During my engineering days , Nortel networks was like one hugely coveted company to work for. Quite a few water-cooler-conversations were abuzz with the IT giants' products and performance. Last week, the $11bn technology powerhouse filed for bankruptcy. Nortel is suddenly a Great Place To Work no more.
The last 5-6 months have shattered many a myths of superheros. They ain't what they used to be. Are superheros turning human ? Superman's latest sequel showed him drowning, deprived of his powers, only to be rescued by a skinny woman . Spiderman spends months in anguish at the loss of his sting. At one point in the latest version, he falls dramatically hurting himself and spending some time in a tattered costume. Batman loses his battle with a brilliant joker( Heath)in his latest fight, needing help from the cops (which is a first for Batman).Alex, the great king of the jungle in Madagascar is reduced to a wimp, singing and dancing like a pansy in its sequel. They surely don't make Superheroes like they used to anymore.
Star TV taught Indian media broadcasting and Ekta Kapoor taught Star audience management. From creating huge weekly audience share-pies to introducing the concept of the character-less fiction ( anyone could play Mihir or Tulsi, anyone slept with anyone ), Ekta ruled the world of bored housewives. Every serial began with a 'K' and re-defined marketing principles for a whole host of programming practitioners. The longest romance in TV history lasted almost 10 years before the biggest of the shows were killed towards the end of last year. Yesterday, Star axed all the rest of the 'K' shows. 'K' doesn't work anymore.
Whats the next alphabet? 'C'?
Satyam created many entrepreneural dreams with its purchase of Indiainfoline for 500cr , setting the pace for the indian internet revolution. Listing subsequently on the Nasdaq, creating a 50,000 people competitor to Infosys and TCS, Satyam was Ramalinga Raju's outstanding contribution to the world of IT. Little did one know what that vision was built of till a confession letter in early Jan bared all.
Pricewaterhouse Coopers, a revered consulting and audit firm bit the dust and with it the world of financial practices has come into a terrible spotlight. Caught like a rabbit in high-beam headlights.
Every management institute has coveted the Day1 placement with Lehman. Bear Sterns and AIG have been halts in rapid career progression. In a classic reversal of capitalism, investment banking has ceased to be a destination anymore. Finance, itself, has been pushed back to its place on consumer doorsteps.
Michael Phelps reign has been much shorter - 8 brilliant golds in October and a ban in january on drug charges. Instant superhero turning instant history.
Finally, Louis Phillipe Scolari, my great brazilian hero, came with impeccable credentials to coach my favourite team,Chelsea, only to be sacked yesterday after numerous failures in the game including lack of respect for players , not turning up on time, resting Drogba when unnecessary and not spending enough time training.
In a sense then 2008 redefined superstardom, probably bringing realism back in fashion.
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