Adhirath Sethi, Author at Arré

Deep Fakes Have Infiltrated Indian Politics. Where Will They Go Next?

Over the past few years, the technology needed to map a person’s voice has been steadily improving. Although far from perfect, this, when coupled with a virtual avatar that looks a lot like the real thing, is a recipe for disaster.

Adhirath Sethi July 11, 2016

Money Matters

Finance Ministry to Announce Much-Anticipated Release Date for Next Economic Recession

Recessions are like black swans. They’re rare, come out of nowhere, and people frown upon you when you say they look delicious. Is the next one staring us between the eyes? Because it’s been a while since the last one so maybe the next one should just hurry up and get here. And Urjit Patel’s resignation has not helped things.

Adhirath Sethi June 21, 2016

Earth

Activists Can’t Stop Climate Change, Only a Good Business Model Can

With raging bushfires, melting glaciers, and toxic air pollution, our immediate future is looking a lot less like Rivendell and a lot more like Mad Max Fury Road. But along with activists like Greta Thunberg, we need companies to comply. Until someone finds a great way to profit from climate change, it’s unlikely to have the kind of impact we are desperate for.

Adhirath Sethi June 21, 2016

Money Matters

On a Scale of 1 to Manmohan, How Spicy is the Annual Budget Going to Be?

This year’s budget will be worth watching. Even if all we really care about is section 80, there is a lot there that will tell us what our government is thinking. With an election coming up, that’s more important than scrolling through your Instagram feed.

Adhirath Sethi May 27, 2016

Coronavirus

What Do Coronavirus, Spanish Flu, and Ebola Have in Common? Terrible Timing

Epidemics like Coronavirus or Swine Flu are always unwelcome, but what makes them even more deadly is their timing. As the world faces the possibility of an economic slowdown, an outbreak of this scale is the last thing we need.

Adhirath Sethi May 27, 2016

Money Matters

Can We Escape Another Financial Meltdown?

Since the great crash of 2008, not much has changed. Economies around the world – in order to avoid collapse – have played every available trick in the book to convince consumers that the future was rosy. This played well until the future arrived and things seemed just the same.

Adhirath Sethi May 4, 2016

Technology

The Rise of Digital Self-Harm: Why We Need to Take CyberBullying More Seriously

Despite our best efforts, bullying has stood the test of time. Psychologists are hinting that teenagers are now beginning to show signs of “Digital Self-Harm”, where they post anonymous hurtful content about oneself. This form of bullying is so bizarre and counter-intuitive, we’re unlikely to have any real solutions soon.

Adhirath Sethi April 23, 2016

Money Matters

Is Nirmala Sitharaman the MS Dhoni of Finance Ministers?

As the buzz around the slowdown in the economy grew louder, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman took some small steps – support for the auto sector, a fine-tuning of FDI, and liquidity support for banks. And then, like MS Dhoni in the final over of a run chase, she sent the ball thundering out of the stadium with her decision to reduce the corporate tax rate.

Adhirath Sethi April 20, 2016

Money Matters

Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki: Should India Be Worried About Its Household Debt?

As reports surface of a doubling of the Indian household debt, it’s a good time to pause and assess the situation. Is this merely a blip in our spending activities, or are we veering toward a westernised consumer culture as feared by so many of our right-wing leaders?

Adhirath Sethi April 11, 2016

Coronavirus

Coronavirus: Why the World Needs to Take a Large Chill Pill Right Now

The world collectively is losing its shit amid the coronavirus outbreak. People everywhere are panic buying – hoarding masks, hand sanitisers, and even toilet paper. And it doesn’t stop at that. They are attacking people from China, asking them to go back and “take their coronavirus with them”.

Adhirath Sethi April 8, 2016