"Confidence is the sexiest thing you can wear."
- poster ad for Budweiser in HK

"Without friends no one would choose to live, though he had all other goods."
- Aristotle

Have you ever wondered why in movies the heroes or the really "good" (in a moral way) characters pretty much never die? Why does American cinema refuse to have more stories where the hero dies in the end? Is it because it would weaken the commitment of viewers to Judeo-Christian morality? Or is it because of secular consumerism? (i.e. viewers would be more inclined to watch/purchase a movie if it's happy and the heroes always win)

One in 241 Cambodians is an amputee. Till today there are hundreds of thousands of unexploded landmines around the country. I was wondering if it's feasible for the UN to arrange for some countries to fly over Cambodia and drop debris (or garbage?), to help detonate much of the remaining mines. Then there would have to be a massive clean-up. But once it's all done, there could be one big party.

I saw "Catch Me if You Can" for the first time last night. While highly entertaining and well made, there are a number of interesting philosophical ideas to consider. In a way I understand why Frank was taken out of prison to work for the FBI and paid lots of money to work for banks. This is similar to the amnesty placed on certain kinds of hackers - Microsoft and the government want to pay the hackers to work for them. However, this is totally utilitarian, and I disagree that criminal charges should be mitigated and punishment avoided. While these actions may be profitable for institutions, it sends out a dangerous message - one that encourages high-tech crimes. Also, these individuals do not undergo any punishment/rehabilitation to learn that their crimes were wrong, and that they are morally and legally culpable. Why is it right that some criminal charges but not others be reduced/mitigated because the criminals can be of use to institutions? This is unethical. The Nazis conduced a variety of cruel tests on people in concentration camps. But after the war, the Allies chose to destroy the findings. Sure the findings could have provided some good (e.g. the tests on surviving hypothermia), however the end doesn't justify the means. To me, Frank's story is an example of the creases that exist in the justice system. Can the creases be ironed out though?

I can't understand Maryland fans. Some were wearing "F*** Duke" t-shirts, and many were even chanting "F*** J.J." (a Duke guard, who had an amazing game). In sports you aren't supposed to hate your opponent. They are there so that you can test your (or your team's) skills. If it was war, then you'd want to win at all costs, and would do anything, even dishonorable things. But in sports, people should be more gracious to opponents (or opposing teams). Teams don't try to steal each other's playbooks, as that's just not right and it defeats the purpose of playing the game (but in war, of course you'd try to crack the enemy's codes). I just think Maryland fans should have more respect. They are notorious though, and have been known to throw full bottles of water, and other hard/heavy objects at the heads of fans of the opposing team. During a game in Maryland a few years ago the mother of a Duke basketball player got a concussion! Clearly they have a perverted view of sports.

There were around 160 kidnappings in the Philippines in '03. They involved the middle class too and the ransoms were as low as US$1800. Around only 15% of families go to the police. This is because of fear of them bungling a rescue, hampering the payment of a ransom, or conspiring with the criminals for a share of the payout. Over past 5 years, less than 10% of the kidnapping trials resulted in a conviction. What is wrong with that country? Why can't they get their act together? Ineffectiveness and corruption are extremely prevalent there.

The Babylonians were the ones who invented new year's resolutions. (or made it into a custom)

"I could tell from the moment I saw you that you haven't been going out much, that you've just been staying in and studying."
- My friend Taran, who I haven't seen in a year, who has helped me see that I've been locked away in an ivory tower

I believe that my perceptions/tastes are fairly standard/average/normal/mainstream. However, tonight I saw a movie that made me think otherwise. The movie was "East is East." The Wall Street Journal said it's "hilarious!" and the Rolling Stone said it's "a roaring good time!" However... I found it pretty serious and depressing. The movie is about cultures that clash. I have a lot of empathy for all the people involved... even though they were fictitious. That's because there are many people out there that have comparable lives.

I just learned that my right eye is dominant over my left eye. That means I view/perceive the world through my left-brain, which is the logical/rational part. I wonder about the significance of that on my personality. The right-brain is more emotional/feeling. If you're interested in finding out which of your eyes is dominant, I'll describe the test to you.