https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnRbXn4-Yis According to some the best Tarantino ever made. Others find his eight film boring and too long (over 3 hours). I think it's great entertainment, but also to a high degree repetitive; many scenes were all too familiar to me, reminding me of his previous films. Nevertheless, Tarantino remains the master in creating anContinue reading "The Hateful Eight – Quentin Tarantino (2015) ***"
Why ISIS is so attractive
In many articles about ISIS/ IS/ ISIL/ Daesh, I came across the name of William McCants, fellow and director of the Brookings Institute, and his book on Islamic State. As he seemed to be a trustworthy source for many writers on the subject, I wanted to read his book - subtitled The History, Strategy andContinue reading "Why ISIS is so attractive"
The Hedgehog and the Fox
In this essay on Tolstoy, philosopher Isaiah Berlin argues that there is a fundamental distinction between those who are fascinated by the infinitive variety of things (foxes) and those who relate everything to a central, all-embracing system. The distinction comes from a saying of the ancient Greek poet Archilochus: "The fox knows many things, butContinue reading "The Hedgehog and the Fox"
What makes a good life?
This unique 75-year long Harvard research followed more than 700 men from teenager to old age, with one simple goal; to understand what makes them happy and healthy.The short answer is: good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Three lessons can be drawn: 1) social connections ensure a longer life, healthier life. 2) it's notContinue reading "What makes a good life?"
The Future of Europe
What is to become of Europe, now that it is in the midst of a perfect storm of several crises: recovering from a deep recession, coping with an unprecedented number of asylum seekers and refugees, not being able to protect its borders, terrorist attacks and - as a result - declining trust of its citizens?Continue reading "The Future of Europe"
Films of 2015
***** amazing **** loved it *** nice ** disappointing * waste of time Carol - Todd Haynes *** Son of Saul - László Nemes **** Meru - Jimmy Chin **** The Fog of Srebrenica -Samir Mehanovic **** Spectre - Sam Mendes *** Youth - Paolo Sorrentino **** Inside Out - Pete Docter **** Slow WestContinue reading "Films of 2015"
De smerigste, slimste en gekste campagnes
Dit boekje belooft 'alles over de Amerikaanse verkiezingen', wat enigszins overdreven is. Wel is het een leuk en nuttig overzicht van de smerigste campagnes (de allersmerigste is die van 1856), slimste leuzen (de beste: I Like Ike), zwakste running mates (natuurlijk Dan Quayle) en beste presidenten (FDR). Voor Amerika lovers. 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue - PaulContinue reading "De smerigste, slimste en gekste campagnes"
Kings of War
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi9vEYbSaMo Indeed a marathon (4,5 hours is by all means long), but our perseverance was rewarded. Visually beautiful, invoking most of our senses (including video, dj, countertenor) this vintage 'Van Hove' proved to be a successful way to shed light on the story of power through the lives of three kings of England. Above all,Continue reading "Kings of War"
Carol – Todd Haynes (2015) ***
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH3zcuRQXNo A lesbian love affair with complicated consequences, set in the US of the fifties. Beautiful images, an absolutely splendid Cate Blanchett, but the film failed to impress me as much as I had expected from the jubilant critics.
What is disruptive innovation?
Sometimes it seems all innovation is disruptive and all start-ups will change our lives, but as this HBR article explains the term is often wrongly used and can be misleading. And - spoiler alert - Uber doesn't fit the label.
Son of Saul – László Nemes (2015) ****
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWQTfbXLTHQ A beautiful and very touching movie about a member of a Sonderkommando (Jewish prisoners forced to assist the Nazis in processing the remains of the doomed) in Auschwitz. The protagonist, Saul, seeks to give his hellish life some meaning by trying to give a proper Jewish burial to a young boy; an eight yearContinue reading "Son of Saul – László Nemes (2015) ****"
Why our brain is hard-wired to love Trump
Interesting Politico piece arguing we don't really care about the truth, the reason why so many politicians get away with lies. We are inclined to believe them unless we have a previous reason not to believe them. It's all about cognitive dissonance. Related, some insight on whether the Republican party will survive the Donald.
COP21: the best or the most expensive treaty ever?
Whenever I see big masses of people cheering for a cause, like now with the COP 21 treaty (beware of the lofty rhetoric!), I get suspicious. Combined with my skepticism of top down change ("The president has decided, so it will surely happen"), I wanted to read some stuff criticizing the current climate change approach.Continue reading "COP21: the best or the most expensive treaty ever?"
Al Qaeda’s youthful new face
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sPY0X8SrLo A chilling inside report of Al Nusra, the Syrian branch on Al Qaeda. Al Nusra is fighting Bashar Al-Assad's forces and the Islamic State. What broke my heart was watching 8 year olds sing 'I am going to fight the Jews' and yelling that Americans will find their grave in Syria. One of the youngest giggles whenContinue reading "Al Qaeda’s youthful new face"
Wandelen door Parijs met Adriaan
Gidsje waarin Van Dis ons meeneemt langs plekken in Parijs die bepalend zijn geweest voor de eerste periode dat hij er woonde. Met aantal rake observaties, zoals die over verschil met de Nederlandse metro: 'In Parijs ruikt het niet naar patat'. Ik las dit boekje op een manier die Van Dis' goedkeuring waarschijnlijk kan wegdragen:Continue reading "Wandelen door Parijs met Adriaan"
Paris reste debout!
Als ik de metro uitkom op Place de la Republique valt meteen de mensenmassa op die het 19e eeuwse monument omringt. Er zijn camera's en veel bodyguards - waarschijnlijk is er een beroemdheid of notabele om een krans te leggen. Als ze weer weg is - ik meende een lange bos rasta's te zien -Continue reading "Paris reste debout!"
PEPIJN VAN DIJK 