The Attention Crisis Shariq AliValueversity It is one o’clock in the morning. A young person opens their phone with the intention of spending “just a few minutes.” One video leads to another, then a third, then a fourth. By the… Read More »The Attention Crisis
A Grain of Salt Shariq AliValueversity After a sweaty cricket match on a hot day, a long walk, or an intense workout, we often return home feeling extremely thirsty. We quickly drink water, yet sometimes the weakness, dizziness, or fatigue… Read More »A Grain of Salt
Time, Destiny, and Free Will: Are We Truly Free? Shariq AliValueversity Late at night, a reader sits alone in his room, reading a book.Every page of that book has already been written. The beginning exists, and so does the ending.… Read More »Time, Destiny, and Free Will: Are We Truly Free?
Consciousness: A Profound Mystery Shariq AliValueversity Pause for a moment… and look within. This experience you are having—these thoughts, these feelings—who is it that understands and “knows” all of this? Who are you? Are you the one who thinks and… Read More »Consciousness: A Profound Mystery
Where is time? Outside… or within us? Shariq AliValueversity Try a simple experiment…Close your eyes and attempt to feel the “now.” That moment—this very moment—in which you are reading the words of this piece… where does it actually exist?Is time… Read More »Where is time? Outside… or within us?
The Important and the Unimportant in Everyday Life Shariq AliValueversity You may be driving perfectly well when suddenly someone honks, overtakes you, and stares as if you’ve made a serious mistake. At a gathering, a relative might make a negative… Read More »The Important and the Unimportant in Everyday Life
The Remarkable Discovery of Electricity from Soil Shariq AliValueversity When we think of soil, the first thing that comes to mind is growing plants.But recently, science has revealed a surprising truth—soil can also be a hidden source of energy. In… Read More »The Remarkable Discovery of Electricity from Soil
Can Machines Taste? Shariq AliValueversity Imagine that you and I are sitting together at a dinner, and I ask you, “How does the food taste?” For you, the answer would come naturally and instantly. You might say it is delicious,… Read More »Can Machines Taste?
Bonsai: A Japanese Tree and a Philosophy Shariq AliValueversity It was one of those beautiful spring days. Mona and I set out to visit London’s famous Holland Park. As we were making our way toward the park, we noticed a… Read More »Bonsai: A Japanese Tree and a Philosophy
The Hidden Connection Between the Gut and the Brain Shariq AliValueversity Have you ever noticed that shortly after having a light breakfast, you begin to feel a strange sense of restlessness, fatigue, or irritability? At first glance, it may seem… Read More »The Hidden Connection Between the Gut and the Brain