Let’s hope that whatever is happening in America will play out peacefully and that this process will eventually have a positive and unifying impact on American society. There are many ways for us here in Europe to show support and solidarity for a good cause. Joining a support protest is just one of those ways. And in the end, perhaps all of this will inspire us to shine a light on our own problems too, the ones here in our own communities – the ones we all too often turn a blind eye to.
Read MoreGood sci-fi doesn't need much special effects
And that’s precisely how I want my sci-fi. If it looks good, then that’s a nice bonus, but ideally a good show is not only entertaining and visually pleasing, but also challenging with a mesmerizing story. Some of the best shows even make us slightly uncomfortable in the way they raise difficult questions, often around ethics and morality. At its best, sci-fi really makes us think about what kind of a future we want to build for ourselves.
Read MoreA modern translation makes all the difference
When approaching texts by the old philosophers, one is often confronted with language that is more or less incomprehensible. Even if you would read a translation into your native language, the names and references won’t make much sense to you, unless you spend a lot of time researching and understanding what things actually meant or symbolised in Roman times.
Read MoreEnvy, our darkest and most secret deadly sin
Having recently read several books on happiness, it seems clear that avoiding negative emotions and favoring positive emotions is a good strategy for a happier life. Of all the negative emotions, envy is often described as the worst – a disease of the soul.
Read MoreOn the benefits and difficulties of keeping a food journal
Every now and then I decide to write down exactly what I eat and drink in order to update my understanding of how my daily calorie intake looks like on the macronutrient and micronutrient level. Each time I’ve done it, I’ve found something that has surprised me.
Read MoreNegative visualization as a way of experiencing gratitude
I find negative visualization a powerful tool for experiencing gratitude even in situations where it otherwise might be difficult. Such as when you’re in the middle of a global Coronavirus pandemic and each time you switch on the news it’s mostly “bad”.
Read MoreThe relationship between heavy social media use and depression and anxiety
It makes perfect sense that heavy social media use (especially usage bordering to addictive behavior) is linked to negative emotions, but I would have assumed that boys and girls are almost equally affected. Perhaps that just shows how little I understand about teenagers’ psychology. In any case, it brings up the question what can be done about the problem – and what the role of parents, schools, and society in general (including Big Tech) should be in all of this?
Read MoreOn the addictiveness of caffeine
For me there’s definitely an addictive dimension to coffee. It’s not just that I love the smell and taste of it, but in the morning I really feel like I need it in order to get “fully operational”. As said, caffeine is a stimulant and it also taps into the brain's dopamine stores, causing very pleasant feelings. There’s also a habitual, and for me almost ritualistic, part to preparing coffee. It brings me great joy to grind the beans, fill up the portafilter's basket and do the tamping, and then finally extract a shot of espresso at exactly 9 bars of pressure. It’s a beautiful process and feels almost scientific.
Read MoreNot worrying about things over which we have no control
By not worrying about things over which we have no control, we can minimize anxiety and enhance our tranquillity – key desired outcomes in Modern Stoicism. This simple piece of advice has had a stunning impact on me.
Read MoreHow Five Minute Journaling Improved My Life
In a way I always knew that journaling would be a delightful and beneficial habit. But it wasn't until I made it an easy and enjoyable part of my daily routine that I got the hang of it.
Read More