The Law of Unintended Consequences: From Ecosystems to Electric Cars

Dear Friends,

One of my friends, arguably the most intelligent among us, made an extreme decision to stay back and care for his family rather than pursue better prospects elsewhere. On one hand, he was empathetic and responsible, prioritizing his family’s well-being. On the other, he lost the opportunity to earn and provide better opportunities for the next generation. This is a classic dilemma that many sons and daughters face in their lives. In fact, in the 1970s, there was a movie titled Talla (Mother) or Pellama (Wife) that explored this very conflict. In such complex social systems, there is no absolute right or wrong. Fortunately, in modern times, these issues are often handled with better mutual understanding and acceptance.

Why am I bringing this social issue into the context of electric cars? Let me share another related story. Many of you might be familiar with The Borneo Cat Drop Experiment (1950s). In Sarawak, Borneo, a malaria outbreak led the World Health Organization (WHO) to spray DDT to kill mosquitoes. However, this pesticide also wiped out wasps, which controlled thatch-eating caterpillars. As a result, caterpillars multiplied and began destroying local roofs. Additionally, DDT poisoned insects, which were then eaten by geckos and eventually by cats—leading to a sharp decline in the cat population. With fewer cats, the rat population exploded, causing outbreaks of plague and typhus. To counter this, the British Royal Air Force was forced to parachute cats into Borneo to restore balance.

This is a perfect example of how solving one problem can unintentionally create new ones, setting off a chain reaction.

Recently, I came across a similar concern regarding electric vehicles (EVs) in a CBS News article: "As electric vehicles become more common, experts worry they could pose a safety risk for other drivers." While EVs offer environmental benefits by improving air quality, they also introduce new road safety challenges. On average, EVs are 1,000 to 3,000 pounds heavier than petrol/diesel-powered cars, which raises concerns about crash severity and road safety. Experts warn that in collisions, heavier EVs exert significantly greater force, increasing the risk of severe injuries for occupants of lighter vehicles.

Though I majored in physics during my graduation, I never studied it from a real-world application perspective. Reading this article made me revisit some fundamental physics concepts:

• Newton’s Second Law of Motion: F=ma (Force = mass × acceleration). Since EVs are much heavier than traditional gas vehicles, they exert greater force upon impact. In a crash with a lighter vehicle, the smaller car experiences greater deceleration and force, increasing the risk of injury to its occupants.

• Kinetic Energy Equation: KE=12mv2. Since EVs have a higher mass (mmm), they carry more kinetic energy at the same speed as lighter vehicles. In a crash, this energy needs to be dissipated, often causing greater structural damage to the smaller vehicle.

While EVs undoubtedly contribute to better air quality, their weight presents a new road safety challenge that demands innovative engineering and regulatory solutions.

Another question that arises is the availability of natural resources. Global proven oil reserves are estimated at 1.7 trillion barrels, while lithium (source for battery), though more abundant in the Earth's crust, is less accessible. Current global lithium reserves are estimated at 22 million tons. As demand for EVs grows, how will this resource crunch impact the industry? Only time will tell!

Regardless of whether you drive an EV or a petrol car, the only mantra remains: Drive Slow and Stay Safe!

Ravi Saripalle

Starting Early = Finishing Early = Faster Success! Can Nature Accept this Formula?

Dear Friends,

I was unable to speak until I turned five! My parents were a bit worried due to social pressure but couldn't do much to help. It was a time and place where there were no educational counselors or therapists. Then, a speech miracle happened—I finally started speaking. Maybe I was an outlier in those days, but back then, most of us accepted natural growth as it was. We grew as nature intended.

However, today, we live in an inorganic world. Consider a green banana: at room temperature (20-25°C), it ripens in 5-7 days. Placing it in a paper bag, rice, or a warm spot speeds up the process by 2-4 days. Using an oven or microwave makes it ripen almost instantly—but it alters the texture and taste. The banana softens but doesn’t become sweeter. Similarly, tomatoes ripen naturally on the vine in 1-2 weeks. Yet, farmers often use ethylene gas or calcium carbide to turn them red in just a few days.

What’s the lesson here? Rushing ripening makes things appear ready, but the real quality is lost.

Now, what about children? Can we accelerate maturity in them? This is a critical question.

We can build AI models, improving accuracy and reducing costs with each iteration. But can the same approach be applied to human development?

Why are children so exhausted today? Consider their educational journey:

• At age 2, they start preschool.

• At age 6, they enter Class 1.

• At age 15, they take their Class 10 exams.

• At age 21, they complete their graduation.

• At age 24, they finish their master’s degree.

• A few pursue PhDs or postdoctoral studies, finally reaching 30 before starting full-time employment.

Even after that, the struggle continues. Employees must clear business certifications every six months just to stay relevant. Every 2-3 years, they switch companies, each requiring new certifications with increasing levels of difficulty. It’s a relentless cycle.

In highly competitive countries like India, the pressure is immense. A recent article in India Today highlighted this reality: "1,200 apply for 2 internships, CEO calls out India’s 'employability crisis'." The author shared that his company’s Indian office had just two internship openings—but received a staggering 1,200 applications. Only about 20 candidates were shortlisted for further evaluation.

Amid this chaos, additional social pressures—salary packages, marriage, and career growth—add to the stress. These become three unavoidable stress pills.

Eventually, many feel exhausted. Some express their frustrations openly, but most suppress them, hiding behind a forced smile.

So, I ask you: Is your smile genuine?

— Ravi Saripalle