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Is India the worst for digital nomads?

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According to 70 nomads on NomadList, India is probably one of the worst places to work scoring poorly on almost all categories. Internet, gays and women have it so bad you can’t help but cringe. Quartz chimes in.


This is fucking insane!


Having lived and worked in Chandigarh, New Delhi, Mumbai and New York I can’t seem to wrap my head around this data. I owe this self-inflicted-debate a fair trial.

Firstly, calling Mumbai’s nightlife “okay” by any stretch is teetotalism two point zero. But fucking partying right up there with London, Toronto and New York is the least of my worries for this essay.

Secondly, in Mumbai, everyone speaks English. It’s the one and only place, in India, where English is the most natural and acceptable way to communicate, with everyone. Everyone.

This data feeds into this perceived “generalised” notion of what is happening in India.


“We saw cows and people pooping on the street and beggars everywhere. It smells bad too.”


Have you seen the world’s most expensive house?

antilia

Antilia #365 on paulsyng.com/365


A Mumbai only erection. Case in point.

There is wealth and poverty everywhere, including North America and Europe. The US owes Trillions of dollars. But that’s not indicative of ground realities in entirety.

Data is not equal to the truth. Get over it.

I can’t speak on the behalf of women and gay but how can internet get a bad name in India? Airtel! Are you listening? India practically survives on it. Isn’t India one of the biggest outsourcing hubs in the world? I’ve experienced the days of dial-up and 4G on my iPhone 6 Plus and never did I have issues with internet speed.


Like, never.*


I think I’ve pointed out several holes in what appears to be fairly simple user-generated-data which reminds me of a similar story over at Zomato. I don’t want to be the teetotaller or shout negative about something positive these aggregators-of-opinion are trying to do.

The point I wish to drive home is, as products (or brands), they have to be better curators. Amassing quantity is fine. Quality control is important too.

The bright side being Indian cities score highly on the “Cheapest” list but if that’s the only category you’re attracting I would be a little worried.

*Ok, almost never. But, still.

By Paul Syng

Paul Syng is a multi-disciplinary designer based in Toronto. He focuses on a problem-seeking, systems thinking approach that can take any form or function.