Culture

The climate of political debate in the Western world has long been paralysed by the lack of real arguments and objective reasoning. Instead, people sit around and call each other names, much like they do in kindergarten. There are special gatekeepers in the media, academia and political life who stop too lively debates using such …   ►

When describing the kingdoms of the past and how they functioned, it is often said that the people were deceived. They were led to believe that the king was crowned by the clergy on behalf of God. It would look bad with a crude dictator who took power through violence and corruption. No, power must …   ►

A selection of films that have influenced us culturally from different decades, with brief comments. The Wizard of Oz (1939) There is no magic. The Wizard is a little fat man pulling levers behind a curtain (note that fairies and witches can still do magic). But the world is still beautiful, especially with song, dance …   ►

Western Europeans have long harboured a kind of suspicion and sometimes disgust for everything east of Berlin. The endless steppes and the land of the mad horse people, uncivilised, inhospitable, debauched and remote. For various reasons we have repeatedly attacked and tried to tame the savage peoples over there. The Napoleonic Wars, the Crimean War …   ►

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld recently gave a speech at Duke University in the US, and some members of the audience walked out in protest at his Jewishness and support for the State of Israel. A few years ago, I don’t think anyone thought much about Seinfeld being Jewish or supporting Isreal. He was seen as the …   ►

From its origins as a general music festival, Eurovision has become more niched towards a specific cultural sub-genre. In the 1950s, there were ideas of promoting European unity through the newly introduced medium of television and public interest in music. It was a chance to showcase national characteristics as well as demonstrate European unity and …   ►

I’m not particularly conservative, but objectively speaking – raising children, taking care of a home, and pursuing one’s interests in one’s spare time – is not a bad life. It’s even better than many other options. You don’t have to sit in traffic jams, commute, stress at the workplace and work overtime. Raising children can …   ►

Do you feel that we live in a madhouse, that normality is constantly challenged and mocked? That you’d rather jump in the water and leave this crazy ship? You are not alone. The political and cultural madness we are currently experiencing is a global phenomenon. When the US loses its status as an autocratic superpower …   ►

This phenomenon may be fading now, but some individuals still want to be called specific pronouns, often linked to a certain gender perception. In Sweden, the term hen is sometimes used, and in the US, She/They, He/They, etc. Being called something incorrectly is considered malicious and provokes upset feelings. I can’t help but think of …   ►

The United States, Russia and China are recognised as major powers, along with aspirants such as Japan, India and Brazil. We also have significant regional players such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan, Australia and others. European countries such as the UK, Germany and France are often included. The question is, what about Europe? And …   ►

We see protesting farmers all over Europe blocking roads and dumping manure. But they do not upset the unworldly and arrogant leadership in Brussels. Individual Europeans have little love for the EU project. Whilst many think the original idea is a good one, they are not willing to engage with the political issues or even …   ►