#short articles

Uncertainties, and Lucky to be Alive:

We often talk about how human life expectancy has increased over the years. But, the quality of life in some parts of the world, even today, continues to be of degraded nature. And the uncertainties in life in these populations too is high. These regions are conflict zones, or those facing risks from climate change and global warming. And when it comes to thinking about the end of humanity, people may think that it is either far away, or if it is to happen suddenly, then it will be due to an event - such as asteroid impact.

But, do we think about lives of plants and animals, or of any other species -our fellow earth companions - say a particular insect? For an example, consider this creature in the photo, which is a moth caterpillar. And those structures which you can see on its eyes and another on its frontier (near eyes) is an egg laid by another species of an insect (a parasitoid). So, this caterpillar mostly won't be surviving. Apart from chances of being eaten by some insect, what are other things that can happen with this caterpillar? Yes, it can be killed by a bird. Or it can be captured and killed by human, for the purpose of learning/ science. Or it can be carried away by a sudden stream of water in its area; flown off by strong wind. Its host - plant, and other plants nearby may die, causing this caterpillar to die too. Thunderbolt may strike and make it disappear. And there are so many possibilities by which this caterpillar may die (we are not considering its adult form - an adult moth).

How lucky we the creatures of this earth are to manage to survive and fend death every single day. Or how unlucky we are to be slave to the possibilities by which which we could die, and to face uncertainties in life.

Want to read something great? Short on time? We have you covered:

Things We Think We Know by Chuck Klosterman - We all hate stereotypes. Except we don't...

Crazy Love by Steven Pinker - Why love is like insanity...

Small, Yes, but Mighty by Natalie Angier - The molecule called water

Why You Are Unhappy by Tim Urban - Happiness = reality - expectations

Keep Your Identity Small by Paul Graham - Politics, like religion, is a topic with no threshold of expertise for expressing an opinion...

What No One Else Will Tell You About Feminism by Lindy West - Guess what? You're a feminist

Adventures in Depression by Allie Brosh - Some people have a legitimate reason to feel depressed, but not me...

The Onset by My Ngoc To - When I was about six weeks old and still inside my mother, my milk lines formed...

Phoning It In by Stanley Bing - She gave me this long and involved story about a huge slight that was inflicted on her operation by some other entity someplace, and I was looking out the window and thinking, whoa, look at that BMW Z8

Something fishy. Our world is full of aliens.

The Macrognathus aral, One-stripe spiny eel has its mouth and anterior shaped like a bird's beak. People make artworks by combining different kinds of animals or their forms. People also wonder about aliens, how they would look, and we have had so many drawings, cartoons of aliens. But isn't our own earth, the very world where we live, comprised of creatures alien-like? We have thousands and lakhs of species, all different from one another. And if we were to pick any animal group from these, let's say, fish, even they have so much variety. This variety, again, is in their body shapes, colours, size. And they are found in different habitats - freshwater (rivers, streams, ponds, lakes), saltwater/ marine, estuary. Let's consider their looks and body features. There's this one, in this post itself - Macrognathus aral, One-stripe spiny eel - which has a bird's beak-like anterior. There're 'flying fish' that can fly or glide in air for some time (with help of their fins). There're 'frogfish'. From their name itself, one can understand that they must be appearing like frogs. Walking on the seafloor. 'Sole' are flat fish that can be observed, again, on the seafloor, and with both of their eyes on one side (facing upward), on contrary to the single eye on each side of the fish. There are anglerfish, which lure their prey with their luminescent part. And so many others, grouped together based on their 'usual' characteristics, but still 'unusual'. Our world itself is full of aliens!

Should military service be a shared national responsibility or a personal choice? The debate over mandatory military service resurfaces as concerns grow about national security, civic engagement, and social unity.

Supporters argue that conscription can strengthen national defense, foster discipline, and create a shared sense of responsibility among citizens. They believe mandatory service promotes unity by bringing together people from diverse backgrounds while teaching valuable life skills such as leadership, teamwork, and resilience.

Opponents counter that forcing young people into military service infringes on personal freedom and may unfairly disrupt education, careers, and family life. Critics also question whether compulsory service is effective in a modern, professional military that relies heavily on advanced technology rather than sheer manpower.

Standardized tests have long been a cornerstone of the U.S. education system. Designed to provide uniform benchmarks across schools and regions, these exams aim to objectively measure student learning.

Proponents say they help identify struggling schools, highlight achievement gaps, and ensure accountability for students, teachers, and institutions.

📈 Arguments for keeping standardized testing:

They provide a consistent and objective measure of academic performance, independent of subjective teacher grading or class-to-class differences.

Test data helps identify inequities — including underperforming districts, underserved communities, and schools that need extra resources.

For many, test scores remain a key indicator for college admissions, scholarships, and even job-readiness, offering a common ground for evaluation across diverse backgrounds.

However, this system is far from perfect — and critics argue the costs may outweigh the benefits.

⚠️ Arguments for eliminating (or reforming) standardized testing:

These tests often reward test-taking ability over real learning — ignoring creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and other essential life skills.

They can exacerbate inequality, giving unfair advantage to students from wealthier families who can afford prep resources, while penalizing those from underprivileged backgrounds.

The pressure of high-stakes testing can lead to student stress, teacher burnout, and a narrow curriculum that focuses only on testable subjects — often at the expense of the arts, social studies, and holistic education.

Many argue that test scores do not reliably predict future success or true competence, making them an incomplete metric for student potential or teacher performance.

✅ Final Thought

The debate isn’t simply whether standardized testing is good or bad — it’s about whether our current system fairly evaluates true learning and equity. For some students and schools, standardized tests continue to serve as critical tools for accountability and transparency. For others, they represent a flawed metric misaligned with real-world skills and fairness.

The debate between wealth and fame has existed for generations, each offering a different kind of reward — and a different set of challenges. While both are often seen as symbols of success, the lifestyles, security, and pressures attached to them can be drastically different. This discussion explores what each truly offers and which one may lead to a more fulfilling life.

The Case for Wealth

Supporters of wealth argue that financial stability equals freedom. Wealth provides the power to make choices — where to live, how to spend time, and what risks to take — without the constant pressure of public visibility. It offers privacy, long-term security, and the ability to pursue passions quietly. Money enables individuals to support their families, make investments, and enjoy life without the judgment of others.

Critics of fame argue that fame without wealth can be hollow; celebrity status does not guarantee financial stability. Wealth, by contrast, provides a stable foundation and the comfort of anonymity, which many consider essential for mental well-being.

The Case for Fame

Those who favor fame argue that recognition, legacy, and influence outweigh the comfort of staying unknown. Fame opens doors to opportunities, creative freedom, and a sense of purpose through social impact. Famous individuals can inspire millions, shape culture, and leave lasting marks on the world.

However, fame comes with drawbacks — constant scrutiny, lack of personal privacy, and pressure to maintain a public image. Yet to some, the emotional rewards of admiration and influence surpass financial comfort.

Which Is Better?

Ultimately, the answer depends on personal values. Wealth offers safety and freedom; fame provides influence and legacy. Both can enrich life — but both can also complicate it. Choosing between them is less about which is objectively “better” and more about which aligns with one’s goals, personality, and long-term vision of happiness.

Today’s cars are filled with large touchscreens, raising the question: are they actually better than traditional buttons? The article explores both sides of this growing debate.

Touchscreen supporters argue that digital displays look modern, reduce clutter, and allow customizable controls. They make it easy to access multiple features in one place and are cost-effective for manufacturers. For tech-friendly drivers, the all-in-one interface feels intuitive and futuristic.

Button supporters, however, insist that physical controls are safer. Buttons offer tactile feedback, letting drivers adjust settings without taking their eyes off the road. Many say touchscreens can be distracting—especially when basic functions like A/C, volume, or defrost require navigating multiple menus.

The article suggests that neither option is perfect. Touchscreens excel for infotainment, maps, and customization, while buttons still work better for quick, essential tasks. As car tech evolves, the ideal solution may be a smart mix of both—modern design with safety-focused simplicity.