In Pursuit of Wisdom

As an American, I’m increasingly troubled by our country’s role in Middle Eastern foreign policy. Despite their domestic differences, both major political parties continue to follow a strategy of military intervention, regime change, and arms deals that destabilize regions and cost countless lives. Watching these policies unfold year after year, it’s difficult not to feel disillusioned. Once again, we’re faced with candidates from the Democratic and Republican parties, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump , neither of whom promises a meaningful shift away from this destructive path. Both candidates represent parties with a long history of interventionist policies that have harmed innocent lives abroad and left our veterans struggling with trauma here at home. I recognize that change won’t come overnight. It will take time for a third party to rise as a real alternative to the Democrats and Republicans. But we have to start somewhere—just as others have throughout history. I’ve often heard t...

I have an unbelievable story to share with you all—it's been a rollercoaster of emotions this past week! Remember back in 2017 to 2019 when I was diving deep into the world of cryptocurrencies? I participated in a bunch of ICOs for small cryptos across various exchanges. To be honest, it didn't go as planned, and I ended up losing about $70,000 USD. It was a tough lesson, and I kind of stepped away from the crypto scene after that. Fast forward to about a week ago, I received an email from KuCoin, one of the exchanges I used back then. The email mentioned that KuCoin is closing its operations in the USA and that if I had any coins left, I should withdraw them within the next few days. I was swamped with other things and didn't think much of it—I assumed maybe I had a few dollars left at most. So, I didn't even open the email immediately. Today, I finally had some free time and decided to check out that email. After a lot of trial and error (I hadn't logged into that...

The Bed of Procrustes: Philosophical and Practical Aphorisms  by  Nassim Nicholas Taleb  is a sharp, thought-provoking collection of short insights that really make you stop and think. Taleb touches on everything from uncertainty and randomness to human nature and how much we actually don't know. It’s a bit like  The Prophet  by  Kahlil Gibran  and  Sovietsky Koutukov  by  Masud Mahmood —packed with wisdom you want to keep coming back to. I finished the Audible version and liked it so much that I ordered the hardcover, because, like those two books, I plan to read it every once in a while. Taleb’s style is witty and to the point, but these aphorisms have layers that take time to fully appreciate. If you enjoy deep, bite-sized philosophical insights, this book is definitely worth adding to your shelf. Here are some quotes from the book that resonate well with me -  True humility is when you can surprise yourself more than others; the...

I've been pondering a topic that's universally relevant yet rarely discussed - death and the anxieties it evokes. As I delve deeper into understanding it, I feel compelled to share my thoughts and invite your perspectives. Some of you might know of my deep-seated fear of death. I've grappled with it for a while, seeking ways to lessen its hold on me. This fear transcends the physical aspects of dying, like illness. It's a more profound existential concern. For a while now, I've been contemplating two main approaches to comprehending death: through a religious lens and a secular one. As a Muslim, I've dedicated significant effort to understanding the purpose of life and death within the Islamic framework, and I find comfort and coherence in its teachings. However, I've also explored death from a purely secular perspective, but haven't yet unearthed anything particularly groundbreaking. This has led me to wonder if my fear stems from a fear of missing out ...

As the fresh breeze of 2024 begins to unfold its chapters, I find myself pausing to reflect on the whirlwind that was 2023. It was a year that brought with it a multitude of experiences, emotions, and milestones. Here's a look back at some of the highlights that made 2023 a year to remember. A Year in Books My journey through the pages continued unabated as I devoured 126 books . This is the highest number of books I have ever finished in a single calendar year. The majority were audiobooks, perfect companions during my travels and downtime, but I also treasured the tactile feel of paperbacks and the convenience of Kindle reads. Each book was a new adventure, a new learning experience, and a new perspective gained. I started the year with a target of 60 books but crossed that mark halfway in the year and hence targeted for 100 books, which also I crossed within the first 10 months. My 2024 target will be again 60 books. On the Road Speaking of adventures, 2023 saw me embarking on a...