Vinay Kumaran

Sometimes when I contemplate a visit to the US, I am reminded of the many things we do better in India. Some of these might be surprises. Couriers. Indian couriers are much more economical and quicker than the monoliths in the US. Competition, lower labour costs etc contribute I assume. Advertisements. Most American ads are bland and boring. They tout things like awards or special offers. Indian advertisements are often funny or thought provoking and make a point about current affairs. The difference is so great they simply cannot be compared. This is an advertisement for Verizon. It is not only boring, it is misleading. The actual cost of an unlimited plan is $75 plus taxes. https://www.verizonwireless.com/plans/verizon-plan/ The advertisement is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3zptG2nVmM. Now compare this with this advertisement for Fevikwik. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4WZF74dAg4. Online grocery shopping. There are so many options from Big Basket to Grofers...

How long has it been since you actually listened to music? I know you probably have music playing when you're driving and you're probably also talking to someone and answering your phone and wondering which would be the best route home. The music is something playing in the background to which you are not paying much attention. How different from going to a concert hall and listening to a live performance. The difference, of course, is in focus. At the hall, you're not doing anything else. All your attention is on the performance and you are able to really appreciate it. It's like the difference between going to a theatre to watch a movie and watching it on TV at home. You get up to answer the doorbell, make a few phone calls, have dinner. At the end of the movie you wonder why people were raving about it when it was released. You can get the concert hall effect at home. Set aside enough time to give the music a fair listening. Don't do anything else. No TV, no m...