Deep dive into the terms and concepts mentioned in Chapter 1
Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the branch of computer science that focuses on creating systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. These tasks can include learning, reasoning, problem-solving, understanding natural language, perception, and decision-making. AI can be classified into two main categories: narrow AI, which is designed for specific tasks (like virtual assistants or image recognition), and general AI, which possesses the ability to perform any intellectual task that a human can do. AI systems often leverage data, algorithms, and machine learning techniques to improve their performance over time.
Basant Panchami is a Hindu festival that marks the arrival of spring. It is celebrated on the fifth day of the Indian month of Magha, which typically falls in late January or early February. The festival is dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music, art, and wisdom. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saraswati)
Bharat Mandapam is an exhibition hall in New Delhi created in 2023 in the 150-acre open space overlooking the historic fort built by Mughal Emperor Humayun in the 16th century. (https://indiatradefair.com/bharatmandapam-halls)
Cause-and-effect principle of cosmic creation is a Hindu philosophical term for the interconnectedness of all things. It explains how the cosmos, individual existence, and the universe continually evolve through cycles of creation and dissolution. The ultimate reality of Brahman (https://www.britannica.com/topic/brahman-Hindu-concept) is shaped by the illusions of Maya (https://vedanta.org/what-is-vedanta/the-concept-of-maya/) and the actions of all beings Karma (https://www.britannica.com/topic/karma). This perspective emphasizes the unity of existence and the dynamic nature of the cosmos.
Centillionaire is a term that describes someone with a net worth of 100 billion (100,000,000,000) or more units of a given currency, generally a major world currency such as the United States dollar, Euro, or British Pound. Prominent centillionaires include Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Mukesh Ambani.
DC Comics is an initialism for “Detective Comics”. It is an American comic book series first published in 1937. Batman is a superhero who appears in DC Comics (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman).
Desert Fathers were the early Christian monks and ascetics who lived in the deserts of Egypt, primarily during the 3rd to 5th centuries AD. They are known for their spiritual practices, teachings, and the establishment of monasticism as a way of life. The Desert Fathers sought solitude and silence in the wilderness to deepen their relationship with God, detach from worldly concerns, and pursue personal holiness.
Janeu is a cotton thread worn by Hindu men in India across the torso over their right shoulder. This thread consists of three threads representing the Goddesses: Gayatri (thought), Saraswati (word), and Savitri (deed). In the centre, there is also a knot representing the unending Brahman. Wearing Janeu is considered one of the most important rites of Hindu tradition. It symbolises initiation into a livelihood and a reminder that the wearer will stay wholly committed to education and learning and avoid all distractions.
Kalpa is a town on the banks the Sutlej River valley in Himachal Pradesh at an altitude of about 10000 ft. It is on the traditional India-Tibet route at 260 km from Shimla.
Mac Launch on January 24, 1984, is considered a watershed event. Steve Jobs (https://www.investopedia.com/articles/fundamental-analysis/12/steve-jobs-apple-story.asp) got up on a stage, heaved a beige box out of a carrying case, shoved a floppy disc into it, and stood back. As the theme from Chariots of Fire played, the word “Macintosh” swept across the tiny computer’s screen, and a series of monochromatic images flashed. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmEB7sj30qY&t=751s).
Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military officer who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led a series of successful European campaigns from 1796 to 1815. He is known for turning a revolutionary movement that led to the public killing of the French Emperor to become the Emperor later. (https://www.history.com/topics/european-history/napoleon)
The Political Ideology Spectrum categorizes different political beliefs and positions. It typically ranges from left to right, with the centre representing moderate or centrist views. The left emphasizes equality, social justice, and the role of government in addressing social issues (socialism, communism, and progressivism). The right emphasizes individualism, traditional values, and limited government involvement in the economy. It prioritizes free-market capitalism. Centrists tend to advocate for pragmatic policies seeking compromise, consensus, and a mixed economy of free-market and regulatory government intervention.
Samvat 2090 refers to the year 2034. The Vikram Samvat calendar’s year count is usually 57 years ahead of the popular Gregorian calendar, except from January to April when it is 56 years ahead. It is mentioned as the official calendar in 2034, indicating a shift from the Western calendar named after Pope Gregory XIII to a traditional Indian one.
The image of a snake eating itself appears in Greek, Roman, Hindu, Siberian, Norse, African, and South American mythologies. Also called Ouroboros holds meaning in religious, occult, and alchemic traditions, representing time, the cosmos, death and rebirth, the beginning and the end, or unity with nature, the universe, or God (https://www.a-higher-view.com/ouroboros-meaning/). The German chemist August Kekulé (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_Kekulé ) realized the structure of benzene after he saw a vision of a snake eating its tail in his brief daytime sleep at work.
Vasudhaiva Kutumabkam is a Sanskrit term that appears in the Maha Upanishad (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maha_Upanishad). It means “the world is one family,” elucidating a global outlook.
Vivekananda 1893 Speech (https://www.artic.edu/swami-vivekananda-and-his-1893-speech) is a historic and impactful moment in the history of Hinduism and interfaith dialogue. Delivered on the opening day of the first World’s Parliament of Religions held from 11 to 27 September 1893 in Chicago, with delegates worldwide participating. In the Final Session, Swami Vivekananda appealed: “Help and not fight,” “Assimilation and not destruction,” “Harmony and peace and not dissension.” (https://www.readersdigest.in/conversations/story-words-of-lasting-interest-124403)