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Ibn Tufail: The Andalusian Philosopher Who Inspired Tarzan, Robinson Crusoe, and The Jungle Book
In the heart of 12th-century Islamic Spain, known as Al-Andalus, a polymath named Abū Bakr Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Malik ibn Tufail, better known as Ibn Tufail, crafted a philosophical tale that would echo through centuries. His novel, Ḥayy ibn Yaqẓān (Alive, Son of Awake), tells the story of a boy raised by a doe on a deserted island, untouched by society. Through nature and reason alone, he discovers survival, morality, science, and God. This allegorical tale not only shaped Arabic literature but profoundly influenced European philosophy and inspired literary classics such as Tarzan, The Jungle Book, and Robinson Crusoe. Despite his revolutionary work, Ibn Tufail’s name remains lesser known outside academic circles, buried under the weight of time. --- The Tale of Ḥayy ibn Yaqẓān: A Boy, an Island, and the Quest for Truth The novel’s protagonist, Ḥayy, is mysteriously born or appears on an uninhabited island. Raised by a deer, he mimics animal behavior to survive. As he matures, he begins observing the natural world—studying the stars, dissecting animals, and investigating life and death. Through self-education and reflection, Ḥayy develops deep philosophical insights. He arrives at the concept of a singular, divine Creator and a moral code—without scripture, religion, or societal instruction. Eventually, he encounters another human—Asal, from a neighboring island—who introduces him to organized religion and civilization. However, Ḥayy discovers that most people are unable or unwilling to embrace deep philosophical truths. Disillusioned, he returns to his island, choosing solitude over superficial societal life. --- Ibn Tufail: Physician, Philosopher, and Astronomer Born around 1110 CE near Granada, Ibn Tufail was a physician, court official, and philosopher during the Almohad Caliphate. He served as a vizier to Caliph Abu Yaqub Yusuf and played a vital role in promoting intellectual life in Al-Andalus. As a physician, Ibn Tufail was among the early advocates of dissection and post-mortem examination—a bold stance for his time. His medical poem Rajaz Taweel fi al-Tibb explored disease diagnosis and treatment, recently rediscovered in Morocco. His contributions went beyond medicine. Ibn Tufail was a renowned astronomer who challenged Ptolemaic cosmology. He influenced later astronomers like al-Bitrūjī, helping pivot Islamic astronomy toward empirical observation and rational critique, foreshadowing the scientific revolution centuries later.
By Ikram Ullahabout a year ago in Futurism
From Moradabad to Apple’s Global Stage: Sabih Khan Becomes the New COO of Apple
Apple’s new Chief Operating Officer (COO) Sabih Khan—an Indian-origin executive originally from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh—has been appointed to oversee iPhone manufacturing, especially in India. After over 30 years at Apple, he succeeds Jeff Williams in a strategic move by CEO Tim Cook. This milestone highlights Apple’s commitment to continuing iPhone production in India amid global trade pressures and ambitions of sustainable growth. Born in Moradabad in 1966, Khan later lived in Singapore and then moved to the U.S. for higher education, earning degrees in mechanical engineering and economics from Tufts University and a master’s from RPI. He joined Apple in 1995 and climbed the ranks—from procurement to Senior Vice President of Operations—playing crucial roles in green manufacturing, logistics, and global supply chain management. Tim Cook praised him as “a brilliant strategist” and trusted his leadership to shape Apple’s future. Apple expects India’s share in its global iPhone production to grow significantly under his leadership. 1. Introduction: A New Era of Leadership On July 8, 2025, Apple announced that Sabih Khan will step into the role of Chief Operating Officer, succeeding longtime operations chief Jeff Williams as part of a carefully orchestrated leadership transition . With a remarkable 30-year career at Apple, Khan’s ascent symbolizes continuity, internal talent promotion, and global ambition amid shifting geopolitical trade landscapes. 2. Early Life & Roots – From Moradabad to Global Education Sabih Khan was born in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India in 1966. During his school years, his family relocated to Singapore, where he completed his early education. Later, he moved to the United States for tertiary studies . His educational journey reflects both technical depth and global exposure: Dual bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering and economics from Tufts University A master’s degree in mechanical engineering from **Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)** This combination of engineering and economics laid the groundwork for his success leading complex operations at one of the world’s biggest tech firms. 3. Early Career: GE Plastics Foundations Before joining Apple, Khan worked at GE Plastics as an applications development engineer and key account technical leader. This phase helped him build strong analytical and execution skills before transitioning to the high-stakes environment of Apple’s global tech supply chain . 4. At Apple: Joining and Rising Through the Ranks Khan joined Apple in 1995, initially working in the procurement group. Over the decades, his contributions spanned planning, manufacturing, logistics, supplier responsibility, and global fulfillment operations . In 2019, he was promoted to Senior Vice President of Operations, a key leadership role overseeing Apple’s supply chain continuity, product quality, supplier relations, and environmental programs . In this capacity, Khan navigated major challenges including pandemic disruptions, production shifts, and evolving trade policies. 5. Global Impact: Strategy, Sustainability, and Resilience Tim Cook praised Khan as “a brilliant strategist” and one of the central architects of Apple’s supply chain, highlighting his leadership in pioneering advanced manufacturing technologies and expanding U.S. and Indian production footprints . Under Khan's stewardship, Apple intensified its focus on environmental sustainability, achieving over 60% reduction in carbon footprint through initiatives involving green supply chains and responsible supplier practices . His efforts ensured Apple’s ability to scale swiftly and adapt to global challenges, from trade tensions to logistics disruptions . 6. A Crucial Moment: Transition and Trade Pressures Khan assumes the role of COO during a volatile climate. Former U.S. President Donald Trump had warned Apple of steep tariffs if iPhones continued being manufactured outside the U.S., particularly in India . In response, Apple is rapidly expanding iPhone production in India—with roughly 20% of global iPhones assembled there in fiscal year 2025 (~$22 billion in value), up 60% from the prior year . Khan’s promotion signals Apple’s long-term commitment to this shift and its operational readiness to manage geopolitical and logistical complexities. 7. The Transition: Jeff Williams’ Legacy & Role Jeff Williams, who led Apple’s operations for decades, will remain at Apple for the remainder of 2025, overseeing the company’s design team and Apple Watch/Health initiatives. After his retirement, these units will report directly to CEO Tim Cook . Williams spoke highly of Khan: > “I have worked closely with Sabih for 27 years and believe he’s the most talented operations executive on the planet.” His continued involvement ensures a smooth transition of strategic responsibilities and mentorship for Khan. 8. Significance of Khan’s Appointment a. Representation & Inspiration Khan’s journey—from a small-town upbringing in Moradabad to a major executive role at Apple—embodies global opportunity and the rise of Indian-origin leadership in Silicon Valley, joining ranks with CEOs like Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella . b. Operational Continuity With global operations and supply chains at the center of Apple’s business alongside increasing geopolitical risks, Khan’s deep institutional knowledge provides stability and strategic consistency. c. Sustainability Commitment Under his leadership, Apple has intensified its green manufacturing practices. Cutting carbon emissions and training suppliers on responsible practices emphasize the company’s environmental ethos . d. Manufacturing in India & Future Vision Khan’s Indian heritage and operations experience uniquely position him to manage Apple’s expanding footprint in India—supporting national manufacturing initiatives and global trade realignment. 9. Vision Ahead: What Lies Next? As COO, Sabih Khan will lead Apple’s global operations through an era of supply-chain diversification, sustainability focus, and technological innovation. He is expected to: Oversee the ongoing shift of iPhone production to India Drive advanced manufacturing technologies Cement Apple’s reputation for sustainable global operations Maintain flexibility in logistics amid evolving trade policies His leadership comes at a time when Apple is grappling with balancing production across multiple geographies, ensuring quality, affordability, and resilience. 🔚 Conclusion Sabih Khan’s appointment as Apple’s new COO marks a symbolic and strategic milestone. With a solid engineering and economics education and nearly three decades of operational leadership within Apple, Khan brings the expertise and values needed for the next phase of growth. His Indian origin adds profound significance to this transition, especially as Apple deepens its operations in India. Tim Cook’s praise and Jeff Williams’ endorsement underscore the company's trust in him to lead through complexity with integrity and vision.
By Ikram Ullahabout a year ago in Futurism
🔥 Title: Goldman Sachs Just Raised the S&P 500 Forecast Again – Here's What It Means for You . AI-Generated.
In a bold move that’s shaking Wall Street today, Goldman Sachs has once again raised its forecast for the S&P 500, signaling continued confidence in the U.S. stock market. This isn’t just marketing hype—analysts now expect the benchmark index to climb 11% by mid-2026, reaching around 6,900, with tighter targets of 6,400 in three months and 6,600 in six months. Let’s explore why Goldman remains optimistic, what this means for investors like you, and how to position your portfolio ahead of the curve. Goldman Sachs, along with major banks like Bank of America and JPMorgan, has elevated their S&P targets despite global uncertainties and new tariff headlines [ ]. Their thinking is rooted in three fundamental pillars. First is the strength of large-cap corporate earnings—Goldman projects 7% EPS growth for 2025 and 2026, supported by robust revenue and cost discipline [ ]. Second, the Federal Reserve appears ready to cut rates—a move that could reduce bond yields and push more money into equities [ ]. Finally, tariff impacts have been softened by proactive supply chain adjustments, cushioning large-cap stocks from looming trade risks [ ]. Critics might point to political and economic headwinds—like fresh tariffs or earnings slowdowns—but Goldman’s research suggests those effects are marginal in context. Large-cap companies have managed inventory well, adjusted pricing strategies, and are agile enough to absorb disruptions [ ]. Ask yourself: would a company like Apple or Microsoft really suffer if tariffs impacted only a fraction of its supply chain? Goldman believes the answer is a clear “probably not.” But what does this mean for your portfolio? First and foremost, you’re looking at potential double-digit returns over the next 12 to 18 months—if history repeats itself and the Fed follows its playbook. Second, Goldman’s analysis reveals that these gains won’t be confined to tech stocks alone. Their advice? Diversify across growth sectors (like software/AI), cyclicals (materials, industrials), and defensive stalwarts (utilities, real estate) [ ]. They also advocate increasing exposure to alternative asset managers, a sector that benefits when fixed-income yields fall and equity capital inflows rise [ ]. Companies with floating-rate debt, like certain REITs or banks, may also enjoy stronger margins as interest rate cuts take effect [ ]. For the aggressive investor, Goldman highlights a few individual stocks to watch: from companies with lean balance sheets and growth momentum to those poised for a rebound in interest-sensitive assets [ ]. Should you switch your strategy now? If your portfolio is heavily tech-focused and you’ve stayed up-to-date on AI buzzwords but lack real earnings payoff, Goldman’s broader thesis offers balance. Embedding growth stocks with cyclicals and defensive names could position you better for sustained gains and lower volatility. This is especially useful for cautious investors worried about timing the next market dip. 🔍 3 Tactical Moves to Consider 1. Rebalance gradually—Shift part of your equity exposure into financials, materials, and utilities. 2. Buy the dip—Use pullbacks to accumulate positions in select sectors like AI software or edge-case materials stocks. 3. Monitor Fed signals—Rate cut announcements could be a market inflection point. Be ready to increase exposure then. A Final Word Goldman Sachs’ revised forecast is more than just optimism—it’s a calculated bet on earnings strength, monetary policy, and market resilience. History shows that Wall Street bull markets often run for years. The current rally is in its third year, placing it in the company of some of the longest equity runs in history [ ]. Whether you're an experienced investor or building your first portfolio, now is the time to act. Remember: markets don’t wait around for you to catch up. Position wisely, stay agile, and you could ride this wave of bullish momentum right into 2026 and beyond.
By MOHAMMED AL-HAJJabout a year ago in Futurism
"The Gym That Changed Me". Content Warning.
“A Weak Boy’s Fight for Strength, Confidence, and Purpose” I used to be the kid everyone overlooked. Not because I was mean or different — I was just small, quiet, and weak. My arms were twig-thin, my legs barely strong enough to carry me up a flight of stairs without gasping. The other boys in school lifted weights, ran races, played sports, and I watched from the sidelines, afraid to try.
By ADIL AHMAD about a year ago in Futurism
