gwnxmg – That Madras Mom

BLURB:

The first person who will live to be 150 years old has already been born.
The screen that we peer into will soon be within us.
We could soon be taking happiness pills before breakfast.
The perfect partner might need to be charged before bed.

This is a new world we are walking into. And the man who began this journey won’t be the man who ends this journey. Where Will Man Take Us? Explores the changes technology is bringing about in us-as a society and as a species. What will the next generation turn into, what will it be like, how will the new Adam and Eve live and love?
In this book, Atul Jalan tackles nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, quantum computing and genetics, seamlessly weaving the future of technology with the changing dynamics of human love, morality and ethics.

MY REVIEW:

The book is just not like the usual book that we have come across. A sneak peeks into the past and the future where technology would be taking us is the central theme the book is set. The author’s attempt to make us foresee the future is just brilliant. The book just gives you a refresher course of how technology has grown rapidly and invaded human lives. The book is definitely not a quick read, needs a lot of deep diving if you intend to go in sync with the author.

The author clearly makes us understand that we cannot live in this world without technology. Not even for a shorter period of time, we are gadget-free. This is due to more dependence and also social pressure. The book is divided into five sections

1.the drivers of change

2. the new society.

3. the magic of maths

4. end of history

5. the new man

From Artificial Intelligence to Quantum computing the books has anything and everything you need to know about technology. The book gives you the deeply engrossed feel that would want you to dig more by looking into google. That is majorly the reason why I mentioned the book is not a quick read.

I loved “the filter bubble: Many more of me” wherein the author talks about how we humans love to live with like-minded people which slows down our way of thinking. This is discussed in the second part of the book.

As the chapters progress, we come to know how addictive we are to technology. The author relates a few examples from real life which help us understand how we use technology to create, save and destroy life. The book title is rightly set because it is we the humans who are driving the technology not knowing where we are being taken. With the technological power in hand, we can create so that we progress or also destroy. This is definitely possible with the current scenario we live in.

The book is a complete treasure trove of facts which clearly show the efforts the author has taken to research and put forward.

The book is a must-read as it helps you understand the world you live in and makes you think before you make your future choices. The writing style is simple yet that is enough to keep you intrigued.

The cover design is bright and beautiful with drones. This would be a book that I will definitely refer in the future and makes me understand concepts in a different way. I am definitely having a new perspective on technology after reading the book.

MY RATINGS:

Title:4.5/5

Plot:4.5/5

Writing and Presentation:4.5/5

Cover:4.5/5

Overall:4.5/5

BOOK DETAILS:

· Paperback: 272 pages

· Publisher: Penguin Portfolio; 1 edition (13 April 2019)

· Language: English

· ISBN-10: 0143446932

· ISBN-13: 978-0143446934

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Atul Jalan, forever on the lookout for the next exciting idea and the next exciting thing to do, is an entrepreneur who is always on the move.
A childhood interest in technology transformed into a lasting love-life-technology intersections-through which he now explores how the technology man built is transforming him and the institutions he has created. What interests him the most about this merging of biology with technology is the fact that there is no end to it.
There is always something new, something exciting, something surprising around the corner. When not peeking at how technology impacts life next door, Jalan likes to travel-preferably on the bicycle he’s built himself with the aid of a few tech tools he is testing.
A science storyteller and futurist, Jalan is the founder-CEO of a pioneering AI venture, Manthan, by day. It is his fourth successful venture as an entrepreneur, and there is no knowing where he might take us next.
For more about him, visit https://atuljalan.com/.
Thank you #teamysecretbookshelf for recommending.

Thank you #teamysecretbookshelf for recommending.

This blog is a part of the #WeeklyBlogHop hosted by Alpanaand Neha. I would like to thank Pragnya for introducing me to this blog hop and would further like to introduce Aditi to share her take on the prompt.

The very things that hold you down are going to lift you up.

– Timothy Mouse (Dumbo)

How many times are we being questioned or ridiculed for the choices we make. Many a times people are often pushed into stress to make a choice. People tend to lose their individuality or their voice in making (their) choices to be accepted in the society.

This starts right from the moment the child is born. No no nowadays it even starts with the process of birthing.

People don’t even wait for the natural birthing process then begin and are forced for a c section. If you are stubborn that would still wait for normal delivery you are accused of putting the life of an unborn child into danger. Being four hours into labor and with a strong grit that I’m not going for a c section labeled me a stubborn mom for quite sometime. But the moment I delivered normally after about an extra waiting time of an hour made me happy. I did not care about what people or staff talked about me for the little while I was stubborn, but the end result was worth it.

Next came in the breastfeeding phase. Every mother is unique and knows how to take care of her newborn child. The moment you deliver you have advices pouring in from all corners. People who wouldn’t have even inquired during your pregnancy have all the right to advice you during breastfeeding. Every mother is not blessed with much needed supply.

Some could give what is needed for their child, some could pump more that what is required and are kind enough for them to even donate. Some moms could not but stood strong and continued formula feed. I was initially not happy with my supply. There we go, so many advices, suggestions and what not. I was completely let down. Comments of your child is not getting enough, she needs more kept coming in. Then came my health into picture. I was determined to prove people wrong and most importantly to give my baby what she needed. I read blogs and articles to know what needs to be done to increase supply. Know what, the supply depends only majorly upon your thinking and health has a much lesser role. That was a Eureka moment for me. I started concentrating on my thinking that I can do it. I can supply what my baby needs. I started taking foods that increase supply, I believed in me. That made a change and I was able to exclusively breastfeed for the first six months. That was a major milestone for her and me. I felt overwhelmed and could see my baby doing better. Also knew that nobody in age circle in my family did that and yes it was a proud moment.

These are some instances where I realised the things that let me down, are the ones that held me up.

This blog is a part of the #WeeklyBlogHop hosted by Alpana and Neha. I would like to thank Pragnya for introducing me to this blog hop and would further like to introduce Aditi to share her take on the prompt.