The 180 Pulse
With thought-provoking articles covering varied domains, 180DC SRCC aims to create student leaders through a holistic learning experience.
Read to take a deep dive into looking at world issues from the eyes of a consultant.
BUSINESS AND FINANCE
Product Updates: Is Latest Really the Greatest?
Consumers often assume that the latest product iteration is superior, but this isn’t always the case. Businesses frequently use updates, sometimes minor, to renew interest and attract buyers. This “newer is better” assumption can lead to blind consumerism, pushing unnecessary purchases and creating overconsumption trends. Despite occasional disappointment, consumers maintain interest, assuming the next iteration will surpass predecessors. While updates can improve efficiency and satisfaction, misleading updates can exploit consumers’ trust, leading to inferior purchases and unnecessary expenses.
Check out T Himaja Reddy’s article as it navigates through the disruptive world of product updates and their impact on consumer rationality by analysing the example of Apple’s recent launch of iPhone 15.
End to password sharing: Boon or Bane for Netflix?
In a shocking twist, Netflix has declared war on password sharing, ending an era where one subscription meant endless connections. The fallout was immediate – angry subscribers, threats to abandon ship. But did Netflix’s gamble pay off? The unexpected answer lies in a surge of 5.9 million new subscribers, defying skeptics and reshaping the streaming landscape. Dive into the full article to unravel the suspense behind Netflix’s bold move – a decision that not only challenges the norms but leaves a lasting mark on the future of online entertainment. Discover how the streaming giant turned a potential crisis into a triumph, setting the stage for a new era in streaming.
The Real Estate Market Crash In China
This article by Sanit Jain discusses the Chinese real estate market crash, its causes, and its effects on the economy. The author argues that the crash was caused by a combination of factors, including over-ambitious players, prodigal use of funds, unsustainable financial practices, and a lack of foresight. The crash has had a significant impact on the Chinese economy, leading to unemployment, a fall in household income, and a cash crunch in the financial sector. The Chinese government is taking steps to protect the industry and prevent a financial crisis, but the author argues that the crash has highlighted the need for a more diversified economy and a more developed financial system.
Read more to find out!
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Virtual Fashion: To wear, or not to wear
In a society recently ravaged by a pandemic, networking over the internet appears to be a routine chore. One may converse from the comfort of their own home using innovative programs such as the Metaverse. Digital clothing is something that enhances these encounters. Clothes no longer exist physically in this fashion-meets-digital scenario, instead, they are chosen from a virtual depiction created using 3D software and AR-based computer technology. But what is the future of this technology? Will its popularity fizz out?
Read out as Tanvi Vaidhyanathan delves deeper into the nuances of virtual fashion and provides with an interesting insight of this industry.
The Rising role of AI and its Future Impact on the Consulting Industry
Since the pandemic took over our lives, the word at the top of our minds has been ‘uncertainy’. Jobs are being replaced and taken over by machines on a daily basis as a result of the rise of a technological world. AI has the potential to do the same for the next generation, and it has become a source of concern for both young and old professionals.
What will the future of consulting be in this situation? Can consultants be ‘replaced’? Read as Harishraj Srinivasan tries to figure out the road ahead for the consulting industry in the AI-driven world.
Quantum Computing
A problem that would otherwise take the world’s fastest computer Fugaku 600 million years to complete, was solved in a matter of 200 seconds. Solely through quantum computing. Taking the world of technology by storm, quantum computing is revolutionising sectors including healthcare, finance, banking and entertainment.
Read the latest article on 180 Pulse, wherein Gaurika Manchanda breaks down Quantum Computing bit-by-bit. The future is here, thanks to this technology.
ECONOMIC AND PUBLIC POLICY
FIFA Finals: The End of Qatar?
In the aftermath of the grand conclusion of the FIFA Finals in Qatar, the world celebrated the crowning of a new champion. However, as the cheers fade away, it is crucial to cast a critical eye on the true cost of hosting such extravagant global events. Behind the glitz and glamour, a darker narrative unfolds—a story of exploitation and questionable ethics. What did it take for Qatar to pull off this spectacular tournament? Who bore the burdens of its success? Join us as we peel back the layers, unearthing the truth behind the shadows, and exposing the exploitative mechanisms that underlie the grand spectacle of the FIFA Finals in Qatar.
Roof Over the Head: A Life of Dignity and Respect
Explore Mohak Bhasin’s “Roof Over The Head: Life Of Dignity And Respect,” which highlights the significance of housing in human life. It emphasizes how slums, despite providing shelter, often lack basic amenities, impacting residents’ well-being. Discover the transformative “In-Situ Slum Rehabilitation Project” in India, inaugurating 3024 flats in Kalkaji to improve living conditions and offer equal opportunities. The project challenges traditional perceptions of slums by providing civic amenities, cleanliness, ownership titles, and a sense of security.
Learn about the “Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna” (PMAY), launched for “Housing For All.” The scheme has constructed millions of houses, but faces challenges like land scarcity, construction quality, and sustainable financing. The article proposes policy solutions including conducting a census, disclosing financial plans, and promoting long-term occupancy for community development.
Experience the insightful journey of “Roof Over The Head: Life Of Dignity And Respect” by clicking the link in the bio. Gain a deeper understanding of the importance of housing in creating a dignified and respectful life for all individuals.
Public Transportation: The Perfect Answer for 21st Century Problems
What if we had the permanent solution to problems like global warming, traffic jams, pollution, rising fuel prices? Perhaps, we already have the solution and haven’t given enough thought and attention to it.
Embark on a captivating journey through Manan Gulati’s thought-provoking article, “Public Transportation: The Perfect Answer to 21st Century problems?” Explore the economic, environmental, and societal benefits of embracing robust public transport systems. Learn how redefining the way we commute and paving the way for a sustainable, healthier future is not all that difficult.
PSYCHOLOGY & HISTORY
Generation Gaps in Workspace: Threat or an Opportunity?
In spite of attempts made to bridge today’s generation gaps between people of different age groups, few instances of “Generation wars” do pop up in some form or the other. Apart from social and cultural interactions, the workplace is where people belonging to almost all generations find themselves interacting on an everyday basis.
But is having a diverse set of workforce always necessarily a threat to organizational efficiency? When we frequently point out issues such as communication barriers, differences in working style and contrasting beliefs, why do we often overlook the benefits of intergenerational interactions?
Head to the latest article on 180 Pulse – “Generation Gaps in Workspace: Threat or an Opportunity?”, where Subhashini K analyses how generation barriers can be turned into effective tools to propel organizational growth.
Bounded Rationality in Decision Making
When we think of all the decisions that we have to make daily, trying to make the optimal decision is often not possible. Our cognitive thinking abilities and self control across diverse activities are ‘bounded’ because of various limitations. The implications of these limitations range from having misconceptions about certain people in our lives to speculative bubbles in various asset classes.
What deviates our decisions from what is considered to be desirable or logical? How do we make the right decision and outsmart our cognitive biases?
Check out Ananya Taneja’s article on ‘Bounded Rationality in Decision Making’ that delves into these questions through the realm of Behavioural Economics.
Psychology in Market
It has been a belief that rational people make rational decisions. This belief system has generated an entire rational choice theory, which says that people employ logical calculations to make sensible decisions and obtain outcomes that are in line with their own goals. This concept has also been the main assumption in most of the economics that we study. But do you think that people make rational decisions every time? Delve deeper and analyse the biases that affect your decisions even without you noticing them.