Compass Vol 2 issue i by Cedar College

EDITOR’S NOTE

Cedar Publications proudly presents the first edition of The Compass for the academic year! With the Compass, we aim to stimulate the intellectual abilities of our students and give them a platform to publish their work. The Compass will be published once a month and showcase the unique outlooks of the Knights on a broad range of topics that include, but are not limited to - arts and culture, philosophy, literature, and global issues.

The theme for our first edition is ‘Gen Z” where we depict the changes Gen Z has brought about globally. With every piece, we aim not only to broaden your intellectual horizons, but also our own. We warmly encourage all of you to submit your contributions for future editions. We hope you enjoy reading The Compass as much as we enjoyed bringing it to life! And we look forward to your contributions for the next edition.

Fatima Editor In Chief

Aristotle’s Eudaimonia

Re-examining the Good Life in the 21st Century

In a world where immediate gratification overshadows fulfillment and strips away the essence of true happiness, the age-old question circlesback:whatdoesitmeantobetrulyhappy?

For Aristotle, the answer was “Eudaimonia” whichlabelshappinessasnotafeeling,butasa wayofbeing.Astatethatwasachievedthrough virtue, patience, and discipline. It was not a fleeting moment of joy – but a soothing clarity thatsettleddeepwithinyoursoul Inthedigital age,GenZ’scontentmentlieswithinthefoldsof “livinginthemoment”andfreedom.

Butwhenthetwoconceptsofhappinesscollide, it is called into question: are we enhancing the goodlifeorsimplyreusingitbydilutingit?

“Eudaimonia’ is often misinterpreted as happiness, but it reaches far deeper than mere contentment Aristotle argued that true happiness emerges when one learns to live in accordance with polished values that cultivate excellence–valuesofvirtue,honesty,andjustice. Itwasnotashort-livedlapseofjoybutareward tobeachievedbyfulfillingone’suniquepotential and disciplining oneself. Gen Z’s contrasting pursuit of happiness was something Aristotle wouldhaveperceivedtobedeceptive.

Thegoodlife,inhisview,wasa commitment to excellence,notamoodthatcomesandgoesasit pleases.

Quite contrary to Aristotle’s views, Gen Z’s relationship with happiness is molded by carefully curated digital personas, socioeconomic class, and the desire to be the best. Happinessislessofaprivatestateofbeingand moreofapublicperformance Growingupinthe age of digital media blurs the line between looking happy and being happy. Social media promotesadopamine-drivenformofhappiness, built on likes and highlights, but this joy is momentary - and its fallout often devastating This illusion of constant perfection creates pressuresto“alwayslookhappyandactperfect” evenwhenrealitysingsanothertune.

Thequestionremains:hasGenZlosttheplotor are we evolving in ways more complex than Aristotlecouldhaveconjuredup?

Manyyoungpeoplerejecttraditionalmeanings of success and adopt more meaningful careers that promote inner contentment and are more sustainable. Movements in support of mental health awareness, community care and climate change grow larger every day The idea of “originality” in this generation is considered moreofwhattrulybringsushappiness,andnot succumbingtoby-the-dictionarymeaningofthe word.

WhatremainsabsentisAristotle’sinsistenceon purpose through discipline, which is one thing found lacking in this generation. Flourishing means more than vibes and moods – it is a commitmenttoastateofbeingandinvestingin growthevenwhenit’suncomfortable Perhaps,a modern definition of eudaimonia could be formedbyblendingAristotelianvalueswithGen Z’s emotional awareness and commitment to experience all the good things that life has to offer

Aristotle reminds us that the good life is not found in moments but in the choices we make over a lifetime, may they be good or bad. The true challenge is for Gen Z to look beyond the aesthetic of happiness and invest in the betterment of character and the quality of commitmentanddiscipline FlourishinginlifeTrue happiness - is not a passing TikTok trend butaslow,deliberateproject.

In an era where joy feels fleeting and trends vanishasquickastheyappear,perhapsthemost radical thing we can do is follow Henry David Thoreau’s wisdom: slow down, and live deliberately.

FATIMA

...or is our entire life a performance ...or is our entire life a performance

In a world where every step feels predetermined, every action already performed, every beliefborrowed, what does it mean to be authentic? Tobe authentic would mean vulnerability,an activechoice of allowing yourself to be naked before judgement, losing control over how you are perceived. But can we truly free ourselvesfromtheagonisingpainoffittingin,orare we doomed to conform to society's unattainable standards?

In a world where every step feels predetermined, every action already performed, every beliefborrowed, what does it mean to be authentic? Tobe authentic would mean vulnerability,an activechoice of allowing yourself to be naked before judgement, losing control over how you are perceived But can we truly free ourselvesfromtheagonisingpainoffittingin,orare we doomed to conform to society's unattainable standards?

There is a thin margin dividing performance and authenticity,whichisoftenleftopentomisinterpretation

There is a thin margin dividing performance and authenticity,whichisoftenleftopentomisinterpretation.

Thispresentsakindofdilemmawhereeveryactioncan belabelledasperformative,andwestartsecond-guessing whetheranythingwedoisrepresentativeofwhoweare Wehidebehindmasksandchoreographourmoves,trying to appease the people around us Latching onto trends, using Gen Z slang even if you do not understand them, drinking matcha just because everyone around you can notstopravingabouthowgoodittastes.

Thispresentsakindofdilemmawhereeveryactioncan belabelledasperformative,andwestartsecond-guessing whetheranythingwedoisrepresentativeofwhoweare. Wehidebehindmasksandchoreographourmoves,trying to appease the people around us. Latching onto trends, using Gen Z slang even if you do not understand them, drinking matcha just because everyone around you can notstopravingabouthowgoodittastes

Wetrailthroughlifetryingtocatertoanaudience,trying tosaytherightwords,findingtheperfectmomenttoland a joke, making the niche reference that no one understands. We behave like a kaleidoscope, showing different patterns and arrangements depending on the personviewingit.

Wetrailthroughlifetryingtocatertoanaudience,trying tosaytherightwords,findingtheperfectmomenttoland a joke, making the niche reference that no one understands We behave like a kaleidoscope, showing different patterns and arrangements depending on the personviewingit

Weofferlessofwhoweareandmoreofwhatweappear tobe Wereflectlikelight,bendingateachcorner,trying to light up every room, showing up in different colours just to blend in However, the cost of performing is accompanied by a lack of connection, and we mistake fitting in for belonging In our attempt to appeal to our spectators, we often forget who we truly are and what remains is not false, just not whole We offer curated fragments, carefully arranged to make ourselves palatable, easy to carry, but difficult to hold How we presentourselvesacrossrolesandrelationshipsbecomes adaptive,rehearsedeven,untilthisversioncracksandyou realisethereisnosingularselftoreturnto

Weofferlessofwhoweareandmoreofwhatweappear tobe.Wereflectlikelight,bendingateachcorner,trying to light up every room, showing up in different colours just to blend in. However, the cost of performing is accompanied by a lack of connection, and we mistake fitting in for belonging. In our attempt to appeal to our spectators, we often forget who we truly are and what remains is not false, just not whole. We offer curated fragments, carefully arranged to make ourselves palatable, easy to carry, but difficult to hold. How we presentourselvesacrossrolesandrelationshipsbecomes adaptive,rehearsedeven,untilthisversioncracksandyou realisethereisnosingularselftoreturnto

The question arises, who are we when no one is watching?Eveninsolitude,werecitethewordswemight speak,readthebooksthatmakeuslookintellectual,and curate our personality to prey on certain social subcultures. One can make a stark comparison of this phenomenon with that of a panopticon, a metaphorical prisondesignedsothattheinmatesareconstantlyunder the impression that they are being watched This perceived gaze leads to the self-monitoring and selfregulation of behaviours, often causing the inmates to internaliseexpectationsandstrivetomeetthem.We,too, areheldprisonersundersocietalconditioning,evenwhen we ’renotbeingsurveilled

The question arises, who are we when no one is watching?Eveninsolitude,werecitethewordswemight speak,readthebooksthatmakeuslookintellectual,and curate our personality to prey on certain social subcultures One can make a stark comparison of this phenomenon with that of a panopticon, a metaphorical prisondesignedsothattheinmatesareconstantlyunder the impression that they are being watched. This perceived gaze leads to the self-monitoring and selfregulation of behaviours, often causing the inmates to internaliseexpectationsandstrivetomeetthem We,too, areheldprisonersundersocietalconditioning,evenwhen we ’renotbeingsurveilled.

In such a context, authenticity acts as a form of resistance, a way of rejecting societal norms and a disobedience of the roles we are expected to carry Authenticity would mean being sincere to yourself, acknowledgingyourlimitsandwounds,andtheharsh realityofbeingjudgedforwhoyoutrulyare.Itmeans choosingnottopleasebutsimplytobe.

In such a context, authenticity acts as a form of resistance, a way of rejecting societal norms and a disobedience of the roles we are expected to carry. Authenticity would mean being sincere to yourself, acknowledgingyourlimitsandwounds,andtheharsh realityofbeingjudgedforwhoyoutrulyare Itmeans choosingnottopleasebutsimplytobe

Romanticization

The world as we know it has progressed in manyways,butithasalsoregressedinsome. Wemaylookuptotheimageofsomeonewho feelsnothing, someonewhostaysunaffected by chaos, who goes through life with a calm demeanorwhichbordersonindifference,and they are admired for their ability to stay unbothered, as if detachment is a sign of strength

But people mistake this image as a modern invention.Longbeforeitbecameatrend,stoics spoke of mastering the self, Eastern philosophies pictured detachment as a gateway to peace, and Victorian society perfectedtheartofemotionalrestraint.Back then,itwasdisciplineandadeliberatewayof living created by reflection and belief. Today, detachment has been reduced to aesthetics andmadeintoshortclipsandcuratedfeeds.

Foralotofpeople,thisservesasaprotection fromasocietythatdoesallitcantoexamine, screenshot,record,anddissecteverydetailofa person ’ s life. This sort of behavior strips a personoftheirhumanityand,assuch,showing noemotionandlettingnooneelseseebeneath thesurfacefeelsfarsafer.Forsome,itisaform ofrebellion Whentheworldisfullofabsolute demands,inactionbecomesaformofrefusalto showthatthepersonisfreeandnotsubjectto control. In both situations, the appeal is the same:seemingcompletelyuntouchable.

But detachment does not come without consequences; it may help you avoid heartbreak,avoidance,thepainofbetrayaland rejection.Thatsaid,thepriceyoupayisslow andinsidious:fleetingconnections,happiness thatisshallowandmomentary,sorrowthatis perpetually masked but never fully fades. Whenyoulivewithoutsuffering,youalsolive withoutmuchofanythingelse.

Maybe the question we should start with is areweprotectingourselvesfromhurtorfrom life itself? The ability to emotionally detach ourselvesfromapainfulsituationcanbean advantage but it can also be a prison, a gradual withdrawal from the aspects of life thatmakeushuman.

We tend to talk about how our generation doesnotliveorlovethewaypeopleoncedid butwerarelyturnthatquestioninwardand yettheanswerhasbeenwithinusallalong. Andmaybestrengthisnotaboutstayingon the sidelines, untouched. Maybe it is about steppingin,lettingyourselfbeseen,evenifit means you will get hurt Because no one writes stories about the person who never feltanything.

MINHA FATIMA JATOI

PARASOCIAL PARASOCIAL SOCIETY SOCIETY

whyareweso emotionallyinvested incelebritieswe don’tevenknow?

It was not always like this, celebrities were untouchable Away from our everyday lives, on red carpets,largemoviescreens,andinglossymagazines

Nothing could be more different today From what's theirfavoritecolortowheretheyareouttoeat,itall hasbeenaccessibletouswithasimpleswipeonour phones Itseemscasual,almostprivate

Social media's rise has elevated this to a new level. Influencerstodaywillinglyshowtheir"messy"aspects oflife.Whereasinthepast,allyousawofthemwere bitsonthetelevisionscreen.Acreatornowgoesliveto talk with fans in the comfort of their own home, or mightcasuallyshowtheirunmadebed.Ourbrainsare fooledbytheseglimpsesintobelievingthatwerelateto them Itfeelslikefriendshipevenwhenit'snot

As humans, we are wired for connection Familiarity has a powerful effect on our brains When we frequently see someone on the internet laughing, crying, or simply discussing their day, they start to blendintothebackgroundofourownlives

Parasocialrelationshipscanmaskfeelingsofloneliness likeband-aids.Theserelationshipsfillemotionalgaps. Intimesoflonelinessorstress,alotofpeopleturnto celebritiesorinfluencers. Duringthecovidpandemic, when everything else felt uncertain, watching a favouritecreatorbecamelikehavingafamiliarvoicein theroom.Itwasconsoling,eventhoughthebondwas neverreal.

Today’s celebrity culture thrives on selling themself. Theymarkettheirhabits,personalities,andlifestyles. Modernmarketingsays,"Here'swhatIuse,andifyou trustme,youshouldtoo,"comparedtoanoldTVad thatmightonlytrytosellyoushampoo.Ifyoufollowa fitness influencer, you are not only buying their workoutplan,youarebuyingintothedreamoflooking like them. If a beauty vlogger suggests a product, it feels less like an advertisement and more like advice from a best friend Even if those "recommendations" areactuallysponsoredadvertisements.

Butwhatdoesthismeanforusasasociety?Arethese bondsharmless,oraretheyrisky?

Onthebrightside,therearesomerealadvantagesto parasocial relationships Particularly for those who might feel invisible in their own social circles, they offersolaceandasenseofbelonging Forinstance,alot ofpeoplefoundsupportfromcelebritieswhopublicly talkedabouttheirstruggleswithmentalhealthorfrom online creators who spoke out during the BLM movement.

However, there are drawbacks. The idea of connection is the main problem Even though we maythinkweknowthesepeoplewell,theyhaveno ideawhoweare.Itfeelslikepersonalbetrayalwhen they behave in unexpected ways, such as when a scandal occurs Although the relationship never existed,thestingisreal.

Additionally, there is a chance of losing your balance.Itcanbetimeconsuminganddrainingto spendhourswatchingthelivesofinfluencersrather than fostering relationships in real life This can eventually lead to a vicious cycle in which your dependence on parasocial bonds makes you feel morealoneinreallife,whichthenencouragesyou togetbacktothosesamebonds Furthermore,this isnotgoingtoslowdownanytimesoon Parasocial ties will likely strengthen as a result of new technology VirtualrealityandAIdriveninfluencers arealreadyhere,whichtailorinteractions Consider aninfluencerwhousesartificialintelligencetohave a personalised conversation with you rather than merelypostingavideoforeveryonetosee These connectionsmaybecomenearlyirresistible

Sowhatareouroptionsinthisparasocialsociety?

Balance and awareness are crucial As long as we keepinmindthattherelationshipisone-sided,it's acceptable, even healthy, to enjoy following influencersorcelebrities.Ourfoundationneedsto berelationshipsintherealworld.Atthesametime, wecantakeastepbackandmakebetterdecisionsif we learn media literacy and how intimacy is marketed.

Thisexplainshumannatureperfectly,ourneedfor connection and belonging Even though they may notknowuspersonally,influencersandcelebrities frequently address needs that are occasionally unmet in real life The challenge is to appreciate whattheygiveuswithoutconfusingitwithgenuine reciprocity. We can enjoy the intimacy while remaininggroundedintherelationshipsthatreally matter,theoneswheretheotherpersonknowsour trueselves.

RANIA ZAHID

T H E D O R I A N G R AY M I R R O R : how our image consumes us

Oscar Wilde’s renowned novel, known as “The Picture of Dorian Gray,”waswrittenin1890,aphilosophicalfictionandGothichorror thatwouldeerilybecomeaprophecyforthefuturegeneration.In today’sage,wedonotneedcursedpaintings;instead,ourportraits remain on glowing screens, immortal, forever curating an unattainablyflawlessimagethatremovesanytraceoftime

However, Wilde’s warnings grow ever louder: if we worship the image, it will eventually consume us. While in Dorian Grey, the painting reveals his sins while he remains outwardly beautiful, in ourworldtoday,ourobsessionwithdigitalimages,whichcoversany flawwithablurringfilter,eradicatesimperfections,whichshowany individualisationstothepointwearemorefantasythanreality.It creates the sin of vanity; modern beauty culture often values flawlessnessattheexpenseofmentalhealth,promotingtoxicrituals ofunhealthydieting,cosmeticprocedurestoachievevalidationfrom others.

Wilde often warned us about the dangers of valuing appearance before character. Dorian’s desire to stay young and beautiful eventuallybecomeshisdemiseinasimilarway,theconstantgrapple for perfection that does not exist erodes our self-esteem and authenticity into a hollow version of ourselves that doesn’t exist beyondtheprisonofourscreens.

WhileDoriansoldhissoulforeternalyouth,inmoderntimes,we havesoldourprivacy,timeforthevalidationofourpeers,acyclic naturewhichcontinues,inthenewestbeautytrend,beingslimmer, being blond, not being blond enough, having porcelain white skin withoutablemish,anonstopcycleruledbylikesandfollowsinan endlesspursuittobenoticedandseeninatangleofalgorithmsuntil wearenomorethanapixelonthescreen.

Anewbeautytrendemerges,andthecyclecontinues,neverenough.

PRIDE & PREJUDICE andit’srelevancetomodernsociety

When Jane Austen published her second novel ever in 1813, she probably did not envision the realityofitssuccessthatstillprecedesovertwo centuries later. At first glance, the entire plot seemssuperficial.Howcouldanovelthatprattles onaboutdowry,marriage,balls,andcorsetsbeso relevant to this day? Well, it is not a wonder consideringhowAustenwroteaboutthingsthat never seem to go out of style – love, pride, a judgementsociety,andmostimportantly,money.

BackinAusten’stime,socialhierarchieswerepreordained Yourlifechoicesandyourfreedomwere purelydependentonhowmanypenniesweighed down your pockets. The Bennet family was not doomedtopoverty,buttheirliveswerefarfrom peaceful. On the other hand, Mr. Darcy, with his estate and earnings that could rival the Buckinghampalaceandearringsthatcouldhave probably solved the poverty of half of England, was living a life completely opposite to that of Lizzie’s.

While we might claim social mobility is now possible, our class and privilege still determine most of our life – education, the people we associateourselveswith,whowechoosetomarry Even for the simplest things, we still find ourselves torn between the social plausibility of the people we circle around. While time progresses,thefactsdisplayedinthenovelremain steadfast

WhatmakesMr.DarcyandElizabethsoreletable isthattheybothacthuman.Theymakemistakes buttheychange.Changenotbecausethey’re“in love”andthatloveisthemagicelixirthatsolved all their issues But they grow into people who can mutually understand one another Elizabeth learns to challenge her biases and grudges and Darcylearnstoputasidehisprideandappreciate her for who she truly is. They both reject the nonsensical idea of how love magically changes you and work to become better versions of themselves Immediate gratification dominates the minds of the today’s society, but Austen emphasizesthatgoodthingscometothosewho areopentochange.

Not only does Austen reflect on still impending class differences, but she recognizes the complexitiesofthehumanheart.Themainplotof theentirebookisprideandprejudice–andhow ourprideleadsustomisjudgmentthateventually buildsup Elizabeth’sfirstimpressionofDarcyis shaped entirely by his frigid disposition and Mr. Wickham’sdeceitfulliesabouthischaracter.These mistaken impressions and prejudices nearly ruinedtheirchanceatfindinghappiness.

Inmodernsociety,itissoeasytogetcaughtupin the misleading lies that gossip creates. And it’s even easier to pass our judgment by merely viewing a story for just a second and then claiming to understand the person. Austen remindsusthatfirstimpressionsmaybepowerful but they’re not necessarily accurate Mr Darcy wastheproofofthat

The reason why Pride and Prejudice still resonatesisbecauseitismorethanalovestory. It'sastoryabouthowpeoplecanoftensurprise us when we truly see them clearly without the hurdlesofgossipandmuddledlensesthatshinea bad light upon them. It’s about having the courage to realise where you went wrong and tryingtochange.

Thecarriagesandgownsmightbefromanother era,butthefeelingsofloveandprideremainas humanastheywerethen.Ifthere’sonethingthat cansurpasstheadamantmovementoftime,itis humannature.Mr.DarcyandElizabethgottheir happily ever after because they earned it Class divides gave birth to pride and money bred arrogance Through it all, the willingness to change and grow overthrew it all. That is why Austen’s work is relevant to us today, and will continuetomirroroursocietytwohundredyears fromnow.

IS AI THE NEW FRANKENSTEIN? IS AI THE NEW FRANKENSTEIN?

Mary Shelley is widely regarded as the mother of the scientific fiction genre, but even she could not predict the sudden rise of the Artificial Intelligence (AI). Interestingly enough, thephilosophies that make up Frankenstein manage tointertwine themselves with the contemporary validcontroversies surrounding AI, its ethics and the concept of AI turning into an ‘uncontrollablemonster’,muchlikeShelley’sCreature

Mary Shelley is widely regarded as the mother of the scientific fiction genre, but even she could not predict the sudden rise of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Interestingly enough, thephilosophies that make up Frankenstein manage tointertwine themselves with the contemporary validcontroversies surrounding AI, its ethics and the concept of AI turning into an ‘uncontrollablemonster’,muchlikeShelley’sCreature.

Itisnosurprisethattherehasbeendiscourseconstantly surrounding AIeversinceits inception intotheglobal limelight, butinorder tofully judgeAI forwhatithas become, you must firstexamine the intentions of its creation

For thesakeofargument, wewillfocusonthe modern definition ofAI, which is‘computer systems that are fully able to complete human tasks independent of human intervention,’ such. as speech recognition or creating‘art’.Itisthenthatthetimelineforthecreationof AI becomes clearer. In the 1960’s, the world's first successful industrial robot was introduced; ‘Unimate’. Thisrobot wasabreathoffreshairfor allthepeopleit saved from thedangerous risks that came alongwith workingwithcarsonanindustriallevel.

For thesakeofargument, wewillfocusonthe modern definition ofAI, which is‘computer systems that are fully able to complete human tasks of human intervention,’ such. as speech recognition or creating‘art’Itisthenthatthetimelineforthecreationof AI becomes clearer In the 1960’s, the world's first successful industrial robot was introduced; ‘Unimate’ Thisrobot wasabreathoffreshairfor allthepeopleit saved from thedangerous risks that came alongwith workingwithcarsonanindustriallevel

VictorFrankenstein’smotivationswerenotasnoble

VictorFrankenstein’smotivationswerenotasnoble.

Onthe contrary, theCreaturewasborn entirelyforthe sakeof satisfyingFrankenstein’s hubris-to prove thathe could create life out of nothing but human scraps and remains But, isthatthe Creature’s fault? Althoughthe Unimateendeduphavingpositiveeffectsonsocietyasa whole, wecan not claim tounderstand what exactly motivated itscreators, unlikethe perspectivewehaveon Frankenstein.

Onthe contrary, theCreaturewasborn entirelyforthe sakeof satisfyingFrankenstein’s hubris-to prove thathe could create life out of nothing but human scraps and remains.But, isthatthe Creature’s fault? Althoughthe Unimateendeduphavingpositiveeffectsonsocietyasa whole, wecan not claim tounderstand what exactly motivated itscreators, unlikethe perspectivewehaveon Frankenstein

Then with similar beginnings, should we not take a closerlook at the restofthe story?Scornedbywhohe thinksofasafather,theCreatureevolvesfromthenaive andnewbeing thatit wasintoone thatwreakedhavoc and violence everywhere it went. Similarly, we are able to see first hand the effects that the massive server warehouses forAI are having onthe environment, affecting populationsthat largelyhadno handin its creation nor the anger with which it so ferventlyattacksthemwith.

Then with similar beginnings, should we not take a closerlook at the restofthe story?Scornedbywhohe thinksofasafather,theCreatureevolvesfromthenaive andnewbeing thatit wasintoone thatwreakedhavoc and violence everywhere it went Similarly, we are finally able to see first hand the effects that the massive server warehouses forAI are having onthe environment, affecting populationsthat largelyhadno handin its creation nor the anger with which it so ferventlyattacksthemwith.

We don’t know yet how things will progress with AI Famously,VictorFrankenstein’sstoryendsindoom He dies of exhaustion, unable to keep up with the increasinglydifficultdemandsofwhathehimselfhas created.Ifwefollowtheobviousparallelsbetweenthe Creature and AI, it spells out a sad ending, where innocentlivesareaffectedtonoparticularendandthe implementers of the science (who only did so for personal gain) could be interpreted as the ‘real’ monsters.

We don’t yet how things will progress with AI. Famously,VictorFrankenstein’sstoryendsindoom.He dies of exhaustion, unable to keep up with the increasinglydifficultdemandsofwhathehimselfhas created.Ifwefollowtheobviousparallelsbetweenthe Creature and AI, it spells out a sad ending, where innocentlivesareaffectedtonoparticularendandthe implementers of the science (who only did so for personal gain) could be interpreted as the ‘real’ monsters

If there is anything to be taken away from this comparison,itisthatMaryShellyunknowinglycreated a cautionary tale for the twenty-first century. The rebirthoftheCreature-itstransformationfromflesh and bone to gears and rust all may be a marker for incrediblescientificprogressatanunprecedentedlevel of evolution, but maybe the creation of both the CreatureandAIisinherentlyicarian,becausethebook doesn’t end with the creation of the Creature, it is simplythefirstchapter

If there is anything to be taken away from this comparison,itisthatMaryShellyunknowinglycreated a cautionary tale for the twenty-first century The rebirthoftheCreature-itstransformationfromflesh and bone to gears and rust all may be a marker for incrediblescientificprogressatanunprecedentedlevel of evolution, but maybe the creation of both the CreatureandAIisinherentlyicarian,becausethebook doesn’t end with the of the Creature, it is simplythefirstchapter.

as

as an Escape an Escape Literature as an Escape

In an age where notifications tussle for our attention and doomscrolling provides an instant IV of dopamine, books provide the antithesis: quiet, peace and engagement

Reading isa haven forus GenZadolescents –an escape where we can disengage ourselves from our chaotic world. Itis rebellionagaintsa culturebasedonimmediacyandimpertinence.

In an age where notifications tussle for our attention and doomscrolling provides an instant IV of dopamine, books provide the antithesis: quiet, peace and engagement. Reading isa haven forus GenZadolescents –an escape where we can disengage ourselves from our chaotic world. Itis rebellionagaintsa culturebasedonimmediacyandimpertinence.

Skepticsarguethatthechokeholdoftechnology andmediahassuffocatedtheroomforliterature inyounglives–thatit’salreadytoolateforthe teenagers of today and tomorrow to recalibrate themselves. And in a way, they’re not entirely mistaken. Social media is no longer just a playground, but a status symbol. Influencers, crypto course sellers, and meme heroes usually elicit more respect than scientists, artists or intellectuals – the very pioneers of society So whenateenagerreachesforabookinsteadofa screen,itmayseemlikesingingoutoftunewith the worldly chorus playing around them, sometimesprovokingridicule.

Skepticsarguethatthechokeholdoftechnology andmediahassuffocatedtheroomforliterature inyounglives–thatit’salreadytoolateforthe teenagers of today and tomorrow to recalibrate themselves. And in a way, they’re not entirely mistaken. Social media is no longer just a playground, but a status symbol. Influencers, crypto course sellers, and meme heroes usually elicit more respect than scientists, artists or intellectuals – the very pioneers of society. So whenateenagerreachesforabookinsteadofa screen,itmayseemlikesingingoutoftunewith the worldly chorus playing around them, sometimesprovokingridicule.

Katniss Everdeen wasn’t adorned with a perfect personaandneitherwasBilboBaggins.Theyeach had their downsides, but that didn’t make them worthless.Hence,theactofreadingbecomesaway toreconnectwithgenuineemotion,totemporarily breathe into unkempt secrets and to experience harsh truths, something which the deceptive environmentoftodaycan’tportray.

Yetinspiteofallthat,proseliveson–andbetter yet, it’s thriving. Post COVID-19 reports show that Gen Z, during its long spells of solitude, rediscovered the beauty of reading. Book sales surged, online reading communities like ReadersOfInstagram and BookTok flourished, andnovelsendedupinthehandsofnewreaders. Sowhythedrasticchange?

Yetinspiteofallthat,proseliveson–andbetter yet, it’s thriving. Post COVID-19 reports that Gen Z, during its long spells of solitude, rediscovered the beauty of reading. Book sales surged, online reading communities like ReadersOfInstagram and BookTok flourished, andnovelsendedupinthehandsofnewreaders. Sowhythedrasticchange?

Thestarkcontrastbetweenthetwomediumsof entertainmentispartoftheanswerSocialmedia, ononehandwinswithspeed,butit’shollow–an eternal loop where hours vanish in seconds holding no meaning. Reading, however, slows down time. Each page stimulates your imagination,channelsyourfeelings.Acharacter developsnotinsecondsbutinchapters;theirtale unfolds with the gravity of consequence. Unlike the fleeting memory of a reel or a post, the written word lingers. A single line of poetry, a dialogueinanovel,orevenahauntingmetaphor may entertain the mind of a reader for much longerthanathousandmindlessscrolls.

Thestarkcontrastbetweenthetwomediumsof entertainmentispartoftheanswer.Socialmedia, ononehandwinswithspeed,butit’shollow–an eternal loop where hours vanish in seconds holding no meaning. Reading, however, slows down time. Each page stimulates your imagination,channelsyourfeelings.Acharacter developsnotinsecondsbutinchapters;theirtale unfolds with the gravity of consequence. Unlike the fleeting memory of a reel a post, the written word lingers. A single line of poetry, a dialogueinanovel,orevenahauntingmetaphor may entertain the mind of a reader for much longerthanathousandmindlessscrolls.

Thefollowingreasonisaquestforrawveracity. Gen Z, perhaps more than any preceding generation, has been immersed in socially engineered lies — filters, edits, and gossip. In novels, flaws are not masked with fake smiles; they are the very pulse of the story The protagonistisn’tdescribedasasaintwhonever did wrong, like we paint ourselves in social media.

Thefollowingreasonisaquestforrawveracity. Gen Z, perhaps more than any preceding generation, has been immersed in socially engineered lies — filters, edits, and gossip. In novels, flaws are not masked with fake smiles; they are the very pulse of the story. The protagonistisn’tdescribedasasaintwhonever did wrong, like we paint ourselves in social media.

At its core, literature also offers us something that pixelated drugs can’t Meaning. Algorithms feed us whatwealreadylike,acompilationofcatvideosor funk edits. You can’t completely control the algorithm; it chooses for you. Books challenge us withwhatweneverexpectedtofind.Theyallowus toexplore,toanticipate,tounderstand.Theyexpand the horizons of our minds rather than contracting them into echo chambers. In an era defined by overstimulation, choosing to read is not just entertainment—itisintellectualnourishment

At its core, literature also offers us something that pixelated drugs can’t. Meaning. Algorithms feed us whatwealreadylike,acompilationofcatvideosor funk edits. You can’t completely control the algorithm; it chooses for you. Books challenge us withwhatweneverexpectedtofind.Theyallowus toexplore,toanticipate,tounderstand.Theyexpand the horizons of our minds rather than contracting them into echo chambers. In an era defined by overstimulation, choosing to read is not just entertainment—itisintellectualnourishment.

Ultimately, the survival of literature in an age of digitaldevicesdoesnotdependuponitscapacityto competewiththem,buttooutlivethem.Trendson social media, may come and go like the tide, but inkedwordshavebeenaroundformillennia.

They’reasoldastimeitself.Allinall,forGeneration Z,Ibelievereadingisnotjustnostalgia–it’sarefuge andmovement,evidencethateveninanerafixated onrapidlysheddingitsoldskin,theslowembersof literature still glow. Like always, slow and steady winstherace.

MUHAMMAD MEHDI

VOICE OF REASON

“When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty” A quote attributed to one of the founding fathers of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, remains as relevant today as it was three centuries ago. The advent of humanity has introduced us to countless stories that report or inspire efforts to resist tyrannical rule History is not scarce when it comes to sharing events that revolve around mankind’s repeated attempts to liberate itself from those who suppress it Nor will it ever lack in recording such incidents in the future; however, books and witness recalls alone do not echo the voicesoffreedomanymore Thedawnofsocialmedia andrisingglobalisationhasallowedforanewformof resistancetosettlein

“When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty” . A quote attributed to one of the founding fathers of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, remains as relevant today as it was three centuries ago. The advent of humanity has introduced us to countless stories that report or inspire efforts to resist tyrannical rule. History is not scarce when it comes to sharing events that revolve around mankind’s repeated attempts to liberate itself from those who suppress it. Nor will it ever lack in recording such incidents in the future; however, books and witness recalls alone do not echo the voicesoffreedomanymore.Thedawnofsocialmedia andrisingglobalisationhasallowedforanewformof resistancetosettlein.

Referredtoasanarchivebysome,theinternetisa powerfultoolinconveyingnewsandkeepingpeople connected Coupled with a generation of children beingraisedinthepresenceofiPads,computersand phones,itisnosurprisethattodayalmostanyonecan bekeptinformedofwhatoccursontheothercorner oftheglobe.Suchaphenomenonhaspavedtheway forallkindsofinnovativeplanstooccurinanymatter that arises. Such a change has allowed for one of mankind's longest traditions to take on numerous forms Theabilitytoprotesthasonlyexpandedever sincethesocialmediaboomcameintoplace.

Referredtoasanarchivebysome,theinternetisa powerfultoolinconveyingnewsandkeepingpeople connected. Coupled with a generation of children beingraisedinthepresenceofiPads,computersand phones,itisnosurprisethattodayalmostanyonecan bekeptinformedofwhatoccursontheothercorner oftheglobe Suchaphenomenonhaspavedtheway forallkindsofinnovativeplanstooccurinanymatter that arises. Such a change has allowed for one of mankind's longest traditions to take on numerous forms.Theabilitytoprotesthasonlyexpandedever sincethesocialmediaboomcameintoplace

The Generation Z’ method to protest has ideas from both the past and the present as it continues to challenge what it deems morally unlawful. Global climate change has remained a concerning issue since the late 20th Century The likesofGretaThunbergandDavidAttenbourghhave foughtforclimateactivismfordecadesnow,inspiring thousands of people to start looking after what we call our only home. Countless campaigns on social media, ranging from fundraising for endangered species to limitless petitions to local governments, continuetoshowhowthenewgenerationstakeona decades-oldpredicament Notonlyisthereashared sensetoputanendtothedestructionofourplanet, there is also camaraderie amongst the generationwhofeelfortheirlessprivilegedfellows whentheyencounteraclimate-borneproblem.

The Generation Z’ method to protest has borrowed ideas from both the past and the present as it continues to challenge what it deems morally unlawful Global climate change has remained a concerning issue since the late 20th Century. The likesofGretaThunbergandDavidAttenbourghhave foughtforclimateactivismfordecadesnow,inspiring thousands of people to start looking after what we call our only home Countless campaigns on social media, ranging from fundraising for endangered species to limitless petitions to local governments, continuetoshowhowthenewgenerationstakeona decades-oldpredicament.Notonlyisthereashared sensetoputanendtothedestructionofourplanet, there is also camaraderie amongst the younger generationwhofeelfortheirlessprivilegedfellows whentheyencounteraclimate-borneproblem

Theconcernfortheirfellowpeopledoesnotendat climateactivismasyoungpeoplecontinuetoactively monitorandvoicetheiropinionsinarmedconflicts around the world From Sudan to Bangladesh and CongotoPalestine,GenZcontinuestoallyitselfwith thehumanitariancause

The persecution following the student protests in Bangladesh only backfired on the country’s authoritarian leader, following widespread media coverageofthesuppressionofprotestsinthecountry being available on social media Such acts garnered support for the students protesting against the autocratic rule of Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh. On the ground, innumerable students laid down their livesforwhatbecameanobligatoryactforthem.The priceoffreedomwasimmense,asalmostathousand deathswerereported,manyofthembeingstudents They organised uprisings and ran campaigns on Twitterandotherplatforms,whichpileduppressure onthegovernmentfrominternationalorganisations

The persecution following the student protests in Bangladesh only backfired on the country’s authoritarian leader, following widespread media coverageofthesuppressionofprotestsinthecountry being available on social media Such acts garnered support for the students protesting against the autocratic rule of Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh On the ground, innumerable students laid down their livesforwhatbecameanobligatoryactforthem.The priceoffreedomwasimmense,asalmostathousand deathswerereported,manyofthembeingstudents. They organised uprisings and ran campaigns on Twitterandotherplatforms,whichpileduppressure onthegovernmentfrominternationalorganisations.

AsimilarcasepresenteditselfinPalestine.Anotherdecades oldissuenowbeingresolvedusingGenz’sownterms The people flocked to introduce boycotts of Israeli affiliated servicesandproducerswhilsthumanitarianaidwaspooled together by fundraisers and campaigns The people gathered outside the embassies of nations defending the IsraeliactionsinGazatostageprotestsandorganisesit-ins

AsimilarcasepresenteditselfinPalestine Anotherdecades oldissuenowbeingresolvedusingGenz’sownterms.The people flocked to introduce boycotts of Israeli affiliated servicesandproducerswhilsthumanitarianaidwaspooled by fundraisers and campaigns. The people gathered outside the embassies of nations defending the IsraeliactionsinGazatostageprotestsandorganisesit-ins.

The efforts made by them allowed for incidents like the MarchforHumanityinAustraliaandtheFreedomFlotilla

On the ground, teenagers and young adults continue to broadcast the worsening situation in Gaza as they appeal for aid from the international community, emblematic of their boldness in the face of tyranny. Their voice crosses continents to support the affected people of Sudan and CongowhofacethesameunfortunatesituationasGaza

The efforts made by them allowed for incidents like the MarchforHumanityinAustraliaandtheFreedomFlotilla. On the ground, teenagers and young adults continue to broadcast the worsening situation in Gaza as they appeal for aid from the international community, emblematic of their boldness in the face of tyranny Their voice crosses continents to support the affected people of Sudan and CongowhofacethesameunfortunatesituationasGaza

Theurgetofightforone'srightsandselfdeterminationwill always remain embedded in the soul. Humanity’s eternal strugglewithitselfisnotanascentstoryandwillcontinue for generations after ours return to the dust. All of their effortsandtheeffortsoftheirforefathersbearwitnessto the fact that injustice afflicts both its imposers and its victims.

Theurgetofightforone'srightsandselfdeterminationwill always remain embedded in the soul Humanity’s eternal strugglewithitselfisnotanascentstoryandwillcontinue for generations after ours return to the dust All of their effortsandtheeffortsoftheirforefathersbearwitnessto the fact that injustice afflicts both its imposers and its victims

What Generation Z has undertaken fight its period’s injusticeissomethingbeyondnoteworthyasithasbrought majorcorporationslikeStarbuckstoitsknees Intheend, the question remains the same: how long can the oppressors continue in this war of attrition against those whoseekjustice,andhowfarcantheupholdersofthelaw remainsteadfastintheirgoals?

What Generation Z has undertaken to fight its period’s injusticeissomethingbeyondnoteworthyasithasbrought majorcorporationslikeStarbuckstoitsknees.Intheend, the question remains the same: how long can the oppressors continue in this war of attrition against those whoseekjustice,andhowfarcantheupholdersofthelaw remainsteadfastintheirgoals?

THE FOREIGN POLICY GENERATION GAP

American foreign policy has often proceeded from the assumptionthatUS leadershipwouldremainstableand broadly recognized But for my generation, Gen Z, that narrativenolongerlandsthesamewayitdidforpeople before us Recent global surveys point to something Washingtonpolicymakersarereluctanttoadmit:GenZis skepticalofUS hegemony,andthefrustrationtowarda U.S.-centricworldorderisnolongerjustfringetalk,Iam afraid.

American foreign policy has often proceeded from the assumptionthatU.S.leadershipwouldremainstableand broadly recognized. But for my generation, Gen Z, that narrativenolongerlandsthesamewayitdidforpeople before us. Recent global surveys point to something Washingtonpolicymakersarereluctanttoadmit:GenZis skepticalofU.S.hegemony,andthefrustrationtowarda U.S.-centricworldorderisnolongerjustfringetalk,Iam afraid

From the outside, America does not look like a superpower but rather looks conflicted It calls itself a defender of democracy yet stands with authoritarian allies, spends trillions on foreign wars while its own youthcan’tpaydebtorfindhousing.

“America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between.” Oscar Wilde

“America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between” Oscar Wilde

And if Wilde was alive today, he would probably add ‘ and somehow still thinks it’s the world’s moral compass.’TruetothatOscar.

And if Wilde was alive today, he would probably add ‘ and somehow still thinks it’s the world’s moral compass’TruetothatOscar

Thesurveysconfirmit MajoritiesofGenZrespondents across multiple countries doubt the sustainability of an American-led world Instead, they lean toward multipolarity, imagining a balance where power isn’t hoarded by Washington alone jokes aside And it’s not becauseGenZisstarryeyedaboutgeopolitics;weknow Russia and China come with their own shadows but because the US keeps breaking its own rules while lecturingothers

Thesurveysconfirmit.MajoritiesofGenZrespondents across multiple countries doubt the sustainability of an American-led world. Instead, they lean toward multipolarity, imagining a balance where power isn’t hoarded by Washington alone jokes aside. And it’s not becauseGenZisstarryeyedaboutgeopolitics;weknow Russia and China come with their own shadows but because the US keeps breaking its own rules while lecturingothers.

Ifyoucannotholdyourownhousetogether,whyshould anyonetrustyoutopolicetheneighborhood?

Politicsisalreadycollidingwiththisshift.Youngervoters areturningoutinbiggernumbers,andwithinadecade, MillennialsandGenZtogetherwillmakeupmostofthe electorate That matters We’re not yearning for some imagined return to Pax Americana; we ’ ve grown up seeinghowfragilethatUS-ledorderreallyis,andhow oftenitleavesbehindinstabilityanddisappointment

Politicsisalreadycollidingwiththisshift Youngervoters areturningoutinbiggernumbers,andwithinadecade, MillennialsandGenZtogetherwillmakeupmostofthe electorate. That matters. We’re not yearning for some imagined return to Pax Americana; we ’ ve grown up seeinghowfragilethatU.S.-ledorderreallyis,andhow oftenitleavesbehindinstabilityanddisappointment.

We’ve inherited a world shaped by choices we never votedon,choicesthatprioritizemilitarydominanceover climate agreements, weapons sales over human rights, and oil security over actual security It’s about time we start asking uncomfortable questions: Why should US interests always come first? And my favorite question, one I’d love a real answer to: Why is dissent labeled unpatriotic,evencriminalized,wheninrealityit’sabout wanting a fairer, more sustainable global system? Just look at how ICE treats protestors and immigrants as if demandingjusticeisacrime

We’ve inherited a world shaped by choices we never votedon,choicesthatprioritizemilitarydominanceover climate agreements, weapons sales over human rights, and oil security over actual security. It’s about time we start asking uncomfortable questions: Why should U.S. interests always come first? And my favorite question, one I’d love a real answer to: Why is dissent labeled unpatriotic,evencriminalized,wheninrealityit’sabout wanting fairer, more sustainable global system? Just look at how ICE treats protestors and immigrants as if demandingjusticeisacrime.

IfoldergenerationssawUS powerastheanchorofworld order,weseeitasonepartoftheproblem We’veseentoo muchtojustacceptthingsquietly WhetherWashington likesitornot,anewpoliticaldemographicisforming,one thatquestionsthemythologyofAmericanexceptionalism and demands a foreign policy that actually reflects the worldwe’relivingin,nottheonepolicymakersarestill romanticizing. And the more pressing question is: what does that mean for America’s role in the world going forward?

IfoldergenerationssawU.S.powerastheanchorofworld order,weseeitasonepartoftheproblem.We’veseentoo muchtojustacceptthingsquietly.WhetherWashington likesitornot,anewpoliticaldemographicisforming,one thatquestionsthemythologyofAmericanexceptionalism and demands a foreign policy that actually reflects the worldwe’relivingin,nottheonepolicymakersarestill romanticizing. And the more pressing question is: what does that mean for America’s role in the world going forward?

Whatitmeansissimple:legitimacy Formuchofthelate 20th century, US foreign policy leaned on the idea of America as the ‘indispensable nation’ It was not just rhetoric,itshapedhowWashingtonactedabroadandhow alliescametorelyonit Butthatkindoflegitimacydoesn’t lastforeverThemoreit’stakenforgranted,theshakierit becomes It cannot exist simply because Washington insists on it, nor because it once held unchallenged influence Legitimacy isn’t permanent It has to be renewed,notbyspeechesinDC,butbyhowpoliciesland inreallives Rightnow,thattrustfeelsshaky

Whatitmeansissimple:legitimacy.Formuchofthelate 20th century, U.S. foreign policy leaned on the idea of America as the ‘indispensable nation.’ It was not just rhetoric,itshapedhowWashingtonactedabroadandhow alliescametorelyonit.Butthatkindoflegitimacydoesn’t lastforever.Themoreit’stakenforgranted,theshakierit becomes. It cannot exist simply because Washington insists on it, nor because it once held unchallenged influence. Legitimacy isn’t permanent. It has to be renewed,notbyspeechesinD.C.,butbyhowpoliciesland inreallives.Rightnow,thattrustfeelsshaky.

OneneedonlylookattheaftermathofAmerica’swarsin theMiddleEast Youngergenerationshavegrownupwith this contradiction as their baseline understanding of America’s role in the world They didn’t grow up with stories of the Marshall Plan or the Berlin Wall coming down.WhattheyknowisIraq,Afghanistan,Gazaandthe unevenwaysomealliesareprotectedwhileothersareleft exposed.

OneneedonlylookattheaftermathofAmerica’swarsin theMiddleEast.Youngergenerationshavegrownupwith this contradiction as their baseline understanding of America’s role in the world. They didn’t grow up with stories of the Marshall Plan or the Berlin Wall coming down.WhattheyknowisIraq,Afghanistan,Gazaandthe unevenwaysomealliesareprotectedwhileothersareleft exposed

The world, too, has moved on Multipolarity is not a prediction anymore but a fact Power diffused across continents:China’seconomicreach,India’sdemographic weight, the European Union’s regulatory authority, and the assertiveness of middle powers like Turkey, Brazil, and South Africa. Even non-state actors like tech corporations, climate activists, and transnational movementsholdinfluencethatcannotbedismissedand America’sunshakableinsistenceonbeing“indispensable” feelsoutdated,almostnave.

The world, too, has moved on Multipolarity is not a prediction anymore but a fact Power is diffused across continents:China’seconomicreach,India’sdemographic weight, the European Union’s regulatory authority, and the assertiveness of middle powers like Turkey, Brazil, and South Africa Even non-state actors like tech corporations, climate activists, and transnational movementsholdinfluencethatcannotbedismissedand America’sunshakableinsistenceonbeing“indispensable” feelsoutdated,almostnave

TheUnitedStatesnowfacesthetaskofpositioningitself withinanevolvingglobalorder.Itsinfluencewilldepend less on claims of centrality and more on its capacity to work with others, engage in negotiation, and adapt to changingcircumstances.

TheUnitedStatesnowfacesthetaskofpositioningitself withinanevolvingglobalorder Itsinfluencewilldepend less on claims of centrality and more on its capacity to work with others, engage in negotiation, and adapt to changingcircumstances

Because of our sisters, mine, and

Imagine getting arrested because your outfit wasn't modest enough according to your local police's standards.Indeed,thisisnotsuchafarfetchedscenario forthewomenofIran,whowilloftengetdetainedfor somethingasminoraswearingsandalsoutintheopen.

Hajipourhadbeenarrestedforpromotingantinationalist propaganda, and his song was deleted from instagram, but by then it had already gone viral downloaded and streamedmultipletimesbyindividualsonline

Itwasoutthereintheworld,avoiceforallIranianswho feltwrongedatthehandsoftheirownhomeland.

MahsaAminiwasonesuchwoman,a22yearoldwho was arrested by the morality police for allegedly not wearing her hijab properly Two hours later she was rushedtothehospitalwhileinacomaanddiedthenext day Although law enforcement claimed she had sufferedaheartattackwhileincustody,eyewitnesses whohadbeenarrestedwithMahsasaidherdeathhad beentheresultofpolicebrutality Herdeathsparkedwidespreadoutragebothwithinand outside of Iran On twitter in particular, many Iranian people began a thread that started with the word "baraye"(Persianfor"becauseof"or"forthesakeof")

These words are no longer tweets on the Internet, but havematerializedintoananthemforrevolution Theyare wordschantedduringstreetprotests,phrasesleftonthe wallsofpublicbuildings,orprintedonpostersthatfloat about neighbourhoods A glimpse into Iranian society, andthepeoplethatfeelwrongedbyit.Assuch,itisnot justasong,butthesoundofasocialmovementledby Iraniansthatdemandfreedom for the sake of a laughing face ... for this list that goes on and on.

Millions of people tweeted various reasons for protesting,allprefacedwiththeword"baraye".These reasonsstartedoutasmoregeneral,suchas"becauseof allthepoliticalprisoners",or"forthesakeofjustice", but gradually, these reasons became sharper. Less general; more pointed, personal and contextual. For example,“becauseofthetreesthataredying,”and,“for theAfghan(refugee)kids.”

For longing to have an ordinary life

25 year old Shervin Hajipour chose 29 tweets out of millionspostedonlineandturnedthemintothesongs’ lyrics A musical plea for freedom A song that voiced thesufferingofmillionsofpeoplewassungbyhimin hisroomandpostedonhisInstagrampage Thesongis called ‘Baraye’ It was viewed 40 million times on his instagrampagealone,andinFebruary2023,itwasthe firstevertowinaGrammyforthenewcategory“Best SongforSocialChange”

ANOOSHA HASSAN

The Science Behind Sleep

“Sleep is the golden chain that ties health and our bodiestogether,”wrotetheEnglishdramatistThomas Dekker four centuries ago, in his book The Guls Horne. Today, scientists reverberate the same truth withwordsgroundedinneuroscienceandphysiology ratherthanpoetry.Sleepisnomerepausebuttonon life nor a passive drift into darkness, as common perceptionsuggests.It'sratheranessentialbiological process that allows us to recalibrate ourselves; to renew our mind and body To borrow the words of Matthew Walker, neuroscientist and author of Why WeSleep,“Sleepisthesinglemosteffectivethingwe candotoresetourbrainandbodyhealtheachday.”

Themodernteenagerebelliontosacrificesleep,albeit for academic deadlines, doom scrolling on social media, or even mental pressures - may feel like gainingtime,butitcomesatahugecost.Duringsleep, the brain consolidates our memory, clears harmful proteinsandpolishesourveryneuronsthatsupport cognition,creativityandfocus.Withoutit,theability to learn, recall and regulate emotions plummets sharply. For adolescents like you and me, whose developing brains are still establishing such neural pathways,consistentsleepisnotjustrestorative-it's transformative.

Tocontinue,thedrawbacksofskippingsleepextend beyond the classroom. “The shorter your sleep, the shorteryourlife,”Walkerbluntlywarns.Chronicsleep loss in adolescence has been linked to weakened immune function, impaired hormonal growth, and increasedrisksofanxietyanddepression.

A study published in Nature Neuroscience revealed that sleep-deprived individuals showed heightened amygdalaactivity,thepartofthebrainresponsiblefor fearandstressresponses,whilelosingthestabilizing influenceoftheprefrontalcortex.Allwhich,inshort, arecontributingfactorstothesharpdeclineinglobal attentionspans.

The alluring myth of the all-nighter as a badge of honor crumbles under scientific scrutiny. While one mightmanagetopushthroughadeadlineoncaffeine and prayers, the longer-term repercussions of this ventureerodebothhealthandacademicsuccess.

The National Sleep Foundation recommends that teenagersaimforaminimumofeighttotenhours of sleep per night, yet surveys consistently show thatthemajorityfallshort

“We are, as a society, profoundly sleep deprived,” notes William C. Dement, one of the fathers of modernsleepresearch,inhisbookThePromiseof Sleep. His warning resonates most with young people who often mistake exhaustion for productivity This includes and is not limited to; deliberately over exerting yourself in face of seepingassignmentsand/orupcomingexams.

Intheend,thecommonmisconceptionthatsleepis a waste of time is completely fabricated. To sleep well is to give the brain permission to file away memories, repair its circuits, and prepare for the challenges of tomorrow. For teenagers, the choice betweenanall-nighterandafullnight’srestisnot merelyaboutpassinganexambutaboutnurturing theveryorganthatmakeslearningpossible.

However, it is imperative to note that this doesn’t meanyoushouldabandonyourgradeifitmeansto saveyoursleep.Youshouldbeconversantwiththe deadline and prepare beforehand as to save yourself from the arduous decision of sacrificing your sleep or academia on the last night. I can confidewithpersonalexperiencethatpullinganallnighter won’t save your exam, for your mind will collapseasyousitintheexamhall.

Science,itseems,leaveslittleroomforargument: toflourish,wemustsleep.

MUHAMMAD MEHDI

THE TEAM

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