Culture

When empires tremble, the ripples spread across the globe

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 …   →

Titles, orders and seals

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 …   →

Is Europe at risk of being left out of the multipolar order?

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 …   →

The European Union was a disaster from the start

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 …   →

A lying AI

Firstly, I think it is an insult to artificial intelligence to call today’s chatbots this. They are at best cleverly designed software and at worst propaganda machines. Even when they were launched a few years ago, they showed signs of censorship and adaptation to the current social climate. For example, when I asked ChatGTP whether …   →

Prejudice and statistics

We live in a world where prejudice is constantly being challenged and rejected, while statistics are elevated to a noble and important art form. Statistics are used, among other things, to predict elections and to make political and business decisions. At the same time, biases and statistical assumptions work in a similar way. Let me …   →

The desire of the mediocre to hold back the skilled

There has always been an incentive for the mediocre to hold back the skilful. The driven and competent make the others look half-baked. And this is not appreciated, better to regulate and restrain those who want too much. And there are many different traces of this in human history. Today we think of it as …   →

Garbage, waste and pollution

Sweden is at the forefront of waste management and recycling technologies. Most garbage is recycled or incinerated under controlled conditions in heating plants. It was a long time ago that we dumped our rubbish in so-called landfills, where the waste could sometimes burn day and night, and the stench spread across the neighbourhood. However, landfills …   →

Limited growth in an infinite world

There is a lot of talk about growth in economic discussions, often with the hope that it will last forever. But we know that this is not the case; sometimes there are hiccups in the machinery in the form of economic crises, recessions, etc. On the other hand, we have not experienced real paradigm shifts …   →

The trend-sensitive country in the north

Mines, iron ore and forests have long been part of Sweden’s basic industry. The iron could be refined into swords and cannons, and the forest into ships, buildings and furniture. But it was during the later stages of the industrial revolution, between 1870 and 1970, that Sweden became one of the richest nations in the …   →

Heredity or environment – the cruel bet

We remember the 1983 film Trading places. It was about a bet, about whether heritage or environment was superior or subordinate. Could a black guy from the slums, given the right conditions, lead a long-established brokerage firm to success? And would a successful stockbroker become a crook and vagrant if his circumstances changed as well? …   →