June 2023 - Juneteenth, Eid Al Adha, GAI & the Salesman
Welcome back to 'Monthly Musings: A Curated Reading List'
Hello! Welcome back. Excited to share my passion for reading through this newsletter, offering curated content under various categories monthly.
“It is enough for your own discipline that you refrain from what you dislike from others”
- Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib
Eid Al-Adha
My family and I celebrated Eid Al-Adha on June 28th this year.
Eid Al Adha, the "Festival of Sacrifice," holds a profound significance in the Islamic faith, highlighting the value of sacrifice as an integral part of one's religious devotion. This occasion commemorates the story of Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son, demonstrating his unwavering faith and submission to God's command. It serves as a reminder for Muslims to reflect upon the importance of sacrifice in their own lives, whether it be through relinquishing personal desires or selfless acts of kindness and charity. Eid Al-Adha inspires individuals to prioritize spiritual growth and to embrace the essence of sacrifice as a means of deepening their connection with God and embodying the principles of faith, compassion, and selflessness.
I came across a witty article for this occasion.
A Tiny, Wonderful Rebellion Against the Tyranny of Time Has Begun ( pdf version ) - The New York Times
Technology
I have read as much as I can about Generative AI (GAI). I see myself using it more and more both in my personal and professional life. Below, you will find a few articles which are very practical in nature both in terms of application and impact of GAI.
Not all of us can afford a personal coach, but if used carefully, ChatGTP can help in all sorts of ways.
Turn ChatGPT Into Your Personal AI Business Coach With This Powerful Prompt - Forbes
AIs impact is far and wide and it is impossible to predict its effect on the future, but it is going to be massive. We should at least pay attention to what’s coming, even if we don’t agree with or like what’s coming.
The A.I. Revolution Will Change Work. Nobody Agrees How. ( pdf version ) - The New York Times
As it exists, only two companies really control access to GAI. Authors rightly point out that this is not desirable.
Big Tech Is Bad. Big A.I. Will Be Worse. ( pdf version ) - The New York Times
Culture, History & Politics
As an Indian American Muslim immigrant, Juneteenth resonates deeply with me. This day marks the delayed emancipation of enslaved African Americans but more importantly, their resilience and determination to be free.
This day serves as a powerful reminder that the journey toward racial and social justice is ongoing, and it calls to each one of us, irrespective of our origins, to contribute to this noble endeavor.
Juneteenth is America’s second Independence Day—here’s why ( pdf version ) - National Geographic
On a much more grim note, the Supreme Court ruled against affirmative action, setting us back many decades in progress for diversity and racial equity in educational institutions. Here’s a great video from The Wall Street Journal that explains what college admissions look like without affirmative action.
Justice Sotomayer and Justice Jackson both wrote dissents, which I urge you all to read:
“Read the dissents in the Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action” - Politico
Health
An estimated 800,000 knee replacement procedures are done in the United States each year. That number is expected to grow by 673 percent to 3.5 million by 2030, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. After reading this article that goes briefly into the anatomy of a knee, two thoughts came to my mind; thank God for my healthy knees so far, and thank God that swimming is a lot better than running for your knees.
Why Our Knees Are So Easy to Injure (pdf version) - The Wall Street Journal
Life
The prevailing view of Chinese society often portrays it as a hotbed of fierce competition and an unyielding quest for wealth and opulence. This emerging trend among the younger generation, however, challenges these stereotypes.
Just as we see globally, young people in China are now prioritizing jobs that not only align with their personal interests but also promote a sense of individualism, actively resisting the dominant culture of overwork.
These jobs can be respectable too’: Why youths in China are abandoning white-collar jobs for ‘light labor’ - CNBC
Entertainment
As some of you know, I am a big fan of Iranian movies. I recently watched “The Salesman” again on Amazon Prime. I highly recommend it, moneyback guaranteed :-)
Below is a review from Vulture.
After winning Iran’s first Oscar, for A Separation, Farhadi won the second for The Salesman, though he did not receive it in person because he was protesting the Muslim ban that restricted access to U.S. visas for Iranians and citizens of six other Muslim-majority countries. In the tradition common to filmmakers who frequently refer to other artworks in a subtle allusion to the socioeconomic conditions of Iran, The Salesman depicts a married couple and their friend putting on Arthur Miller’s play Death of a Salesman. As opening night approaches, their personal lives are turned upside down, and both the couple’s relationship and their trust in the outside world come under immense pressure. Like other Farhadi films, The Salesman puts masculinity under a microscope, showing how the male protagonists massage their pride to their families’ detriment. But Farhadi’s work, as ever, lingers in the gray as an exercise in empathy for all parties.
Please feel free to add your favorite readings of the month in the comments so others can benefit as well. Let me know your thoughts including what was interesting/useful for you.