In Pursuit of Wisdom

  Idea inspired from সোভিয়েতস্কি কৌতুকভ- মাসুদ মাহমুদ

I am in the middle of my Christmas vacation with my wife Shusmita, son Ahyan and daughter Suhaila trekking through the landscapes of South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini. While the views are breathtaking, the soundtrack to my trip is undeniably intense. I found myself listening to two songs on repeat— Fa9la and Ishq Jalakar —from the colossal hit, Dhurandhar . The movie has already crossed 1051 crore rupees worldwide , becoming the 7th highest-grossing Indian film of all time in just 24 days. But beyond the box office numbers, Dhurandhar offers a cultural mirror that I haven't seen in years. The Titans: Ranveer vs. Akshaye I admit, I have tried not to like Ranveer Singh for many years. But in Dhurandhar , he won me over completely. Gone is the manic energy; instead, we get a calm, composed, ferocious look that is terrifyingly quiet. If we are comparing recent alpha-male cinema, Ranveer in Dhurandhar is miles ahead of Ranbir Kapoor in Animal . And yet... he is completely outshin...

We meet people every day who know a lot , who think fast , or who are clever with a quick solution. These qualities are great—but confusing them with Wisdom is where we often get into trouble. Here is a simple, powerful story that shows the difference beautifully. 🦁 The Tale of the Four Friends Imagine four friends walking through a forest: Gyan (Knowledge), Buddhi (Intelligence), Chatur (Cleverness), and Pragya (Wisdom). They came upon the scattered bones of a lion. Gyan (Knowledge) spoke first: "Look, these are lion bones, probably six or seven years old. I know the anatomy." 👉 Knowledge is simply knowing the facts and data. Buddhi (Intelligence) analyzed it: "If the bones were fresher, a lion might still be nearby. We need to interpret the situation and look out." 👉 Intelligence is understanding, analyzing, and interpreting the facts. Chatur (Cleverness) tried a risky trick: "Watch this! I have a spell that can arrange these bones and bring t...

The news that American Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky passed away yesterday, October 19th, has left the global chess community in stunned silence. At just 29, Danya, as he was affectionately known, was a brilliant competitor, a prodigious talent, and a phenomenal educator whose infectious enthusiasm made chess accessible and captivating for countless people. His passing leaves a profound void. While the world knew Danya for his incredible achievements—a grandmaster by 18, a U12 World Champion, and a five-time U.S. Championship competitor—my memories of him are more personal, rooted in the Bay Area chess scene. It felt like he was a constant presence at the Mechanics' Institute Chess Club, often immersed in a game, or just as frequently, holding court during one of his insightful lectures. He had a way of breaking down complex ideas into digestible, engaging lessons, making even the most intricate positions seem approachable. His passion for teaching was palpable, and I, like many ot...

  I came across an interesting way to look at our daily conversations. Almost everything we say falls into one of three kinds of statements: Positive - “The weather is beautiful today.” Affirms something desirable or true. Negative - “The weather is terrible today.” Denies or criticizes something. Neutral - “The weather is 75°F today.” States a fact without emotion or judgment. It made me wonder — what percentage of your speech do you think falls under each of these categories? For me, I’ve noticed I naturally try to reduce negative statements and increase positive ones, though honestly, most of what I say is neutral (just facts, updates, or simple observations). It will be difficult to put some %, but let's give it a try anyway. I think 5% negative, 20% positive and 75% neutral. Curious to hear your self-estimates — how do your conversations break down between positive, negative, and neutral?

I spent some time creating this detailed Categorization of Supporters and Critics of the Awami League based on my observations and experience, and now I'm genuinely curious about where my diversified friends here land! I'll start: I put myself squarely in Category 9—those who dislike Awami League immensely but don't want to Ban Awami League as a Political Party. Which category number (1 through 10 as per the diagram) do you feel you belong to? Did I miss any major categories of thought or action? What other significant groups of supporters or critics exist that this diagram doesn't capture? Let's keep the discussion open-minded and respectful!

A few months ago, I went to visit my family in Dhaka, Bangladesh before joining my new job at Checkr in San Francisco. On this particular trip, my brother, Rasheduzzaman, the visionary CEO of OPAR Cemetery, took several of us on a journey to a serene location in Gazipur. This wasn't just a casual outing; it was an introduction to the very ground where a profound vision is taking shape—a vision born from personal heartache and a deep-seated desire to serve the community. My father Mohammad Shamsuzzaman has been working with him for a long time before they could buy the land there last December. I am truly honored and happy to share this initiative, which stands as a powerful blend of thoughtful business and heartfelt social responsibility. The Genesis: A Solution Born from Pain The idea for OPAR Cemetery wasn't conceived in a boardroom; it emerged from a deeply personal and challenging experience. Three and half years ago, when my father-in-law passed away in Dhaka, it was an in...

What a year 2024 turned out to be! Filled with exciting travels, major family milestones, my first layoff in career and even unexpected political developments back in Bangladesh, this year has truly kept me on my toes. As December rolled in, my wife Shusmita, our son Ahyan, and our daughter Suhaila joined me in a final adventure to close out the year in Los Cabos, Mexico. It was the perfect finishing touch to an eventful twelve months. A Year of Travel, Celebrations, and Challenges Guys’ Trip to Las Vegas (September) In September, I took a “guys only” trip with some friends to Las Vegas. We laughed nonstop, enjoyed some shows, and simply took a break from the daily grind. Vegas never disappoints when it comes to letting loose! Elk Meadow Cabins at Orick, CA Later in the year, eight families/friends teamed up for a serene getaway to Elk Meadow Cabins in Orick, California. Nestled among giant redwoods and scenic trails, it gave us the perfect blend of nature and bonding time. Political S...

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...