loved the last para..


When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what that man has to say.

For it isn’t your father, or mother, or wife 
Whose judgement upon you must pass
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.

He’s the fellow to please – never mind all the rest
For he’s with you, clear to the end
And you’ve passed your most difficult, dangerous test
If the man in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.

-Peter Dale Wimbrow Sr.

1. A Conversation

A bright Sunday morning Helen calls Avi

"My parents are reaching in afternoon and they will be putting up at a guest house in Santa Cruz for a few days"

Avi still rubbing eyes... 

"hmm...okh..!"

"My sister and one of our childhood friend will also be there, I need to prepare you, see you at the park in an hr.."

As always Helen reaches before Avi who gets there with a Coke and a packet of Lays

"Man.. you need to work on your timings!!!"

"This much is expected, check the day.. and I got late getting these..."

"Of 'course.. I was dying without them, no? Now will you sit or you need invitation?"

"So.. what is the agenda?"

"You need one? What did I tell you on phone?"

"Of 'course I know ..It's a get together with your family!"

"Will you get serious or are you going to smile this sheepishly there also?"

"Arre.. you said you are going to prepare me.. Don't kill my smile! It works every time..!"

"See its happening very fast, I know, but that is how it is.. time is running.. almost a year I told about us at home.. and now I am feeling the push.. they want to get done with this as soon as it possibly be.."

Meanwhile Avi opens Coke and offers to Helen, she refuses

"Its 11!! Nothing mixed. Safe as coconut!"

"No. I don't want it. Pass me lays."

"You need preparation more than I do.. Coke helps boost confidence level.. comes with adrenaline push. Do you want my lawyer to faint before jury?"

"I am doing good without this. You need this my tiger. I know you will turn goat there anyways.."

"Arre.. you don't know me.. I will handle things my way. Full confidence. My way or highway... Just like that first time.."

"Shut up!!"

"You are getting me wrong..! You forget the mantra I taught you while having beer in the park.. 'Maximum privacy is in public!!'"

"Yes I am getting you wrong.. You won't listen to me, will you? I am half dead thinking how it's going to be today when you meet them and you are in your own world, acting superman!!"

"Is that the new name? I like Tiger!!"

"Enough, now throw that bottle and look at me!"

"As you say.. but we should not litter..?"

"What happened to your second mantra? What are these safaiwala's going to do if you don't litter?"

"I was checking your nervousness.. You are doing good!"

"Hmm...!!"

Both smiling.. 

"See.. I want you to speak there. Take them into confidence. Tell them that things are in progress at your end and that we need some time.. or rather you need some time.."

"But this will start a stop watch.. no? And you know the status at my end.."

"I know.. Do we have any alternative?"

"Hmm.. what are they here for?"

"New year.."

"Isn't year equally new in Delhi also??"

"Can't they be with their daughter on 31st??"

"But we already went there.. in October, then in November.."

"Why are you stretching..?"

"Just a question.. but why are you not replying properly?"

"I didn't want to tell you this....."

"Tell me what..?"

"Actually a relative suggested someone for me here in Bombay.. and they are coming to visit them..."

"Fantastic.. here comes the surprise..!"

"I also got to know about this yesterday.."

After a minute of silence -

"Anyways, we got to deal with this... You need coke?"

"Can you mix something??"

"Sure.. room is 5 minutes, I can run in 2.. just wait..!"

"Let it be Tiger... am kidding.."

"You got the ground rules?"

"Is it a marathon?"

"Cool dude!!  Calm down...!  Just dress well. Work on your cover letter. I have told them your pay is better than mine!"

"Don't you worry lady.. I will flatter them..!"

"I know..!   Just speak there.... your silence frightens me...."

Simple philosophies

Karma Yoga: Body and aatma working in unison.

Jnana Yoga: Mind and aatma working in unison.

Bhakti Yoga: Heart and aatma working in unison.



Its pretty simple, do your duty, keep your body and mind fit.

Happy birthday

Manzil

मंज़िल

बही जो हवा, बहके जो कदम
बेपरवाह हुई मंज़िल, ओझल हुए हम

टूटता सितारा जो नज़दीक है
कहता है सम्भलो
मेरी बाँह थाम लो
मेरी रौशनी को चुन लो

हम मे भी अकड़ थी
अमावस से उम्मीद थी
इक टक काले आसमान को देखा
हज़ारों तारों को ढूँढा
बेपरवाही दुरुस्त की

चाँद से महरूमियत ही सही
लेकिन चाँद ढूंढ लेंगे हम ।।

-------------------------