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Starlink and Bangladesh: Why I am Skeptic About It

In an era where internet access is becoming synonymous with economic growth and social progress, Bangladesh stands at a critical juncture. Recent discussions between Elon Musk and Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus about introducing Starlink to Bangladesh have ignited both hope and debate. As someone who closely follows technological advancements and their socio-political impact, I see Starlink as an exciting but complex opportunity for Bangladesh. It has the potential to change the country’s digital landscape, but the road ahead is filled with challenges. Why the Prospect of Starlink Is Exciting Let’s be honest—Bangladesh’s internet infrastructure is far from perfect. While major cities have decent broadband, rural areas still suffer from unreliable or nonexistent connectivity. Mobile internet isn’t always dependable either, making digital expansion difficult outside urban areas. Starlink could be the missing piece that transforms connectivity, providing reliable and high-speed internet access even in the most remote locations. I’m excited… Continue Reading... "Starlink and Bangladesh: Why I am Skeptic About It"

Trump’s USAID Shutdown: A Global Crisis Unfolding

The recent decision by President Donald Trump to halt all U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) activities worldwide has sent shockwaves through the international development community. This move, executed under Executive Order 14169, has led to the suspension of numerous projects, mass layoffs, and disruptions in aid-dependent countries. Why Did Trump Shut Down USAID? The Trump administration justified the shutdown by claiming USAID was inefficient, wasteful, and involved in politically motivated funding. Elon Musk, leading the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), labeled USAID a “criminal organization” and asserted that dismantling it was necessary. The administration pointed to alleged funding of politically charged initiatives, such as LGBTQ+ rights programs and democracy-building projects, as evidence of USAID’s supposed partisan influence. Extent of the Shutdown Global Impact of the Shutdown The abrupt halt of USAID operations has already had devastating consequences: Bangladesh: A Major Casualty of the Shutdown Bangladesh, a longtime… Continue Reading... "Trump’s USAID Shutdown: A Global Crisis Unfolding"

The Rise of Global Right-Wing

“Extremes to the right and to the left of any political dispute are always wrong.”—Dwight D. Eisenhower Right-wing politics are on the rise around the globe, spurred by economic anxieties, cultural shifts, and demographic pressures. This surge echoes from local communities to the highest echelons of power, reshaping political norms in ways that prompt both alarm and renewed scrutiny. Donald Trump’s win or AfD’s rising popularity in Germany, everything is pointing towards a grim future that will soon start to affect millions of people’s lives. Understanding the Surge 1. Global Economic Anxiety The aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis had barely faded before the COVID-19 pandemic delivered another economic shock. Job insecurity and inflation, coupled with fears of rapid social change, push many voters toward strongman politics and nationalist rhetoric. Right-wing movements often exploit these anxieties by positioning themselves as guardians of cultural identity and national sovereignty. As Slavoj Žižek… Continue Reading... "The Rise of Global Right-Wing"

My Dinner with Andre: A Conversation for the Ages

Few films or books have captured the depth of existential inquiry and the weight of modern life as brilliantly as My Dinner with Andre. Originally a film released in 1981, it remains an unconventional masterpiece, a cinematic experience built entirely on a dinner conversation between two friends, Andre and Wally. The film, and its accompanying screenplay in book form, present a deep philosophical discussion that remains as thought-provoking and relevant today as it was over four decades ago. Through their dialogue, they explore themes of conformity, authenticity, human connection, and the illusions we build around ourselves. I was so moved by this decades old movie that I couldn’t help but share some of my most favorite quotes or dialogues here. The Timeless Wisdom of My Dinner with Andre: A Selection of Quotes Are We Becoming Robots? ANDRÉ: The 60s were the last gasp of real Human Beings, and all we… Continue Reading... "My Dinner with Andre: A Conversation for the Ages"

Best ETFs to Invest in 2025

Investing in Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) is one of the most effective ways to grow your wealth while maintaining diversification. With thousands of ETFs available, it can be overwhelming to determine which ones to invest in. In this guide, we will explore the best ETFs for 2025, combining expert insights with an investment strategy that aligns with a diversified and forward-thinking portfolio. Why ETFs? ETFs offer a low-cost, diversified way to invest in stocks, bonds, commodities, and more. Unlike individual stocks, they spread risk across multiple assets, making them a great choice for beginners. Additionally, they trade like stocks, meaning they can be bought and sold throughout the day, unlike mutual funds. They also offer a wide range of investment options—from tracking broad indices to focusing on specific sectors, themes, or geographical regions. Whether you’re looking for stable growth, high-risk innovation plays, or dividend-focused investments, there’s an ETF for every investor.… Continue Reading... "Best ETFs to Invest in 2025"

People Who Just Can’t Apologize

We’ve all encountered them—people who seem completely incapable of saying the words, “I’m sorry.” No matter how much evidence is presented or how gently they are approached, they resist acknowledging their mistakes. Instead, they may deny, deflect, or even become defensive and lash out. This refusal to apologize can be deeply frustrating, especially when it occurs in close relationships. But what causes this inability to take responsibility? And how can we navigate interactions with such individuals while maintaining our own emotional well-being? The Psychology Behind the Inability to Apologize On the surface, it might seem that those who refuse to apologize do so out of sheer arrogance or stubbornness. However, research in psychology suggests that their behavior is often driven by something deeper: a fragile sense of self-worth. According to psychologist Guy Winch, many non-apologizers have deeply ingrained feelings of insecurity. To them, admitting fault is not merely a minor… Continue Reading... "People Who Just Can’t Apologize"

Political Correctness and the Future of Innovation

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, recently shared his thoughts on the rapid advancements of China in artificial intelligence (AI), citing the success of the Chinese startup DeepSeek. He attributed this progress not only to technological advancements but to a deeply ingrained competitive education system that outperforms Western models in fostering excellence in math and science. His observations highlight a crucial debate: the role of education systems in shaping global technological leadership and the unintended consequences of political correctness in the classroom. It made me think and, to be honest, I cannot but agree with him. The Rise of China’s Competitive Education Model Durov points out that Chinese students have consistently outperformed others in international math and programming competitions. This success is not accidental; it stems from an education system that embraces rigorous competition, a concept borrowed from the highly efficient Soviet model. In such a system, students are encouraged… Continue Reading... "Political Correctness and the Future of Innovation"

DeepSeek, AI Underdog who Surprised the World

The History of AI Chatbots and LLMs Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots have undergone rapid evolution over the past few decades. From rudimentary rule-based systems in the early days to sophisticated neural networks, AI’s ability to understand and generate human-like responses has advanced tremendously. The watershed moment in this journey was Google’s 2017 paper, Attention is All You Need, which introduced the Transformer architecture. This breakthrough revolutionized Natural Language Processing (NLP), enabling the development of powerful Large Language Models (LLMs) such as GPT-3, GPT-4, and Gemini. However, LLMs have long faced challenges in reasoning, problem-solving, and maintaining efficiency at scale. Reinforcement learning with human feedback (RLHF) emerged as a solution, refining models through iterative training. DeepSeek, a new player in the AI landscape, has taken this approach even further, introducing DeepSeek-R1, a model that pushes the boundaries of reinforcement learning for reasoning. The Emergence of DeepSeek-R1: A New Paradigm in AI… Continue Reading... "DeepSeek, AI Underdog who Surprised the World"

Aggression as Therapy: The Healing Power of Heavy Metal and Rock Music

Heavy metal music often gets a bad rap, associated with aggression, rebellion, and even devil worship. Despite this stigma, recent research shows that heavy metal can have significant benefits for mental health, emotional well-being, and even cognitive performance. Let’s dive into how this misunderstood genre helps listeners process emotions, find community, and stay focused. Heavy Metal and Emotional Release One of the most compelling benefits of heavy metal is its ability to provide an outlet for intense emotions. Contrary to the stereotype of angry, antisocial headbangers, studies have found that heavy metal can be profoundly cathartic. In fact, 69% of participants in a social experiment reported that listening to heavy metal helped them manage their emotions. The intense riffs, aggressive vocals, and raw energy provide listeners with an avenue to process and release bottled-up emotions in a healthy way, ultimately leading to a feeling of catharsis and relief. As a… Continue Reading... "Aggression as Therapy: The Healing Power of Heavy Metal and Rock Music"

Riz Khan Interviews Philosopher Slavoj Zizek: Transcript

This interview is stored here as a reference for my other writings related to it. This transcript is machine generated and I do not own any part of it. Original interview in the video below. Riz Khan: Hello and welcome. I’m Riz Khan. He’s been described as the most dangerous philosopher in the West, and he certainly doesn’t hold back any punches. But there’s no denying that Slavoj Žižek provokes deep thought and discussion with his often controversial views on everything from the state of politics and the mainstream media to the meaning of real love, and now the validity of religion through his new book with the provocative title Christian Atheism: How to Be a Real Materialist. Well, keeping an eye on the upcoming U.S. elections as well as the conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Hamas, Professor Žižek sees a world where we can only… Continue Reading... "Riz Khan Interviews Philosopher Slavoj Zizek: Transcript"