Waleed Mahmud Tariq
Stories (34)
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Why it's Important to get out of our Buckets
Imagine a painter who only uses one color on their palette. While they might create some interesting monochromatic pieces, their work would lack the vibrancy and depth that comes from a full spectrum of colors. Similarly, approaching knowledge through a single discipline is like painting with just one color. It limits our perspective, confines our creativity, and hinders our ability to see the big picture. This is the art of interdisciplinary studies. Leonardo da Vinci, Galilei Galileo, Isaac Newton, Renee Descartes, and so many more great names that we often forget; They were all polymaths. They saw the world as a complete organism where every contribution they made was part of something bigger. More importantly, they did not lose themselves into their own buckets.
By Waleed Mahmud Tariq2 years ago in Education
Activists Road-Blocking: Is it Okay?
In recent years, the world has witnessed a surge in a particular form of activism where protesters glue themselves to roads, obstructing traffic and causing significant disruptions in daily life. These actions are typically aimed at drawing attention to urgent issues such as climate change, animal rights, or political injustices. This form of protest has sparked considerable debate, raising questions about its effectiveness and ethical implications. Are these disruptive tactics advancing the activists’ causes, or are they merely aggravating the very people they aim to persuade?
By Waleed Mahmud Tariq2 years ago in Humans
Revisiting Sapiens
When I first picked up Yuval Noah Harari’s “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind,” I was expecting a straightforward historical account of our species. Yet, what I encountered was a profound exploration of human nature, culture, and society; a book that not only challenged my preconceptions but also inspired deep philosophical reflection. Here is the story of how I approached, grappled with, and ultimately absorbed the transformative ideas in Sapiens.
By Waleed Mahmud Tariq2 years ago in BookClub
The Temples of Consumerism
We live in a world where the most revered buildings are not cathedrals or temples but banks and corporate headquarters. The hum of commerce is the chant of worship, and the ceaseless pursuit of wealth has transformed into the highest form of devotion. This is the reality of our modern society, where capitalism has morphed into a new kind of religion. Money, once a mere tool for trade, has been deified, and our desires have become our prayers. This article is not about critiquing capitalism’s pros and cons, but about examining how its distorted form has reshaped our values, turning greed into virtue and material gain into the ultimate measure of success.
By Waleed Mahmud Tariq2 years ago in Humans
Chained in Tradition
Imagine growing up in a society where every thought, every action, every word is scrutinized through the lens of rigid cultural norms and dogmatic beliefs. This is the reality for many in Pakistan, particularly among the rural communities. There, freedom of thought is not just limited; it is systematically oppressed. This narrative, deeply personal yet universally relevant, ventures into how culture and heritage shape our ability to think freely. From the distorted realities presented in our textbooks to the weaponization of religion, the impact on intellectual autonomy is both deep and pervasive.
By Waleed Mahmud Tariq2 years ago in Humans
Author of our Lives?
Every morning, we wake up to the sound of our alarm clocks, and with that simple act, a cascade of biochemical events begins. Our heart rate increases and our body floods with cortisol, shifting us from the calm state of sleep to the alertness required for the day ahead. This scenario is not unique to any particular one of us; but something common to all of us, influencing our decisions in ways we might not even realize.
By Waleed Mahmud Tariq2 years ago in Humans
Patriotism is NOT what you think!
Patriotism is often hailed as a noble virtue, a sign of unwavering loyalty and love for one’s country. But beneath the surface of this seemingly positive sentiment lies a darker reality. The patriotic sense of pride, while seemingly harmless, is a recipe for division, hindering progress, and perpetuating harmful ideologies. In this bipolar world, there is a dire need to examine ideas that cause dissent among us. We need to talk about the various ways in which these abstract ideas can be detrimental, challenging conventional notions.
By Waleed Mahmud Tariq2 years ago in Humans
Life on Repeat
Life in an age where technological advancements promise unparalleled convenience and efficiency has become a series of automated cycles. An unrelenting pattern of wake, work, and sleep. This repetitive routine, seemingly a hallmark of modern life, raises critical questions about the nature of our existence, the influence of capitalism, and the pursuit of meaning in an increasingly mechanized world.
By Waleed Mahmud Tariq2 years ago in Humans
The Silent Demise
*This article is inspired by Nathaniel Brandon’s Lecture on Objectivism Every debate, every dissension, every conflict will ultimately resolve itself into fundamental questions of ethics, epistemology, and metaphysics. When these deep-rooted issues arise, most people find themselves bewildered and frustrated, often deciding that thinking about them or discussing them is pointless. They conclude that philosophy is useless, abandoning any attempt to seek understanding. But what happens when we give up on philosophy? What are the consequences of living without a rational, philosophical framework?
By Waleed Mahmud Tariq2 years ago in Humans
The Silent Killer
In the quiet moments of my life, when the world slows and reflection takes hold, I often think about the subtle forces that shape our life. Among these, stress stands out as a silent saboteur, influencing our bodies and minds in deep and subtle ways. Understanding stress started off as something deeply personal to me, shaped by both experiences and the insights from scientific research.
By Waleed Mahmud Tariq2 years ago in Humans
