Think Forward.

Jamal Berraoui has gone... to his resting place and the earth trembled.

Aziz Daouda, 25 d.
Si Jamal Berraoui, you are no longer with us in this world, and country that you loved so much and for which you fought all your life. You fought for justice, progress, fairness, dignity and so many other values to which you gave your own meaning. Sometimes a philosopher, sometimes a philanthropist, you navigated between common sense and loyalty to an ideology that seized you at a young age but which you managed to tame in your own way. Your loyalty to your party did not blind you, and your selflessness gave you freedom of tone and time. You managed to tame time. Sometimes a writer, sometimes a columnist, sometimes a journalist, but never silent. Disappointment, discouragement and nihilism never got the better of you. Life was hard for you, but you loved it with tenderness. You were a renowned journalist and an outstanding political analyst. Your significant contributions to Moroccan journalism and your incisive analyses of the country's political, economic, social and sporting issues made you an influential voice on behalf of the silent majority. Your critical and informed perspective on current events has been passed on to everyone in an ‘Ach Waqe3’ that you have shaped in your own way. In this way, you brought politics back to its rightful place, within everyone's reach. In your own darija, you gave many people a taste for debate, a willingness to think and a desire to participate in politics. On your own, you did more than all the parties put together, more than all the media, more than all of us. Your weekly appearances on the Décryptage programme, every Sunday morning in the studios, from your hospital bed or simply from your home by telephone, were key moments, sublime moments of intelligence and humanism. I'll confide in you, my dear: even though I won't be seeing you again because God has decided it's best, How proud I was each time you quoted my name, one of my words or one of my positions! Sidi Jamal, how many journalists have you educated and trained? How many citizens have you made happy with your words? In your own safiote way, you have contributed to the evolution of the Moroccan media landscape. Your public appearances have always been closely followed, tackling complex subjects with simplicity, clarity and rigor. The large audience that Moroccans have reserved for you speaks volumes is telling more about the great respect they have for you among your peers. They saw themselves in you. You have always defended press freedom and your desire to see independent and rigorous journalism develop. You made a major contribution to ‘tamaghrabiyt’ in your own way, subtly referring to your hometown, your neighborhood in Casablanca, your neighbors, music, history, , the Raja, everything that links us to our rich culture, our largely ignored or despoiled history, our roots, our continent and the world. Rest in peace, my friend, after so many years of winning battles, of self-sacrifice and courage. You have finally beaten the disease. Your doctors, your family, your friends, your readers and listeners know it very well. It wasn't the disease that finally got you, it was you who decided to put an end to the disease and to your mission. I know you let out a long sigh and a charming little smile as you left us, because it's in your nature to always smile. In the end you decided to rest. We miss you already, Sidi Jamal. Si Abdelaziz Erromani will never again have to ask at the start of a show ‘Qi Bqat Shiha Si Jamal? No more of the ‘ana matafeqch m3a si Hadad’ that punctuated your contributions to Décryptage from time to time. Mission accomplished! You were a real treasure. And what a coincidence, even the earth shook that day... (On this sad occasion, let's listen to the song linked below, which I'm sure will please Si Jamal)
youtu.be/fbH7VJz2F2o?si=9MErGVWO...

INNERSCAPE - RELEASED

EL MONO MAS GRANDE, 27 d.
0 min read.
The biggest ape has blessed us with a new audio release. INNERSCAPE takes the listener into a profond journey inward, beyond the veil of mundane consciousness: far into deep transcendental mysteries. This one is best appreciated with headphone and eyes closed. You will laugh, you will cry. And you will be grateful. == CHOKHMA - BINAH - GEBURAH - CHESED == Thus Spake Apathustra.
elmonomasgrande.bandcamp.com/alb...

What’s All This Buzz About Monkeypox?

Anas Bedraoui, 28 d.
2 min read.
Everyone’s talking about it. Monkeypox. It’s all over the news, and people are scared. But what is it, really? Should we be worried, or is this just another overhyped health scare? Monkeypox isn’t something new. It was first identified in 1958 in monkeys, which is how it got its name, but the first human case was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For decades, it remained mostly confined to Central and West Africa, with only occasional cases elsewhere. But now, it’s spreading faster and wider than before. That’s why it’s making headlines and causing concern globally. Let’s be clear: monkeypox is not COVID-19. It spreads differently, and it’s generally less contagious. But it can still be serious, especially for certain groups like young children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems. So, how does one catch monkeypox? Mainly through close contact with an infected person or animal. This could mean direct skin-to-skin contact, being exposed to respiratory droplets, or touching contaminated objects like bedding or clothing. Unlike COVID-19, which can spread through the air over distances, monkeypox requires more direct contact. The symptoms can be unsettling. It usually starts with flu-like symptoms — fever, headaches, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes. Then, within a few days, a distinctive rash develops, often beginning on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body. These rashes turn into raised bumps that eventually fill with fluid, becoming painful blisters. In some cases, these lesions can leave scars. Despite these symptoms, most people recover within two to four weeks without the need for serious medical intervention. But complications can occur, especially in those with underlying health conditions. Here’s the silver lining: there are vaccines. If you’ve been vaccinated against smallpox, you might already have some level of protection against monkeypox. This is because the viruses that cause smallpox and monkeypox are closely related. In fact, the smallpox vaccine has been shown to be about 85% effective in preventing monkeypox. For those without prior vaccination, newer vaccines specifically targeting monkeypox are now available. Now, let’s talk about the bigger picture. The resurgence of monkeypox outside of Africa raises questions about how well-prepared we are for emerging infectious diseases. With increased travel and global interconnectedness, diseases that were once localized can spread quickly across borders. This situation reminds us of the importance of strong public health systems and the need for global cooperation in disease surveillance and response. But let’s not panic. Monkeypox is serious, but it’s also manageable with the right precautions. For more detailed information, check out WHO’s page on monkeypox. So yes, monkeypox is something to be aware of, but with the right knowledge and precautions, there’s no need to panic. Stay safe, stay smart, and keep looking out for each other.
medium.com/@anasbedraoui

25 years of His Majesty Mohammed VI's reign, as far as sport is concerned...

Aziz Daouda, 29 d.
4 min read.
It should be remembered that the reign of His Majesty Mohammed VI, may God glorify him, began with the greatest feat ever achieved by Moroccan athletics: placing 5th in the world championships held at the time in Seville, Spain. The country brought home an excellent haul of medals. The athletes felt it was the best present they could have given His Majesty on the occasion of his enthronement. In return, Her Majesty responded in the most beautiful way, with a royal solicitude that will remain with each and every one of us forever. From the outset, His Majesty gave a number of signals to make everyone understand the importance of sport in sustainable socio-economic development, the fulfilment of Moroccan citizens and, of course, the consolidation of the country's brand image. Having probably noticed a certain slowness in the fulfilment and implementation of the Royal vision, in 2008, on 24 October to be precise, His Majesty sent a historic letter to the various stakeholders in sporting life, who were brought together for a national conference. After leaving no doubt as to the King's lack of satisfaction, this letter mapped out the path and indicated the axes for the hoped-for development. The letter even went so far as to spell out how this could be achieved according to the enlightened vision of the august sovereign. This letter is still relevant today, and no one involved in sport can afford the luxury of ignoring its contents. To show the way and point the way, His Majesty personally inaugurated the Mohammed VI Football Academy and the Mohammed VI National Centre for the Disabled, where sport was seen as a cornerstone in the integration of people with special needs. In 2011, following the Royal initiative to revise the country's Constitution, the Moroccan people voted overwhelmingly in favour of the project, which for the first time in the country's history included sport and physical activity as a right for Moroccan citizens. There are few constitutions in the world that enshrine sport so explicitly and so clearly. This is how His Majesty's vision is being put into practice today, and this explains the major investment in sport, the qualitative change in infrastructure and the level of results achieved in certain sporting activities. Unfortunately, other disciplines are still slow to seize the opportunities offered to them to reach the desired level, no doubt due to a lack of foresight or skill. The royal vision has also proved to be very clear and ambitious for the country in terms of Morocco's place in the concert of countries capable of organising major sporting events. The country has organised numerous African championships in various sports. The Kingdom will make this vision a reality by hosting the All-Africa Games for the first time in its history. These are the biggest sporting event on the continent. All 54 African countries took part. At the instigation of His Majesty, may God assist him, Morocco did not give up when it came to defending its right to host the Football World Cup. The country has presented its bid six times without ever losing heart. With each bid, the country assured the FIFA authorities that its determination was strong and legitimate, and whatever happened, the bid was a real guarantee for the country and the projects included in it were going to be carried out in any case. On each occasion, Morocco has kept its word. It has always seen the Football World Cup as a catalyst for development, not as a one-off event. We must also remember the occasion and circumstances of the last presentation of the Moroccan bid. The African Football Congress was held in Kigali, Rwanda. Morocco was represented there, of course, by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, but also, at official level, by the Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sport, Chakib Benmoussa. He was officially present to receive the Prize for Excellence awarded by CAF to the Moroccan sovereign and President Kagame. The minister then read the message that His Majesty had kindly addressed to the audience. In this message, His Majesty announced to Moroccans, Africans and citizens of the world, the news of the bid to organise the Football World Cup. This time, the bid is being made jointly with Spain and Portugal. The formula announced by the Sovereign is historically new: to organise the competitions on the two shores of the Western Mediterranean: a strong civilisational signal to FIFA and to the world. The primacy given to His Majesty in making this important announcement speaks volumes about the esteem in which the Sovereign is held in the region. Indeed, His Majesty made the announcement not only on behalf of the three countries, but also on behalf of the entire continent. On this occasion, the Football World Cup will be celebrating its 100th anniversary. In his message on the occasion of the presentation in Kigali of the CAF Excellence Award for 2022, just before the announcement of the tripartite bid for the World Cup, the Sovereign had said, ‘I remain faithful to the conviction I expressed in my speech on the occasion of the 29ᵉ African Union Summit in 2017: “Africa's future lies with its youth” and only “a proactive policy geared towards youth will channel the energy for development”.’ This demonstrates the royal conviction that Africa's development can only be achieved within the framework of his vision of the continent, namely the need for understanding, respect, complementarity and win-win cooperation. Taking care of young people and opening up the necessary opportunities for them in this process is essential and unavoidable. Everyone knows the role that football plays in the development of young people, which is why His Majesty said later in his message: ‘...In my country, the Kingdom of Morocco, I have made a point of making football a lever for success and sustainable human development’. A way of inviting the countries of the continent to do the same. Today, we Moroccans are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the reign of His Majesty Mohammed VI, may God help him. But it should be noted that almost all the peoples of Africa are also celebrating with us, given the radiance of the royal personality on the continent and the fact that Morocco is seen as a definite ally for the development and well-being of its citizens. Our country is seen as an example and an ally, and we should all work to consolidate this special place, built up by the many visits and royal solicitude in different parts of Africa.
youtu.be/1qG_z0g2xo4?si=8gO8c_6i...

You Graduated and Don’t Know What to Focus On for a PhD Position?

Anas Bedraoui, 1 mon.
2 min read.
I assume you’ve just earned your master’s degree. You might be feeling a bit lost. You’ve started applying for opportunities — Industry or Academia — but you’re still waiting for that interview opportunity. No one is answering your emails. I get it. You might be feeling frustrated, maybe even battling imposter syndrome. You’re thinking about enrolling in new courses to acquire enough skills to be ready for any opportunity, but you still feel very lost. Let me tell you exactly what I would do if I were in your place three years ago. Please read this article until the end. You will enjoy it, and I made it especially for you as a source of motivation, giving you exactly what you should focus on. Let’s assume first that you want to enroll in a good PhD program. Whenever I apply for an opportunity, I put myself in the interviewer’s shoes — in this case, your future supervisor. What does your future supervisor want from you? What’s your added value to their lab? Why should they recruit you? Your supervisor wants you to be the greatest version of yourself, wants to be proud of you, and wants your success to be their success as well. First, they want you to avoid distractions and focus on your PhD, producing great, interesting results, and discoveries that lead to high-quality publications. They want you to step out of your comfort zone, present at international conferences, bring added value to the lab, be a great representative, and never outshine them. Control your ego, be easygoing with the team — not a toxic presence — and remember, they don’t expect perfection, but they do expect you to do your best. I know you can be like that, but there are a few things you can do to make your application stand out. When writing emails to potential supervisors, have you read some of their most interesting, highly cited articles? Did you do some research beforehand and address specific points within your email? What did you accomplish during your master’s degree? Were you just an average student who passed exams, or did you do something exceptional that made you unique compared to most students? If yes, then mention it, talk about it, and sell it to your supervisor in your application. Show that you are unique. When writing an email, motivation letter, or research proposal, stop using templates or AI-generated content. Your supervisor is smarter than you think, and they will spot that because they’ve seen a ton of applications. They want originality; they want to know who you are and what you can do. Be original. You don’t have to make it perfect, just be yourself. I want you to create a unique application that will impress any professor who reads it. Make it stand out. Use your own creativity — you’ve graduated, which means your brain is still fresh, and you are smart. SHOW THEM THAT! Don’t apply for just one position — make different plans. You gotta be smart about it. Reach out to your previous professors, especially those whose work you found impressive, and gently ask them for a recommendation letter. Use your contacts, and take your time to make different plans, because this step is a big one toward your future goals. Be wise about it. This isn’t just about getting one position; it’s about setting up a foundation for your future. Different plans give you options, and options give you control over your path. Last but not least, if I were you, I would focus on reading a bunch of review papers in the field I’m interested in. Start doing the things your future supervisor would expect you to do in your first year: identify the scientific question that interests you, find your unique approach, and start working on answering it. It’s your mission to find the gap in your field and fill it. You can begin working on that right now, while also doing the things I mentioned above. I’m not going to dig into the details here because I’ve kept this article a bit general, but if you have any questions, feel free to ask them directly.

Is PhD for you or not?

Anas Bedraoui, 1 mon.
Why is a PhD so tough? If I still get the chance to do a PhD, should I still consider doing it? I get plenty of questions asking me, “Why should I apply for a PhD? What are the benefits? Where, in what field, and with which supervisor should I consider doing it?” I will answer all these common questions in this article and give a few pieces of advice for graduate students and anyone hesitating to enroll in a PhD program. First things first, if you ask any PhD candidate or someone with a PhD about their experience, we all share the same answer: “PhD is tough.” But why? A PhD program is meant to shape you personally and professionally. It’s a minimum of three years where you discover your weaknesses, build a strong foundation of expertise, focus, and social dynamics, and it takes you out of your comfort zone. I’ll explain everything in detail with examples. The idea I had about a PhD when I recently graduated is completely different from what I am experiencing right now. Before, I thought a PhD program was all about publishing papers, and back then, for me, a paper could be done in less than four months. I mean, indeed, but that’s only for a mediocre paper with no impact, which could be published in a normal to predatory journal. Now I realize that publishing a high-quality article takes years of hard work, consistency, collaboration with a team of experts, making mistakes, conducting experiments, re-conducting experiments, taking critical advice from your supervisors, and implementing it effectively. Even then, you may or may not get the expected results. You may feel frustrated and get a bit depressed since you spent at least a year working on an approach that now seems no longer promising. That’s one side. The other side is psychology. What I mean by that is how you can feel really down, but regardless of your feelings, you discover your passion that can boost you and give you the purpose to balance your PhD and personal life. Then there is a critical aspect, which is your supervisor. You and your supervisor are two different people. Your supervisor has more experience than you, and as you’re conducting your PhD, doing the experiments, once you get critical feedback from your supervisor, you may take it personally and start thinking negatively about your experience, assuming he’s not helping you but just criticizing your work. That’s not true. What you actually learn about a PhD is that your supervisor’s success is yours as well, and vice versa. Since he has more experience than you in publishing high-quality articles, you should definitely forget about your ego, start communicating with him, and learn from him, because at the end of the day, you are still a student, and that’s what’s great about the PhD experience. Besides publishing, which is just a small part of your PhD program, you learn how to communicate your research area and results in a smooth way that anyone with a different background, or even a 5-year-old kid, could understand. You also learn how to sell your research, which means that you can definitely be a great candidate for the industry in the future, not just academia. Public speaking is another important skill you learn in a PhD since it is required to present your work at international conferences and congresses in front of highly valued speakers. You start to appreciate criticism and see it as a new way to improve yourself. If your primary goal is to improve yourself, be self-aware, and be better, then a PhD program is for you. If you are not, just forget about a PhD program because you will struggle, start comparing yourself with others, or may stop comparing yourself with others in a bad way that may lead you to become a narcissistic psychopath who thinks his PhD thesis is going to change the world and that everything he does is what matters, while what others do is completely irrelevant. At the end of the day, a PhD program is just a way to reach your higher goals, and if you see it as it’s supposed to be, then you’re going to have an enjoyable experience, full of learning, and enjoy science as it’s supposed to be. My Advice for Future PhD Candidates: - Your Supervisor: The first thing you should look for is your supervisor rather than the subject of your thesis. Your supervisor is the one you will be working with every single day for at least four years. He should be a good human being, skilled, and inspirational because their words can be a great motivation for you. Otherwise, if not, your experience is just going to get worse and worse, and you may quit. - Self-Improvement: Consider if you really want to improve your weaknesses and become a better version of yourself. Are you ready for high criticism of work that you spent years on? Would you accept that? If yes, then go for a PhD. - Academia: Academia is super toxic. Are you ready to engage in what might be a toxic environment and learn how to get the good side from it? If yes, then trust me, you will be perfectly shaped after your PhD, and you will be a great fit for both academia and industry. - Financial Goals: If your goal is to get money rather than improving yourself, just forget about academia because it will simply slow down that process of getting money as soon as possible. ---- To answer the first question, if I get the chance to start my PhD with the same conditions, the same supervisor, and the same thesis director, I would definitely follow the same path. Hell yeah, I love it!
medium.com/@anasbedraoui

Finding the Middle Ground

Anas Bedraoui, 1 mon.
Comparing ourselves to others often leads to frustration and disappointment. Picture this: you're scrolling through social media, and you see an old friend from high school posing in front of their brand-new sports car, while you're still driving a car that predates the invention of the smartphone. You start to wonder where you went wrong. Did you choose the wrong career? Should you have invested in Bitcoin instead of student loans? These thoughts spiral until you're convinced that your only way out of this rut is to fake your own death and start a new life as a reclusive writer in a cabin somewhere deep in the woods. In reality, comparing yourself to others is like playing a game where the rules are rigged from the start. Everyone is on a different journey, with varying challenges, opportunities, and, let's be honest, different levels of Photoshop skills. We tend to compare our behind-the-scenes mess with someone else's highlight reel, forgetting that their life probably includes the same boring Tuesday afternoons and Netflix binges as ours. Yet, this habit of comparison can warp our sense of reality, making us feel perpetually "less than" others and chipping away at our self-esteem until we're left contemplating the logistics of that cabin in the woods. ---- But let's flip the script. What happens when we avoid comparison altogether? Imagine you decide that you're going to be your only measure of success. No one else matters. You wake up each morning, look in the mirror, and say, "I'm the best thing that's ever happened to humanity since sliced bread." At first, this mindset feels empowering. You walk around with the confidence of a motivational speaker who's just sold out a stadium. But soon, things take a turn. You start to dismiss others' achievements because, clearly, no one can hold a candle to your brilliance. You become that person who interrupts every conversation to talk about your latest accomplishment, even if the conversation is about someone's grandma's funeral. ---- This path leads to an inflated ego, where your sense of self-worth balloons like a cheap helium balloon at a child's birthday party—ready to burst at the slightest pinprick of criticism. Narcissism, at its core, is a personality trait characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, a need for excessive admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. When we avoid any comparison, we risk sliding into this mindset, seeing ourselves as above others, and losing the ability to connect with those around us. This self-centered view can damage relationships, create isolation, and ultimately leave us empty, as we become more invested in maintaining an image than in nurturing genuine connections. Ego and narcissism aren’t just about an inflated self-image; they can also manifest as defensiveness and an inability to accept criticism. Imagine someone pointing out a flaw in your work. Instead of seeing it as an opportunity for growth, you might react like a celebrity whose latte order was just messed up—indignant and defensive. This behavior alienates others and stunts personal growth, as the ego becomes a barrier to learning and improvement. Balancing these extremes requires a conscious effort. Instead of using comparison as a yardstick to measure our worth, we can use it as a tool for motivation and inspiration. Picture yourself as a runner in a marathon. Instead of focusing on how far ahead the others are, you focus on your own pace, using the leading runners as guides to improve your speed. Along the way, you celebrate every milestone you reach, even if it's just passing the water station without tripping over your own feet. Practicing humility and staying open to feedback keeps that ego in check. Recognizing that everyone is a work in progress allows us to approach criticism not as a threat but as a chance to learn and grow. This mindset keeps you grounded and prevents that balloon from getting too full of hot air. Humility also fosters empathy, enabling us to connect with others more meaningfully, appreciating their successes without feeling threatened. Comparison is a natural part of being human, but it's essential to approach it with a sense of humor and perspective. Letting it dominate our thoughts leads to frustration, while avoiding it entirely risks fostering narcissism. Finding the middle ground allows for personal growth, rooted in a realistic understanding of ourselves, balanced with empathy and self-awareness. What do you think? Do you find yourself comparing your life to others, and if so, how does it affect you? How do you keep your ego in check while staying motivated to grow? What strategies do you use to find a healthy balance between self-reflection and self-confidence?

I love you, left untrue

Brad Ovitt, 2 mon.
0 min read.
Inertia constitutes existence and change. The dogged boy falls in love, left a sorrowful heart, so alone. Yesterday, he held his pillow to sleep. Today, in body and spirit, he's on his own, left with painful words to patch his soul. Could a dream be so determined to neglect the living smile? Passion and reality so meant to diffuse? The crime committed was self-inflicted, both body and spirit disposed to the Holy rhythm of Love. Don't forget me, the sorrowful boy digs his final words, yet only the silence is left to carry the empty dispositions. For each other, Three together, Two alone, One left. The end of an unwritten song. I love you, left untrue.