A blog by Leon Oudejans
Why does a week have 7 days?
30 May, 2023 | Knowledge
The answer to my question above is quite interesting. The ancient Sumerians used a Base-60 numeral system (eg, 60 seconds). Wiki: "The number 60, a superior highly composite number, has twelve factors, namely 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 15, 20, 30, and 60, of...
Is time ‘a stubbornly persistent illusion’?
29 May, 2023 | Knowledge
It's impossible giving a definition of time without including geographical location, gravity, and/or speed in that definition. “The distinction between the past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion”, according to theoretical physicist Albert...
They’re openly saying it: Brexit has failed. But what comes next may be very dark indeed (the Guardian)
28 May, 2023 | Knowledge, Love, Power
The Guardian title: They’re openly saying it: Brexit has failed. But what comes next may be very dark indeed Guardian subtitle: The ‘remoaner elite’, the civil service, the BBC, universities, unions, refugees: anything is blamed but Brexit itself By: Jonathan...
Europe is beginning to turn against the prophets of climate alarmism (the Telegraph)
27 May, 2023 | Knowledge
The Telegraph title: Europe is beginning to turn against the prophets of climate alarmism Telegraph subtitle: Levels of eco-anxiety are rising among the young, but the planet’s future is brighter than many think By: Fraser Nelson Date: 18 May 2023 "A few days ago, I...
“Do you trust me?”
26 May, 2023 | Knowledge
Recently, someone asked me the above question. She was serious, while I hardly know her. Our geographical distance prevents a quick visit. I answered her by using a quote from Dutch statesman Johan Rudolph Thorbecke (1798-1872): “Trust comes by foot and leaves on...
Nature and God are two sides of the same coin (Spinoza)
25 May, 2023 | Knowledge
The phrase above is from Baruch Spinoza's book Ethics (1677). In the Latin language, it was: "Deus sive Natura". Wiki: "For Spinoza the whole of the natural universe is made of one substance, God, or, what's the same, Nature, and its modifications...
Netanyahu 2022 = Trump 2024 ?
24 May, 2023 | Knowledge, Love, Power
Late 2022, Netanyahu became - once again - the PM of Israel, despite the legal trials against him (eg, "bribery, fraud, and breach of trust"). Trump wants to be re-elected as US president in 2024, despite the many lawsuits against him. Hence, my question: Netanyahu...
Going back to my roots?
23 May, 2023 | Love
For quite some time, I've been struggling with the thought above. Perhaps, the ultimate conclusion is that I do not belong here. There is no match on several criteria. Some five years ago, I considered my then-imminent relocation as temporary, before hopping abroad...
Why do we enjoy Schadenfreude?
22 May, 2023 | Knowledge, Love, Power
On May 9, the Dutch entry for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest did not make the finals. Before, there was lots of gloating. Several languages have sayings, like Schadenfreude (German), “The misfortune of others tastes like honey” (Japan), joie maligne (French), or...
Russia’s losses are worse than anyone thinks (the Telegraph)
21 May, 2023 | Knowledge, Power
The Telegraph title: Russia’s losses are worse than anyone thinks Telegraph subtitle: Estimates of the Kremlin’s military casualties may be far too low given Kyiv’s use of new precision weaponsBy: Hamish de Bretton-Gordon Date: 9 May 2023 "It was a curious...
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