Araf Momen Aka

Of mortality and unlearnt lessons: A follow-up

The fire gutted nearly every shop in the beloved shopping complex among Dhaka residents for the multitude of thrift clothing shops.

1y ago

The forgotten people of our wetlands

There is something surreal about Bangladesh’s wetlands. Miles of beautiful scenery, of sparkling shallow waters surrounding patches of land full of greenery.

3y ago

The expendable lives of our blue-collar workers

On May 1 the world celebrated the contributions of workers to societies especially to the economic growth of nations. Yet news reports on May 5 (The Daily Star) described the dire state of workers in Bangladesh’s informal sector as a result of the economic fallout of the pandemic. Sadly they were not in such a great state before the pandemic either.

3y ago

Sins against our rivers

Since childhood, we as Bangladeshis are sung many moving tales of how naturally blessed our country is with its multitude of rivers and other waterbodies.

3y ago

Cheap marketing tactics only hurt the brand

Bangladesh is an ever-growing hub of business. We see businesses of every kind—from e-commerce businesses such as online shopping

3y ago

How far can humanity go into the outer space?

NASA has released a significant amount of footage, video feeds with audio, and reports on the operation of its Perseverance rover since its landing on Mars on February 18, 2021.

3y ago

Time to find better alternatives to tobacco farming

Tobacco farming was introduced to Bangladesh in the mid-1960s in the Teesta silt of the Rangpur region, where tobacco was cultivated on soil meant for growing food crops.

3y ago

Time for a radical rethinking of our education system

In order to ensure a sufficient pool of qualified people in a nation, it is necessary to have an up-to-date education system that is on a par with the demands of the global economy.

3y ago
March 23, 2020
March 23, 2020

Could universal basic income be the answer to ending poverty?

Universal basic income (UBI) is a concept that has come a long way from its primitive form back in the 16th century, when a Spanish Renaissance scholar named Johannes Ludovicus Vives suggested that the Mayor of Bruges give a minimum income to all citizens of the city.

March 12, 2020
March 12, 2020

The Magic of Adaptive Music in Video Games

Background music has long been a staple in video games. From the shorter and more cheerful version of Korobeiniki being played in the classic Tetris, to the sombre boss music in games like Dark Souls—appropriate music gives the game an emotion that the player should be feeling. Keep in mind, we are writing about games that are not primarily music-based.

February 6, 2020
February 6, 2020

Maslow’s Hierarchy of University Student Needs

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, portrayed on a pyramid, is an essential tool to understand why people act the way they act.

December 26, 2019
December 26, 2019

The Castle at the Top of the Falls

I first caught a glimpse of the Rhine Falls while I was in the train to Neuhausen am Rheinfall, a small town in Switzerland.

December 12, 2019
December 12, 2019

Of pre-determined endings and brilliancy

It isn’t easy to keep one’s attention glued to the contents of an art piece once the ending is already pointed out right at the beginning. Of course, some do indeed claw their way out of the clutter of Twilight sagas and Fifty Shades of Whatevers, and one such book is 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World.

November 28, 2019
November 28, 2019

A clean review of Dhaka’s public toilets

So, what happens when such a call comes when we are out in strange lands outside out homes? How will we relieve ourselves of such a crucial duty?

November 21, 2019
November 21, 2019

SLOW, STEADY AND FUN

Strategy games are of many types, some are fast-paced and have an instant response, and some drag on for quite a while.

November 7, 2019
November 7, 2019

The Pariah

The world seemed to be moving at its own pace, hectic and chaotic, just like any other day. But it didn’t sound the same.

September 12, 2019
September 12, 2019

Warrior

“Fool!” he typed on his keyboard, with fervor and angst. He knew he was right. He knew they were in the wrong.

September 5, 2019
September 5, 2019

Learning the BCG matrix through your friend circle

Ever wondered what universally accepted “techniques” marketing teams use to figure out the success/failure of particular brands? Well, today’s your lucky day, because today we’re about to learn how the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) matrix works --- a box divided into four boxes that categorizes a brands portfolio according to the characteristics each of the four boxes represent.