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PREDICTABLY IRRATIONAL

My son gave me a book last fortnight to read: PREDICTABLY IRRATIONAL, authored by an Israeli, Dan Ariely. My first reaction was to dismiss the offer but when he insisted real hard, I was tempted to have a glimpse. But instead of a mere glimpse, I got glued to this book and couldn't wait to finish the book from cover to cover!

Dan is the Professor of Psychology & Behavioral Economics at Duke University. Dan

earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Tel Aviv University, his master’s and doctorate degrees in cognitive psychology from the University of North Carolina, and a doctorate in Business Administration from Duke University.

Using simple experiments, the author demonstrates how expectations, emotions, social norms and other invisible, seemingly illogical forces skew our reasoning abilities.

Have you ever wondered as to why do our headaches persist after taking a cheap painkiller but disappear when we take a more expensive one? No? Well, go on and read the book described by George Akerlof, Nobel Laureate in Economics in 2001, as 'wildly original.'

NIKHAT KAZMI

Nikhat Kazmi, who fought with breast cancer and ultimately went down fighting on 20 Jan 12, was one of the best known film critics, who had been writing for The Times of India.
Personally, I have been reading The Times of India ever since I was in school in 1973. I remember having read hundreds of film reviews by her in mid 80s and the period following that.

Nikhat Kazmi originally hailed from Allahabad and according to those she was known to, she was a firebrand; always full of energy and prepared to take on any task. Her reviews were clear and in detail but the best of all, they were candid. She had many friends in the film industry and millions of people all over India waited for her reviews on new releases.

It is said that recently when she was badly down with cancer, she went to see movies in a wheelchair and wrote reviews, as frank as ever.

Just imagine, the person who was most read on fridays, breathed her last on  Friday. She will be missed by film fraternity and fans alike.