There have already been several people arguing that restricting access to (foreign state) propaganda is against the (individual) right of free speech. I trust you will see the inherent contradiction(s). Nevertheless, let's assume, for the purpose of this blog, that these people actually believe in what they're arguing. The above is an example of the paradox of...
Political Islam
Plato’s 5 regimes and its belief systems
8 Jul, 2021
Yesterday's blog mentioned Plato's 5 regime types and that the belief systems Politics and Religion will be kicked out during the transfer from the 4th (ie, Democracy) to the final regime type (ie, Tyranny). With the knowledge of hindsight, one regime type is missing: Theocracy. My diagram below pictures that missing one in between Democracy and Tyranny. Money must...
I have faith in you. I believe in you.
25 Jun, 2021
The ancient Greek had (at least) six words for Love, being agape (divine love), eros (romantic love), philia (friendship), philautia (self-love), storge (familial love) and xenia (hospitality). These words are all connected to my concept Faith, Beliefs & Willpower. When you love someone, you believe in them. You have faith in them. Both give you the willpower to...
Why do we condone blasphemy?
30 Oct, 2020
I was born in 1960. Back then, blasphemy was limited to an occasional cursing. I suppose blasphemy became mainstream due to TV shows featuring comedians. Late 2013, Dutch liberals and socialists proposed to remove the 1932 penalty on blasphemy from Dutch law (NOS, Wiki). In Western countries, blasphemy is almost normal but why do we condone blasphemy?The Dutch...
Old grudges against Persia Iran
19 Sep, 2019
One of my favourite movies is Kingdom of Heaven (IMDb), albeit for different reasons than you might expect. The movie shows several historic events besides the Crusades: the weakening of the Sasanian Empire of Iran (Persia), the rise of Islam, and the fall of the Golden Age of Islam. This 2005 movie changed my perspective on that region. Wiki:...
Extremism and plausible deniability (2)
17 Sep, 2019
This Sunday, I had an epiphany: plausible deniability is the reason why extremism hides behind belief systems. A recent example was the news that Dutch salafist primary schools teach young children that killing "unbelievers" is a commendable deed. The school is protected by the Dutch Constitution that guarantees freedom of religious education. A very different...
Archives
Framework Posts
The final taboo
Society’s farewell to the best & brightest
Drivers of Change: a 2022 update
The meaning of Life = living a meaningful life (2)
Quality vs Quantity
New: a proxy World War
“What is faith?”
The dark side of Hope
From pandemic to endemic
How did we get so far??
The positive power of negativity
Common sense, ignorance, stupidity and wisdom
The big-small principle
2021 Conceptual Framework
Life is a revolving door
Why are human beliefs stronger than our conscience?
Let’s work together
Who is to blame for hospital demand exceeding supply?
Dutch PM: “What more can I do??”
Is ideology responsible for stupidity?
Introspection
How do you help yourself?
Asymptomatic
Asymptomatisch
Mechanization, Automation, AI & Robotics
Needs, Wants, Beliefs, Awakening & Wisdom
Tweedeling in de samenleving
Collateral damage
Emptiness
Is politiek nog relevant in Nederland?
The SpaceTime dimension and the alternate Energy-Matter dimension
We need Knowledge, we want Power, and we believe in Love
Is consciousness a dimension not limited by space and time?
The asymptomatic Covid anomaly
What constitutes a relationship?
Everything follows Why (7): the DIKW model
No More Fear of Dying
Mission, goals, strategy, tactics and operations of viruses
Ideology vs pragmatism
Competition vs cooperation
From Knowledge to Power – the 7 Belief systems in the age of monism
The Art of War
Needs, Wants & Beliefs in reverse
2019 corona virus versus 1918 Spanish flu
Awakening – a conceptual framework (2)
Awakening – a conceptual framework
Our search for the truth
Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish (2)
One question says more than a thousand answers
The 3 roads to Wisdom
The 7 Belief systems – a 2019 update
The inflation conundrum
Theory of Everything (2) – the Flow
Theory of Everything
The 7 stages of Liberalism
Love, Knowledge and Power
Communication, thoughts and language
Personality, Attitude & Behaviour
Conceptual framework (6)
Knowledge = Power and the Great Filter in civilisations (5)
Drivers of Change
The 7 Belief systems – a conceptual framework
Enlightenment vs False Beliefs
Fast vs Slow thinking (3)
Old and wise
Conceptual framework (4) – drivers of human behaviour
The 4 levels of Consciousness – an integrated framework
Conceptual Framework (3) – update
Humanoid sapiens, our future descendants
The road to recovery from a burn-out (3)
Conceptual Framework (2) – Why does evil exist?
The ignorance of Nationalism and arrogance of Globalism
Arrogance of Left and Ignorance of Right
You can only hurt someone with the truth
Sumerian civilization (5): Soul vs Spirit
Everything follows Why
A conceptual framework
Faith, Beliefs and Willpower
The Road to Recovery from a Burn-out or Depression (2)
A brief narrative of the future
Faith vs Religion
The 10 Commandments
The 7 Belief systems – a summary
White Supremacy (2)
Opinions and criticism
Human Emotions (2) – a revisit
Why are opinions stronger than facts?
Numbers – mathematics, space, time, weights & measurements
The “what if” question
What makes a relationship truly unique?
The Great Flood (16,000 BC – 4,000 BC)
The meaning of Life = living a meaningful life
Our individual purpose
The road to recovery from a depression or burn-out
The Seven Stages of Love – for Men
Love – a 7th Belief system
Technological Revolution (1800-2100) and a New Renaissance (2100 onwards)
Belief systems – the Truth
Belief systems (part 2) – the ultimate human response
Belief systems – known unknowns
Recent Posts
- I invented Gilead. The Supreme Court is making it real. (Margaret Atwood)
- Take care of your thoughts when you are alone
- “I Have to Admit, I Have a Very Low Opinion of Human Beings”
- “It’s a pity we can’t stay friends with everyone”
- Criticism
- Fiscal Policy Is Way to Deal With Divergence, ECB’s De Cos Says (Bloomberg)
- What is the “Great Replacement” right-wing conspiracy theory? (the Economist)
- Democracy might be in crisis. But Autocracy certainly is (FT)
- “I just don’t care anymore.”
- “Solitude has always been my analgesic of choice.”
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