Obsolescence Woven in Silver: The Decline of Pakistani Craftsmanship
Moons in metalworks. Puppets in makeshift cinemas. Woven carpets slipped on wooden floors. The grandeur of calligraphy. In our modern world, we find our centuries-old traditional craftsmanship transforming into a testament of the past. Where the craftsman sits on the street, the metal laden at his feet, the world loses itself in the digital universe. Once, decades ago, his shop bristled with gatherings and purchasers, … Continue reading Obsolescence Woven in Silver: The Decline of Pakistani Craftsmanship
Meet the New Cool Kid from Silicon Valley: Chat GPT™
Chat GPT is everywhere – like that annoying overachieving cousin you just can’t seem to shake off. For you to take Chat GPT seriously, let’s talk about its academic accomplishments: Medical license exam PASS The bar exam PASS MBA paper … Continue reading Meet the New Cool Kid from Silicon Valley: Chat GPT™
Art’s first choice.
Long before a brush meets canvas, a bow meets strings, or a lens captures light, there is a moment of quiet deliberation. The artist makes a choice—not of subject, but of vessel. And in that choice lies everything. We often look at art as something separate from its maker, as if it arrived fully formed, untouched by human hand or heart. But art is inseparable … Continue reading Art’s first choice.
The Stoic Guide to Modern Life
Life today is a whirlwind—loud, fast, and full of things that feel just outside your control. Stress is the default setting, and it’s easy to get lost in the chaos. But over 2,000 years ago, Stoic philosophers like Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus had already figured something out: peace isn’t about changing the world around you. It’s about mastering the one thing you CAN control—your … Continue reading The Stoic Guide to Modern Life
The Bell Rings One Last Time: An era coming to an end
No matter how tightly we grasp, time somehow always slips from our fingers like sand too fine to handle. It carries us swiftly, hurrying us along through words, through days, through moments that should have lasted longer. There will always be more time, we convince ourselves—more days to spend with the ones we love, more laughter-filled moments, more quiet afternoons to simply be. Time, though, … Continue reading The Bell Rings One Last Time: An era coming to an end
Mathematicians wrote Tiktok poetry and fought epic duels: the complex history of (complex) imaginary numbers
Why did mathematicians invent imaginary numbers? Was a question that kept lingering in my brain, tormenting and taunting me with its hows and whys. Everyone around me—certainly not I—dreamt of love, success, money, and that is what an immense proportion of their daydream imaginations usually consisted of. Hence, excuse me for being perplexed and livid at the notion of mathematicians conjuring up imaginary numbers, not … Continue reading Mathematicians wrote Tiktok poetry and fought epic duels: the complex history of (complex) imaginary numbers
SCARS AS SIGNPOSTS
Twinkle Twinkle little Scar How I wonder what you are—a reminisce of the past or a prophecy of the future? Whispers of every battle we fought linger through the marks etched upon us—on our flesh, on our soul—testaments to our survival and the moments that shaped us into who we are today. Beneath these marks lie intense tales of bravery, courage, and determination to move … Continue reading SCARS AS SIGNPOSTS
The concept of destiny: a facade or a revelation?
Growing up in a brown family, the phrase ‘jo naseeb mai ho’ echoed through nearly every conversation, a constant reminder of fate’s inevitable grip on our lives. A newborn daughter? Naseeb. A failed marriage? Naseeb. A stillborn child? Naseeb. A successful business? Naseeb. Surprisingly, this concept isn’t confined to the brown community; it transcends cultures and knows no boundaries. Perhaps its universal reach is why … Continue reading The concept of destiny: a facade or a revelation?
The Tragic Chronicles of Pakistan: romances that shaped our folklore
Long before modern romance stories graced our screens and bookstores, the nation of Pakistan was awash with romances that defied social norms and touched the soul. Everyone reveres Shakespeare as the literary god of tragedy, and stories like Romeo and Juliet cement his legacy as the ultimate storyteller of doomed love. But hold on to that thought—because when it comes to heartbreak, rebellion, and sacrifice, … Continue reading The Tragic Chronicles of Pakistan: romances that shaped our folklore
Non-fiction vs Fiction: The Pull of Reality vs The Power of Imagination
If I had it my way, I’d slam my fist down on the table, yell “FICTION!” and call it a day. But alas, the world isn’t that simple. Some people—*side-eyeing my dad*—have it ingrained in their souls that in a real world, among real people, tackling real problems, fiction has no place. That is one way to think of it, but before we rush to … Continue reading Non-fiction vs Fiction: The Pull of Reality vs The Power of Imagination
Lean In: A Gilded Cage; A Critique of Corporate Feminism
As a parliamentary debater, I’ve encountered numerous motions spanning political, economic, legal, and philosophical realms, among others. One motion, in particular, stood out to me: This House believes that the feminist movement should promote the maximization of individual development and empowerment over solidarity among women. The way I interpret this motion is from the perspective of a book Sheryl Sandberg wrote in 2013 called ‘Lean … Continue reading Lean In: A Gilded Cage; A Critique of Corporate Feminism