Winter will be warm






It is easy to engage in generalities; it is risky to make firm predictions. In the first case there is no reckoning; in the second one the actual events can prove you wrong for everyone to see. I am taking the risk. Here is my prediction: Putin’s energy blackmail (Western Europe will freeze this winter!) … Read more




Hilbert spaces






In the heavy context of current news I hope it is permissible to engage in lighter observations. Some time ago I was briefly in Dresden, in the midst of a mayoral election campaign, and I noticed posters for this candidate: “Dirk Hilbert, Competent For Dresden”. Apparently it worked since he is now mayor, but do … Read more




The extremely bizarre idea of an inauguration






Could someone please explain what there is to celebrate when a candidate is elected to a political function? The grotesque ideas of a victory rally or an inauguration ceremony defy common sense. An election success is an opportunity to start doing something good. It is not an achievement; it is the promise of possible achievements … Read more




L’appel du 19 juin






Vous souvenez-vous de ce discours ? Françaises, Français, mes chers compatriotes, Je voulais vous parler hier mais on m’a dit que l’expression  “appel du 18 juin” était déjà prise et j’ai décidé d’attendre jusqu’aujourd’hui, 19 juin 2020. Un jour ne devrait pas faire une grande différence. Mon message à toutes et à tous est simple … Read more




The fool wants nothing






Another completely unexpected gem from the Viaje de Turquia (see the previous article on this blog): a 16-th century statement of the Dunning-Kruger effect! An effect, of course, which has never been more visible than today (just watch the news). Against Pedro, who narrates his travels and travails, the dialog sets two other characters, friends … Read more




A retort that we could use






At this gloomy moment it is good to find a gem in an unexpected place. I am reading (in translation) the Viaje de Turquia, or Turkish Voyage — literaly, Voyage of Turkey — a 16th-century epic dialog, whose authorship is disputed. It is a precious source of information on the period and rings throughout like a … Read more




Serious newspapers: now is the moment to unlock Coronavirus material, or incur eternal shame






In my last article, time to live up to the boasting, I pointed out how bewildering it is to see that top newspapers around the world, the supposed “papers of reference”, continue both to: Extoll their grandiose proclamations of supposed devotion to public service. Charge for access to the epidemic that is scaring the world. … Read more




La folie française






Nulle part, dans la cohue des exégèses du mouvement des « gilets jaunes », ne trouve-t-on l’explication pourtant évidente : c’est pour partie une affaire de droit commun et pour le reste un coup de main proto-fasciste. Rien d’autre. L’aspect le plus clair est celui de la délinquance. Dans quel autre pays civilisé des énergumènes se mettent-ils, pour … Read more