Think Forward.

The greatest error I made as a creator was assuming I already had an audience.

Anas Bedraoui, 5 mon.
The biggest mistake I have made as a creator is letting my ego, my ambition, and the shallowness of social media convince me that I had an “Audience” instead of a network. It’s easy to become obsessed with the shallow popularity contest, with notions of influence and attention. And over the past few years, my work has become divorced from reality and drifted long way away from authenticity. Social media platforms, with their algorithms and echo chambers, made it easy to believe that the numbers represented people eagerly awaiting my next post, my next big idea. It’s a mirage, a superficial layer that didn’t capture the depth of real human connections. But I can’t blame the platforms alone. My self-importance is equally responsible. The term ‘Audience’ implies a one-way street — it suggests a group of passive listeners, viewers, or readers who are there to consume what I create. This perspective is not just limiting; it’s fundamentally flawed. It overlooks what it means to be a creator in the digital age: being part of a vibrant, interactive network. A network, unlike an audience, is dynamic. It’s not broadcasting to a group of faceless spectators. It’s about engagement, exchange, and mutual growth. It involves listening as much as speaking and learning as much as teaching. In a network, every node and individual is a potential collaborator, source of inspiration, or a critical voice that can offer valuable feedback. There are people on the other side of the screen. They don’t exist just to fill out our quota of 1,000 true fans. They don’t exist as data points on an analytics dashboard. And they have so much more to give than their attention and the time spent viewing a video or reading an article. I cannot and will not keep treating the people who find my work and engage with it as NPCs in a roleplaying game. Realizing this has been a game-changer. It’s shifted my focus from seeking applause to fostering conversations. Instead of obsessing over the number of followers, I’m more interested in the quality of interactions I have with them. This approach has opened up new avenues for creativity and growth that I had previously overlooked, blinded by the glitter of superficial metrics. I spend more time talking to people than ever before. I spend more time listening, too. And I spend a lot of time learning. My ideas shift, change and grow with every interaction. There’s a deep richness that can’t be found in delusions of grandeur. The shift has brought with it a sense of humility. You can get caught up in the numbers and believe your hype when your follower count is rising. But recognizing that each follower is a person with their own thoughts, experiences, and contributions is a reminder that I am part of something larger than myself and that my success is not just measured in likes or shares but in the impact I have on others, and the effect they have on me in return. I am not — and do not wish to be — some kind of bulls**t internet celebrity. The path of the influencer seems frightfully lonely. I’m a writer. I write. When I find people who want to read my work, it’s not something to take for granted. It’s a gift, and it’s an honour, and it’s something that I cherish every day.

Publishing Experience: Connecting Research and Communities

Dr. EL Mostafa Bourhim, 5 mon.
XR The Moroccan Association, is pioneering a mission to democratize the dissemination of academic research findings by introducing the concept of 'publishing experience.' This innovative approach translates complex scholarly work into accessible language in dialectal Arabic, aiming to reach a wider audience within Morocco and across the Arab world. By breaking down barriers to understanding, XR The Moroccan Association is bridging the gap between academia and the public. This initiative promises to transform the sharing and comprehension of scientific knowledge by fostering inclusivity and accessibility. The 'publishing experience' represents a significant milestone in promoting the accessibility of research outcomes.
xrm.ma/publishing-experience/

Mother tongue in education: a development imperative...

Aziz Daouda, 5 mon.
I would like to extend my warmest thanks to the many people who have responded to my previous articles on the issue of language in Morocco. Opinions continue to differ on the use of the Moroccan mother tongue in education. Some, without the slightest argument, oppose it with immeasurable fervour. False debate, say others. In fact, almost all teachers already use Darija to explain the content of their lessons, particularly in science subjects. So much the better. What is perplexing, however, is the logic of opposition that some people are striving to impose between Arabic and Darija. In fact, scientifically, what is required in teaching, particularly in the early years, what is recommended by all the international bodies concerned, what is concluded by almost all the scientific research on the subject, is a linguistic continuum, in the complementarity between the language used at home and the other languages, Arabic first and foremost in the case of Morocco, since politically we have made it the language of the country. Darija and Arabic complement each other perfectly. The advantage of learning in the mother tongue during the first years of schooling is precisely that it allows a transfer to other languages without fractures or breaks, ensuring normal mental structuring. The child is not shocked and develops psychologically, normally, in the continuity of its linguistic, genetic, historical, civilisational and social baggage. Logically, as has proved to be the case in countries that have long opted for the use of the mother tongue in education, the salutary effect of this approach is that learners assimilate knowledge easily and confidently, adopt social values without difficulty and integrate civic values more easily. The school is here a component of life, perfectly integrated into its environment. Unfortunately, doing things the way we've been doing them up to now is the exact opposite of this logic. Our way of doing things encourages a split personality, to put it mildly. As soon as a child starts school, he will adopt a behaviour for school, a behaviour for his family and later another behaviour for the street and everyday life. They will develop a language for each of these spheres. This is conducive to many mental abnormalities and is the main cause of school drop-out rates, which in Morocco are reaching rather worrying figures, not to mention the colossal budgets spent for little return. The result is unfortunate public spending and unbelievable amounts of money that have been squandered shamelessly for a long time without question. Children who have not properly assimilated the language of learning imposed on them are simply discouraged and will eject themselves from the school system. Later on, young people who have not succeeded at school will find themselves to be a sub-human and see themselves as such. Whatever professional knowledge they acquire later on, as long as they are unable to express it in classical Arabic or French, they are considered ignorant. The citizen they are about to become is excluded, for example, from official information, which is only provided in the two languages mentioned above, if not in Amazigh and Spanish. Little by little, they become disconnected from "official life", drop out of cultural life, stop reading, stop writing and soon fall back into primary illiteracy. This abnormal situation creates a divorce between these citizens, who are unfortunately very numerous, and the public sphere, for example. They are no longer able or willing to take part in social life, let alone political life. This rejection is normal because these citizens no longer feel concerned and see themselves as living on the margins, the language or languages used being foreign to them. In the logic of things, the most embittered will go so far as to develop a rejection and then a hatred of public affairs. They are the breeding ground for nihilism and, why not, fundamentalism. Children begin by rejecting and hating their school, and will then transfer this attitude to their entire environment, and in particular to institutions. The violence that is developing in our society can find a plausible explanation here. That, in a nutshell, is the problem of mother tongue denial. It's not just a technical or linguistic issue, but an existential one for a society. It is intimately linked to human development and hence to the country's development as a whole. Any reflection here must be conducted with intelligence, far from any partisan ideologies or immutable convictions. The mother tongue is by its very nature a structuring factor, and nothing can replace its effectiveness or its richness.

Everyone nowadays claims to be an AI expert, a concerning reality!

Anas Bedraoui, 5 mon.
Include Artificial Intelligence in your speech, and you'll sound fancy and expert. That's the sad reality nowadays. People are confused between being fans of Artificial Intelligence and being experts. It's kind of funny when you think about it. Being an expert in AI requires years of experience, traceable achievements, and a deep understanding of the field. I've been working with artificial intelligence every day for a while now, and I can say I'm still not close to being an expert. A fan, yes, but not an expert. These days, it's too easy to pretend you know more than you do. You could just ask ChatGPT for a quick summary or some tools about something you don't really understand, and boom, you can make it look like you know a lot. This makes things confusing for people trying to hire the right person, and it's why trust and reliability are becoming rare. We need to bring back honesty and the human touch that's missing in AI. If we rely too much on AI, we might end up losing what makes us human. So please, let's keep it real. Note: This text was not generated by AI.

Is daily posting on LinkedIn a waste of time? What should you do instead?

Anas Bedraoui, 5 mon.
Focusing on quality over quantity is crucial when posting on LinkedIn. Rather than adhering to a daily posting regimen, aim to create high-quality content that resonates with your audience, providing them value and fostering engagement. Understanding your audience is essential; tailor your posts to their interests and needs. Diversifying your content types, such as articles, videos, and infographics, keeps your profile dynamic and engaging. Engaging with others by commenting on, sharing, and reacting to their content, as well as including calls to action in your own posts, can significantly enhance visibility and build relationships within your network. Use a content calendar for planning and consistency, and optimize your posting times based on when your audience is most active. Networking strategically on LinkedIn, beyond just posting content, can open up numerous opportunities. Connect with individuals in your industry, potential mentors, and companies of interest. Showcasing your expertise through insightful posts positions you as a thought leader. Pay attention to analytics to understand what content performs best and adjust your strategy accordingly. Remember, success on LinkedIn is about making an impact and providing value, not just the frequency of your posts.
linkedin.com/in/anas-bedraoui-21...

Strategic Shift from Daily LinkedIn Posts to Thoughtful Writing on Bluwr

Anas Bedraoui, 5 mon.
Shifting from daily postings on LinkedIn without a deliberate plan can lead to a cycle of exhaustion and reduced engagement, diminishing the effectiveness of your online presence. Turning your attention to writing on Bluwr emerges as a strategic move. Bluwr presents a platform with an audience keen on meaningful content, offering writers the chance to establish a niche through well-considered, comprehensive articles. The platform prioritizes the quality of content over its frequency, enabling a deeper exploration of subjects and fostering a genuine connection with readers. Choosing to write on Bluwr allows for cultivating a substantial, engaged audience by providing valuable insights, not merely seeking visibility through frequent updates. This strategic shift enhances personal brand and professional prospects through demonstrating expertise and thought leadership. Additionally, Bluwr's strong focus on SEO ensures content is easily discoverable in search results, further amplifying visibility. The platform's absence of bots and the requirement for approval prior to login create a community dedicated to authentic engagement, tailored for individuals committed to meaningful discourse.

Crosscountry World Championships: Africa dominates without question...

Aziz Daouda, 5 mon.
3 min read.
Africa dominated the 45th world cross-country championships held in Beograd on 30 March 2024. Croatia, was due to host the event but was finally replaced by Beograd on a decsion of World Athletics, because the preparations were not carried out properly. The events took place along the Danube in the Friendship Park. A splendid venue. When we talk about Africa, we are really talking about Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and, to a lesser extent, Morocco and South Africa. Of all the medals at stake, only one escaped the Africans, and that was in the mixed relay, where Great Britain & Northen Ireland managed the feat of taking a bronze medal from the Africans. In the junior women's 8km, it was the young unknown Ethiopian Marta Alemayo who won the race, four seconds ahead of her compatriot Asayech Ayichew and some ten seconds ahead of her other compatriot Robe Dida. Right from the start, the Ethiopians showed that they were there to win, and at no point did they let the Kenyan a chance to take the initiative. In the team ranking, Ethiopia naturally took the gold with 12 points, followed by Kenya 28 points and Uganda 48. It has to be said that the Africans did not leave the slightest doubt as to their intentions of finishing on the podium. The USA only managed 4th place here, 40 points behind Uganda. Two other African teams took part in this 8km event: South Africa 10th and Morocco 12th. In the junior boys' category, the top 15 finishers were all Africans, demonstrating Africa's dominance both certenly now and in the future. The young Africans showed great strength and fighting spirit in this race. At the finish, victory went to Kenya's Samuel Kibathi, followed by Ethiopia's Mezgebu Sime just four seconds behind and another Kenyan: Matthew Kiopkoech Kipruto third. In the team ranking, it comes as no surprise that Kenya is the gold medallist with 15 points, followed by Ethiopia with 21 points and Uganda with 52 points. Two other African teams were also present: South Africa in 5th place and Morocco in 6th. It was a fine revenge for Kenya over Ethiopia in the juniors. In the senior women's event, Kenya dominated the field, taking the top five places in the individual ranking. It was like a Kenyan championship. They gave their opponents no chance. The icing on the cake was Beatrice Chebet, now just 24, who won her second title in a row, having also been world champion last year. Before her, only Tirunesh Dibaba had done the same. Beatrice Chebet beat her compatriots Lilian Kasait Rengeruk and Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi. In the team ranking, first place naturally went to Kenya with just 10 points, followed by Ethiopia with 41 points, ahead of Uganda by just 3 points. (44 points). The USA came 4th, followed by the other African team present at this race, the South Africa squad, in 7th place. In the senior men's race, Jacob Kiplimo will put everyone in agreement. With his victory here in Beograd, repeating his feat of last year, he joins the very short list of athletes who have won the world cross championships more than once. His name now stands alongside those of Kenenisa Bekele, Geoffrey Kamworor, Paul Tergat and Khalid Skah. The top 19 finishers in this race were also African, with the exception of Spaniard Thierry Ndikumwenayo in 17th place... It should be noted that this Burundian champion has just become a naturalised Spaniard. The race was by no means easy. The athletes changed pace and tactics a lot to wear down their opponents, but in the end, logic prevailed. In the team ranking, Jacob Kiplimo's victory was not enough for his country to win gold, as Kenya once again became world champion scoring 19 points, followed by Uganda 31 points and Ethiopia team with 40 points. In fourth place we have Spain with 99 points. The other African teams present were Eritrea (6th), South Africa (8th) and Burundi (10th). Finally, in the mixed relay, Kenya once again gave its opponents no chance. The time set by the Kenyans left no doubt as to their superiority. Kenya won gold with a time of just 22 minutes and 15 seconds, followed by Ethiopia at 26 seconds in 22:43. The big surprise here was Great Britain & Northern Ireland, who took bronze in 23min 00, 8 seconds ahead of Morocco. Uganda will be 5th, France 6th, Japan 7th, USA 8th, RSA 9th, SER 10th, MEX 11th, KAZ 15th and FIJ 13th. Kenya topped the medal table with eleven medals at this edition of the World Cross Country Championships held in hot, sunny and dry conditions in Belgrade. This included six gold medals; the team titles in the senior men, senior women, U20 men and mixed relay races, and individual gold for Beatrice Chebet (senior women) and Samuel Kibathi (under 20 men). Other medals were won by Ethiopia 10 in total, Uganda won 5 and Great Britain won one single medal. Spain was the best European team in all individual races. On the flat nearly 2 km lap with obstacles, brigdes, mud and hay maze, African continent dominated. In total 439 runners competed from 45 countries a refugee team was there also. Finally, we can once again conclude that in athletics, Africa is a superpower and that in middle and long distance especially, no other continent is a match for it at the moment.

13th african games: exceptional results in athletics

Aziz Daouda, 5 mon.
1 min read.
The athletics competitions at the 13th All-Africa Games in Accra- Ghana left no one indifferent, of course because of the quality of the infrastructure and organisation, the exceptional enthusiasm of the public, but certainly because of the exceptional quality of the results obtained. A great number of specialists dwelt on the very positive results of these competitions, the number of records, the numerous best world performances and the density of these high level performances in more than one event. In the video linked here, Carole Fuchs, a leading specialist, is the guest of Anna Legnani, a lesser-known specialist who worked for the IAAF in the media field for many years. They both go into detail about these exceptional results and put them in perspective for the next Olympic Games. This was part of the podcast that Anna regularly hosts: Love Athletics. All that remains now is for this exceptional rise in African athletics, which has been the trend for nearly twenty years, with a marked acceleration over the last few years, to be confirmed at the next African Championships, scheduled for Douala in June, and of course to take shape at the Paris Olympics. Thank you Anna Thank you Carole The video link is here below.
youtu.be/RVkUPnpO27Q?si=EmfO7g-p...