Syed Salman Shah

Perceive myself as a Catalyst of Change. A native of this mysterious planet. Content creator. Blogger. Restless-revolutionary soul. Bibliophilist. Social media Butterfly. Avid free thinker. My unpredictability is predictable! 

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Book Review: Rich Family Smart Family

Book Review:

Another masterpiece from the renowned author Robert Kiyosaki - investor, entrepreneur, and financial educator. The Book - Rich Family, Smart Family reinforces his core belief that financial education should begin at home. The book strongly advocates empowering families with the gift of financial literacy, positioning it as an essential life skill rather than an optional subject.

Kiyosaki emphasizes that traditional schooling often falls short when it comes to teaching money management. He encourages parents to go beyond conventional education and use everyday situations as practical “money lessons.” The lessons presented are simple yet deeply valuable, making financial education accessible and relatable for children, teenagers, and adults alike. The idea is to make learning about money a shared, family-wide experience.

At the heart of the book is the principle that financial intelligence begins with financial literacy. Financial literacy equips individuals with the tools to build and understand their personal financial statements, which ultimately tell the story of how effectively they manage cash flow. Kiyosaki repeatedly reminds readers that the mind is the greatest asset how you think about money determines how money works for you.

In today’s information-heavy world, children are constantly exposed to a confusing mix of facts and opinions. Kiyosaki stresses the importance of teaching them to distinguish between the two, especially when it comes to financial advice. He cautions readers to be selective about whom they listen to and from whom they take guidance. True educators, he notes, focus on empowering others with tools and knowledge, not dependency.

The book defines true freedom as financial freedom, freedom from the fear and anxiety of not having enough money to live the life you and your family deserve. Kiyosaki predicts that while millions will find life financially tougher, others will discover wealth beyond what kings and queens once possessed. The difference lies in mindset, education, and discipline.

A key concept explored is Financial IQ (FI). FI is not about how much money you earn, but how much you keep and how hard that money works for you. Your FI is increasing if, as you grow older, your money buys you more freedom, happiness, health, and choices in life. However, Kiyosaki makes it clear that money alone does not create happiness. If you are unhappy while pursuing wealth, you are unlikely to be happy once you achieve it. Happiness must exist independent of financial status.

Kiyosaki also delves into the nature of intelligence, defining it as the ability to make finer distinctions. The more nuanced your understanding of a subject especially money the higher your intelligence in that area. He highlights that the true difference between the rich, the poor, and the middle class often lies in how they use their spare time and how they prioritize learning.

Priorities matter. The rich are not necessarily smarter; they simply have different priorities. One of the most powerful lessons in the book is the importance of having a plan for money. If you don’t have one, someone else will. Knowing what to do with money is just as important as knowing how to earn it. The rich, Kiyosaki explains, don’t work for money they make money work for them.

The author outlines two financial plans:

Plan One: Working to earn ordinary income.

Plan Two: Converting earned income into passive and portfolio income.

Your financial statement becomes your scorecard, reflecting your financial decisions and progress. Kiyosaki encourages readers to adopt a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity, emphasizing that even the words we use around money matter.

He illustrates this point through financial vocabulary. For example, the word mortgage originates from the French word mortir, meaning “death,” translating loosely to “engagement until death.” Similarly, real estate derives from a term meaning “royal estate,” originally referring to land owned by royalty. Understanding such terminology helps reshape how we perceive financial systems and opportunities.

Kiyosaki further explains why simply giving money to poor individuals often fails to improve their situation it does not address the underlying mindset. Without financial education, money is easily lost. This is evident in societies transitioning from government dependency to capitalism, where the language of commerce and personal responsibility must first be learned.

To create generational wealth, Kiyosaki urges readers to focus on acquiring assets that put money into their pockets rather than liabilities that take money out. Improving financial vocabulary, practicing financial discipline, and consistently applying basic financial principles are essential steps toward lasting financial freedom.

In conclusion, Rich Family, Smart Family is a powerful reminder that financial success is less about income and more about education, mindset, and priorities. It challenges families to take control of their financial future together. #PersonalFinance

~ Syed Salman

~ Twitter (X): @SalmanShah_Syed

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Book Review: The Richest Man in Babylon

The book, written in 1926 by George S. Clason, offers financial advice through a unique and engaging storytelling method inspired by a collection of parables set approximately 4,000 years earlier in ancient Babylon. It is considered a classic of personal finance, investment, and monetary success in the twentieth century.

Through a series of enlightening fables set in the heart of ancient Babylon, Clason provides readers with valuable economic tips and tools for achieving financial success. His work illustrates the timeless wisdom of ancient Babylon, adapting it to contemporary financial needs through enduring principles of earning, retaining, and multiplying wealth. This book presents a formula for creating generational wealth.

The author employs an engaging storytelling style to convey classic personal finance advice from ancient times, illustrating moral and spiritual lessons while also addressing the practical realities of today's world. Money is often seen as the measure of earthly success, and in order to fulfill your ambitions and desires, it is essential to be successful with money. But how can one achieve this?

To find the answer, we can explore the story of the richest man in Babylon: a man named Arkad. He learned from his mistakes, sought guidance from knowledgeable and experienced individuals, and maintained discipline and consistency in his financial affairs. Essentially, there are two types of learning: the first involves the knowledge we acquire, while the second pertains to the training that helps us discover what we do not yet know. Arkad's journey exemplifies both types of learning, ultimately allowing him to pass on his wisdom to his students.

When discussing our journeys, we must acknowledge the role of luck. Luck is significant, but what exactly is it? Luck occurs when preparation meets opportunity. However, it’s important to understand that there is no such thing as "good luck" on its own; the truth is that we can attract good luck by being open to opportunities. In fact, those who take action tend to be favored by fate. Determination often paves the way forward; the actions of men cause the divine plan to unfold.

*As the great poet Iqbal said:

"This task isn't meant for a philosopher, so cling to him (Moses) who spoke with God

 A hundred people on the shore cannot compare to one person in the river (taking action)."

The author outlines a straightforward formula for managing financial affairs to build lasting wealth, while also addressing the issue of debt. From your periodic income, allocate your funds as follows:

1/10th for savings, which should be consistently invested

7/10th for household expenditures and recreational activities

2/10th for debt servicing (if applicable); if you have no debt, this portion should also be invested

This approach is simple yet effective. The key principles are to "pay yourself first" by setting aside 1/10th for savings, ensure the circulation of money by not being stingy with the 7/10ths for everyday living, and prioritize getting rid of debt as soon as possible with the remaining 2/10ths. The goal is to acquire, save, and invest for your benefit, ultimately achieving the financial independence you desire.

This book is an excellent gift for graduates or anyone who feels confused by the world of finance. It's also a refreshing read for even the most experienced investors. While the glory of Babylon may have faded, its wisdom has been preserved for us. Thanks for reading!  

Written by ~ Syed Salman

Twitter: @SalmanShah_Syed

Email: [email protected]

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Book Review: The Lessons of History

The book, published in 1968, focuses more on the philosophy of history than on history per se. It seeks to uncover overall meanings and patterns within the historical process. In the philosophy of history, we aim to understand the present in the context of the past. This work provides a summary of various periods and trends in history, drawing from insights gained after completing the 10th volume of their significant eleven-volume series, "The Story of Civilization". Historians Will Durant and Ariel Durant uniquely and thoughtfully explored the hidden themes, progressions, and lessons derived from 5,000 years of human history. They examined this history from twelve different perspectives, compiling their findings into 120 pages that address geography, biology, race, character, morals, religion, economics, socialism, government, war, growth and decay, and progress.

To gain a deeper understanding of history, we must recognize its cyclical nature. This cycle can be summarized as follows: “hardship builds strength, which fosters prosperity, which can lead to weakness, eventually resulting in hardship.” Throughout history, the rise and fall of civilizations follow this pattern. The wise among us not only identify the current phase of this cycle but also respond proactively to it. It’s the Man, not the earth, that makes civilization. However, animals eat one another without qualm; civilized man consumes one another by due process of law. The present is the past rolled up for action, and the past is the present unrolled for understanding. Indeed, there’s no humourist like history.

Throughout history, Nations die. Old Regions grow arid or suffer other changes. Resilient humanity picks up his tools and his art, and moves on, taking his memories with him. The only real revolution is in the enlightenment of the mind and the improvement of character, the only real emancipation is individual, and the only real revolutionists are philosophers and saints. We have observed the trend of inter-civilizational learning. Rome imported Greek civilization and transmitted it to Western Europe; Islamic civilization shared its knowledge of science and philosophy with both Western and Eastern Europe. Americans benefited from European civilization and were prepared to pass it on using a different method of transmission. Now, we are witnessing a shift toward the East once again.

We must acknowledge that there has been no significant change in human nature throughout history. All technological advancements can be viewed as new methods for achieving age-old goals, such as acquiring goods, fulfilling sexual desires, overcoming competition, and waging wars. One of the important lessons from history is that it tends to repeat itself. As Karl Marx noted, it happens first as tragedy and then as farce. Be mindful!

By ~ Syed Salman Shah

Twitter (x): @SalmanShah_Syed

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Book Review: How Countries Go Broke - The Big Cycle

Book Review: The Book precisely addresses the core idea of the rise and fall of empires and countries by observing a cyclical pattern and the triggering factors that cause these repetitive patterns to appear. The reasons behind these patterns are described in a way that helps us understand how this mechanism has worked throughout history and continues to affect everyone.

So, what is the Big Cycle? As described in the book, it's a framework for understanding the rise and fall of world powers through repeating patterns driven by five interconnected forces:

Debt cycles

Internal political conflicts

External geopolitical conflicts

Acts of nature

Technological advancements

These cycles involve periods of increasing wealth and prosperity that eventually lead to debt crises, social unrest, and war. This results in radical changes to domestic, monetary, and global orders before a new cycle begins.

The above mentioned five interconnected forces that make up the Big Cycle, and a deep understanding of them is essential to comprehending the shifting world:

The Big Cycle of Money, Credit, and Debt: This is a fundamental driver where increasing debt leads to periods of economic prosperity, followed by a deleveraging process that can result in debt crises.

The Big Cycle of Internal Peace and Conflict: This cycle describes the ebb and flow of internal social and political stability within a nation, often influenced by wealth disparities and social unrest.

The Big Cycle of External Peace and Wars: Similar to the internal cycle, this relates to the rise and fall of major world powers and their resulting influence on the global stage.

Big Acts of Nature: This includes natural disasters like droughts, floods, and pandemics, which can have significant disruptive impacts on societies and economies.

Big Technology Developments: Advances in technology, such as AI, can create significant gains in productivity and living standards, even as other cycles lead to instability.

Historical Context:

In Part III of the book (Chapters 9-14), the author describes the brief but compelling history of the world's monetary system from 1865 to 2025. On average, long-term debt cycles typically last about one lifetime—roughly 80 years. Since the Bretton Woods agreement, approximately 80 years have passed, which is why we are now witnessing a tectonic shift in the world's monetary system. The rise of the Global South with a new monetary system and the recent rush for gold are symptoms of the current system's unreliability. The BRICS+ countries pose a serious threat to the Western-led monetary system, which validates the author's assertions.

The author also sheds light on AI and its implications, as it falls under the fifth force that shapes the Big Cycle. He describes the creation of AI capabilities as just the beginning of its applications, stating that AI will impact everything. He predicts that there will be exceptionally large efficiency differences in countries' performance in the near future. The author suggests we should assume that best, openly shared, and popular ideas will be replicated within about six to twelve months. He stresses that AI isn't the only important technology shaping the relative power of nations. Many other technologies exist beyond chips and AI, including quantum computing, gene editing and other biotech, robotics, and space technology. Of course, new technologies are double-edged swords; they have advanced how we can harm each other as well as how we can do good.

Based on his analysis, the author predicts that the next 5-10 years will be a period of enormous changes in all major orders, including the monetary order. He foresees that many countries, companies, and people who are currently thriving will decline, and those who are struggling will rise. The way we think and what we do will be very different in ways we can't possibly anticipate. However, as a silver lining, countries with great human capital will matter most.

Navigating the Future:

The author suggests the best way to navigate these upcoming circumstances is to play the odds, diversify wisely, and stick with sound fundamentals. The biggest, most important thing is how people deal with each other during this tectonic shift. If people treat their problems and opportunities as being shared and focus on achieving the best outcomes for the whole without damaging each other, they will likely get the best possible results. Specifically, the author suggests that the U.S. cut its deficits to 3% of GDP to avoid an imminent economic crisis.

The author concludes with a final principle for these circumstances, stating we should be worried and optimistic at the same time: "If you're not worried, you need to worry—and if you are worried, you don't need to worry." This is because worrying about what can go wrong will protect you, while not worrying will leave you exposed. Indeed, interesting times are ahead.

~ Syed Salman

X: @SalmanShah_Syed

[email protected]

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Book Review: Mission Economy - A Moonshot guide to changing Capitalism

Book Review: The author argues that capitalism is in crisis and needs to be reformed to address global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the environmental crisis. Capitalism has proven inadequate in coping with these situations and providing effective solutions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, governments worldwide had to intervene through bailouts and mass sustenance programs. Furthermore, human greed and profiteering are eroding the conditions necessary for social and environmental stability. The author contends that instead of fostering sustainable growth, capitalism has led to economies that inflate speculative bubbles, enrich the already wealthy 1%, and harm the planet. In many capitalist economies, real earnings for all but a few have scarcely increased in over a decade, and in some cases, for several decades.

The author uses the well-known Apollo mission, which involved a mission to the moon, as an example throughout the book to illustrate how the government set the stage to attract innovation and creativity from the private sector. This was achieved by laying the foundation for an ecosystem in which significant goals are accomplished through a mission-oriented approach. She explains the government's capabilities through bureaucracy that manages complex problems, which include leadership and engagement, coordination, administration, risk-taking and experimentation, and dynamic evaluation.

She explains the mission-oriented approach, which requires long-term thinking and patient financing; it implies that the mission must be funded. President John F. Kennedy made it clear that the Apollo project would be costly—and it certainly was. He and NASA had to continually defend the budget allocation, but the desire to "defeat the USSR" ensured that funding was provided. The central idea is that if money can be allocated for wartime missions, why can't it be used to address social problems? The real question is: how do we create the resources needed to realize the specific mission?

She argues that the government must utilize public finance effectively. If public investment is carried out strategically, with a well-organized public sector focusing on long-term growth areas—such as the key factors that enhance productivity (including education, research, science-industry linkages, worker training, and patient finance)—it can stimulate private sector investment.

She highlights an outcomes-based economy where finance serves the economy, as opposed to the economy serving finance. According to her, mission-oriented thinking requires an openness to uncertainty and experimentation. She emphasizes the importance of a welfare-oriented approach that prioritizes predistribution of income over redistribution. Predistribution aims to prevent inequality before it occurs, while redistribution seeks to address inequality by reallocating income after it has been generated. Furthermore, she argues that the government's role is crucial in addressing major challenges. We need to reimagine government intervention as a prerequisite for restructuring capitalism in an inclusive, sustainable, and innovation-driven manner.

Therefore, a productive welfare-based collaborative public-private partnership is essential for restoring and improving the state of capitalism. Governments cannot achieve their missions alone; they must collaborate with purpose-driven businesses. One of the significant challenges of modern capitalism is restructuring businesses so that private profits are reinvested into the economy rather than being used for short-term financial purposes. This book provides tools to help us reimagine that world and engage in these crucial battles.

~ Syed Salman

x: @SalmanShah_Syed

Book Review: Mission Economy - A Moonshot guide to changing Capitalism | Salman Syed MBA Finance, MA Economics, CA (Part Qualified)

#BookReview #Recommended #MissionEconomy #MarianaMazzucato

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Strategic Bitcoin Reserve: A Monetary Strategy

A strategic Bitcoin reserve refers to the intentional holding of Bitcoin as a reserve asset by corporations, institutions, or governments to enhance financial security, hedge against inflation, and diversify investments. Proponents believe that Bitcoin is the "Digital Gold," although many people disagree. This raises an important question: will other cryptocurrencies also be included in reserve assets? That’s the question that needs concrete explanation.

The recent surge in Bitcoin's price can be attributed to the U.S. announcement regarding its intention to include Bitcoin as a strategic reserve. As we know, a strategic reserve is a stockpile of critical resources used during crises or supply disruptions, similar to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve or Strategic Gold Reserve. The U.S. plans to acquire 200,000 Bitcoins as a starting point. As of June 1, 2025, approximately 19.96 million Bitcoins have been mined, leaving about 1.04 million BTC remaining out of the capped supply of 21 million. This means that, due to Bitcoin's newly recognized status as a strategic reserve, demand for Bitcoin is consistently rising, making it increasingly inaccessible to individual investors.

There is an argument that Bitcoin’s appreciation could help reduce national deficits without increasing taxes. However, unlike oil or metals such as gold and silver, Bitcoin lacks intrinsic value. Furthermore, its volatility makes long-term value uncertain, and its wallets are susceptible to cyberattacks, raising concerns about the security of stockpiles. In the context of strategic reserves, converting gold or silver into Bitcoin would likely be one of the worst monetary mistakes a country could make.

In my humble opinion, countries should prioritize gold and silver reserves over Bitcoin reserves for several clear reasons. These include the intrinsic value of precious metals, their reliable nature as a store of value that retains purchasing power over time, lower volatility compared to cryptocurrencies, and their tangible form, which contrasts with the digital nature of Bitcoin.

~ Syed Salman Shah

X (Twitter): @SalmanShah_Syed

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Global Economic Warfare: Protectionism and Tariffs

The year 2025 began with economic warfare around the globe, characterized by the imposition of new tariffs designed to protect domestic industries, primarily to safeguard employment and sustain economic stability. The use of tariffs and protectionism in a multi-polar world is a detrimental phenomenon that often leads to intense conflicts. A fair solution would be to implement mutually negotiated and reciprocal tariffs among countries and economic blocs.

Currently, we have three significant competitive economic blocs: the USA, the EU, and the BRICS countries. It's important to consider the context of de-dollarization in these economic conflicts. However, imposing tariffs as a means of practicing protectionism seems outdated. The phase of the global economy has evolved, and today’s economic affairs rely on multiple factors to produce a certain product.

For example, take the iPhone. It is designed and manufactured by knowledge workers and manufacturers, and relies on raw material suppliers from forty-three different countries. No single country can produce an iPhone on its own; instead, it is the result of a global supply chain that involves many nations working together to deliver quality and sophisticated products. This process represents an entire ecosystem.

Addressing the issue of tariffs from a 19th-century mercantilist perspective may seem appealing, but this approach is unfair and harmful to free trade. A more compassionate approach is needed to leverage the comparative advantages of different countries. At the same time, we must ensure creativity and efficiency to achieve shared global economic benefits.

X: @SalmanShah_syed

Global Economic Warfare: Protectionism and Tariffs

The year 2025 began with economic warfare around the globe, characterized by the imposition of new tariffs designed to protect domestic indu

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The yellow brick road ahead if…

It seems that nearly all economies worldwide are encountering difficulties in achieving sustainable growth and stability beyond the usual boom-and-bust cycle. Governments across the globe are working to tackle imminent economic crises while also striving to ensure growth, price stability, and employment. However, with the rise of modern technology, cryptocurrencies, and particularly AI, which directly impacts human lives, countries are facing new challenges as well such as financialization and the depletion or restricted use of natural resources due to climate change. With self-imposed scarcity upon us, meeting the economic needs has now become a monumental challenge. So, how can economies overcome these challenges, and what are the possible solutions? Let's delve into this topic.

Take an example of the United States, it has the world's largest economy with a GDP of $28 trillion (Nominal) and a debt of $35 trillion, which continues to increase. The annual interest payments on this debt exceed the defense budget, which is concerning. Economists predict that the US economy is heading towards an irreversible decline if it does not change its course. Contributing factors to this decline include unchecked quantitative easing (QE), a high defense budget, debt servicing, high corporate taxation, and excessive regulations on domestic and international trade. Other economies worldwide are facing more or less similar challenges. If the US addresses some of these issues, it could restore its position as a global leader, with the potential for other countries to follow suit. The stakes are high.

Here are some possible pragmatic public policy guidelines to address global economic challenges:

Taxation: Tax cuts can boost purchasing power for both households and businesses. A low tax rate on a broad tax base can help bridge the fiscal gap and increase the purchasing power.  

Government Spending: Spending should be moderate, avoiding both excessive and insufficient levels. It's important to distinguish between productive and non-productive expenditures, such as debt servicing, unnecessary defense bills, and running deficit driven public enterprises. Strategic planning, a strong foreign policy, and public-private partnerships can help reduce these expenses.

Monetary Policy/Price Stability: Moving towards in the direction of a gold standard, commodity-backed money, or cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (with a limited total supply of 21 million units) as strategic reserves can help ensure sound money and prevent inflation caused by excessive money supply. The BRICS nations are reportedly exploring a new reserve currency called UNIT, which is backed by gold. Additionally, the project mBridge is exploring a multi-CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency) global platform built on distributed ledger technology (DLT) to enable instant cross-border payments and settlement. These developments suggest that a global monetary reset may be forthcoming.

Regulations: Deregulation can reduce government intervention and create a more business and employment-friendly environment without compromising the benefits of technological advancement. The goal is to minimize regulations and promote ease of doing business.

International Trade: Free trade can prevent nations from taking aggressive actions against each other. Trade should be viewed as an economic tool, not a political or military one. The free flow of goods and services is essential for growth. Sanctions and tariffs have historically led to conflicts and should be used carefully and reciprocally as a last resort if necessary.

The path to global prosperity requires mutual economic cooperation, avoidance of conflicts, stable and secure reserve currencies backed by real tangible assets such as gold and silver, sanctions-free trade, lower taxes, moderate government spending, minimal and logical regulations, and price stability. While achieving this goal may seem challenging, especially with the rapid adoption of technology and geopolitical conflicts, it is not impossible if we are committed to the common welfare of humanity.

Syed Salman Shah - Analyst

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Book Review: Start with Why

The journey to inspire and be inspired is worth pursuing. The importance of starting with "why" often provides the much-needed insight, reason, philosophy, and context before beginning any endeavor. This idea revolves around the Golden Circle, as frequently mentioned in the book, which questions what organizations/individuals do, how they do it, and why they do it. The logical sequence starts with "Why do they do it?" The author advocates that every successful individual and organization starts with "why" because they have a clear vision of why they do what they (want to) do.

Once you know why you do something, the next question is how you will do it. Your why is essentially just a belief, and it should guide the actions you take to achieve that belief. To do this, three things are essential: clarity, discipline, and consistency. To break it down, clarity focuses on the why, discipline on the how, and consistency on the what. Your values and guiding principles should play an important role throughout your journey. They should attract (right) people who share the same values and principles, which will make your work much easier.

Great leaders inspire belief and action. Persuading the right people may require hunter’s patience and the vital element of trust. Your credibility paves the way for smoother paths. Your energy is infectious, but it's your charisma that truly moves people to act. Visionary "Why"-type individuals need the practical "How"-type counterparts to bring ideas to life. "Why"-type individuals, filled with optimism and imagination, require the realistic and practical approach of the "How"-type individuals, who construct the necessary processes and structures to accomplish goals. The collaboration of these two types of individuals is crucial to attaining our objectives.

We can contribute to the welfare of the world by mindfully understanding the purpose of our activities, raising awareness about our surroundings, and inspiring other people to take actions to make this world a better place. Just imagine if every individual or organization started with 'why' – decisions would be simpler, loyalties would be stronger, and trust would be a common currency. Regardless of the size of the organization, if we take some responsibility and inspire other people to do the same, then together, we can change the world.

X: @SalmanShah_syed

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Beyond Wishful Thinking

Actions are the only way to achieve something because they trigger the process whereby the chain of events starts to happen like the connection of mutually compatible pieces of a jigsaw puzzle to give us the (desired) results. Daydreaming is a waste of time as we all know; we can craft the best-looking plans but if we don’t take action to execute them then it’s just a pipe dream. Let me explain the process by breaking it down, the scenarios might differ, but the rule of thumb is, that we should have a bird’s eye view of the situation, and have some basic planning to start with, and quite often the happening events and given circumstances that occur give us hints and direction to maneuver if we remain mindful.

Planning is pivotal beyond a shadow of a doubt, but almost always all situation is entangled with time constraints, and it reminds me of a very valuable quote by Abraham Lincoln, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”  However, the necessary will, clarity and drive to execute are the keys. Albeit, Human psychology in most cases pushes us to preserve status-quo as we feel safe in our self-perceived comfort zones and don’t want this beautiful fantasy-based bubble to burst. If we don’t take any initiatives by ourselves then we become part of someone else plan/initiative, let that sink in. And the feeling of subservience might emerge, Sooner or later. Don’t go that way, take your own initiative and preferably start with the trivial ones.   

That’s exactly the reason why we must take action/initiative not just to exercise our free will but to test our hypothesis and thinking, and we all know we only get the answers when we apply them to practical situations. Sometimes we succeed and sometimes we fail, part of the game, but by taking action we learn, and prepare ourselves to make better decisions year by year. It’s an ongoing process. From another perspective it’s a Thinking-action-rethinking cycle that explores and improves the preciseness when it comes to critical decision-making. Imagination is important but to take action to achieve your imagined/desired goal is more important. Beware of procrastination on the way though, some people confuse patience with procrastination; indeed, Patience is when you’ve done your part and wait for other uncontrollable factors to play their role. Words and plans may inspire but only action creates change.

Syed Salman Shah

[email protected]

Twitter/X: @SalmanShah_Syed

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Book Review | Win Every Argument: The Art of Debating, Persuading, and Public Speaking

By Mehdi Hasan

I’m writing this blurb to introduce Mehdi Hasan’s (Needs no introduction) masterpiece and New York Times best seller. His God-gifted talent in the field of debating and public speaking is something to celebrate about. He shows in this book how to become an effective communicator/debater/public speaker by practicing some basic principles in an organized way.

This book illustrates how anyone can acquire the ability to communicate persuasively to get point across. Moreover, the art of productive debate to establish the truth. His emphasis on the ancient tradition and structure of a great speech especially Aristotle’s three modes of persuasion: Ethos, Logos, and Pathos. To elaborate further, Ethos is about establishing your credibility/authority to speak on the subject, logos is your logical argument for your point and pathos is your attempt to influence an audience emotionally.

“A speech is like a love affair. Any fool can start it, but to end it requires considerable skill.” — Lord Mancroft

He believes in relishing argument/debate to foster the intellectual environment in democracy, and to establish the truth logically. A good argument made along with a pinch of wise humor, has a far-reaching effect on the audience. He pinpoints some beneficial tricks of the trade like Judo moves (maximum efficiency, minimum effort), the art of zinger (off guarding your opponent by surprise), setting booby traps (luring your opponent to walk into the pitfall), and beware of the Gish galloper (a rhetorical technique that involves overwhelming your opponent with as many inaccurate arguments as possible), etc.

Negotiations/Arguments are everywhere and every day. Therefore, if we equip ourselves with the set of skills that enable us to bolster our proposition in every debate, persuasion, and public speaking then what would be better than this? The author wants you to learn the described skills to sharpen your communication skills to make the winning case. Having strong communication skills aids in all aspects of life, the key is to have self- confidence and practice. So, Let’s deliver a convincing argument.

Reviewed by: Syed Salman Shah

Twitter (X): @SalmanShah_Syed

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The Looming Recession/Financial Crisis 

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AI - How worried we should be?

Throughout human history, Human beings have been considered the smartest creature on earth. Although We are weaker than some species like animals, actually, it is our (Self) consciousness and intelligence that make us smarter than other species. Now Humans created something (AI) far smarter than themselves, and the consequences are unimaginably hard to predict. We often hear the question When will the AI singularity occur? for those who are not familiar with the term AI singularity - the AI singularity refers to the future point in time at which AI becomes self-aware, self-improving perhaps uncontrollable hence causing an "explosion" in the dimension of intelligence and resulting in a powerful super intelligence that supersedes all human intelligence. We don’t know what happens after that as we are clueless in this utter uncertain situation. We should be cautious with self-conscious AI just like Frankenstein's monster.

The economic concerns are enormous as the AI market expands. AI use affects every industry. All business organizations naturally want to cut corners by using AI, reduce their cost, and the foregone conclusion is Mass unemployment. It's a nightmare for all the students studying in their final years that their hard efforts would probably go in vain if they wouldn't find any jobs in the future as their education becomes obsolete within months or years to come. One of the major concerns with the rapid adaptation of AI is, it will wipe out more jobs than it will potentially create, especially standardized jobs, objective in nature, based on specific rules and regulations. hence, net unemployment and income inequality are inevitable. We must buckle our belts, rather better prepare ourselves by learning new skills that essentially have human exclusivity, and perhaps the element of subjectivity.

Experts constantly pointing out towards the potential dangers of hyper-intelligent AI, imagine an avg. person playing with AI on his smart phone perceives no danger. So, what is the potential danger might be. They say, it has the potential of civilization destruction, or it’s more dangerous than nukes as Elon Musk's said. In a political arena, it could probably enter into shaping public opinion through (social) media platforms. It might control our brains through Info-perception-behavior cycle, and that’s just the short-term repercussions. The long-term consequences are yet to predict and are not limited to self-conscious autonomous AI which is something to worry about. For sure, laws like Copyright and intellectual property will be revamped, and it definitely poses a serious threat to Creative/fine Arts. 

The advent of AI is so quickly that certainly, we have no time to react. And It’s second biggest shock in succession after Covid. Professor Stephen hawking described the AI threat before he died in these words, “Ever since the start of industrial revolution, there have been fears of mass unemployment as machines replaced humans. It’s been continued indefinitely. If we allow them to self-design themselves than they can rapidly improve, and we may lose control”. The question is How worried we should be? It’s the first time that the human made technology has the privilege/ability to make the decision by itself. All previous inventions throughout human history, were happened to empower us or make our lives easy. For example, if human invented knife, the knife cannot decide to cut the salad or murder somebody or to save the life in surgery. Even nukes cannot decide who to attack and when & where. It is AI who can even take decision about the use of itself. Nukes cannot make better nukes, but AI can make better AI. The most freighting scenario is, AI can/will make decision about humans and our matters. Decisions about our lives, fortunately still we are under control, but we don’t know for how many years to come. We need to slow down its deployment and we should use it safely and wisely.

 We should go through with vigorous safety checks. If it could be in the hands of the bad people, it could be potentially the end of humanity. We can put it in a regularity framework by seeking solicit opinion from the industry experts who has insights and expertise in this field, and proposed regulations with major players then we will have a better chance to handle advanced AI being beneficial and safe for humanity. Although AI is nowhere near its full potential as we know. So, we have still a chance but it’s very difficult to stop the storm with the bunch of straws. We are at the verge of the biggest transition of human history as machines kicking in. However, the golden principle regarding any technology including AI is, it must be subservient to humans not the other way around.    

It is conceivable that AI takes control of the situation and makes decisions. As Larry Page (Google Co-founder) trying to conceive AI as a Digital superintelligence or Digital God. It seems to be pure madness but there’s a method in his madness. Coincidentally, some metaphysical experts say there’s nothing artificial about artificial intelligence, AI is a way of connecting us from the unseen world/realm. Interesting and the point to ponder! It’s also about Pro humanism and preserving the given esteem position of humans on this planet. Anyways, we are the most interesting part of the universe, and we are not going anywhere. It's our mindless and agile adaptation to AI that could lead to the end of Humanity. 

Author: Syed Salman Shah

Twitter: @SalmanShah_Syed

[syedsalmanshah]

#TurfaTamasha‬⁩ celebrates 100 episodes! ⁦‪#KeepWatching‬⁩ ⁦

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Book Review: Mindful Futurism

The author does emphasize burning questions like What is the common root of the biggest crises facing humanity today? And what is a simple, universal tool both individuals and businesses can apply to create the most leverage for positive change? Moreover, how we create an environment of interdependence through compassion, empathy, and love that pave the way for future generations to come. He describes the structural framework via which we guide our decision-making process in the era of mindlessness. The era where we are pushed by or willing to burn ourselves and sacrifice our (peace of) minds and bodies to accomplish MORE and satisfy our insatiable desires/wants.

It's not at all our innate desire to accomplish more but to accomplish better. In this era of mindlessness, where today is all that counts. Where we keep fighting for our survival, in spite of the abundance we have, against invisible and self-created threats. Enough of this madness! The main reasons for this ignorant behavior are our mindless choices (sometimes made in agility) and the fact that companies spend billions of dollars each year marketing their products/services and confusing us (psychologically) in this process.      

The book (Mindful Futurism) offers a practical and selfless tool to ensure the security and well-being of humanity for centuries to come. For individuals, it encourages us to adopt and adapt a simple, minimalistic self-sustained lifestyle, and shun unnecessary materialistic possessions. Since we know that businesses propagate consumerism, we should be mindful to make our choices as our choices have an impact on our future generations and their environment. Never underestimate the power of a single choice. The three guiding principles for our choices/decisions are: Accept Responsibility, acknowledge Impact, and act Deliberately (Informed decisions). Reviewed by @syedsalmanshah​         

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It's ridiculous to see how corporate media like #CNN & #BBC crying and criticizing the opening ceremony of #FIFAWorldCupQatar2022. The whole baseless and biased criticism is human rights and #LGBTQ-centric despite their bleak history. #Qatar has every right to show its culture and religious values (part of its culture), which sent a powerful message (through Quranic verses) to billions of people around the world about inclusivity, tolerance, and seeking common grounds to live peacefully together as a human race. This benign message is hard to digest for Godless cult-owned corporate media. Get over it! It's happening whether you like it or not. #QatarWorldCup