Jihad Esmail

What am I noticing?

I went to Toronto because of the density.

Business is competitive philosophy

This line from Scott Stevenson’s blog lodges in your brain because it’s undoubtedly true, but not obvious to most.

The Afterlife of Malcolm X

I appreciated that this book wasn’t really about Malcolm X, but about those who were inspired by him.

The Muslim Technologist

Preface: Alif and Communities of Practice A couple of years ago, I told a bunch of my friends that I was going to organize a “Muslim tech conference.

The Only Way to Save Yourself Is to Live a Full Life

You shouldn’t talk about people.

Startup Slop

I’m calling the top on startup slop.

The Vision of Islam

Believe in Something

In the last two essays in this series, we established that agency is the critical resource of our age, and that networks—not just tools—shape how we exercise that agency.

Boom

Native to Our Built Environments

“What is fundamental to a convivial society is not the total absence of manipulative institutions and addictive goods and services, but the balance between those tools which create the specific demands they are specialized to satisfy and those complementary, enabling tools which foster self-realization.

The Age of Agency

The most dangerous idea in the world is that action alone breeds good outcomes.

Markets and Morality

A few decades ago, you might be able to convince yourself to be a PMF merchant, selling whatever goods and services to the highest bidder.

Pieces of the Action

The Death and Life of Great American Cities

This was a book that felt very familiar to be before I ever opened the cover.

The Life of the Mind

Every Day is a Revolution

All the cool kids are revolutionaries.

The Structure of Scientific Revolutions

If you’ve heard the term “paradigm” in the context of science or technology, you’re likely hearing ideas downstream of this book.

Statusmaxing vs. Curiositymaxing

Imagine a line representing the spectrum of ambition.

On leading with my full self

I tend to compartmentalize different aspects of my life and personality.

Curiosity, care, and unblocking creativity

There is an abundance of creators, but a dearth of people saying anything interesting.