The future of web search

A peek into the future – Google's Goggles

The way we search the web is set to be revolutionized by including methods such as image recognition in our search. The first steps seems to have been taken. Meet Google's new visual search engine, Goggles which lets you search by using a image captured by your phone camera.

Already a working app on the Andriod, it would soon reach the iPhone app store and other smartphones. Till now search has worked by matching tags that describe the webpage. The intelligent algorithms then would scourge and give you the best possible results for your search. Taking this a step further, voice search converts words (input as voice) into text and then searches the web.

Image recognition works by matching features and not words, which would be a huge leap in search technology. These matches are than used to give descriptions and even matching to tags. As this is just the beginning, the potential applications and implication would be immense. The first steps seems to be taken by google, but if others get onto this bandwagon and combine it with query based searches, we would see a new leader emerge. And that would have Mountain View on its toes.

Lets wait and watch.

For more information go to http://www.google.com/mobile/goggles/#landmark

Tere Bin Laden

Ali zafar is going to do his bollywood debut when Teray Bin Laden releases in theatres this july. So, cross-border collaborations continue amid all political drama we found ourselves in on daily basis now.

This trend started in musharraf’s era when we started seeing some of the main stream pakistani singers doing playback singing for Indian movies. If you ask me, I am usually the one rooting for collaborative spirit (although some of these projects don’t always turn out to be all that special).

Many in India, as I read in blogs and other avenues openly oppose artistic collaborations as something that deprive Indians or mumbaikers (judging by shiv sena's stance) of jobs that are snatched by Pakistani artists. My stand on this is very simple - although I am not so well versed on laws/complexity of running a business involving international elements. Whether it’s Hollywood, the British film industry or Bollywood – all the projects are green lit only when they are considered profitable and not based on any emotional connotations. Just like bollywood finds it market in main stream pakistani masses, pakistani artist go across the border because they find they have something to contribute. At end of the day, it’s show-business and we find the same thing happening in other parts of the world. Some of biggest star in Hollywood today are actors with australian/english origin and it doesn’t mean they are robbing american-born artist of any opportunities.

And to be fair, bollywood technicians/production companies have become technical savvy over time and increasingly more capable of bringing quality to their presentation – even if most of bolly flicks still lack in content. In terms of music, they seems to have their hands on pulse of our people and usually know what the masses want to hear. I know there are musicians in pakistan who think bollywood music is too loud and over the top. I do think it’s a fair assessment on some part and respect their opinions. But then bollywood also has music composers/producers who got Oscar nods and that’s not an easy feat to accomplish by any means.

Form Follows Technology

So, swaying away from controversial topics and maybe towards something I might have more knowledge about.

In 1896, American Architect Louis Sullivan coined the phrase "Form Follows Function". This phrase became closely associated with 20th century modernism and functionalism. The principle was that the shape of a building should be primarily based upon its intended function or purpose. "Form Follows Function" along with "Ornamentation is Crime" (Adolf Loos, Austrian, 1908) influenced the thoughts of a generation of architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius, Alvar Aalto, Mies van der Rohe, etc,. It continues to influence architects and is considered a vital juncture in the history of architecture. It was the defining driving force of modernism until Robert Venturi's book "Complexities and Contradictions" gave rise to a new brand of thinking now labeled as 'Post-Modernism'.

Over a hundred years later a prodigious roommate of mine (Ruqun Uddin Bhuiya, Bangladeshi, 2008) put his twist on it and said "Form Follows Technology". While he said it in the most casual of tones, I instantly knew he was onto something there. The current generation of architects look to exploit computer technology and embrace the inconceivable/impossible. This upcoming generation of architects implement algorithmic, geometric and parametric functions to derive a CG form. One in which the designer establishes parameters and uses formulae to derive a multitude of design permutations and combinations. One in which the the architect can see a computer generate the design and the only control an architect can exercise is on its parameters.

The following videos and pictures are exmples of generative and parametric design in architecture and urban design. I would especially like to hear from Kunal and Wajid considering their expertise in CG & FX.

Behind the Arabian Veil

So, to kickstart the blog and conversation, I chose to dive right into the controversial and sometimes misunderstood concept of the burqa. Honestly, I might not have a great deal of expertise on the subject & maybe Wajid can shed some light, but anyhow, the reason I chose to talk about it is the impending French vote on banning visual aids of religious orientation (which also includes a ban on Sikh pagdi's).

Considering how the west perceive the burqa as a metaphor for imprisonment this article was liberating (http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/02/04/france.burqa.ban/index.html?hpt=C2). Granted it is purely an individuals opinion (as opposed to a consensus) but then again this blog is about the meeting of personal opinions.

On doing some basic research, I find that Oumkheyr's statement - in the first line of the article, is false (Wajid - correct me if i'm wrong). The Quran simply "urges men and women to dress and behave modestly in society". Never does it state the burqa as a religious dress. 

The burqa was the attire of the dessert people in the gulf - long before islam came into existence. Its purpose was to sheild the eyes and skin from the sun and sand. In that case shouldn't clothing be subjective to location as the purpose of the attire is lost in some other parts of the world. Over the centuries the dress has become synonymous with a religion as opposed to a location. 

Considering that most people perceive the fair skin as a vital ingredient in idealistic beauty,  I wouldn't be surprised if people wear it to avoid tanning. I see women in Chennai wearing elbow length gloves and scarves at the peak of the south Indian summer. go figure.

Anyways, getting back to the issue of religious tolerance and cultural relativity. If I were to dare to compare I would equate a burqa (in the east) to high heeled shoes(in the west). Both of which can be interpreted as tools of society. From what i hear burqas are suffocating and high heels are painful (really, i havent tried either). They are both worn by women to find social acceptance and a majority of the men think girls in either, directly or indirectly make them more attractive.

Anyways, I'm looking forward to reading the comments about this. It would be awesome to get a girls point of view - maybe a stiletto-wearing conservative muslim? Anyways, lets hope for freedom of expression, religion and fashion.

Welcome to Curtains & Umbrellas

Over a year ago, upon Neves's recommendation, we had registered this blog but were too lazy to post anything. Considering most of us live in different cities having a dialogue is tedious especially one where multiple views and opinions are aired. The lack of constructive discourse in Chennai has led me to relaunch such a venture.

For now, I have invited 5 guest authors (who I deemed capable of making a civilized contribution to the discourse & who might represent a diversity in personality and viewpoints). The blog will be open to comments but we can restrict it if we get spam. 

Topics can be as varied as art, design, architecture, India, economy, culture, religion, food, travel, sports, politics, change, music, language and psychology; more often than not, in reference to current affairs. But is open to anything that you might fancy. 

All too often has mainstream media tried to force upon us their biased agenda. This group shall seek to dispel certain notions and stereotypes and strive for objectivity, diversity, credibility and holistic thinking. Heres to many stimulating and engaging discussions.