Empathy and Maths

Stuxnet: The Power of Cyberwarfare

hi blog,
This post is going to be about the cyber attack on Iran's nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz. The operation was carried out by US and Israel combined. It all started during Bush' last term in the office. Having no other option to undermine Iran, a cyber operation was started by the name of Olympic Games. The operation continued during Obama's terms even after the worm, due to a bug, automatically uploaded itself to the internet. It was first time that such an attack was used to create physical damage. The worm (Stuxnet) was quite creative, powerful, evasive and very successful. Upon digging further, I found a very informative and interesting video on the topic:

This was a first step on a dangerous path if we look on the impact it can have. The use of cyber systems is increasing day by day in every field. Thus making every field vulnerable. US is the leading country in using cyber systems. If such attacks continued, US will be bearing the brunt of the seeds sowed.

REFERENCES:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/01/world/middleeast/obama-ordered-wave-of-cyberattacks-against-iran.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/we-ignore-iran-at-our-peril/2017/12/26/c246078c-ea80-11e7-b698-91d4e35920a3_story.html

Review: Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid

Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas R. Hofstadter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a delightful and an intellectual journey. A very long one. A very tough one. For a person who never liked maths and biology, who only loved listening to music, who is part of a conservative (no art I mean) profession and society this book was sort of a nightmare. Noticed paradox in my statements. You wont mind them much after reading this book.
It all started from a curiosity. The curiosity that how a material or physical thing can acquire consciousness. Can we make a formal system for human intelligence? Now these seem like philosophical questions but the Author tried a different approach to answer them which was a fascinating one. So this book covered music, art, maths, biology, AI, computers, psychology, philosophy and some other subjects. It turned out that formal systems are not formal...
All these long winter nights which I have spent on this book. It was all worth it. Although I didn't understand many things in this book, I still learned so much from this book. I love maths now. I love biology now. My knowledge about computers and AI has increased. I know some things about music now. I know Godel, Escher, Bach and many other personalities now. I know about infinities, recursion, incompleteness, self-reference, paradoxes etc.
This book is a masterpiece. I don't remember how I came to know about this book but I am happy that I did.


View all my reviews

Writing is Thinking by Conor Neill

hi blog,
This post is going to be about a video which is going to be a source of motivation for me if ever needed for writing. It may become a source of motivation for anyone who wants to write. Here is the video:

What I Learned Recently about DNA

Hi Blog,
Today I have finished the 600 pages of GEB, 150 to go. It has been an amusing journey so far. The reason why I am writing this now, not after finishing the book, is because yesterday I finished a chapter which was such a fascinating experience that I must write something about it. The chapter was on Molecular Biology, specifically about the journey from DNA to proteins.

Now biology was a subject which about which I had made my mind long time ago. Never to go even near it. Never to talk about it. This chapter was able to shatter my these beliefs. I have come to know that biology, like any other, is very interesting. The beauty lies in understanding the human being at different levels, of which molecular biology is at one level.

So let's summarize what I have learned about DNA and proteins. DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. It is unique and self-replicating. Also carries the genetic information. DNA resides in the nucleus of  an atom. It is made up of nucleotide. Nucleotide is made up of three things: a phosphate group, one sugar group and one of four type of nitrogen bases. A twisted ladder like structure is made by bonding the nucleotide strands together with weak hydrogen bonds. This structure is actually called double helix. The sequence of four nitrogen bonds is interesting because it determines most of the features human beings have. For example sequence ATCGGT may mean blue eyes and sequence ATTCGG may mean brown.

Now these nitrogen bases are complimentary which means that C(cyostine) can only bond up with T(thymine) and A(adenine) with G(guanine) only.

So there are other characters involved in the journey from DNA to proteins. Those are DNA polymerase, mRNA, tRNA, amino acids, ribosomes. RNA stands for ribonucleic acid. It has one oxygen molecule which was missing in the DNA thus the name deoxy... Now I will take it step by step:

Step 1: DNA polymerase breaks the strand of DNA into two separate helix and makes two mRNA(messengerRNA) helix by adding the alternate free bases present in the nucleus. This process is called transcription. See the video for better understanding.

Step 2: mRNA travels outside the nucleus to cytoplasm.

Step 3: mRNA enters into a factory called as ribosome.

Step 4: Ribosomes take the mRNA helix and starts making protein by combining tRNA(transport) with mRNA one by one. Ribosomes separate amino acid from the tRNA and combine them to form a protein. There are 20 types of amino acids.

An interesting video on the journey from DNA to proteins:

Why we love Narcissists

Hi Blog,
Recently I came upon a very interesting article in Harvard Business Review regarding the narcissists. The title is same as the title of the post. Here is the link to the article.
https://hbr.org/2014/01/why-we-love-narcissists
I think they are not so hard to spot.

An Excerpt from Hoodbhoy's "Jinns Invade Campuses"

Hi Blog,
Although the full article mentioned in the title is worth reading, there was a paragraph which resonated very much with my thought. Following is that paragraph:


"As for toys and trinkets like computers and cellphones we can, like our Saudi brothers, always buy the best from Apple or Nokia. Some money-hungry Zing-Zang-Zong company will happily run the cellphone networks for Pakistan. The dirty business of technology and inventing things can be safely left to the Chinese, Americans, and Europeans. Their jinns know their job so well."¹

I think the above paragraph, if pondered upon, encompasses many of the problems Pakistan is facing today. One just needs to think to see clearly.
We need to work, work and work and that too really hard.




1. https://www.dawn.com/news/1212051

Ambassador Nikki Haley and Danny Danon speech to UN on Jerusalem: UN General Assembly

Hi Blog,
On Dec 21, the UN General Assembly meeting took place regarding US decision to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem recognizing same as the capital of the Israel. The resolution,to be decided over by voting, was for the condemnation of US decision. 128 countries voted for the resolution, nine voted against and 35 abstained.
Today I watched the speeches made by the ambassadors of US and Israel to UN in response to the UN decision. I could not restrain from commenting on almost every 2 to 3 sentences spoken by them.
Here is the video:

Here are my comments:
NIKKI HALEY Surely US has been a source of bringing a lot of so-called 'peace' throughout the world. Who has any doubts in that. History is the witness. Examples like Vietnam, Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan etc. And biggest of all the birth of ISIS and Al Qaeda. That was a very big contribution to bringing peace. Why is she bragging about all the financial contributions. What about all the money US is making by destroying other nations and whatnot. All these American corporations. Economic Hitmen. Military. Answerable to which people. KKK? Jewish Lobby? Evangelists? Please do us the favor of taking away your so called USAID. Can survive without it. Decision has been a proof of Trump's stupidity. That's all. Which American people. Are people in America so dumb. I don't think so. Even after all these documentaries they are making. Even after having intellectuals like Noam Chomsky, Journalists like Abbey Martin. She surely has not watched Godfather. Never make threats. DANNY DANON Israel talking about morality stuff. Very Interesting. No need to comment on that. You can choose to be blind by ignoring the facts and truths. Jerusalem is the holiest place on the earth for Jews but that does not justify your snatching away that land from its native people. King David also said a lot of other things. Bible also says a lot of other things. Are you following them as well with extreme measure. Ben Gurion. Quite an interesting source of inspiration and wisdom you have. Just read The Birth of Israel by Simha Flapan for more of BG inspirational quotes and his wisdom about the native people of Palestine. Here is one of his quotes: Partition: “after the formation of a large army in the wake of the establishment of the state, we will abolish partition and expand to the whole of Palestine “ – Ben Gurion, p.22 “The Birth of Israel, 1987″ Simha Flapan. Are you talking about a spiritual bond or a physical bond? Again talking about morality. You speak like Pakistan Muslim League(N), party in power in Pakistan, about decisions. Only good decision is a decision in favor. Talking more about morality. Double standards. Attacks on Israel. Come on man are you for real. Or are you so dumb. Thanks for providing such useful information. US, your topmost ally, is the real reason for no democracy in Middle East. From your justification of the existence of Israel, you seem like a hardcore theocratic state. I understand you have such a hard job. Defending Israel. How do you sleep after telling all those lies. Nice melodious lecture on puppets. Where did you study history. All had respect for Jerusalem. Everybody was free to visit. I know I can't come to Jerusalem. Who created Al-Qaeda and ISIS? Isn't it US, your beloved. What about the UN Security Resolution 2334? Violence will have repercussions. The one you are committing against Palestinians and humanity. I am not in favor of violence of any kind. But how can you expect the people to sit quietly and watch their land taken by invaders. It is same if I expect you to do nothing in response to Holocaust, the event clouded with doubts. Don't follow Hitler. You are doing the similar with Palestinians which was done with you during World War II. That was a long comment. Please ignore my grammatical mistakes. And I am not taking any sides. I am with the facts and truth. Violence in any form against anybody is not to be accepted.

ZAYTUNA COLLEGE PAKISTAN CAMPUS: A Dream

Hi Blog,

Lets just go with it. When I see all the frustration, confusion, arrogance, stupidity, violence, narcissism, conflict, crime, chaos and whatnot in my beautiful country, I see no reason but ignorance behind all this. Ignorance is like a disease and the cure is education. Not schooling. 

But what is this cure: education. How will this ‘education’ cure us? And lastly what's that to do with Zaytuna College Pakistan Campus if there is such a college. The thing is I see Zaytuna College as a medium of 'education' in Pakistan and subsequently a cure to the prevailing disease.

So what is ‘education’? Education is, in my personal opinion, an ability to think and think clearly. But that is a very generalized definition of education. Some other philosophical questions may arise from this definition like what is the ability to think and so on. So to keep the things simple I will take the help of some truly educated people to better define and understand the concept of education.

 According to Robert Frost:

     “Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence.” 

According to Margaret Mead:

     “Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.” 

According to Martin Luther King Jr.:

   “Intelligence plus character-that is the goal of true education.”

According to C.S. Lewis:

“The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts.” 

According to Bertrand Russell:

“We are faced with the paradoxical fact that education has become one of the chief obstacles to intelligence and freedom of thought.”

According to Mark Twain:

“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.” 

According to Socrates:

“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” 

According to Aristotle:

“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”

The list of quotations goes on and on. Let me summarize what these educated people are trying to say because each of these quotations is worth an article itself. Education is a never-ending process of “to study, understand, inquire, question, reason, study, understand, inquire…” It is become a research loving and a knowledge seeking person. The word ‘education’ actually covers a lot of things and has a metaphysical component attached to it. Limitations of language or my limitations will not allow a better definition.

The remaining two questions are intertwined. Zaytuna College (proposed) is going to provide such an ‘education’ which will cure the disease. It will follow the same curriculum as the first campus with some modifications according to our society. Mainly it will be an Islamic Liberal Arts College. Let’s take one example of the prevailing problems in Pakistani society to elaborate further.

POLARIZATION:

Now this is one of the major issues in Pakistan. Hard to explain due to all the dynamics involved. I will try my best. Some part is played in this by our identity crisis. We are still struggling with our identity after 70 years of independence. Liberal or Islamic or… So what happens mostly in our society is either we become 'too Islamic' or 'too liberal' based on our schooling. Both parties develop narcissistic attitudes without having knowledge of the other side. I will not go into the details and I am not taking any sides. Now this creates a crisis of knowledge and subsequently ignorance prevails. This is where Zaytuna College comes into picture. It will unite both sides. Taking tradition and today’s demands hand in hand.

The following video portrays the purpose of the above proposed college. You can find more about Zaytuna College at their YT channel.
Website: https://zaytuna.edu/

“Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation.”
― Walter Cronkite

Review: Dead Reckoning: Memories of the 1971 Bangladesh War

Dead Reckoning: Memories of the 1971 Bangladesh War by Sarmila Bose
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Of course this book is going to be unacceptable for many. As mostly truth at first is. This was a brave piece of work. Working against the propaganda machine and searching for the truth.
All that opium with emotional topping('genocide''holocaust''rapes' etc) which is sold by media(or India) is highly illogical and far from the facts. But there is so much lying going on around about this event that it is accepted as truth blindly(because everyone is saying so). I can find a lot of such blind and ignorant people even in Pakistan. I would urge these people to just give this book a try. Ignorance is no bliss.
Bad things were done on both sides, pro-liberation and loyalist, but Pakistan Army did a very fine job. They were following orders. They were fighting an unconventional war. They were facing an enemy and traitors at the same time. They had limited manpower. There was international pressure. Men in khakis doing something wrong could easily capture the eye of journalists and media. Contrary to that the opposing party had no identity and was hard to classify. Eventually all the blame for killings was put on Pakistan Army.
No doubt Army did make mistakes and big ones. Things could have been done in a better way but as stated above this was something new for Army. But wherever they did something(to put it mildly) women and children were spared. The opposing party had no mercy. In one of the cases children were held by their feet and their heads smashed against the walls.
Sarmila Bose has done something rare and unique. She has given accounts of personalities involved in the events from different perspectives and analyzed them thoroughly. She came up with very subtly conclusions in the end. She also analyzed prevailing dogmas about this event.
I feel blessed for reading this book and am obliged to the author for producing such a work.

View all my reviews

HOLOCAUST: A Myth or A Reality

In 1633, Galilei was put before the Inquisition court, where he was forced to renounce everything concerning the so-called "false doctrine", namely that the earth was round. In 1983, 350 years later, Prof. Faurisson was put before court because of preaching a so called "false doctrine", namely not believing in the Holocaust gas chambers, the "Holocaust Doctrine".¹

                                                           Professor Rober Faurisson

Few days ago as I was watching one of Noam Chomsky’s videos on free speech (a separate topic in itself), I came to know about Prof. Robert Faurisson. In the video NC was being criticized for supporting RF back in the 90s. RF was questioning the reality of so called ‘Holocaust’ which was turning out to be sour on him. I remembered once watching Ahmadinejad, Iranian president from 2005 to 2013, denying Holocaust as well. So my deep seated curiosity on this topic was raised and I decided to dig more on this topic. Surprisingly, this topic has turned out to be very interesting and the research seems never ending. Alice in the Wonderland wouldn’t be a wrong term to use.

Throughout the history people have been reluctant to accept two things, truth and change. The level of reluctance varies though. This topic is no exception. The skepticism on Holocaust started in 1970s and has been gaining support since then. The main reason, among other reasons, for the skepticism is lack of scientific evidence. Holocaust denial or revisionism has been highly criticized and steps to stop it have been taken in forms of books, articles, speeches, ted Talks and even a feature film named Denial(2016). But still it is gaining fame owing to its support by various historians like David Irving and other important personalities. A list of revisionists can be found here. If searched on Google, you will get most hits on topics against it and a very minute number of hits in support of it. So far, revisionism is following the pattern of history. Time will reveal more.

There are basically two philosophies (I like using that word) regarding Holocaust, Exterminatism and Revisionism. The following table pretty much summarizes the point of views held by both sides.These points, in detail, have been explained by Prof. RF himself in a video which can be watched by following this YT link.

Revisionism	Exterminatism
Concentration Camps	Extermination Camps
Disinfection Gas Chamber	Homicidal Gas Chamber
Ordinary Gas Vans	Homicidal Gas Vans
Zyklon B to protect	Zyklon B to Kill
Territorial Final Solution	Homicidal Final Solution
Crematories for Dead Bodies	Crematories for Living People

Now I will relate an event in the favor of each side.

 Victory of Revisionists  

In 1979, RF was accused by nine organizations, mostly Jewish, for “personal injury through falsification of history” and other charges. In the end accusers could not extract a satisfied verdict from the courts. On 8 July 1981, the lower court in Paris rendered its verdict. It convicted Prof.RF of 'personal damages'. RF appealed on this judgment. On April 26, 1983 the final verdict was given in which Paris Court of Appeal, while upholding the previous judgment, paid a solid tribute to the work of RF. It ruled, in effect, that there could be detected in my writings on the gas chambers no trace of rashness, no trace of negligence, no trace of having deliberately overlooked anything, nor any trace of a lie and that, as a consequence, “the appraisal of the value of the findings [on the gas chambers] defended by Mr Faurisson is a matter, therefore, solely for experts, historians and the public.” This was nothing less than a victory for revisionists. A detailed account can be found on this link.

Victory of Exterminalists

In 1996, David Irving, a revisionist, filed a lawsuit against Penguins UK and Deborah Lipstadt, an American Historian, of libeling him in her book. The judgment was presented on 11 April 2000. The court ruled out Irving’s claim of libel 'not valid' and Deborah’s claim that he had deliberately distorted evidence to be substantially true. An application of appeal by Irving was denied in 2001. David Irving became bankrupt in 2002. A feature film has been made on this event by the name of Denial in 2016. Its reviews on IMDB are worth reading. A ted talk was given by DL on her experiences regarding Holocaust denial. An interview of DI was taken by BBC Hardtalk back in 2000 in which he points towards some very interesting things like the amount of money which was poured in to bring him down.

This was just an introduction to the topic. For more, please refer to FURTHER RESEARCH.

                                                                ______________________________

FURTHER RESEARCH and References

http://www.vho.org/GB/Journals/JHR/6/2/Faurisson133-181.html

http://robertfaurisson.blogspot.com/2006/12/victories-of-revisionism.html

http://www.dw.com/en/appeal-postponed-again-in-nazi-grandma-holocaust-denial-case/a-41499352

http://www.revisionists.com/

David Irving’s Hardtalk interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JF4GFGMNm3g

Deborah’s ted talk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ztdofPc8Rw

Denial (2016) reviews

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4645330/reviews?ref_=tt_urv

1.Taken from the description of RF’s lecture on Holocaust denial

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjuH-8w1Y5w

Green Signals all over for Imran Khan: Not Disqualified

Hi Blog,
Today the final statement was issued regarding the investigation which was going on for a long time. The investigation involved proving of assets via a money trail. The verdict had the power to disqualify Imran Khan from contesting in elections, let alone become the Prime Minister. Luckily or unluckily, time will tell, IK has been pronounced 'not disqualified'. Green Signal year for IK.

Personally I think this man deserves a chance. What he speaks is quite logical. He has improved the condition in KPK. Institutions are getting strong there which is very important. He has many positives which cannot be sidelined by cherry picking some negative aspects. Hopefully PTI will win and will bring the so-called "Naya Pakistan". Good for everyone. Wont be easy though considering all the complex problems Pakistan is facing.

Innocent Pakistan Post

Hi Blog,
This is going to be an article on the condition of Pakistan Post vis-a-vis all other courier services. This is a very personal opinion. I also follow up more points from my narration of the event.

"We don't have any boxes" replied the attendant at Pakistan Post airport franchise to my question of packing the items that I wanted to send to China. He gave me instructions about where to get one. As I was about to exit the door to get the box, he said from behind, "Also bring the scotch tape for packing, we don't have any of that as well" As I walked to get the box and the tape, some very interesting thoughts came to me. First of all I felt really sad to see the condition of a state institution, subsequently showing the condition of the state. I started to search for reasons. After pondering for a while I found one which was clear and enlightening but also depressing. Self loathing state of Pakistanis. We all just talk about patriotism rather we just talk about pretty much everything. We just talk talk and talk. We are always choosing between foreign courier services without ever even considering our own. Same is the situation in every decision we make. Until and unless we will not use the services provided by the our own state, how they are going to improve. They will remain in the condition narrated above. These services and institutions are part of Pakistan, the same country we get emotional for at every other instant. So I decided from now on to at least consider the services provided by my own country.
  I had visited Pakistan Post by mere chance of having no other option. If I had the choice I never would have visited it without ever knowing why. I learned from this that we need to question our beliefs. After the box and the tape, things worked out pretty good. The same service which DHL was offering me for 13000, Pakistan Post offered me for around 2000. Saved 11000, thanks to Pakistan Post and Pakistan. I was able to track the items and the package was delivered timely. I feel lucky and quite happy that I used Pakistan Post. An eye opening experience for me. We are so much unfair to our country and we expect it to be more than fair in everything.

Now the follow up points.We Pakistanis are living a paradox. We hate India but we love their movies and we love to copy them. We hate West but love what they produce, what they wear and also their movies as well. There is a long list of prevailing paradoxes. Till now we have been unable to identify ourselves. I am not taking one side or the other. But we should think wisely and decide what is right for us. And then follow that. The reason I see behind all this is the our ignorance. We must strive to become a book loving and research oriented society. We need to work hard. Lastly, at least, we need to think which is considered a sin in our society. Clear Thinking is what I am talking about.

Margot Gerritsen, Maths, Teaching

Hi Blog,
I remember the suffering of sitting in Maths classes, especially when it comes to Linear Algebra. Last night I came to know that it wasn't the problem with me or maths, it was the problem of teaching. I was taught the maths wrong way. I was learning maths without understanding which kept me blind of the beauty of maths. This paradigm shift came from a lecture by Margot Gerritsen named "Mathematics gives you wings". Maths is beautiful and quite simple.
Now some philosophy to add flavor to things. If I believe in the causality of events and not on the heroes, I mean following Tolstoy's philosophy, then some credit goes to the book GEB as well. And then to some infinite amount of events. But, luckily, I have an inclination towards Bertrand Russel who teaches to marvel the heroes. In that case the hero is MG.
So I have decided to have an open heart towards Mathematics from now on and try to understand it as much as I can.
 Link to the video mentioned above:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSxqpaCCPvY

Excerpts from Bertrand Russel's 'Portraits from Memory' on History

Hi Blog,
As I told you earlier, there is so much to learn in this book. On the subject of history, Russel has written a chapter named "History as an Art" but has maintained in the chapter that history is both, science and an art. He talks about importance of reading history to get a picture of whole humanity, to think as Man and not man. This will free us from our emotional prejudices. Then he talks about the decrease in number of readers and writers in the domain of history. Towards the end of chapter, he just can't hold it anymore, Russel talks about the condition of humanity in modern world which makes an interesting read. Here is an excerpt:
"I think that in bringing sanity to our intoxicated age, his-

tory has an important part to play. I do not mean that this is

to be brought about by any supposed "lessons of history,"

or indeed by anything easily put into a verbal formula. What

history can and should do, not only for historians but for all

whose education has given them any breadth of outlook, is to

produce a certain temper of mind, a certain way of thinking

and feeling about contemporary events and their relation to the

past and the future. I do not know whether one should accept

 Cornford's thesis that Thucydides modeled his history on

Attic tragedy; but, if he did, the events that he recorded fully

justified his doing so, and the Athenians, if they had seen

themselves in the light of actors in a possible tragedy, might

have had the wisdom to avert the tragic outcome. It is an

ancient doctrine that tragedy comes of hubris, but it is none

the less true for being ancient, and hubris recurs in every age

among those who have forgotten the disasters to which it has

always led. In our age, mankind collectively has given itself

over to a degree of hubris surpassing everything known in

former ages. In the past, Prometheus was regarded as a

would-be liberator, restrained in his beneficent work by the

tyranny of Zeus, but now we begin to wish that there were

some Zeus to restrain the modern followers of Prometheus.

Prometheus aimed to serve mankind: his modern followers

serve the passions of mankind, but only in so far as they are

mad and destructive. In the modern world there are clever

men in laboratories and fools in power. The clever men are

slaves, like Djinns in the Arabian Nights. Mankind collec-

tively, under the guidance of the fools and by the ingenuity of

the clever slaves, is engaged in the great task of preparing its

own extermination. I wish there were a Thucydides to treat

this theme as it deserves. I cannot but think that if the men

in power were impregnated with a sense of history they would

find a way of avoiding the catastrophe which all see approach-

ing and which none desire, for history is not only an account

of this nation or that, nor even of this continent or that; its

theme is Man, that strange product of evolution which has

risen by means of skill to a mastery over all other forms of

life, and even, at great peril to himself, to mastery over the

forces of inanimate nature. But Man, in spite of his cleverness,

has not learned to think of the human family as one. Al-

though he has abolished the jungle, he still allows himself to

be governed by the law of the jungle. He has little sense of

the common tasks of humanity, of its achievements in the

past and its possible greater achievements in the future. He

sees his fellow man not as a collaborator in a common pur-

pose, but as an enemy who will kill if he is not killed. What-

ever his sect or party may be, he believes that it embodies

ultimate and eternal wisdom, and that the opposite party

embodies ultimate and absolute folly. To any person with

any historical culture such a view is absurd. No portion of

mankind in the past was as good as it thought itself, or as bad

as it was thought by its enemies; but, in the past, humanity

could achieve its common purposes in spite of strife, though

haltingly and with temporarily disastrous setbacks. But in our

age the new cleverness is only compatible with survival if

accompanied by a new wisdom. The wisdom that is needed

is new only in one sense: that it must appeal to masses of

men, and above all, to those who control great power. It is

not new in the sense that it has never been proclaimed before.

It has been proclaimed by wise men for many ages, but their

wisdom has not been heeded. Now, the time is past when

wisdom could be treated as nothing but the idle dream of

visionaries. Sometimes in the moments when I am most op-

pressed by the fear of coming disaster, I am tempted to think

that what the world needs is a Prophet who will proclaim,

with a voice combining thunder with the deepest compas-

sion, that the road upon which mankind is going is the wrong

r0 ad a road leading to the death of our children and to the

extinction of all hope but that there is another road which

men can pursue if they will, and that this other road leads to

a better world than any that has existed in the past. But, al-

though this vision of a prophet can afford a momentary

consolation, what the world needs is something more difficult,

more rare. If a prophet were to arise in the East, he would be

 liquidated; if a prophet were to arise in the West, he would

not be heard in the East and in the West would be con-

demned to obloquy. It is not by the action of any one in-

dividual, however great and however eloquent, that the world

can be saved. It can be saved only when rulers and their

followers in the most powerful countries of the world be-

come aware that they have been pursuing a will-o'-the-wisp

which is tempting them only toward ignominious death in a

mire of futile hatred. The collective folly is not yet universal.

Some nations stand wholly outside it, some are only partially

victims to it. It is not too late to hope that mankind may have

a future as well as a past. I believe that if men are to feel

this hope with sufficient vividness to give it dynamic power,

the awareness of history is one of the greatest forces of which

the beneficent appeal must be felt."

Excerpts from Bertrand Russel's 'Portraits from Memory' on Peaceful Co-existence

Hi Blog,
 This book is going to be one of my favorites. There is so much to learn from this book. Best thing about the book is its compatibility even today, though it was published in 1958. One of the chapter in the book is on philosophy of our time or Russel's time to be precise. In this chapter, Russel talks about the lack of importance shown towards philosophy, how philosophy is much more relevant today than ever before, how world can be a better place with philosophy and how world can go on being as it is and get worse without philosophy. Here is an excerpt from that chapter:
 "World- wide co-operation with our present technique could

abolish poverty and war, and could bring to all mankind a

level of happiness and well-being such as has never hitherto ex-

isted. But although this is obvious men still prefer to confine

co-operation to their own groups and to indulge toward

other groups a fierce hostility which fills daily life with ter-

rifying visions of disaster. The reasons for this absurd and

tragic inability to behave as everybody's interests would dic-

tate lie not in anything external but in our own emotional

nature. If we could feel in our moments of vision as imperson-

ally as a man of science can think, we should see the folly of

our divisions and contests, and we should soon perceive that

our own interests are compatible with those of others but are

not compatible with the desire to bring others to ruin. Fa-

natical dogmatism, which is one of the great evils of our time,

is primarily an intellectual defect and, as I suggested before,

it is one to which philosophy supplies an intellectual antidote,

But a great deal of dogmatism has also an emotional source:

namely, fear. It is felt that only the closest social unity is

adequate to meet the enemy and that the slightest deviation

from orthodoxy will have a weakening effect in war. Fright-

ened populations are intolerant populations. I do not think

they are wise in this. Fear seldom inspires rational action and

very often inspires action which increases the very danger

that is feared."

Russel, in the above paragraph, tells us about the root cause of all evil. I am not here to decide whether he is wrong or right but what I am trying to suggest is that he makes an interesting point.
What I make out of this is that root cause is ignorance.

Excerpts from Bertrand Russel's 'Portraits from Memory' on Education

Hi Blog,
   My admiration is increasing for Bertrand Russel as I read more of his work. Education system has always been an interest of mine. The main cause of all the bad things happening in this world, as I see it, is ignorance and our current education system. Russel would agree with me on that.
   As I was reading the chapter on John Stuart Mill in the title book, I came across some this:
"Let us begin by asking the question of principle, namely what should a lover of liberty wish to see done in the schools? I think the idea but somewhat Utopian answer would be that pupils should be qualified as far as possible to form a reasonable judgment on controversial questions in regard to which they are likely to have to act. This would require, on the one hand, a training in judicial habits of thought; and , on the other hand, access to impartial supplies of knowledge. In this way the pupil would be prepared for a genuine freedom of choice on becoming adult, We cannot give freedom to the child, but we can give him a preparation for freedom; and this is what education ought to do."

Russel is trying to give us the perspective of Mill if he had written on the 'how the education should be done'. Mill, in actual, did not write anything on this aspect. Now above excerpt is inspiring. I would love to see education being given on that principle. What has happened, though, in the field of education is explained in the succeeding paragraph:
"This, however, is not the theory of education which has

prevailed in most parts of the world. The theory of educa-

tion which has prevailed most widely was invented by the

Jesuits and perfected by Fichte. Fichte states that the object

of education should be to destroy freedom of the will, for

why, he asks, should we wish a freedom to choose what is

wrong rather than what is right? Fichte knows what is right,

and desires a school system such that, when the children grow

up, they will be under an inner compulsion to choose what

Fichte considers right in preference to what he considers

wrong. This theory is adopted in its entirety by Communists

and Catholics, and, up to a point, by the State schools of

many countries. Its purpose is to produce mental slaves, who

have heard only one side on all the burning questions of the

day and have been inspired with feelings of horror toward

the other side. There is just one slight divergence from what

Fichte wanted: although his method of education is approved,

the dogmas inculcated differ from country to country and

from creed to creed. What Fichte chiefly wished taught was

the superiority of the German nation to all others; but on this

one small point most of his disciples disagreed with him. The

consequence is that State education, in the countries which

adopt his principles, produces, in so far as it is successful, a

herd of ignorant fanatics, ready at the word of command to

engage in war or persecution as may be required of them. So

great is this evil that the world would be a better place (at

any rate, in my opinion) if State education had never been

inaugurated."

Beautifully summed up. Johann Fichte, a disciple of Kant, has written about education in his Addresses to the German Nation. He was also in favor of boarding school systems. And a lot of other things. More can be read about 'Fichte on Education' by following this link:

http://www.stephenhicks.org/2009/12/29/fichte-on-education-as-socialization/

US Recognizing Jerusalem as Capital of Israel

Hi Blog,
Recently this news is being flashed all over the media. This decision by US(or Trump) is being highly discussed on various media platforms and will be discussed for a fair amount of time in future. Some very interesting things are highlighted like Trump being mentally unstable. Most of the world leaders criticized the decision. So what's my take on this event.
Well, I think there is nothing new in US supporting Israel. All the preceding presidents have supported Israel one way or the other. What makes this more intriguing is why would Trump go for this knowing for sure that this going to spark protest in different forms. I think T doesn't care much about the criticism considering his actions since the time he has been in office. Jerusalem Embassy Act was passed in 1995 by the US Congress in which it was stated that Jerusalem should be recognized as capital of Israel. But President could sign waiver to stall the relocation of the embassy. So all Presidents before Trump used that waiver. Trump has just fulfilled a promise made by him during his campaign. Many of the evangelical Christians voted him for this promise. And they are happy now.
The idea from the Israel side has been pushed for long. The first memo to move the embassy was written in 1982 by then US ambassador to Israel, Martin Indyk. Menachem Begin was in power at that time. One of the soldiers in making of Israel and former leader of the militant group Irgun.
The Palestinians are more or less powerless on this issue. But things might turn sour. Who knows.

REFERENCES
1.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/trumps-jerusalem-move-is-a-major-risk/2017/12/06/a63379e4-daae-11e7-b1a8-62589434a581_story.html?utm_term=.090e390834a9
2.https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.769498
3.http://edition.cnn.com/2017/12/06/opinions/jerusalem-trump-campaign-promise-stewart-opinion/index.html

Pervez Hoodbhoy: Another Strange Character

Hi Blog,

I came to know this character through Dawn's Opinion page. He caught my attention from the very first of his articles. There was something unique about his writing. That uniqueness is the ability to utter truth. People generally lie. They lie a lot. And the worst thing is they lie to themselves. One of his articles I will never forget. The article on so-called 'PhDs' in Pakistan. Now I had been wondering for a long time why Pakistan is lacking behind in so many things. From my experience in schooling I concluded it was poor standard of education. Teachers don't want to teach. Students don't want to study. Collective time wastage. This is how I view most of education system in Pakistan. However it made me confused to see so many PhD holders. How come with such poor standard of education can we produce PhD holders. Most of them are more interested in writing doctor with their names than research. Mr. Hoodbhoy's article filled the gaps. He explained all about the mafia in our education system. Its sad. You can read the article here. So finally my quest for solving this puzzle completed. Incompetence is the key word. You don't have competent engineers to run industries. You don't have competent teachers to teach. Interestingly enough, teaching is a profession opted by leftovers from everywhere. Moment of silence must be observed on this sad reality as well. So you don't have competent people anywhere. So no struggle to be seen. It's hard to change people's mentality. We need to accept this and mend our ways. We need to research.

     Now coming back to Mr. Hoodbhoy. Recently I started digging on him. I watched his TEDx talk. One of the few people in Pakistan who wont be going to their grave with an unused brain. This character thinks. Thinking is the key. It has been the key for long long time. Thinking and reasoning go parallel. So what he was trying to explain was that when you hear something you must scrutinize it rationally. The same kind of lesson has been given by Ibn-Khaldoun in his Muqadimmah. It is a life changing lesson for those who take it.

    Whenever I come across these characters, after a certain period of familiarity with them, I try to read about their lives. They are always interesting. So was the life of Mr. Hoodbhoy's. I found his life here in the shape of an interview. Interestingly enough he mentioned in his interview reading Bertrand Russel, a person for whom I have a lot of admiration. I envy him that he could go to US so easily and study at MIT. Studying at one such institutions is my dream. So is visiting US. But I am afraid going to US is not that easy anymore. I concur Mr. Hoodbhoy would have some interesting things to say about this. 

    His lecture on Idea of Pakistan is interesting and thought-provoking. It was delivered at T2F whose director Sabeen was assassinated back in 2015. We have fallen to such levels now. Credit goes to a lot of people.

   Will be developing my views further after digging more.I hope that I become this character's student. Looking forward to meet him someday. 

Visited Royal Palm Golf & Country Club and Emporium Mall LAHORE

Hi Blog,
    New places interest me. All kinds of places. It may range from a hi-tech building to a natural wonder. You find intellect and wisdom in all places. Two things for which I have utmost respect. So I was invited to Royal Palm by Mushfiq for breakfast. My real intention for going was to get an experience of the place.
   I was supposed to reach there by 10AM. That was never going to happen considering my laziness. No miracles happened this time. But this time I tried. Tried to sleep earlier but couldn't. So I slept after offering Fajr. Yeah i offer my prayers. The state of offering is another matter. I put an alarm of 9:10AM. Missed the alarm. At 0933 awaken by my mother not for going to RP but for my driver duties. Somehow I was spared and starting getting ready. I was on my way by 1015. Traffic helped and reached by 1045.
   Security was friendly. It wasn't supposed to be. Somehow it happened and I got inside quite easily. Ho-ho. I was told by M to reach reception and wait. Now waiting is one of the toughest job in the world. It requires patience and we Pakis lack in that aspect. So a century passed and M along with Sir Faiq came.We then had some issue at the ordering process but that got resolved. Thanks to Rasheed sahab. So while the order got ready we did some wandering in the club. Very nice and peaceful place. A very nice gym. A nice pool. Some good squash courts. And all other kinds of stuff. Over all a very nice place. Not for people like me.

I am afraid this is getting boring for me. I have to be quick. Then we headed for Emporium Mall. My first experience with that mall as well. I was excited. It was good to see such a mall in Lahore. I visited Packages Mall few days ago as well. I am happy for people for Lahore that now they have someplace to go other than Fortress. Pun Intended.

 

Listening lately...

I have been listening music for quite a long time. I have a very diverse choice one would say. Recently i have found following new songs and have been listening them again and again

• It's now or never by Elvis Presley YT Link
• Blue Bayou by Linda Ronstadt YT Link
• Humsafar by Hadiqa Kiani YT Link
• Be The One by Dua Lipa YT Link (Ignore the lyrics on this one)

       

Shaykh Hamza Yusuf of Pakistan: Javed Ahmed Ghamidi

Hi Blog,
       Sorry I have been away for a long time. I will try not to do that again. But dont get your hopes high, I am a lazy ass. So why I am returning now. Honestly it was a dream. What an interesting thing dreams are. I wonder what Freud or Jung would have said about dreaming a blog.
   Lets come to the topic. Now Mr. Ghamidi is one interesting fellow. He is making a lot of people uneasy. I like these kinds of people. YouTube suggested me one of his videos in which he was being asked 'tough' questions. That's what the video title said. Couldn't find any toughness in the video though. Publicity stunts everywhere. APPARENTICISM. I was expecting the red squiggle. Will talk about this some other time. I couldn't watch the complete video. It was above my stamina which finishes at 5 min. But it was enough to grip me. I talked with Awais about him. He gave me green signals. So I started watching more  of his videos. Just when I was about to make my mind that this man is Shaykh Hamza Yusuf of Pakistan, Mr. Ghamidi said something about Sufism which was contrary to Shyakh Hamza's view. I had to step back a little. Then I contemplated. Analyzed the two personalities on my level(though that is no level in front of these respected scholars) by gathering all the similarities and differences. They both have a vast amounts of knowledge. They both have studied philosophy. Both have a good sense of humor. Both posses that humbleness found in wise people. People listen to them and learn from them. A lot of people. Mr. Ghamidi visits USA to deliver lectures but sadly Shaykh Hamza never came to Pakistan. He must. Point is both are scholars at a global level.
   I couldn't find any major differences. Except for their philosophy on Sufism. I mean I haven't researched their whole lives. Just what i learned from their online lectures. Hope to meet them someday and learn more. Now Islam respects differences. And above mentioned difference is just like all other differences. Its not even a major difference considering what we see in society.
   After some contemplation I could see Shaykh Hamza in Mr. Ghamidi again. They are supposed to have differences. Firstly they are human beings. Every human being is unique. Beauty of Allah's creation. They are both from different regions. Led very different lives. One converted to Islam. Other was born in a Muslim family. And many other things.
   What I saw unique in Mr. Ghamidi was the reconstruction of Islam and love of knowledge. Previously I had only found that uniqueness in Shaykh Hamza. I mentioned Shaykh Hamza in my review of the Iqbal's book "The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam". Now writing the review I would have mentioned both.