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The Seen and the Unseen - hosted by Amit Varma
Ep 362: You're Ugly and You're Hairy and You're Covered in Shit but You're Mine and I Love You
Jan 1, 2024
Krish Ashok and Narek Shenoy, experts on Indian culture and social media, have a fun conversation with Amit Varma discussing topics like bench pressing, vegetarians being evil, and the different meanings of ch*tiya. They also explore the flaws of airports, the negative effects of alcohol, and the importance of fortification in food. The conversation covers various subjects like Twitter, saris, homeopathic medicine, and the origins of engineering. Additionally, they touch on breaking social norms, the evolution of the human mind, the beauty of the raga Yaman, and the relationship between music and literature.
06:23:54
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Quick takeaways
- Different types of conversations offer unique listening experiences.
- Clear and detailed communication is essential to avoid confusion or errors.
- Vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets both contribute to the killing of living beings.
- Books provide new perspectives and knowledge.
- Vegetarians need to pay attention to meeting their protein requirements.
- Software allows for cross-pollination of ideas and breakthroughs in technology.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Conversations in the Podcast
The podcast episode discusses the different types of conversations the speaker has had over the evolution of their show. It begins with shorter episodes dissecting one topic, then moves to in-depth conversations with experts, followed by deep dives into people's stories. The fourth type of conversation is a fun and spontaneous discussion centered around digressions. Each type has its own format and offers a unique listening experience.
The Importance of Specificity in Communication
The podcast touches on the importance of clear and specific communication. It highlights a story of a carpenter and his assistant, where misunderstandings arise due to lack of precise specifications. The lesson learned is that when giving instructions, it is essential to provide clear and detailed information to avoid confusion or errors.
The Violence in Food Production
The podcast episode delves into the idea that all forms of food production involve some level of violence against nature. It emphasizes that both vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets contribute to the killing of living beings. It challenges the notion of moral superiority based on food choices and raises awareness about the impact of agriculture on ecosystems.
The Power of Books
Books have the ability to transport us to different places and can provide us with new perspectives and knowledge.
The Importance of Protein
Protein is a crucial component of a healthy diet, and vegetarians may need to pay extra attention to ensure they meet their protein requirements through sources like yogurt, paneer, tofu, and legumes.
Innovation in Software
Software allows for easy cross-pollination of ideas and innovation from different industries, which can lead to breakthroughs in technology and problem-solving.
The Optimization of Neural Networks and Memory Recall
The optimization of neural networks in our brains allows us to recall memories efficiently despite the limited computational power of our brains. Memories are like a relay race, where each time we remember something, we are actually recalling the last time we remembered it. This process of memory recall and the fallibility of human memory can lead to different versions of the same event. However, it is through this process that our brain strategically forgets certain details to optimize computational costs. These flashes of recollection can be incredibly evocative and enrich our present moments.
The Principle of Mechanical Engineering and Wisdom of Aged Husbands
Mechanical engineering is considered the earliest form of engineering, while civil engineering is rooted in the principles of building and construction. The banter between mechanical engineers and civil engineers is often playful, with each group asserting their engineering supremacy. On a more lighthearted note, it is said that the best way to improve one's mental health as a woman in India is to stop listening to one's husband after they turn 60. It is suggested that over time, husbands tend to become less sharp and dilute in their thinking, while wives maintain their mental faculties.
The Adventure to Sikkim and the Oxygen Cylinder Dilemma
During a trip to Sikkim, a group of friends embark on an adventure to the mountainous region of Guru Dong Marle. Concerned about altitude sickness, one member of the group insists on bringing an oxygen cylinder. Their search for an oxygen cylinder proves to be fruitless, leading them to question the necessity of such precautions. Upon their arrival in Guru Dong Marle, they find that they are perfectly fine without the oxygen cylinder. They reflect on the absurdity of carrying such a heavy item while witnessing older individuals effortlessly navigate the mountainous terrain.
Yaman - The Evocative Raga
Yaman is a highly evocative raga that is often associated with romantic and emotional expressions. It is characterized by ascending and descending sequences of notes that create a distinct mood. One popular composition in Yaman is 'Jab Deep Jale Aana' which showcases the beautiful melodies created by this raga.
Hari Bhairavi - The Melancholic Raga
Hari Bhairavi is another favorite raga characterized by its melancholic and plaintive tone. It is often associated with compositions that express longing and sadness. Notable songs in Hari Bhairavi include 'Surmayee Shaam' and 'Aalbela Sajna'. The transitions between Hari and Bhairavi highlight the versatility and emotional range of this raga.
Distinct Ragas and Their Expressive Power
Ragas play a crucial role in evoking specific moods and emotions. They are melodies that, through the careful selection and arrangement of notes, create a unique musical expression. Each raga has its own characteristic phrases and patterns that immediately capture the listener's attention. Whether it's the evocative tunes of Yaman or the melancholic melodies of Hari Bhairavi, ragas provide a powerful means of communicating emotions through music.
Balancing a Day Job and Being a Prolific Creator
Balancing a day job and being a prolific creator requires strategic laziness and focusing on the craft. Having an understanding of social media and the preferences of your audience can help in creating content that stands out. There is no universal formula for virality, but paying attention to what makes people share and engage can increase the chances of reaching a wider audience. It is important to think beyond yourself and consider what would make your followers appear smart or share something interesting. Embracing interdisciplinary creativity and finding ways to cover up your weaknesses can make your content more appealing. Lastly, being both an artist and a creator requires balancing authenticity with the desire for validation, as staying true to oneself is what sets you apart.
The Importance of Mastering the Basics
While creativity and uniqueness are important, it is crucial to master the basics of your craft. This includes understanding the fundamentals and principles that underlie your discipline and being proficient in them. For example, in writing, it is important to focus on concrete storytelling rather than abstract ideas. These basics provide a solid foundation that allows for more effective and impactful expression. However, it is important to distinguish between basics and convention, as breaking conventions and exploring unconventional approaches can lead to greater innovation and differentiation.
Balancing Artist and Creator Mentalities
Balancing the artist and creator mentalities entails understanding when to be true to your artistic vision and when to consider the preferences and expectations of your audience. While being an artist allows for personal expression and a focus on creativity, being a creator involves considering the needs and interests of your audience to create content that resonates. It is important to find a middle ground between authenticity and external validation, where you stay true to yourself while also appealing to your audience. This balance allows for both personal fulfillment and audience engagement.
Parenting: The joys and transformations it brings
Parenting brings immense joy and can lead to personal growth. It changes your mindset from focusing on personal milestones to caring for a vulnerable human being. It deepens your appreciation for the challenges women face and their roles in society. It also allows for a better understanding of women's issues and the need for support in balancing careers and parenting responsibilities. However, parenting is a personal choice, and individuals can choose not to have children if they deem it immoral or prefer other life paths.
The Impact of Technology on Parenting and Childhood
Technology has both pros and cons in the realm of parenting and childhood. On one hand, children now have access to a wealth of information, educational tools, and immersive experiences that can enhance their learning and skills development. For example, learning to read through Spotify lyrics. On the other hand, screen time and excessive use of devices can be a concern, as it may limit physical playtime, social interaction, and expose children to potential risks. Moreover, the rapidly evolving landscape of technology raises future challenges, like managing social media usage and ensuring online safety.
Balancing the Benefits and Risks
Parenting in the digital age requires finding a balance between the benefits and risks of technology. It involves being aware of the impact of screen time, monitoring content and interaction, and promoting a healthy lifestyle that includes physical activity and social engagement. It is important to leverage technology to enhance educational experiences, foster creativity, and provide opportunities for learning, while also setting boundaries and ensuring a safe and supportive environment for children's overall growth and development.
Virtual Worlds and Social Awkwardness
The podcast episode discusses the experiences that children can have through modern technology, such as virtual reality (VR). The speaker shares an example of using an Oculus headset to explore virtual travel destinations like Switzerland. While these technological experiences can be exciting and immersive, there is a concern about children not spending enough time with other kids in physical settings, leading to social awkwardness. The pandemic and lockdowns have also exacerbated this issue. It is important to strike a balance between virtual and real-world interactions to ensure healthy social development.
Testing Kids Software and YouTube Channels
The episode highlights interesting insights about how kids' software and YouTube channels are tested and produced. The speaker mentions that kids' software is often evaluated in proper home settings where children's attention is observed while adults engage in various activities. This helps determine the effectiveness and engagement level of the content. Additionally, many popular kids' YouTube channels are based in a concentrated area in Chennai, India, which has a significant presence of animation talent. These channels use vivid colors and engaging visual stimuli to captivate young viewers. The episode emphasizes the growing influence of technology on children's entertainment and the need for responsible content creation and consumption.
28.
Exploring Blind Spots, Preventing Jaggery from Curdling Milk, and Sustainable Habits
4min
What is the difference between ch*tiya and dusht? Why are vegetarians evil? Why do Indians do the best bench pressing? Krish Ashok and Naren Shenoy join Amit Varma in episode 362 of The Seen and the Unseen for the most fun conversation ever. Really, ever. We got it certified. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Krish Ashok on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, his own website and Spotify/Apple Music/Soundcloud. 2. Naren Shenoy on Twitter, Instagram and Blogspot. 3. We Are All Amits From Africa -- Episode 343 of The Seen and the Unseen. 4. A Scientist in the Kitchen — Episode 204 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Krish Ashok). 5. Narendra Shenoy and Mr Narendra Shenoy — Episode 250 of The Seen and the Unseen. 6. Masala Lab: The Science of Indian Cooking — Krish Ashok. 7. We want Narendra Shenoy to write a book. 8. Fixing Indian Education — Episode 185 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Karthik Muralidharan). 9. Kashmir and Article 370 — Episode 134 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Srinath Raghavan). 10. Indian Society: The Last 30 Years — Episode 137 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Santosh Desai). 11. The Life and Times of Shanta Gokhale — Episode 311 of The Seen and the Unseen. 12. The Life and Times of Jerry Pinto — Episode 314 of The Seen and the Unseen. 13. The Life and Times of KP Krishnan — Episode 355 of The Seen and the Unseen. 14. Natasha Badhwar Lives the Examined Life — Episode 301 of The Seen and the Unseen. 15. The Adda at the End of the Universe — Episode 309 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Vikram Sathaye and Roshan Abbas). 16. Dance Dance For the Halva Waala — Episode 294 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Jai Arjun Singh and Subrat Mohanty). 17. Narendra Modi on climate change. 18. Yes Minister -- Jonathan Lynn and Antony Jay. 19. Yes Prime Minister -- Jonathan Lynn and Antony Jay. 20. The Overview Effect. 21. The Day Ryan Started Masturbating -- Amit Varma. 22. Security Check -- Varun Grover. 23. Nothing is Indian! Everything is Indian! -- Episode 12 of Everything is Everything. 24. The Restaurant at the End of the Universe -- Douglas Adams. 25. Arrival — Denis Villeneuve. 26. The Hidden Life of Trees — Peter Wohlleben. 27. Self-Esteem (and a Puddle) — Amit Varma’s post with Douglas Adams’s puddle quote. 28. Bittu Sahgal on Wikipedia, Instagram, Twitter and Amazon. 29. I Contain Multitudes -- Ed Yong. 30. Song of Myself — Walt Whitman. 31. How I Reversed My Type 2 Diabetes -- Episode 9 of Everything is Everything. 32. Fat Chance -- Robert Lustig on Fructose 2.0. 33. How Sugar & Processed Foods Impact Your Health -- Robert Lustig on The Huberman Lab Podcast. 34. Rahul Matthan Seeks the Protocol -- Episode 360 of The Seen and the Unseen. 35. Privacy 3.0 — Rahul Matthan. 36. Abby Philips Fights for Science and Medicine — Episode 310 of The Seen and the Unseen. 37. Shruti Jahagirdar's Twitter thread on Bournvita. 38. Shruti Jahagirdar is the Sporty One -- Episode 289 of The Seen and the Unseen. 39. The Incredible Curiosities of Mukulika Banerjee — Episode 276 of The Seen and the Unseen. 40. Seven Stories That Should Be Films -- Episode 23 of Everything is Everything. 41. What's Wrong With Indian Agriculture? -- Episode 18 of Everything is Everything. 42. The Walrus and the Carpenter -- Lewis Carroll. 43. There is no Frigate like a Book -- Emily Dickinson. 44. Why I'm Hopeful About Twitter -- Amit Varma. 45. A decontextualized reel of Dr Pal on The Ranveer Show. 46. The Liver Doctor's feisty response to the reel above. 47. The full interview of Dr Pal on The Ranveer Show. 48. The Gentle Wisdom of Pratap Bhanu Mehta — Episode 300 of The Seen and the Unseen. 49. Aakash Singh Rathore, the Ironman Philosopher — Episode 340 of The Seen and the Unseen. 50. Dunbar’s number. 51. Snow Crash -- Neal Stephenson. 52. Carl Sagan and Neil deGrasse Tyson. 53. The Selfish Gene -- Richard Dawkins. 54. GianChand Whisky. 55. Beware of Quacks. Alternative Medicine is Injurious to Health — Amit Varma. 56. Homeopathic Faith — Amit Varma. 57. Homeopathy, quackery and fraud — James Randi. 58. Fallacy of Composition. 59. The Secret to a Happy Marriage -- Mike and Joelle. 60. I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud -- William Wordsworth. 61. WD 40 on Amazon. 62. Dog Songs -- Mary Oliver. 63. The Evolution of Cooperation -- Robert Axelrod. 64. The Interpreter -- Amit Varma (on Michael Gazzaniga's split-brain experiments). 65. Human -- Michael Gazzaniga. 66. The Blank Slate -- Steven Pinker. 67. Minority Report -- Steven Spielberg. 68. Free Will -- Sam Harris. 69. Determined: Life Without Free Will -- Robert Sapolsky. 70. Behave -- Robert Sapolsky. 71. Noise -- Daniel Kahneman, Olivier Sibony and Cass R. Sunstein. 72. Brave New World -- Aldous Huxley. 73. Cicada -- Shaun Tan. 74. Don’t think too much of yourself. You’re an accident — Amit Varma’s column on Chris Cornell’s death. 75. Are You Just One Version of Yourself? -- Episode 3 of Everything is Everything. 76. Lat Uljhi Suljha Ja Balam -- Bade Ghulam Ali Khan performs Raag Bihag. 77. Danish Husain and the Multiverse of Culture -- Episode 359 of The Seen and the Unseen. 78. Danish Husain’s anecdote about Mahatma Gandhi and Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. 79. Pushpesh Pant Feasts on the Buffet of Life -- Episode 326 of The Seen and the Unseen. 80. Arijit Singh on Autotune. 81. How Music Works -- David Byrne. 82. Raga Lalita Gauri -- Mallikarjun Mansur. 83. Raag Lalita Gauri (1947) -- Kesarbai Kerkar. 84. Raga Vibhas -- Mallikarjun Mansur. 85. Mohe Rang Do Laal -- Song from Bajirao Mastani. 86. Raag Basanti Kedar -- Mallikarjun Mansur. 87. Travelling through Pakistan; from Karachi to K2 -- Salman Rashid on The Pakistan Experience, hosted by Shehzad Ghias Shaikh. 88. A rare video of Balasaraswathi dancing while singing Krishna Nee Begane. 89. Krishna Nee Begane Baro -- Madras String Quartet. 90. Albela Sajan -- Hard rock adaptation by Krish Ashok and Vijay Kannan. 91. [Don't Fear] The Reaper -- Blue Oyster Cult. 92. Krish Ashok's Sanskrit version of the song above. 93. Purple Haze -- Jimi Hendrix. 94. All That She Wants — Ace of Base. 95. Caste, Gender, Karnatik Music — Episode 162 of The Seen and the Unseen (w TM Krishna). 96. Brown Eyed Girl -- Van Morrison. 97. Astral Weeks -- Van Morrison. 98. Moondance -- Van Morrison. 99. Episode on Astral Weeks in the podcast, A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs. 100. In a Silent Way — Episode 316 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Gaurav Chintamani). 101. Advaita on YouTube Music, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram and Twitter. 102. Raman Negi on YouTube Music, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram and Twitter. 103. Greta Van Fleet and The Mars Volta on Spotify. 104. Shakti and Indian Ocean on Spotify. 105. Pink Floyd and Kendrick Lamar on Spotify. 106. Analysis of Food Pairing in Regional Cuisines of India -- Anupam Jain, Rakhi NK and Ganesh Bagler. 107. Krish Ashok's reel explaining the above paper. 108. Amitava Kumar Finds the Breath of Life -- Episode 265 of The Seen and the Unseen. 109. How to Show, Not Tell: The Complete Writing Guide -- Diane Callahan. 110. We Love Vaccines! We Love Freedom! -- Episode 27 of Everything is Everything. 111. Math Is Better Than the Brigadier's Girlfriend -- Episode 15 of Everything is Everything. 112. Chintaman and I -- Durgabai Deshmukh. 113. Kavitha Rao and Our Lady Doctors — Episode 235 of The Seen and the Unseen. 114. Lady Doctors -- Kavitha Rao. 115. Jeff Bezos on The Lex Fridman Podcast talking about one-way doors and two-way doors. 116. It is immoral to have children. Here’s why — Amit Varma. 117. Population Is Not a Problem, but Our Greatest Strength — Amit Varma. 118. Our Population Is Our Greatest Asset -- Episode 20 of Everything is Everything. 119. ChuChuTV. 120. A Deep Dive Into Ukraine vs Russia — Episode 335 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Ajay Shah). 121. The State of the Ukraine War -- Episode 14 of Everything is Everything. 122. King Lear -- William Shakespeare. 123. Churchill: Walking with Destiny -- Andrew Roberts. 124. Churchill and the genocide myth — Zareer Masani. 125. Perplexity. This episode is sponsored by CTQ Compounds. Check out The Daily Reader and FutureStack. Use the code UNSEEN for Rs 2500 off. Amit Varma and Ajay Shah have launched a new video podcast. Check out Everything is Everything on YouTube. Check out Amit’s online course, The Art of Clear Writing. And subscribe to The India Uncut Newsletter. It’s free! Episode art: ‘’Let's Dance" by Simahina.
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Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode