Shaikh Afnan Birahim

12/03/2026

Digital platforms are changing how we read.
Instead of long immersion in a single text, we increasingly move through feeds—scrolling across fragments competing for attention.

In such an environment, deep reading becomes both harder and more important.

Do you think deep reading can survive in a culture dominated by feeds and endless scrolling?

05/03/2026

For most of the twentieth century, literature was filtered through critics, editors, and institutions.

Today, algorithms increasingly perform that role.

Recommendation feeds and engagement metrics shape what millions of people read.

I explore this transformation in a new essay on reading and digital culture.

20/02/2026

I’m pleased to share that my paper “The Afnan Equilibrium: A Coupled Welfare Model for Balancing Technology, Resilience, and Externalities” has been published in Ecological Economics.

The paper introduces a formal framework for balancing technological progress, systemic resilience, and environmental externalities within a unified welfare model. It derives an interior equilibrium and shows how simple policy instruments can align innovation with sustainability.

Open access (CC BY):
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2026.108948

17/02/2026

We don’t struggle to finish books because we’re less intelligent.

We struggle because our attention has been restructured.

In an age of feeds, summaries, and constant interruption, deep reading now feels effortful — and we quietly blame ourselves for it.

But what if it isn’t personal failure…
What if it’s structural transformation?

My new essay explores why finishing a book today feels like an accomplishment — and what that says about the digital age.

Read here:
https://shaikhafnanbirahim.substack.com/p/why-we-feel-guilty-for-not-finishing

If it resonates, subscribe to receive future essays on attention, media, and culture.

There was a time when finishing a book felt ordinary.

03/02/2026

We still read texts — but we no longer read.

We scroll, skim, summarize, recognize.
But sustained, immersive reading is quietly disappearing.

I explore this shift through Postliterary Attention Theory (PLAT) — why deep reading is no longer automatic, how simulreading replaces encounter, and what it means for thinking itself.

📖 Read the essay on Medium:
👉 https://medium.com/.iatb1/we-still-read-texts-but-we-no-longer-read-84dd2050d712

If this resonates, the full framework is developed in my book Postliterary Attention Theory: Reading, Fragmentation, and Meaning in the Digital Age.

Toward a Postliterary Attention Theory

09/07/2025

Episode 2 is here:
Designing Your Perfect Daily Routine for Maximum Productivity
🗓️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzxWWmdVM6s

Tired of waking up and just reacting to your day?

In this episode, we show you how to design a daily routine that works with your energy, not against it. You'll learn:

✅ How to use time blocking to protect your deep work
✅ How to stack habits so they actually stick
✅ How to map your energy to get more done — without burning out

Whether you're a student, creator, or remote worker, this is your blueprint for calm, focused, and consistent days.

Part 2 of the 10-part Productivity !!! series — helping you focus better, work smarter, and take back control of your time.

Want to stop reacting to your day and start designing it? In this episode, we’ll show youhow to build a daily routine that supports your goals, protects your...

30/06/2025

Feel-Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal – Book Review and Summary

Looking for a practical self-help book that boosts productivity without burnout? In this video, I review Feel-Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal, exploring the things that help you work smarter and feel better.

Whether you're a student, professional, or content creator, this review summarizes key lessons and offers real-life applications of Ali’s productivity advice. If you want to build a productive life while protecting your mental well-being, this book is worth your time.

আলি আবদালের লেখা এই বইটিতে আমি আলোচনা করেছি কিভাবে আনন্দ এবং কাজের মধ্যে মেলবন্ধন স্থাপন করে দক্ষতা বাড়ানো যায়। এই রিভিউটি বিশেষভাবে উপকারী হবে তাদের জন্য, যারা ক্লান্তি এড়িয়ে কর্মক্ষম থাকতে চান নিজের পুরোটা দিয়ে।

Feel-Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal – Book Review and SummaryLooking for a practical self-help book that boosts productivity without burnout? In this video,...

27/06/2025

Join me on a ride through Glasgow aboard the iconic Yellow Route Bus — one of the best ways to explore the city's top attractions. From Glasgow Cathedral to the Riverside Museum, I capture the city’s charm through every turn. Whether you're planning your trip or love travel vlogs, this scenic Glasgow city tour has something for everyone.
A cinematic journey with history and unforgettable views.

গ্লাসগোর প্রাণকেন্দ্র ঘুরে দেখতে বিখ্যাত হলুদ ট্যুর বাসে। প্রাচীন ঐতিহ্য আর আধুনিকতার নিপুণ মেলবন্ধনে গড়া এই শহরের পথে পথে ছড়িয়ে আছে অজস্র গল্প। আমি দেখেছি একেক মোড়ে একেক রূপে ধরা দেয় গ্লাসগো — জাঁকজমকপূর্ণ এবং সবসময়ই জীবন্ত।

https://youtu.be/8Wfid1JLWFo?si=c6VQlCoFEmAwYRa1



চ্যানেলটিতে আরো কয়েকটি ট্রাভেল ভ্লগ রয়েছে। ভালো লাগলে লাইক ও কমেন্ট করুন। এবং সামনের ভিডিওগুলো পেতে সাবস্ক্রাইব করুন।

Join me on a ride through Glasgow aboard the iconic Yellow Route Bus — one of the best ways to explore the city's top attractions. From Glasgow Cathedral to ...

06/11/2024

One day you will surely miss me, that day will not be for me.

02/11/2024

একটা দুঃখের বিষয় কি, জীবনে চলতে গিয়ে এমন অনেক মানুষকে দেখেছি যে যারা জীবনের পথে অনেক সংগ্রাম করে একটা ভালো পর্যায়ে এসেছে ঠিকই, কিন্তু সেই ঘাত-প্রতিঘাতের কারনে এরা রুক্ষ, এমনকি কপট স্বভাবের হয়ে গিয়েছে নিজেদের মনের অজান্তেই। আরো দুঃখের বিষয় যে এরা মনে করে যে তারা যা করছে তারমধ্যে ভুল কিছু নেই।