Newton The Non-Scientist

Came across this bit on Newton on Mental Floss.

Newton was a deist and believed fiercely in a single God who created the universe and its natural laws

More from the article.

In addition to his more respectable scientific pursuits, Newton was a student of alchemy and the occult. He conducted numerous experiments attempting to create the mythical Philosopher’s Stone, a substance that could be used to transmute base metals into gold and create an elixir of immortality. His experiments with mercury may have led to the eccentricity that characterized his later years

Quite a different view of the person. Doesn’t change much in classical physics of course.

Foucault’s Pendulum – Umberto Eco

20-25 pages a day, over the last two months, I completed reading Umberto Eco‘s Foucault’s Pendulum. To me, it was like reading a complete history of all the major history societies and occult scientists in one single narrative.

The humour and repartee in the dialogues keep you entertained. I will admit that I did turn a number of pages without actually reading them – they were usually those with extended descriptions of different societies or historical events.

I made a list of all the different references (besides the ones related to the Templars) and categorisation of these references span politics, literature, science, cinema, sports, war, music, geography and even transportation. Good fun for quizzers.

There is one excellent piece where an imaginary publisher reviews a draft presented by one William S. He suggests that this piece needs to be worked upon. Instead of a French chateau, change the locale to Denmark. Obviously, this is Hamlet. William Shakespeare gets a full measure of sarcasm. There is another passage where the same imaginary publisher is presented as the so-called ghost writer who gave Wiliam all the material and all William did was simply write it out in his name.

I recommend everyone to read it.

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IPL: The first ball syndrome

It started with Parthiv Patel in the first match of the IPL. Out caught at slip off the bowling of Malinga of the second ball of the innings. Since then, there have been 27 cases of the O1 virus and specifically 10 instances of the O1B1 virus.

Eh?

O1 = Over 1 i.e. Batsmen getting out in the first over of the innings. O1B1 = Over 1 Ball 1 i.e. batsman getting out on the first ball of the innings. Here’s the ball by ball analysis.

1st ball = 10
2nd ball = 6
3rd ball = 5
4th ball = 1
5th ball = 4
6th ball = 1

It includes heavyweights like Jacques Kallis (twice), Brendon McCullum (twice) and Adam Gilchrist (twice). The two stars are definitely Jesse Ryder (three times) and Parthiv Patel (three times).

Karan Goel got himself run out off the first ball itself. Worse, he was the non-striker. In effect, he went up to the pitch, stood at the other end as the first ball was bowled to Bopara and then tried to run, was run out and then walked back.

So what’s with this disease. Analysis of the way people got out says the following

Bowled 7
Caught behind 8
Leg before 4
Run out 3
Caught aggressive shot 5

Bowled + Caught Behind combined gives 15. That suggests laziness, lack of concentration and or a superb delivery. Couple of ones I remember Ma(s)linga and Fidel Edwards yorking the batsmen first ball.

I can propose the following theories

1. Bowlers think that the first few balls the batsman is likely to play it safe, try and get focus. So how about bowling a ripping yorker? It also explains the leg befores dismissals. One has to get it right, of course. Hence, before getting onto the pitch, warming up is the key. The days of bowling looseners first ball have gone.

2. Batsmen, given it is T20, feel they have to hit every ball to the moon. But their timing and often ability come in the way. Hence, miscues, edges, etc. Right from ball 1.

What I can’t figure out is the run out. Running oneself out first ball is so stupid. Unless it is a fabulous piece of fielding. Then it is pure bad luck (and good for the fielding team)

Anyway, analysis ends. Still a few matches left and we should see some more instances of the two viruses for sure.

1000 views

My WordPress version of my blog has now crossed the 1000 views mark. So a cause to celebrate in the knowledge that there are a few out there who find joy in my ramblings. Some interesting trivia about my blog (interesting from my point of view)

The three most popular posts as of today are

1. Harihareshwar & Shrivardhan: This was a post I had done on my blog when it was on Blogger. This is a log of my own trip to these places on the Konkan coast.

2. Lalbaghcha Raja: This was a post I made following a visit to the mandap. Obviously with the ten day Ganpati festival, this proved quite popular

3. Tied – Creating a revolution with vegetables and my memories of raan: The first one is on the famous story of Kaushalendra, an IIMA guy who started a vegetable retailing model using a refrigerated cart in Patna. The latter was my recollection of a dinner at Karim’s (the memories being triggered by a post on Jenny & Dave’s Our Delhi Struggle)

I wish to thank all you came and saw and read my posts. Please keep coming.