A monthly round-up of what the ICMR team is reading, watching, and listening to. Recommendations are based on what the team finds interesting or thought-provoking, and are not representative of ICMR’s views.

How Israel became a Fascist State

A conversation with renowned Jewish historian and author, Ilan Pappe gives the historical context which led to the genocidal intent of Zionism in Israel. Pertinent questions such as what could possibly justify the genocidal behaviour toward the Palestinians, in plain sight have been grappling my mind. Ilan Pappe’s research into the history of Zionism gives a lucid account of how and why the evil seeds of genocide were sown many years ago.

Can the Economy Grow Forever? 

The world is growing at an average of 3% GDP worldwide per year. This growth is fuelled by our extraction of natural resources to make all the products we use – everything from sand to copper to oil. While the Earth could theoretically survive for another 100 million years, will we have enough physical resources to survive until then? How bad would it be if we run out of material resources, and what would happen to us? This conversation examines whether the economy – and by extension life as we know it, can keep growing forever.

How People Are Really Using Gen AI in 2025

In 2025, generative AI (Gen AI) has become deeply integrated into both personal and professional spheres, with usage evenly split between the two. Individuals leverage Gen AI for tasks ranging from writing and planning to learning and creative endeavours, while businesses employ it for customer service, content creation, and data analysis. This widespread adoption reflects a maturation in user understanding, accompanied by a growing skepticism and awareness of Gen AI’s limitations. Users are increasingly discerning about the contexts in which they deploy these tools, recognizing that while Gen AI offers significant productivity enhancements, it is not a universal solution and must be applied judiciously

Governments Are Not Startups

The authors argue that governments should not imitate startups, as their missions and responsibilities are fundamentally different. While startups focus on rapid growth and profit, governments must address complex, long-term societal challenges requiring stability, equity, and public accountability. Instead of adopting business models, governments should invest in building internal capabilities like strategic foresight, adaptability, and collaborative problem-solving. Relying on business-style performance metrics can distort public service goals by prioritising efficiency over effectiveness and long-term societal impact.