Delivered, divorced, deceased? Just another #fb update...

The recent interface changes on facebook (in one word: boo) have led me to re-evaluate my own addiction use of this social network. In fact, I am seriously considering completely kicking the habit. But while I continue evaluating and considering, I can't help but find the use of facebook a rather fascinating phenomenon. Why? Well, let me first share three updates from facebook friends of mine (hope you don't mind guys), posted within the past 3 months. Yes, I have blanked out their names, but no, I have not manipulated the contents: these postings are real.

Hooray for mindless tv and organization research!

Earlier this week we actually managed to complete a research paper (and with 'complete', I mean it was submitted for the first time, so will probably take another say, 2-3 years, until it is really complete let alone published, but I'll save the in(s)ane process of academic publishing for another time, perhaps!!). Anyway. During a work-related conversation about the creative, I-want-to-pull-out-my-hair frustratingly process of writing the dang paper, my office mate admitted to having watched The (fairly lame yet mesmerizing) 'Ultimate Dance Battle' (TUDB), and she likened our academic process to that of the choreographers in the show. I too begrudgingly admitted to watching the show (it is a show), but worse: I had had the exact same thoughts.

Group dynamics, through the barrel of a paintball gun

My younger sister invited me for a day out with her sorority. Approximately 20 young ladies, plus their assorted brothers and sisters (me included), assembled in Rotterdam, filled with anticipation as to what the day would bring. Not easy to come up with a 'fun activity' that is suitable for a group so large and diverse. Paintball it was!

PhD: A declaration of love - but to whom?

Loved this cartoon shared today by my colleague Marlous who like me is pursuing the final stages of her PhD, while trying to maintain a healthy and meaningful relationship, with an actual person (i.e. not just the thesis). 

Slim beleid leidt tot innovatie, bot bezuiningen tot behoudzucht

This opinion piece co-authored with Paul Maassen of WWF Int'l was published in NRC Next Opinie on Feb. 25, 2011, entitled "Terug naar de aaibare thema's".

Slim beleid leidt tot innovatie, bot bezuiningen tot behoudzucht.
Uit onverwachte hoek kwam vandaag het initiatief voor een hoorzitting over het huidige ontwikkelingsbeleid. Niet de ‘linkse’ hoek van de kamer, maar nota bene SGP-kamerlid Van der Staaij stelt voor dat het kabinet zich laat informeren door wetenschappers en mensen uit de praktijk, voordat de voorgestelde rigoureuze beleidswijzigingen worden uitgevoerd. Kortom, de gevaren van de bezuinigingen worden in de kamer breed erkend, maar vallen bij de regeringspartners op dovemansoren.

Het huidige kabinet wil daadkrachtig het buitenlandse beleid hervormen, inclusief ontwikkelingssamenwerking. Net als in andere sectoren gebeurt dat vooralsnog met scherp bezuinigen, wat bijdraagt tot behoudszucht, zowel aan de kant van het ministerie als – noodgedwongen – in de sector zelf. En dat is jammer, want slim beleid kan leiden tot frisheid en innovatie.