China is te groot om, nu het zo sterk opkomt, niet met argusogen te worden bekeken. Daarbij weten we nog steeds te weinig van zijn motieven, net als China vrij onbekend is met de echte drijfveren van het Westen. In het duister tasten over zulke belangrijke zaken, vergroot de kans op een pijnlijke botsing tussenContinueContinue reading “China stelt geschiedenis effectief in dienst van heden”
Category Archives: Bookshelf
The Trumpdozer
The Rolling Stone long-read that caused quite some online stir, arguing that the the presidential election campaign is really just a badly acted, billion-dollar TV show, in which Donald Trump makes the winning point that the regular guy has been screwed by a conspiracy of incestuous elites. The author, Matt Taibbi, ends his piece withContinueContinue reading “The Trumpdozer”
Vrijheid kan niet zonder geheimen
Dit is een heerlijk boek, alleen al omdat het veel vermeende zekerheden (transparantie is toch altijd goed?) doet wankelen. Centraal staat de notie dat “het geheim” noodzakelijk is voor de vrijheid van de burger. Zowel het geheim van de burger zelf, als geheimen van de staat die deze vrijheid moet beschermen. De paradox die datContinueContinue reading “Vrijheid kan niet zonder geheimen”
How good are we at predicting the future?
Pretty lousy actually, as this short World Economic Forum article about our past attempts illustrates. To me, the historic examples also demonstrate that we tend to think in incremental changes (rolling house, flying postman) – we’re just not wired to imagine the unknown.
Sarah Palin is back
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25uCYfvZgGQ Sarah Palin is back: whatever you may think of her, she gives a fascinating endorsement speech. Enjoy.
We hebben het beter dan ooit
Vroeger gingen we eerder dood, waren we armer en lelijker. Kinderarbeid was nog heel gewoon, net als poepen op straat. Bovendien behandelden we dieren als gevoelloze machines en geloofden we dat je zwanger kon worden als je de vinnen van een draak aanraakte. Ook kostte het huishouden veel meer tijd en hadden we geen medicijnen.ContinueContinue reading “We hebben het beter dan ooit”
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 andContinueContinue 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, butContinueContinue 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 notContinueContinue 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?ContinueContinue reading “The Future of Europe”
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 – PaulContinueContinue 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,ContinueContinue reading “Kings of War”
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.
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.ContinueContinue 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 whenContinueContinue reading “Al Qaeda’s youthful new face”
PEPIJN VAN DIJK 