Blog

The latest English and Urdu writing from Yasser Masood, including essays, memories, satire, plays, poems, thoughts, and reflections.

Statements about choices and consequences in the AI era

Resource

An Epochal Shift

Note to self, find time and read this: [https://www.gatesnotes.com/a-turbulent-ai-era-and-critical-choices-to-make](https://www.gatesnotes.com/a-turbulent-ai-era-and-critical-choices-to-make) – AN EPOCHAL SHIFT – The turbulent AI era is here. The choices we make now are critical – By Bill...

Pakistani karahi and other dishes on a dining table

Reflection

500 kcals per day, come what may!

I lost considerable weight from the end of April until, say, the end of June, when almost all my years of precious belly fat got vaporized. Now, this is a...

Thought

I think I'm addicted to tapping my phone's screen every now and then. I've found a workaround, though, and this helps: turn the phone away from you, so it's face down or facing away if it's on a stand. Then, if you feel like tapping it, tap, tap. The outcome? You won't wake up the screen, won't see it, won't get drawn into a tangent, work-related or personal.

Thought

As these words came out of my mouth after making wudu at this masjid, ‘Babu, sab theek ho jai ga ustaad,’ my heart just dropped. Those are some of the most comforting words I used to hear from Papa. One year on, things are just the same. Only, you aren’t here. Allaho Mustaan.

Thought

There’s no coming back, no sitting on the fence, no taking life as you go along, that’s all bullshit. You need to get up, grab a hold of life and march forward like a wounded soldier. Then alone can you be true to yourself, your spirit and your desire to win.

Thought

Just recalled these sweet words of Chef Zakir (marhoom), ‘Kuch Naya, Kuch Khas,’ when he used to share that today’s menu will be just that, Kuch Naya, Kuch Khas, in his cooking show, Dawat on Masala TV. May Allah bless his soul, Āmīn.

Flat white coffee art in a cup

Memory

Flat White, No Sugar

Flat White, no sugar. Three sips, or I can’t sleep all night. Not my drink. Borrowed from Sis. Stunning art...

A lit tree at Dubai Mamzar Beach at night

Photo

Lonely, yet beautiful.

Such a lovely tree in the midst of all this landscaping: at the Dubai Mamzar Beach approaching midnight in humid weather...

Thought

The world is a funny place. And I'm the joker in it.

A dark green Quran cover with intricate gold calligraphy and patterns

Reflection

Quran-only litmus test

Having spoken to someone, via an email exchange, on a matter totally unrelated to this topic, I wrote a tiny litmus test that we can use to identify whether someone...