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September 20, 2004

I see dead peopleNews

I took a speech and debate class in middle school which I remember fondly. I used to give my persuasive speeches on trying to convince people that there was in fact such a thing as the Loch Ness Monster, Aliens, and Bigfoot. It didn’t matter whether they really existed or not in fact. It just mattered how well I did convincing the other students that they did. Well, let me try with SepiaMutiny readers. From the Times of India:

Guess what the students at the Delhi centre of Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) up to these days? Not cracking complicated problems through game theory or laws of probability. They are visiting temples and investigating the paranormal.

Books are shut, classes stalled since Friday, most students have been sent home with an unofficial holiday being declared.

The reason being even more unofficial. There is a ghost on campus.

My inner Fox Mulder has just been aroused. But who is this “ghost.” What does it want?

On August 24, a first year MStat student died a sudden death in the classroom. For most students who saw it happen at such close quarters found it “inexplicable”, although it is quite explainable in medical terms.

Somebody ingenious mind came up with a theory that the boy is back. And he appears in the habit as he lived.

“A girl who never smokes, felt a strong stench of cigarette in her bathroom. The boy who died used to smoke a lot,” said Saptrishi, student representative at ISI.

Ummm. Helloooo? Can anybody say “smoking gun.” Have I persuaded you yet? The students want to hold a tantra-mantra puja. Is that like an exorcism? Can someone fill me in?

The truth is out there.

abhi on September 20, 2004 01:46 PM in News · T·r·a·c·k·b·a·c·k address · Direct link · Email post



4 comments

 1 · gc on September 20, 2004 02:16 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

jesus christ. this kind of nonsense really does make india look like a third world country. and these are *statisticians* we're talking about! talk about primitive superstition.


 2 · kurian on September 20, 2004 03:26 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

I'd take anything written in the TOI with a tablespoon of salt. ISI (atleast the one in calcutta) has a pretty solid academic reputation.


 3 · Manish Vij on September 20, 2004 03:41 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

India has no monopoly on primitive superstition -- check out the U.S.


 4 · randombrownguy on September 21, 2004 09:29 AM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

Well, GC, I must admit that I'm surprised that you didn't claim that those primitive, superstitious statisticians were Dalits ;) Anyway, I think Kurian is right - take it with a BIG pinch of salt. ISI-Kolkata is a completely kick-ass bastion for leftist, atheist, high-IQ rationalists :)


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