"Overcoming denial often depends on the nature of the problem. People often come to terms with the reality of a situation on their own given time and support." (source). I suppose this answer is valid. Still, by not challenging someone's denial, it may/will feel like denying someone's denial. In my past, I would confront someone's denial. I used to believe that...
Indifference
Making errors: business vs politics
Last Sunday's blog, Panic in Beijing and its original Bloomberg article, made me realize that there is a difference between business and politics that is easily overlooked. Unlike businessmen, politicians are not allowed to make serious errors, especially in countries like China. Despite that seeing is believing, (communist) ideology is (much) stronger than seeing....
Frenemies
When a friendship or a relationship is over, a new type of relation may emerge: the frenemy. Sometimes, it may still look like the friendship - or relationship - it once was. Usually, indifference is leading. The former is a micro example. China and Russia are a macro example; see my 2019 blog. "Frenemy" (also spelled "frienemy") is an oxymoron and...
Why do we (not) have a responsibility towards the next generation?
Recently, I noticed a question from The Well, a collaboration between Big Think and the John Templeton Foundation. In my view, their question was wrong as it contained an implicit answer: What's our responsibility towards the next generation? The neutral version of the question is the one in my title above. I believe in stewardship (in Dutch: rentmeesterschap)....
Why continue a war you cannot win?
Allegedly, Putin was convinced that his invading army would be welcomed with flowers by Ukrainian citizens (eg, DailyMail, Yahoo News). Perhaps, some people wanted him to believe that nonsense - deliberately. Some people argue that Putin already lost the war on day 1, like historian Yuval Noah Harari in the Guardian. Why continue something (eg, a war) that you...
Sanctions
Some people believe in sanctions. Others argue sanctions don't work and hit the wrong people. What are the alternatives to sanctions? Essentially, sanctions are punishment for bad behaviour. Hence, there's an analogy with parents (or schools) raising children: (1) reward, (2) punish, or (3) do nothing (a.k.a. condone). Bad behaviour by children triggers various...
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