Category Archives: Blog

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”

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 yearContinueContinue 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.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”

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:ContinueContinue 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 -ContinueContinue reading “Paris reste debout!”

Genocide & a summit

Every year I look forward to IDFA, the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam. From the five documentaries my friend Bart and I saw this year ‘Meru’ and ‘Fog of Srebrenica’ stood out. The first one is a thrilling tale about climbers obsessed with the impossible ascent of peak Meru in the Himalayas – the climbing genreContinueContinue reading “Genocide & a summit”