As a new Russian law changing the labelling of French bubblies went into effect last month, one must not forget the real message sent by the Kremlin: Putin is still able to get into Western leaders’ heads. Figure 1:Photograph: Itar-Tass/Alamy To the dismay of oenologists and oenophiles around the world, the Russian government decided to … Continue reading A Glass of Shampanskoye- Don’t You Forget About the Tsar
The Planet is Running out of Time and Greenland Reminds us of This
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has left no doubts on the fatal outcome of climate change if there is no decisive change of course to the current situation. Little progress has been made with regard to CO2 emissions and air quality, but unfortunately improvements will be slow, and it will take decades to … Continue reading The Planet is Running out of Time and Greenland Reminds us of This
How Much MSP Does A Farmer Need?
When Rihanna tweeted, "Why aren't we talking about this?!" with the hashtag #FarmersProtest - the world was introduced to the biggest farmers' protest in recent history, and possibly all history.
Erdogan and His Grand Vision – Increasing Internal Crisis in Turkey
Turkish President Erdogan's grand vision of becoming a leader of the Muslim world is taking a more radicalised form in domestic politics as well. First conversion of two former Byzantine churches, namely the Church of St. Saviour in Chora and Hagia Sophia, into Mosques. And now annulation of Turkey's ratification of Istanbul Convention. This convention was established by The … Continue reading Erdogan and His Grand Vision – Increasing Internal Crisis in Turkey
Manipulation of Public Consciousness as a Strategy in Information Wars
Scientia potentia est (knowledge is power), so goes the famous Latin saying. This is particularly true in the 21st century, where knowledge and information are currencies with ever-appreciating value. But like any other instrument of power, knowledge can be manipulated as either a force for good or a dangerous weapon. Exploiting information and psychological manipulation … Continue reading Manipulation of Public Consciousness as a Strategy in Information Wars
Breaking Away from Environmental Classism: A Case for Vehement Eco-Socialism
Although the conversation on the imminent threat of climate catastrophe has been gradually intensifying and expanding across diverse public and private sectors, one collective voice remains missing from the public debate — that of the poor. Often being portrayed as uninterested and/or undereducated in relation to environmental matters, those at the lowest ends of the … Continue reading Breaking Away from Environmental Classism: A Case for Vehement Eco-Socialism
Sport’s Global Call for Solidarity: The Refugee Olympic Team
In the framework of UN-led refugee protection, inclusion, and equal opportunities initiatives, sports has been playing an increasingly more important role. It has been recognised as instrumental in conveying strong universal values of respect, solidarity and equality, and enabling personal engagement, professional enhancement and, eventually, social and economic upward mobility. In the last few decades, … Continue reading Sport’s Global Call for Solidarity: The Refugee Olympic Team
Under-Evaluating Symbolism in Politics: Kneel Before Playing
Italy is founded on two pillars: the memories of unrepeatable past greatness, from the Roman Empire to Michelangelo and Leonardo, and the National Football Team, the Azzurri. According to my 28 years of experience, Italy feels Italian when it unites in front of a television set to watch 22 players chasing a ball: in front of … Continue reading Under-Evaluating Symbolism in Politics: Kneel Before Playing
The Most Persecuted Minority
"Is man merely a mistake of God's? Or God merely a mistake of man?"― Friedrich Nietzsche "Atheism" is defined in terms of theism, and theism is the proposition that God exists and not the psychological condition of believing that there is a God. Hence, it follows that atheism is not the absence of the psychological condition of … Continue reading The Most Persecuted Minority
Teenagers Forever: How Capitalists Want us Not to be Adults
"Pay them more". These are the simple, revolutionary, socialist words by the POTUS Joe Biden a few days ago. Replying to reporters' questions about workers shortage, Biden blamed entrepreneurs and employers for the increasing number of unemployed. So how is it possible not to find people who are ready to work? According to Biden, this … Continue reading Teenagers Forever: How Capitalists Want us Not to be Adults