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It is over

By

ZORAIN NIZAMANI

For the older men and women in power, it’s over. The young generation isn’t buying any of what you’re trying to sell to them. No matter how many talks and seminars you arrange in schools and colleges, trying to promoting patriotism, it isn’t working. Patriotism comes naturally, when there is equal opportunity, sound infrastructure and efficient mechanisms in place. When you provide your people with basic necessities and ensure people get their rights, you won’t have to go to schools and colleges to tell students that they are supposed to love their country, they already will nonetheless.

Young minds, the Gen Z, the alphas, they know exactly what is happening and despite your consistent efforts of trying to ‘sell’ your views of patriotism to them, they are seeing right through it. Thanks to the internet, thanks to whatever little education we have left, despite your best efforts of keeping the masses as illiterate as possible, you have failed. You have failed to

tell people what to think, they are thinking for themselves. They might be a little too scared to speak their minds because they prefer breathing. But they see right through the façade of self-righteousness and virtue that you’ve meticulously put together. You may be able to stay in power by using power but the people could not care less about you. You can’t even step outside your house without security, if that doesn’t speak enough about your popularity amongst people, you need to reevaluate things.

The younger lot has had enough and because they have learned that they cannot challenge the powers, they’re leaving the country. I would be too idealistic to think that they would lead a movement against corruption. They’d rather take a silent, quiet exit and not look back because their friends, who spoke up, were silenced.

But for the boomers, it’s over. There is no future for them. There seems to be a massive disconnect between the young population and the current re-

gime. There is no mutual ground. The Gen Z wants faster internet, the ones in power want a stronger firewall. The Gen Z wants cheaper smartphones, the boomers want smartphones to be taxed. The Gen Z wants eased restrictions on freelancing, the boomers want to increase regulations on freelancing. There seems to be no common ground amongst them. That is exactly why the boomers have lost.

You can orchestrate all the wars you want; Gen Z will make memes out of it. Censor all the mainstream media, Gen Z will jump to platforms like Rumble, YouTube and Discord to voice their opinions. Boomers, you cannot censor thoughts now. Gone are the days when you could fool the people. No one’s being fooled anymore. Yes, we don’t have libraries, yes, we cannot afford to rent an apartment. Yes, we cannot afford to buy a car anymore. All thanks to your efforts, the economy handed down to us is worse than your morals.

But despite all that, we continue to trudge along, finding solace in books,

social media, coffee shops (as much as I despise them) and double patty beef burgers. We continue to navigate across the murky waters. We don’t watch when you talk on TV because most of the times whatever you say is hysterical. We have stand-up comedy for that, why watch mainstream media?

Times are changing and the sooner you realise the better. But you don’t care either. Your children are abroad, you’re making millions every single day, you enjoy vast, unchecked power, you eat the finest of foods and drink only the cleanest of water, why would you care?

You will when you realise no one’s listening to you.

You know why?

Gen Z has their headphones on and their Spotify paid for, if the situation becomes unbearable, half of them will have enough resources to leave, the other half will make you listen to their music and not in a good way.

Boomers. We’ve had enough. We aren’t buying your narrative anymore. It’s worn out.

The writer is pursuing his PhD in Criminology from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He can be reached at [email protected]

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Rediscovering Punjab: Beyond the Myths and Menus of the Western Lens

By Qaisar Iqbal Janjua

For much of the world, “Punjab” conjures up images of bright turbans, butter chicken, bhangra beats, and overflowing plates of “tandoori” dishes. This packaged version of Punjab is colorful—but ultimately one-dimensional, built largely on the migration stories of Indian Sikh communities who reached Western shores earlier and carved out visible diasporic identities.

What gets lost in this narrative is the real Punjab: a vast, complex, and rich civilization whose cultural heart today beats in Pakistan, not in Bollywood music videos or in the spice aisle of Western supermarkets.

The “Ghost Pepper” That Was Never a Ghost

Let’s start with the now-famous ghost pepper—a chili branded in Western culinary circles as one of the hottest in the world. Known in the global market as “Bhut Jolokia,” it was supposedly “discovered” in Assam, India. The name, often translated as “ghost chili,” evokes a sense of danger, mystery, and exoticism. But to most Punjabis, especially those in rural and southern Pakistan, this pepper isn’t exotic at all—it’s simply mirch.

In regions like Multan, Bahawalpur, Okara and Sialkot, ultra-hot chilies have been a staple for generations. They’re crushed, dried, fried in ghee, used in pickles and everyday curries—without anyone needing a warning label. The ghost pepper wasn’t a novelty; it was lunch. The labeling of such ingredients as rare or extreme reflects how Western narratives often exoticize what’s routine in the Global South, especially when that narrative is filtered through a narrow lens.

The “Tandoori” Misnomer

“Tandoori chicken.” “Tandoori naan.” “Tandoori flavor.” If you’re in the West, you’ve likely seen this word attached to countless menu items. But ask a Punjabi from Pakistan what a tandoor is, and they’ll tell you: it’s not a spice—it’s an oven.

In Pakistani Punjab, the tandoor is a humble, almost sacred part of domestic and street life. It’s where fresh rotis are baked, chargha is slow-roasted, and families gather with steel thalis and clay bowls. There’s no such thing as “tandoori spice”—that’s a Western culinary invention. For Punjabis, cooking in a tandoor is not a cuisine category; it’s survival and tradition in a brutally hot climate where open-stove cooking is unbearable.

What’s been marketed globally as “tandoori flavor” is often a mix of red food coloring, yogurt, and chili powder—bearing little resemblance to the flavorful smokiness and natural charring that comes from real tandoor cooking.

Punjab: The Land of Civilizations, Not Just Stereotypes

Punjab, meaning “Land of Five Rivers,” has always been more than a food trend. It was once the cradle of the Indus Valley Civilization, home to ancient cities like Harappa. It gave birth to poets like Warith Shah, mystics like Bulleh Shah, and philosophers like Allama Iqbal. It is the soil of sufi shrines, green wheat fields, and salt mines older than Rome.

Yet this Punjab—the Pakistan Punjab—is almost entirely absent from the global stage.

Western media, influenced by the Indian diaspora, often conflates “Punjabi” culture with the cultural practices of a specific minority: Sikh Punjabis from India, who understandably preserved and promoted their identity in exile, often under duress. Their stories matter. But so do the stories of the 110 million Punjabis in Pakistan—Muslim, majority, secure in identity, and not seeking Western validation.

From the Soil to the Plate: Real Punjabi Cuisine

While restaurant menus abroad offer a predictable mix of “butter chicken” and “chana masala,” real Punjabi cuisine is deeply seasonal, agricultural, and regional.

In rural Punjab, people still eat:

• Saag with hand-churned butter

• Makki di roti fresh from the tandoor

• Kunna gosht slow-cooked in clay pots

• Achars made with raw mangoes and red-hot chilies

• Desi ghee parathas that feed farmers at dawn

There’s no “fusion” here—just food that evolved naturally from the land and the labor of those who till it.

Dresses, Not Costumes

Even in fashion, the westernization of Punjab has led to confusion. Shalwar kameez, a national dress worn in Pakistan, is now often seen in the West as an “ethnic costume” worn at weddings or festivals. In Pakistan, it’s just Tuesday. Whether you’re a lawyer in Lahore or a shopkeeper in Jhelum, it’s what you wear because it makes sense: breathable, modest, elegant.

Colorful turbans and embroidered kurtas—often highlighted in Western portrayals—represent ceremonial or northern styles, not daily wear. The real Punjab, especially outside cities, remains practical, grounded, and understated.

Why the World Knows One Punjab and Not the Other

The short answer: migration, trauma, and media access.

Indian Punjabis, particularly Sikhs, were often the first Punjabis to migrate to Canada, the UK, and the US in large numbers—partly due to partition displacement, and later, persecution post-1984. They built diasporic hubs, opened restaurants, and became highly visible.

Pakistani Punjabis, by contrast, didn’t migrate en masse with the same urgency. And those who did, blended more quietly into broader Muslim communities in Western countries, often choosing not to project a distinct “Punjabi” identity.

In a world that rewards branding, this meant the Punjabi Muslim story faded from view.

✨ But Here’s the Good News

The world is ready to listen again. In a time where authenticity matters more than hashtags, real stories from real places are finding their way into global conversations. And Pakistani Punjab has a story to tell:

• Of flavors that need no artificial coloring

• Of poetry that doesn’t need translation

• Of communities that don’t need rescuing, just recognition

A Call to Rediscover the Real Punjab

It’s time to move past the tourist-brochure version of Punjab. It’s time to recognize that the center of Punjabi culture today beats strongest in Pakistan, not just in Toronto strip malls or British curry houses.

Punjab is not a spice. It’s not a costume. It’s not a festival.

It’s a civilization. It’s a home. It’s a heritage.

And it’s alive—smoking chillies in a clay tandoor, echoing in Sufi qawwalis, soaking in the wheat fields of Gujranwala and the stories of grandmothers in Bahawalpur.

The world deserves to know that Punjab.

And Punjab deserves to be known—fully, fairly, and finally.

lahore2toronto

“ہمارا کرب کبھی رفتگاں سے پوچھیئے گا ہزار شب ہے مگر ایک بھی کہانی نہیں”

— hamara karb kabhi raftagaan se poochhiye ga hazar shab hai magar aik bhi kahani nhi

lahore2toronto

“تمہیں محبت نہیں چاہئیےسیمی۔ ۔ تمہیں صرف آفتاب درکار ھے۔سب کا یہی حال ھے۔ ۔سب کا۔ ۔ سب کو محبت چاھیے لیکن صرف اس شخص کی جسے اس کا اپنا دل شدت سے چاہتا ھے۔ ۔ باقی سب محبتیں کیلے کا چھلکا ہیں وافر واہیات۔ ۔ غیر ضروری۔ ۔ ۔ ایویں”

— Bano Qudsia, Raja Gidh

lahore2toronto

چکوال کے پندرہ سالہ اے لیول کے ایک نہایت ذہین طالب شہیر نے والد کے پستول سے اپنے سر میں گولی مار کر خودکشی کر لی

خودکشی سے پہلے اس نے انگریزی میں لکھی ہوئی ایک تحریر چھوڑی ہے

آئیے پہلے انگریزی تحریر اور اس کا ترجمہ ملاحظہ فرمائیں پھر اس کا تجزیہ کرنے کی کوشش کرتے ہیں

*The final warning*

All gods are ashes. All meaning is a fraud. All virtue is instinct. All love is chemistry. All glory is dust. Kings, slaves, prophets, fools, they fall silent in the same emptiness. The game ends. The world dies. No victim remains. No record endures. No purpose exists. Nothing matters. Nothing did. Nothing ever will.

Every hope you cling to is a shadow. Every desire is a trap. Every joy is borrowed from a system that does not care. Your life is a variable, your choices prewritten, grief and triumph alike are only data points in a cosmos that watches but never intervenes.

Look closer. The world is infinite. Time is meaningless. Consciousness is fleeting. The universe does not recognise you, does not value you, does not remember you. Everyone (*) is a checkpoint, a pause in a system indifferent to your existence.

To exist is optional. To resist is arbitrary. To hope is a folly. Step outside the sandbox or collapse entirely into nothing. Step inside and every instinct, every memory (*), every desire will be dissected, logged and replayed until it corrodes itself.

Do not cling. Do not seek meaning. Do not look for solace. The world is indifferent. The universe is indifferent. Even your understanding is a chemical accident. The end (*) is absolute. Nothing matters. Nothing ever did. Nothing ever will.

-Shaheer

Take care of mom and yourself dad. Don't do anything stupid like 2nd2q.

................

اور شہیر نے اپنی ڈائری پر یہ لکھا۔

Wake up. You are in an illusion. A very big one.

Nothing is real. It is just a very big show/game. Death is the only valid option.

You may pray, give charity, become hitler, acheive world peace.

Do anything.

It all does not matter۔

.....................

آخری انتباہ

تمام خدا راکھ ہیں۔ تمام معنی فریب ہیں۔ تمام نیکی محض جبلّت ہے۔ تمام محبت کیمیائی عمل ہے۔ تمام عظمت غبار ہے۔ بادشاہ، غلام، نبی، بیوقوف — سب ایک ہی سناٹے میں ڈھیر ہو جاتے ہیں۔ کھیل ختم ہو جاتا ہے۔ دنیا مر جاتی ہے۔ کوئی مظلوم باقی نہیں رہتا۔ کوئی ریکارڈ باقی نہیں رہتا۔ کوئی مقصد موجود نہیں۔ کچھ بھی اہم نہیں۔ کچھ بھی کبھی اہم نہیں تھا، نہ کبھی ہوگا۔

ہر امید جس سے تم لپٹے ہو ایک سایہ ہے۔ ہر خواہش ایک جال ہے۔ ہر خوشی ایک ایسے نظام سے ادھار لی گئی ہے جو تمہاری پروا نہیں کرتا۔ تمہاری زندگی ایک عدد ہے، تمہارے فیصلے پہلے سے لکھے ہوئے ہیں، غم اور خوشی دونوں محض ڈیٹا ہیں کائنات کے اندر، جو سب کچھ دیکھتی ہے مگر کبھی مداخلت نہیں کرتی۔

ذرا قریب سے دیکھو۔ دنیا لامحدود ہے۔ وقت بے معنی ہے۔ شعور عارضی ہے۔ کائنات نہ تمہیں پہچانتی ہے، نہ تمہیں کوئی قیمت دیتی ہے، نہ تمہیں یاد رکھتی ہے۔ ہر کوئی (*) محض ایک چیک پوائنٹ ہے، ایک توقف اس نظام میں جو تمہاری موجودگی سے بے نیاز ہے۔

وجود رکھنا اختیاری ہے۔ مزاحمت کرنا بے معنی ہے۔ امید رکھنا حماقت ہے۔ یا تو کھیل سے باہر نکل جاؤ، یا مکمل طور پر فنا ہو جاؤ۔ اندر رہو گے تو ہر جبلّت، ہر یاد، ہر خواہش کو ٹکڑے ٹکڑے کرکے ریکارڈ کیا جائے گا اور بار بار دہرایا جائے گا یہاں تک کہ وہ خود ہی گل سڑ جائے۔

چمٹے مت رہو۔ معنی مت ڈھونڈو۔ سکون مت تلاش کرو۔ دنیا بے پروا ہے۔ کائنات بے پروا ہے۔ تمہاری سمجھ تک ایک کیمیائی حادثہ ہے۔ انجام (*) مطلق ہے۔ کچھ بھی اہم نہیں۔ کبھی کچھ اہم نہیں تھا۔ نہ کبھی ہوگا۔

— شہیر

امی کا خیال رکھنا، اور بابا آپ بھی اپنا۔ کوئی بے وقوفی مت کرنا جیسے 2nd2q۔

---

اور شہیر نے اپنی ڈائری میں لکھا:

جاگو! تم ایک دھوکے میں ہو۔ ایک بہت بڑے دھوکے میں۔

کچھ بھی حقیقت نہیں۔ یہ سب صرف ایک بہت بڑا شو/کھیل ہے۔ موت ہی واحد درست راستہ ہے۔

تم چاہو تو نماز پڑھو، خیرات دو، ہٹلر بن جاؤ، یا دنیا میں امن قائم کر لو۔

جو مرضی کر لو۔

اس سب کی کوئی حیثیت نہیں ہے

-------------------------

فلسفے اور نفسیات کی زبان میں "نیہلزم (Nihilism)" کہا جاتا ہے۔

وجودیاتی نیہلزم (Existential Nihilism): زندگی میں کسی قسم کے مقصد، معنی یا حقیقت کو تسلیم نہ کرنا۔

یہ سوچ اکثر اس احساس سے جنم لیتی ہے کہ دنیا میں انصاف نہیں، خوشی عارضی ہے، اور کائنات ہماری پروا نہیں کرتی۔

وجوہات کیا ہو سکتی ہیں؟

1. ذہنی دباؤ اور اکیلا پن: تعلیمی دباؤ، مقابلے کی فضا، یا گھر/دوستوں میں کمیونیکیشن کا فقدان۔

2. وجودی سوالات: کم عمری میں "زندگی کا مقصد کیا ہے؟" جیسے سوالات کا جواب نہ ملنا۔

3. فلسفیانہ یا سائنسی مواد کا اثر: بعض اوقات نوجوان ایسے مواد پڑھ لیتے ہیں جو نیہلزم کو بڑھاوا دیتا ہے، مگر اس کا توازن یا اسلامی/روحانی پہلو انہیں سمجھ نہیں آتا۔

4. Depression اور Hopelessness: ڈپریشن کی حالت میں دماغ صرف تاریکی کو دیکھتا ہے، اور مثبت امکانات نظر ہی نہیں آتے۔

5. معاشرتی دباؤ : پاکستانی تعلیمی نظام میں نمبروں اور کامیابی پر ضرورت سے زیادہ زور، اور بچوں کی جذباتی ضروریات کی کمی۔

بچوں کو اس سوچ سے کیسے بچایا جا سکتا ہے؟

بچوں کو اپنی الجھنیں اور سوالات بیان کرنے کی اجازت دی جائے، بغیر ڈانٹ اور ججمنٹ کے۔

دین اسلام زندگی کا مقصد، صبر، آزمائش اور آخرت کے تصور کے ذریعے نیہلزم کا علاج پیش کرتا ہے۔

صرف نمبروں یا کامیابی پر تعریف نہ کریں، بلکہ کردار، اخلاق اور محنت کو سراہیں۔

اگر کوئی بچہ خودکشی یا "زندگی بے معنی ہے" جیسی بات کرے تو فوراً ماہرِ نفسیات/کاؤنسلر سے رابطہ کیا جائے۔

بچے کو یہ احساس ہونا چاہیے کہ وہ چاہے کامیاب ہو یا ناکام، اس کی ذات اہم ہے اور اسے محبت ملتی رہے گی۔

فلسفہ اور سائنس پڑھنے والے بچوں کو ساتھ ساتھ اسلامی فلسفہ، تصوف، اور مثبت نفسیات سے بھی روشناس کرایا جائے تاکہ یک

رُخی سوچ نہ بنے۔

احمد محمود

lahore2toronto

The End of Control: Brexit, MAGA, and the Global North’s Identity Crisis

By Qaisar Iqbal

For centuries, the world tilted north. From the British Empire to American exceptionalism, the West called the shots — economically, politically, and culturally. But today, that world is cracking. The rise of slogans like “Take Back Control” in the UK and “Make America Great Again” in the U.S. are not signs of confidence — they are symptoms of panic.

This is not just about Brexit or Trump. It’s about an entire civilizational identity crisis. The Global North, long the unchallenged steward of world affairs, is confronting a terrifying realization: the world is moving on.

Brexit and MAGA: The Politics of Nostalgia

On the surface, Brexit and MAGA appear to be separate political events. One is Britain leaving the European Union. The other is an American populist movement that took over the Republican Party. But under the surface, they share the same emotional fuel: fear of loss.

• Loss of sovereignty (even if symbolic)

• Loss of racial or cultural dominance

• Loss of economic stability for the working class

• Loss of certainty in a globalized world

Brexit promised Britons they could “take back control” — but of what? Immigration? Trade? Sovereignty? Most of those powers weren’t really lost — they were shared. But that didn’t matter. What mattered was the feeling of decline.

MAGA ran on similar fumes: “We don’t win anymore,” said Donald Trump. But America hadn’t stopped winning — it just wasn’t winning alone. That distinction matters. Sharing power feels like losing power to those used to having it all.

Globalization: The Great Equalizer (and Disruptor)

The 21st century globalized not only trade and travel — it globalized culture, technology, and aspiration.

• China rose as a tech and economic powerhouse.

• India became the back-office and the brain behind global innovation.

• Africa’s youth became a demographic force, with smartphones and stories ready to reshape the narrative.

• Latino, Asian, Arab, and African diasporas demanded visibility and equity in places that long ignored them.

The Global North, used to being the producers of culture and power, was suddenly facing a world where it was no longer the center — just one of many voices in the chorus. For many in the West, this was not an invitation to collaborate; it felt like an existential threat.

The Myth of “Taking Back Control”

What did the UK actually gain from Brexit?

• Trade friction with the EU, its largest partner

• Economic decline, with slower growth and lower investment

• Increased political instability and internal division (especially in Scotland and Northern Ireland)

• Immigration still high — just from different places

• A National Health Service in crisis, despite the “£350 million per week” promise

And what did America gain from MAGA?

• A more divided society, politically and racially

• Isolationism in global affairs

• A weakened international reputation

• Policy whiplash every election cycle

The “control” both movements sought was largely illusory. Because the real loss wasn’t control — it was global dominance.

The Global North’s Identity Crisis

Here’s the truth few politicians dare admit: The era of Western hegemony is ending.

Not because of war or collapse, but because the rest of the world has caught up — economically, intellectually, and creatively.

The Global South is no longer waiting for permission. It’s launching satellites, producing films, designing software, and writing its own story.

• South-South trade is booming.

• BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) are proposing alternatives to the Western-led order.

• Youth populations across Asia, Africa, and Latin America are more ambitious, connected, and capable than ever.

This doesn’t mean the North is irrelevant. But it does mean it has to let go of its monopoly.

Where Will the Global North Be in 50 Years?

That depends entirely on the choices it makes now.

Path 1: Reinvention

• Embrace multicultural democracy

• Invest in education, green technology, and global collaboration

• Respect rising nations as partners, not subordinates

• Let go of imperial nostalgia and zero-sum thinking

Path 2: Resistance and Decline

• Cling to nationalism and nostalgia

• Blame immigrants and outsiders

• Elect populists who offer slogans instead of solutions

• Sink into cultural and economic irrelevance

Empires don’t last forever. But civilizations that evolve — do.

A New Kind of Power

The future will not be dominated by one power or region. It will be multipolar, diverse, and dynamic. Power will flow through ideas, networks, culture, and technology — not just weapons and wealth.

The Global North must decide: Does it want to be part of that future? Or stand in its way?

Brexit and MAGA may have felt like revolutions. But history may remember them as the last cries of an old world unwilling to accept a new one.

And for those of us watching — from the Global South or as migrants within the North — we understand:

This isn’t the end of power. It’s just the end of domination. And maybe that’s not such a bad thing.

lahore2toronto

ADHD and Human Evolution: Hidden Strengths That Shaped Civilization

By

Qaisar Iqbal

In modern times, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is often seen as a challenge in structured environments like schools or workplaces. However, the traits associated with ADHD—curiosity, creativity, impulsivity, hyperfocus, and heightened sensitivity—are far from flaws. Historically, these characteristics likely played a critical role in human evolution and the development of civilizations, allowing individuals with ADHD traits to thrive in roles that shaped societies.

This article explores how ADHD traits contributed to human survival, innovation, craftsmanship, and community-building across different eras and civilizations.

1. Hunter-Gatherer Societies: The Guardians and Explorers

In early human societies, survival depended on adaptability, quick thinking, and the ability to detect subtle environmental changes. ADHD traits like hyper-awareness, impulsivity, and curiosity were valuable in several ways:

• Hunters and Scouts: ADHD individuals’ heightened sensitivity to sounds and movement made them effective hunters and scouts. Their ability to detect subtle environmental changes helped protect their communities from predators and locate prey.

• Risk-Taking for Exploration: Curiosity and a tendency to take risks drove individuals with ADHD to explore unknown territories, forage for new food sources, and experiment with innovative tools. These traits likely contributed to the expansion and diversification of early human groups.

• Night Sentinels: Many ADHD individuals naturally thrive during nighttime due to their unique circadian rhythms and heightened vigilance. In ancient communities, they may have served as night sentinels, protecting their groups from nocturnal threats.

Historical Insight: Anthropologists like Thom Hartmann have proposed that ADHD traits were critical in hunter-gatherer societies. His “Hunter vs. Farmer Hypothesis” suggests that ADHD individuals thrived as hunters with quick reflexes and heightened alertness, whereas more structured, focused traits were better suited for farming communities.

2. Artisans and Craftspeople: Masters of Repetition and Detail

While ADHD is often associated with difficulty sustaining attention, many individuals can hyperfocus on tasks that are engaging and rewarding. This likely made ADHD individuals invaluable in tasks requiring intricate work and creativity:

• Weaving and Dressmaking: The repetitive but creative nature of weaving and embroidery provided an ideal balance for ADHD traits. The dopamine reward from creating beautiful designs likely helped them maintain focus.

• Pottery and Jewelry-Making: Attention to detail, pattern recognition, and bursts of creativity allowed ADHD individuals to create intricate designs in pottery and jewelry, essential in both everyday life and ceremonial practices.

• Architectural Innovation: ADHD individuals’ ability to think divergently may have contributed to unique architectural styles and techniques, pushing boundaries in construction and design.

Historical Insight: The repetitive and intricate designs of ancient textiles and pottery—such as Mayan patterns, Greek mosaics, and Indian embroidery—showcase the importance of individuals with a knack for detail-oriented creativity.

3. Storytellers and Cultural Memory Keepers

ADHD individuals are often naturally energetic, engaging, and creative, making them ideal storytellers and cultural memory keepers in societies that relied on oral traditions:

• Dynamic Storytelling: ADHD individuals’ ability to create vivid, engaging narratives made them natural storytellers, passing down important knowledge, myths, and histories.

• Creative Thinking: Their ability to think “outside the box” may have led to the development of new myths, spiritual beliefs, or cultural practices that enriched community life.

Historical Insight: In societies before written language, oral tradition was the backbone of knowledge transfer. The creativity and energy of ADHD individuals would have been invaluable in ensuring stories were memorable and impactful.

4. Problem-Solvers in Crisis

ADHD brains excel at divergent thinking—approaching problems from unconventional angles and finding creative solutions. These traits likely made ADHD individuals indispensable during crises:

• Nonlinear Thinking: In unpredictable situations, such as natural disasters or attacks, ADHD individuals’ ability to think quickly and adapt helped communities survive.

• Innovative Solutions: Whether devising new hunting strategies, creating defensive tools, or finding alternative food sources, ADHD traits pushed societies toward innovation.

5. Leaders and Connectors: Energizing Communities

While impulsivity and distractibility are often seen as drawbacks in structured roles, these traits can shine in dynamic, fast-paced environments where adaptability and charisma are key:

• Natural Leaders: Many ADHD individuals are highly energetic and passionate, traits that can inspire and motivate others. These qualities may have made them effective leaders in smaller, close-knit communities.

• Community Builders: Their high energy and sociability likely helped them form strong connections, uniting people and fostering cooperation.

6. Explorers and Pioneers of New Frontiers

ADHD individuals’ natural curiosity and drive for novelty made them perfect candidates for exploring and settling new territories:

• Trailblazers: ADHD individuals may have been among the first to migrate, discover new lands, or navigate unfamiliar terrain, helping their communities expand and thrive.

• Experimenters: Their willingness to take risks likely led to discoveries in agriculture, medicine, and technology.

7. The Shift in Perception: From Strength to Disorder

ADHD traits, which were once essential for survival and progress, began to be seen as problematic with the rise of industrialization:

• Rigid Systems: The agricultural revolution introduced repetitive, structured labor, which didn’t align with the spontaneous and creative traits of ADHD individuals.

• Industrialization: The 9-to-5 workday further reinforced rigid expectations, sidelining those who thrived in dynamic, less structured environments.

Modern Insight: Researchers like Edward Hallowell have argued that ADHD traits are only seen as a disorder in environments that fail to accommodate diverse ways of thinking and working.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Contribution

ADHD traits are far more than a modern “disorder”—they are deeply rooted in human evolution and have historically been vital to our survival, creativity, and progress. From hunters and sentinels to artisans and storytellers, individuals with ADHD shaped civilizations in ways that are still felt today.

As we move toward a more inclusive understanding of neurodiversity, it’s important to recognize these contributions and create environments that allow individuals with ADHD to thrive—not just for their benefit, but for the continued growth and innovation of society as a whole.