Professor Diwan's course on Algorithms

Today morning, Prof. Diwan discussed the solutions to the first two midsem problems in his course CS218, "Design and Analysis of Algorithms". I feel privileged to have the opportunity to learn from him. I feel, however, that I will gain much more if I put in more sustained and regular effort into his course than I have done so far.

A belated New Year's resolution: For the next two months, until semester end, I shall spend the morning hours between 8:00 and 12:00 (when I am not attending a lecture) working on either:
(a) Kleinberg and Tardos's book, "Algorithm Design" and/or
(b) Cormen, Leiserson, Rivest and Stein's "Introduction to Algorithms"

The time will be spent on trying to solve problems and/or studying the solved examples in these books. I intend to sit at the Gulmohar Garden cafeteria. Plus I shall spend at least one full day in addition on the course. (Most probably Wednesday evening and as much of Thursday as possible). During this time, I shall go over the material that Prof. Diwan has discussed in class, and/or have discussions with my classmates and/or try tutorial problems suggested in class.

This would mean an investment of 2.5 hours every morning, at least during weekdays (Monday thru Friday). For a total of 12.5 hours per week at least, counting only the weekday morning sessions.

At the semester end, I will note how well I have stuck to this resolution.

I wonder if I am being too ambitious.

Poems that have had a deep impact on me

1. Mortality
Author: William Knox

Also known by its first line "Oh! why should the spirit of mortal be proud?" The poem was Abraham Lincoln's favorite. During a difficult time, I came across this poem and learnt it by heart.

Here is a link: Mortality
===================================================
Here are the opening lines:
Oh! why should the spirit of mortal be proud?
Like a swift-fleeting meteor, a fast-flying cloud
A flash of the lightning, a break of the wave
He passeth from life to his rest in the grave.
===================================================

The overwhelming mood is one of poignant loss and a recognition of the inevitability of death. (In a later posting, I shall write about the science-fiction novel "The Eyes of Heisenberg" which deals with a possible dystopian society in the distant future ruled by human and inhumane immortals).

 2. Garden of Proserpine
Author: Algernon Charles Swinburne

I came across this poem at around the same time as "Mortality" by William Knox.
It did not have quite the same impact, but some lines (see below) have stayed with me.

Proserpine is another name for Persephone, Queen or Goddess of the Underworld in Greek mythology. (Note to fans of the movie Matrix: Monica Bellucci plays Persephone).

Here is a link to the poem: Garden of Proserpine
===================================================
Here are the specific lines that still send chills (in a good way) down my spine:

.....

Pale, beyond porch and portal,
    Crowned with calm leaves she stands
Who gathers all things mortal
    With cold immortal hands;

.....
She waits for each and other,
    She waits for all men born;
Forgets the earth her mother,
    The life of fruits and corn;
.....
===================================================
The awe-inspiring imagery evoked by the stanzas above has always stayed with me, and I often find myself reciting those lines.

Prometheus Unbound: What's in a name?

As promised in my first ever blog posting, I shall now explain the meaning and significance of my blog's title.

As a child of about eight, I first came across the legend of Prometheus in the "Chandamama" magazine. (I can still vaguely bring to mind the pictures accompanying the story). The name Prometheus means "forethought" i.e. foresight.

For those unfamiliar with the legendary Greek hero, I recommend the Wikipedia entry on Prometheus. 

Short summary of the legend of Prometheus

In Greek myth, Zeus, the ruler of the Olympians (collectively the Greek Gods and Goddesses), despises Mankind and plans to destroy it. Prometheus is a Titan (a kind of anti-God) who loves Mankind. To enable "Men to become as Gods", he steals fire from the Gods and gives it to Man. (Hence he is also called by his epithet as "The Fire-Bringer").

For this and other similar "transgressions", Zeus sentences Prometheus to eternal torment. Prometheus is chained to a rock and has his liver eaten every night by an eagle. During the course of the next day, the liver would regenerate, only to be eaten by the eagle again the coming night. (1)

As punishment for Mankind, Zeus sends the first Woman, Pandora, who brings with her all the ills that Mankind is subject to, the worst of all ills being "Hope".(2) & (3)

After "thrice ten-thousand years", the Greek hero Heracles (or Hercules) (ironically a son of Zeus by one of his many amorous dalliances) frees Prometheus from his torment.

As the price of his freedom, Prometheus is to reveal to Zeus a great secret, the knowledge of which will prevent his (Zeus's) downfall from Omnipotence. (4)

Prometheus and Zeus are reconciled in this version of the Greek legend.

End of summary

Observations:
1. Wonder if the eagle didn't consider the monotonous fare to be torture as well?
2. Misogyny is a recurring theme in mythology, and says something about mankind's psyche i.e. the way (many) men perceive women. (More on this in a later blog posting).
3. False hope is certainly a curse, and since it is often difficult to distinguish hope from false hope, oftentimes some (mistakenly in my view) consider hope to be a curse as well.
4. Zeus's conduct is not praiseworthy and exemplifies Lord Acton's famous adage "Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely." It could be argued that having saved Mankind from Zeus's wrath and ensured for it a glorious Destiny, Prometheus's decision to reconcile with Zeus was the only sensible thing to do, saving him from further torment.

And yet .....  And yet .... And yet ....

Now we come to the title of my blog.

"Prometheus Unbound" is the title of Percy Bysshe Shelley's play.
Note to myself: Read this play in its entirety sometime.

In PBS's version, Prometheus does not reveal to Zeus the secret of his (Zeus's) coming downfall. So Zeus is unable to prevent it, and gets his (well-deserved) comeuppance.

For a variety of reasons, some intensely personal, methinks this version is ultimately more satisfying. Tyrants always deserve (a) derision and (b) to be thrown off their high horse. (The Arab nations are trying the experiment as I write these lines -- let's hope something good comes of it).

(Jeez, I wonder who would be Zeus in the Indic context? Answer: One who probably imagines himself to be "Lord" Narayana perhaps?)

"The Fire-Bringer"

In August 1999, following the advice of certain persons I (incorrectly) believed worthy of my respect and esteem and trust, and disregarding the advice of one who was, I made a disastrous choice to join the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, hoping to obtain a PhD in the newly emerging field of Computational Neuroscience. One of my primary motivations for making the choice was my  intent to return to our motherland after a few years.

Well, I got my wish about returning to India. But not much else. (Not even a terminal Masters' from MIT).

Methinks the period of "thrice ten-thousand years" has elapsed, however. (Touchwood).

(Zeus, I do hope you can read this. Oh, but of course you can. You are omniscient, right? But omniscience is no guarantee of wisdom or compassion or good sense or basic decency, is it?)

Prometheus is Unbound. And he is very angry .

Coming blog postings (but maybe not the immediate next):
1.Some observations about the field of Computational Neuroscience (and Theoretical Neuroscience and Neurophysics and similar matters regarding other inter-disciplinary research fields).
2. Two of my favorite characters from fiction:
    a. Howard Roark from Ayn Rand's "The Fountainhead" and/or
    b. Golan Trevize from Isaac Asimov's "Foundations Edge".

My First Blog Posting Ever

My first ever blog will be about why have I decided to write a blog. My second blog will about the title of my blog.

Why I have decided to write a blog?

My reasons are likely similar to others who do. But ... they are still my reasons. So here goes.

Today is a Sunday, the 13th of February 2011. The time is approximately 11:20 p.m. 40 minutes from Valentine's Day, Feb 14th.

A few months ago, around mid-October or early November 2010, a (very attractive) lady friend of mine stated on her Facebook web-page that she had decided to take up (or possibly restart after a longish gap) dancing. That inspired me to take up dancing as well. The last time I had danced was as a grad student at MIT, when I attended square dancing classes -- more than 10 (!) years ago. I have been attending salsa and ballroom dancing classes for the past 3 months. I hope to be a fair to good dancer by the time I complete my Ph.D.

A few weeks ago, around early January 2011, I came across the blog of another (also very attractive and impressive) lady friend. Reading her blog has motivated me to take up another activity I used to love -- namely, writing.

And so .... I have decided to start blogging.

(I had hoped to audit Prof. Neelima Talwar's creative writing course this semester, and had briefly discussed the matter with her. But I have too many other commitments at the moment).

I hope to get my creative juices flowing and write at least one blog every week.
Plus I would like to set down my thoughts about various matters. Thoughts about everything from science (especially neuroscience and physics) and tech and engineering (especially electrical engineering and computer science) and mathematics (of course!), to the music and films I watch, and the books I read, and the people who have played a role in my life, whether knowingly or unknowingly.

Such as the two women I mentioned above.

(Digression: I have always thought that many stories in our (i.e. Hindu) mythology such as that of Vishwamitra and Menaka, for example, do injustice to womankind by portraying Woman as (primarily) Temptress. But that is true of many myths the world over. Far better to acknowledge Her role as Inspirer, as I have done.

There is of course at least one other absolutely amazing and extraordinary and competent lady who has always played that role in my life, and continues to do so .... Guess who?  (See the next blog posting)).

I hope that answers question (a)

The answer to question (b): In my next blog posting.

(Hmmm... The critic in me is dissatisfied with my posting. I have spent the better part of the past 15 minutes making minor changes which I don't think were really necessary. Comments, including critical ones, from my friends and well-wishers are always welcome. But I think I will tell my internal critic to be silent .....)

OK. So for better or for worse, here is my first ever blog posting.