The truly inspiring moment that shines through from last week is Muzzamil Aslam eating chilgozay on live television. People have criticised him for not being serious about national issues because of his eating, but this is one hill we are willing to die on. A lot else was happening as well, with moments of introspection, complex math, and debates about Whatsapp all around. Ariba Shahid brings you all this and more in this week’s social media roundup.
Moment for introspection
Twitter – Parag Agarwal – IIT
Google – Sundar Pichai – IIT
Microsoft – Satya Nadella – MIT (Manipaul Institute of Technology)
IBM – Arvind Krishna – IIT
VMWare – Raghu Raghuram – IIT
Palo Alto Networks – Nitesh Arora – IITWhere’s Gov of Pakistan’s investment in STEM education? https://t.co/qA42tsbcom
— Abdullah Saad (@kursed) November 30, 2021
We often find ourselves comparing Pakistan to India while talking about just about anything. Honestly though, this is a moment to self-inspect. What have we as a nation built to push STEM forward? What have we done to push innovation? Does the elite capture even let regular everyday talent progress in life? Only then can we compare ourselves to India.
{Editor’s note: The only populist STEM based ‘national hero’ we have is the recently deceased Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, whose most daring feats had more to do with clandestine smuggling operations than with scientific innovation and discovery. The closest we have to an actual (not populist) STEM based inspiration is Nobel winner Dr Abdus Salam, and his legacy in Pakistan has been tarnished precisely because our priorities as a nation lie in all the wrong places.}
Complex math
I welcome it. Aur kuch nahi to currency conversion easy ho jaye gi. https://t.co/oaa2pEbSHT
— Ozy (@LahoriElite) December 1, 2021
It was so easy when the dollar traded at 100 against the rupee. All you had to do was add 2 zeros. Now you’ve got to do a whole lot of math to know how expensive your splurge at Sephora is going to be, or how expensive everything good in life actually is.
Blessing of Whatsapp
Was asked to rush some material to Swat. Passed on the instructions to the purchase guy. He did a thorough job. Pictures of unpacked material, packed, copy of receipt, transport receipt, picture of driver of bus with material and picture of the bus 😀 pic.twitter.com/ioUZQPG7jF
— Motasim Bajwa (@motasim) December 2, 2021
Whatsapp is a game changer for businesses. Honestly there’s so much anxiety over email. This is easy and instant. No formalities and more importantly used by the masses.
Cheap encouragement
Leading Pakistani producer does not understand the point of movie reviews. https://t.co/fISF7g3WYC
— Aimun (@bluemagicboxes) December 2, 2021
The film industry in Pakistan has been asking for support for a really long time. It’s kind of like when a child makes an ugly painting but you say it’s beautiful to encourage and nurture their talents. Too bad the child is now old and should be able to sustain themselves and take criticism. I guess this one just isn’t leaving the nest. Moreover, without criticism, can the industry ever flourish? We get a lot too and appreciate the fact that someone is taking the time out to tell us how to improve or whatever.
Change the guy
Two more to go… years I mean.. 😉https://t.co/4u0dVKxxDz
— Younus Dagha (@DaghaYounus) December 3, 2021
If you can’t change the guy, change the guy. This is something I’ve heard my frustratingly single friends say while giving relationship advice. It’s funny though, I feel someone has given it to Imran Khan too because how can you change a finance secretary this often? Do you have commitment phobia? Also one would expect the finance ministry to be the most important in terms of long term stability.
Cyber risks
If its a hack then it’s another reminder that our cybersecurity is non existent
— Zarrar Khuhro (@ZarrarKhuhro) December 3, 2021
Cyber security in Pakistan is a joke. Just stay safe kids.
Big deal
I have finally made it.
Now going to sleep a happy person. pic.twitter.com/7P02pgLFgX
— The Ghost of Sparta (@abay_insaan_ban) December 3, 2021
It is a badge of honor when our favorite Do Marlay Ka Moun follows you back. As someone that isn’t particularly a fan of anon accounts, this is one account I avidly follow.
Chilgoza supremacy
lol. This is so dumb. My dear friend @MuzzammilAslam3 gives critics so many loose balls and you pick this. Be creative in your cynicism https://t.co/B7DNAcX9q0
— Ali khizar (@AliKhizar) December 4, 2021
There is literally so much out there that you can criticize Muzzamil for. His Farooq Sattar-esque justifications for policies, the shoddy economics he throws around from time to time, and his price comparison strategies. However, eating pine nuts on tv may be one of his saner tv appearances. However, not a pretty sight seeing him try to open a pine nut in his mouth. We stand by his right to eat on tv the same way we stand with the right to drink healthy apple juice on tv.
Parents’ word is law
“The government should ban import of luxury items”.
Why does the govt. have to ban them? Why can’t you control yourself and not buy them?
Doctor tells you that you have diabetes but you won’t stop consuming sugar until the govt. bans it?
Do you have no responsibility?
— The Ghost of Sparta (@abay_insaan_ban) December 4, 2021
Don’t you just love it when the government tries to act like your mom telling you that you don’t need Cheetos and doritos because they’re insanely expensive?
PSX massacre
Today shall forever me known as the chundrigar massacre.
— Arhum (@arhuml92) December 2, 2021
The PSX crash this week is now being named the Chundrigar Massacre. Please state any objections before the next issue or forever hold your peace.
