Trend 2026

“It’s like the exhilaration of the first summer days spent in amazing places. The energy of the hot sun gives me a boost and drives me forward.” May 24, 2026 

 Tracklist:

Flava D, Anaïs, Dread MC — Entertainer

1991 — Kabuki

Harriet Jaxxon, Jolie P — Everything But U

Makoto, Rasmus Faber — Swing Drops

Technimatic — Days That I Once Knew

Indivision — Sweet Surrender

Viridity, Acris — Golden Skies

Bcee, Charlotte Haining (Emba Remix) — Give Me a Break

Beat Merchants, Dan-I (Command Strange Remix) — Hurricane

Alexvnder — What I do I Love

Gabriella Bongo, lina lexa — Chemistry

Where are you from?

 Given that I am among the people whose     more attractive appearance itself, stemming from the intellect and personality behind it, has become a problem for a significant part of society in a certain country around me, I am interested in the security of certain countries.

First of all, in my opinion, if a society is described as economically and culturally more advanced, while someone’s appearance alone becomes a problem, this claim appears to be untrue. Secondly, statements about safety for ordinary people in general are also misleading.

Because of these experiences, my experiences with other European countries, and statistical data, I was once again struck by the following statement:

“I know, and I think your people know as well, that the Czech Republic is the safest country in Europe and definitely one of the safest countries for people from Israel. And the reason is completely clear: we simply do not have any migrants from Islamic countries here.”

The statement was widely quoted by Czech media as part of appearance at a joint press conference with the Israeli Foreign Minister.

There are several false claims in this quote. First, the Czech Republic is not the safest country in Europe. It is not even among the top ten safest countries in Europe. Secondly, in my opinion, based on my experience as an “Aussie,” the Czech Republic does not necessarily have to be considered a safe country for Israelis, just as it may not be safe for people of Muslim origin or people of any other background. Thirdly, there are more countries in Europe that are safer than the Czech Republic, and their general populations include people from Islamic countries. One example is the Netherlands, and Switzerland is also among the top ten safest countries in Europe.

My examples of the Netherlands and Switzerland show that countries with a significantly higher proportion of residents with a migration background can also be very safe. The decisive factors are primarily the functioning of institutions and the structure of society.

I could also mention that, due to “shortcomings” in the country mentioned above, I have experienced smiles and positive attitudes toward me from people of Muslim background as well, for example in the Netherlands. Therefore, someone could even argue that one may feel safer among these communities, just as the Netherlands or Switzerland itself is also statistically a safer country than Czechia.

How Migration Is Changing European Demography

 Perhaps some “environmentalists” may see a positive side when a population, civilization declines somewhere: less space is needed for people and fewer resources are consumed.

I sometimes smile at the fact that in the Benelux countries, France, or Germany, populations are growing, while elsewhere stagnation is taking place.

If immigrants and war refugees were also to leave, as many politicians suggest by appealing to widespread public sentiments, the population would decline by another roughly 10%. In an ironic sense, I have also thought that both mentally and because of a reduced population, this could become a political tool and might even help some countries in the event of a potential invasion.

This is about Czechia, where the population is declining, and Western Europe, where populations are growing and civilization in progress. I recently wrote about Rotterdam, where construction continues on a large scale, and about Luxembourg as well. In Czechia, less is being built partly because there are fewer people to build for, including as a consequence of migration policy.

Czechia is among the countries that have experienced a long-term population decline. The number of births is lower than the number of deaths, and demographic projections indicate that without sufficient migration, the Czech population will decrease over the long term.

On the other hand, Western Europe has growing populations. Countries such as Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, and, in recent decades, Germany have managed to offset population decline caused by low birth rates through immigration.

According to Eurostat, since 2012, the European Union’s population growth has been almost entirely dependent on positive net migration, which compensates for the natural decrease in population. Migration policy has therefore become one of the main factors shaping demographic development, alongside strong economic growth, as seen for example in Luxembourg.

In Germany, people with a migration background already account for approximately one-third of the population; in the Netherlands, nearly one-third; in Belgium, up to 40 percent; and in Luxembourg, the majority of the population consists of people born abroad or their descendants.

Baden

 I would say that I like Karlsruhe in Germany. Karlsruhe is located in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, in southwestern Germany, not far from the French border.

I was also in Karlsruhe during one of the nights over Christmas in 2025. As usual, I walked to Karlsruhe Palace (Schloss Karlsruhe). Even from the park, you can see how long the palace is—it almost doesn’t fit into a standard iPhone photo.

On warmer days or nights, when approaching Karlsruhe Palace along the main road, you can often smell the nearby zoo. It is located just behind the fence next to the sidewalk, so its presence is usually quite noticeable. During the freezing Christmas nights, however, I noticed it mainly because of the interesting sounds of the animals. There are residential buildings on the opposite side of the street.

I also like that the walk to Karlsruhe Palace takes you past Platz der Grundrechte (Square of Fundamental Rights), which is located in the lower part of the Schlossbezirk, in front of the Federal Constitutional Court.

The square features 24 double-sided street signs displaying quotations from judges, lawyers, scholars, and ordinary citizens about law, justice, and democracy. Each sign places two different perspectives on the same subject face to face, creating a public dialogue about the meaning of law, justice, and democratic society. The entire installation forms a unique public reflection on law and democracy.

Amerika 03.

            Many times, when I’m walking through the streets, I stop and think about taking a photo, but sometimes it feels a bit strange.

The Netherlands is probably the place where you can see the most classic American cars from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s compared to any of the surrounding countries. 

The Netherlands has one of the most visible communities of American classic car enthusiasts in Europe, and there are several reasons why it stands out much more than its neighboring countries.

The country has a long tradition of American car clubs and car meets.

Historically, it was also easier to import American vehicles through the Port of Rotterdam, and many Dutch people used these cars as their everyday vehicles.

Dutch cities, especially in South Holland and North Holland, have a fairly open alternative and performative culture, so it’s not unusual to come across themed cruises or groups of people dressed in costumes. American culture—rock ‘n’ roll, hot rods, muscle cars, and the spirit of the 1980s—is deeply rooted there, and people are not afraid to drive eye-catching American cars even outside of organized events.

Also, cities in South Holland, with their modern architecture and major port atmosphere, often feel like places where classic American cars naturally fit into the urban environment. 

52 hours in a hot Netherlands

• Day 01.

11:00 a.m. – Arrival for a stop in Eindhoven.

Travel from Eindhoven to South Holland.

Check in to accommodation.

Grocery shopping.

Visit to Hoek van Holland, traveling by tram and metro to the beach near Rotterdam.

Return to the hotel for personal needs.

Dinner.

A visit of Katendrecht and some time relaxing in the park, then continuing the night.

A private party until late at night.

• Day 02.

Before noon departure and travel to The Hague.

Visit to Scheveningen, including the beach and the sea.

Return to the hotel for personal needs.

Evening visit to Rotterdam city center.

Visit to Nieuwe Werk, Het Park, and other sights.

A private party until late at night.

• Day 03. 

Morning packing and late morning check out.   

Visit to the Maastunnel, then continue through tree parts of city to the afternoon departure point from the Netherlands.

America 2.0

  I sometimes refer to Rotterdam as a kind of “little New York.” The local community is highly diverse and multicultural. Like New York, Rotterdam is closely connected to water and its port, with a significant portion of the city built on land reclaimed from the sea. For centuries, the Dutch expanded the coastline by draining and protecting coastal areas.

Within the Dutch context, the city is quite unique in how openly it embraces high-rise construction. While cities such as Amsterdam and Utrecht are more constrained by historic architecture and skyline preservation, Rotterdam has had greater freedom for modern development since the middle of the twentieth century.

The Wilhelminapier area (part of Kop van Zuid) is one of the city’s main high-rise districts, and additional projects are still being planned there. Major transformations are also taking place around Feyenoord and throughout large parts of Rotterdam-Zuid.

However, development is not limited to the southern part of the city. High-rise projects are also emerging around Rotterdam Centraal, in the Coolhaven and Maritime District areas, along the River Maas, and within former port and industrial zones that are gradually being transformed into modern urban neighborhoods. The Maashaven area is also undergoing significant redevelopment, with extensive port facilities steadily being converted into new residential districts focused on housing, public space, and better use of the waterfront.

Source: eu-space.europa.eu

As a result, Rotterdam may represent the closest European example of a city attempting to address limited space in a manner similar to some North American and Asian cities—through greater density and vertical development.

In my opinion, Rotterdam also has some similarities to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It’s not because of the skyscrapers or the fact that both are coastal cities, but rather because of things like the changeable weather. Sometimes the weather in Rotterdam can change in an instant, much like it does in Melbourne. And in its own way, Rotterdam’s position relative to Amsterdam is similar to Melbourne’s position relative to Sydney.

Discussion of teenagers on a tram

 They were talking about so-called cannabis-like products, including synthetic ones, which they can buy in stores.

One of them explained that these products sometimes do not suit him, so he buys something else. He described unpleasant feelings even after taking a small dose. Another agreed but said that these effects are not as pronounced for him. He also pointed out that it is possible to save money with them. One gram for a low price lasts longer, for several days. I have heard this argument elsewhere as well.

In a way, the price for one gram is usually quite low. It is often not even eight euros per gram. Someone can have an “experience” lasting several days for very little money. Alcohol is more expensive if the goal is to achieve similar effects. THC products also tend to be weaker, and a gram containing THC is apparently more expensive.

Another example was at a bus stop. A group of high school students were talking about how, when a classmate uses this type of cannabis substitute, he is unable to control himself. They had even given it to him at school so that he would be confused during classes. This was not the first time, more teenager groups on the street talking about similar situations, where a group would mock someone—sometimes quite enthusiastically—when that person experienced problems after using such substances. 

World of flipped seasons

   “Aussie news”

  As an “Aussie” keeping an eye on what’s going on back home, I’ve noticed a rise in reports coming out of Sydney and the wider New South Wales coast about shark incidents.

Across Aussie media, shark-focused pages, and SharkSmart alerts, there’s been a noticeable uptick in reports of shark encounters and beach closures around Sydney.

2026 has been a pretty unusual year for the Sydney region. Back in January, the NSW coastline saw a run of four shark incidents within just 48 hours. Some of them happened right around Sydney, which led to multiple beach closures and kicked off a big public debate about swimming safety. Experts at the time called it an extraordinary situation.

Then in June, there was another serious incident at Coogee Beach in Sydney. A 35-year-old woman was attacked a few dozen metres off the shore and suffered life-threatening injuries. Authorities responded by shutting down beaches from Bondi through to Maroubra and rolling out intensive aerial patrols along the coastline.

In NSW, a typical year usually sees around 4–6 shark incidents. In 2026, the numbers are higher at about 7–8 overall, with 3–4 around the Sydney area.

Why do I like the EU?

  For me, this question has a rather simple answer.

Because I like the Benelux countries and continental Western Europe…

    European Union 

   

     The Benelux countries, as well as France and continental Western Europe as a whole, represent regions that have historically been very closely interconnected. Strong economic ties, intensive trade relations, and the gradual removal of barriers between states created an environment in which the idea of deeper European cooperation found natural support. Today, people primarily associate openness without border controls with the Schengen Area, but the roots of this effort to connect European countries reach much further back into history.

It is therefore not surprising that many of the fundamental pillars of European integration emerged largely within the Benelux environment. In this sense, Benelux became something of a laboratory for European unification and a model for several mechanisms that were later applied on a broader European scale. France also played an important role in shaping the early stages of European integration.

It was precisely the combination of idealism and pragmatic politics that helped bring the European project to life. Without the conviction held in the Benelux countries and much of France that European nations could cooperate more closely than ever before, the process of integration would probably never have begun. At the same time, however, it could not have succeeded without the realistic balancing of national interests and the search for compromises acceptable to all parties involved.

European integration therefore did not emerge solely as a result of lofty ideals, nor merely as an exercise in cold political calculation. It was a product of both. Benelux and France were among the regions and states that significantly shaped this historical process and gave it a form.

Of course, Italy and West Germany were also closely associated with the origins of the European project. The beginning of European integration is generally considered to be the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951. Its founding members were Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, West Germany, and Italy.

The European Union itself, however, was formally established much later through the Maastricht Treaty, which was signed in 1992 and entered into force in 1993. This treaty transformed the existing European Communities into a broader political framework and introduced new areas of cooperation, including common foreign and security policies and closer coordination in matters of justice and home affairs.

For this reason, when I say that I like the European Union, I am referring not only to the institutions created by the Maastricht Treaty, but also to the longer historical process that made them possible. It is the story of neighbouring countries choosing cooperation over rivalry, compromise over confrontation, and the belief that shared interests can provide a foundation for lasting peace and prosperity. 

Another Real Statistics

 A recent survey found that Prague residents have lower levels of trust in other people than inhabitants of many other European capitals. In this respect, Prague is said to resemble cities in Turkey and the Balkans more closely.

The survey focuses on interpersonal trust – that is, the extent to which people trust those who live around them, share public spaces with them, and form the society of which they are a part.

The study also addresses people’s sense of safety. It examines the condition of public spaces, residents’ experiences, the presence of socially excluded areas, and concerns related to moving around the city at night. According to the findings, most of Prague residents do not generally feel safe in their environment.

Prague is often portrayed as a prosperous metropolis with low unemployment and a rich cultural scene. However, interpersonal trust tends to weaken in environments where people face long-term economic insecurity or intense competition and social selection. Under such circumstances, overall trust is usually lower.

In a way, I recently pointed this out in connection with another survey: low unemployment does not necessarily mean a high quality of life. It merely indicates that unemployment levels are low. Wages, living costs, and, in some cases, opportunistic behaviour provide a clearer picture of people’s actual living standards. If we look at how people genuinely experience their quality of life, some countries certainly do not feel like they belong among the world’s top twenty richest nations. 

In a way, although society is supposed to be secure and prosperous due to the high level of employment, shoplifting has indeed increased according to police statistics. In March 2026, it was reported that the number of these cases had risen by approximately 15% compared with the previous year.

Critical reflection of a myself

 I reflected on myself when I felt that this gesture was the right one. I admired Sofia Krainska’s raised clenched fist. At the same time, I recognize that people can hold complex and sometimes seemingly contradictory views.

For example, I am a fan of the New York Islanders. Isles goaltender, Ilya Sorokin, has often been the player who keeps the team in the game. I also prefer Sorokin on the Isles over the Czech goaltender David Rittich. Rittich cannot even be the number one goalie for the Isles, and I would rather see Semyon Varlamov return to the Islanders from Bridgeport, as Varlamov was also better than Rittich. 

In electronic music, there are also artists and figures whom I admire, even if others might see this as conflicting with the opinions I expressed after seeing Krainska’s gesture. 

What I value most, however, is the willingness to stand by one’s principles. This is something I saw in both Sofia Krainska and Varvara Chubarova, whose refusal to compromise their convictions earned my respect. 

These days

“When I turn, in the moment, feel the same.” 

 

    The afterparty after the Sunday by the Sea lasted until 3 a.m. I had to convince myself to finally end the unexpected Sunday event. I was planning to go to Luxembourg city and France for a while on Monday. 

For two hours, I danced on the bed. Like a silent disco, the same trance song kept looping over and over — Hot As Hades (John O’Callaghan Remix). Sometimes I imagined my own lyrics in place of the original words. These days, and the first truly summer-like days of the year. It was a huge euphoria, the feeling that I also could have been somewhere else. Looking back now, I’m almost surprised by the level of euphoria I was in — from Sunday into Monday, dancing half-naked on the bed while looking out the windows. 

I had already drunk two Dutch beers before 8 p.m. on Sunday. I laughed about the fact that I was drinking an ordinary Dutch blackcurrant lemonade — it tasted unbelievably good to me. It’s actually pretty strong. Looking back today, I can’t even remember exactly why I laughed so much about that lemonade, pretty strong. I only have a photo of myself half-naked with the drink, when I forced myself to take a picture of that amazing ordinary lemonade from Zeeland.

Dry as Consciousness

 I have published posts several times about land management of different types Europe. In Central Europe, people usually complain about droughts and unbearable heat during warm days. 

I myself am shocked by the dryness in Central Europe when I know the reality of the Netherlands, Luxembourg, or Western Germany. 

This shock of dryness has led me once again to reflect on cultural principles in Central Europe and Western Europe. 

Some might say it is due to climate change. In reality, however, it is not only about climate itself, but about the way the landscape has been modified and managed over decades. 

I do not want to go into the reasons again; I am simply sharing my shock at how unbearable it feels…

ChatGPT also knows only statistics, and therefore knows about the climate and landscape only from a virtual environments, but this piece is something I see in different landscapes of Europe. 

  “One of the biggest problems of the Central European landscape is its low water retention capacity. During the last century, large-scale interventions in nature took place across Central Europe:

* rivers were straightened,

* wetlands were drained,

* drainage systems were built,

* fields were merged into enormous agricultural plots.

These changes were intended to increase agricultural efficiency. Water was supposed to drain from the fields as quickly as possible so that machinery could operate without limitations. In the long term, however, this approach caused the landscape to stop retaining water.

Today, when heavy rain comes, the water often:

* quickly runs off the surface,

* flows into rivers,

* does not soak deeply into the soil.

The result is that the landscape dries out rapidly during hot periods.” 

Karen Foster: A Gegenwelt

Rimmel sweeties

 Karen would probably have expressed herself much more directly — not just calling it disgusting.

Karen Foster

The inspection itself was apparently fine. What was not fine, however, was the criticism of self-care that seemed “too excessive” for a man at the borderline.

What is bold about it is that the more western part of Europe knows someone precisely because elsewhere that person’s personality and self-care were the reason.

I was also amused that although people know who they are speaking to, they do not realize that this very reason is why someone is know…

Even before everyone knew someone, I used to say that I liked how even my clothes still smelled of this country days after I returned--and I also did research into why that is. I thought about it in relation to a relationship — under certain circumstances, it probably would not look this way so much in this space.

Yet hygiene and cosmetic products are not against the system — they are part of the system itself. A sweet business…

“These were literally remarks about hygiene and cosmetic products that were found on top of the backpack while showing them to someone else.”

The Rimmel was the golden highlight of the discovery. I didn’t understand what I was supposed to explain about Rimmel. Although it seemed like when was expecting a reaction rather than eye-rolling…

Articles are often focused on this subject of self-care. And I praise the West, because sometimes I search more difficultly for values in the Central region. There also were names of an influencers about this theme. 

Happs

It is the 21st century; as they say, civilization is no longer an age long gone. It should be like a flower that constantly strives to become more civilized — more beautiful, delaying aging and death. A forever life…

There is nothing about life that still has to follow what applied in the last century. Life can always be extended further and further. In an exaggerated version, silicone breasts and other body modifications are part of it too.

Sometimes I answer myself that it is like not going to the dentist, or not wearing braces.

In a my case, Schwarzkopf hair gel for men’s was also a surprise. When I look at Central and the West, people in the West also use hair gel more…

In every sense of this piece, this looks like a kind of “conservatism” toward human progress in self-care. 

For me, it is incomprehensible that someone would be surprised. 

The inspection had already started when a one said where the man was going right now. A truth is that it is legal in most parts of that “vacation” country, also for people from other countries. I have always this question, why everyone would even bring it from another country where, a truth is that it is since the beginning of 2026, it has been highly legal anyway in this country, but in the Netherlands everyone can buy it almost everywhere too. 

Faster and punctual

 Anyone familiar with the transport system in the Netherlands also understands why public transport is often faster and punctual…

Dutch trains rank among the most punctual in Europe — often in first place. At first glance, this may seem like proof of perfect organization or a national mentality focused on efficiency, which certainly also plays a role. People sometimes even applaud at stations when a train to their distant hometown arrives exactly on time. But another reason is that the Dutch system simply cannot afford delays because of how the infrastructure is designed.

The Netherlands has one of the densest railway networks in Europe. Trains operate at extremely short intervals, and a large part of the system relies on precisely synchronized connections. In many ways, the operation resembles a metro system more than a traditional railway, including the platforms and ticket gates controlling access to them. There is also noticeably less noise and high speeds. Dutch civilization itself is so interconnected between cities and countryside that the entire country feels urbanized, metropolitan. 

Trains connect within intervals of just a few minutes, and key hubs must function with almost surgical precision.

This creates enormous efficiency:

* frequent connections,

* fast transfers,

* high capacity,

* simple travel without long waiting times.

Because the Dutch rail network is so dense, even a small disruption can create a domino effect.

A typical scenario looks simple:

* a delayed train blocks a track,

* another train waits for a free platform,

* the delay spreads into a transfer hub,

* connections fall apart,

* more trains begin slowing down,

* and when there is a serious issue on the line, the entire centralized network is often partially shut down, with trains stopping everywhere until the problem is resolved.

Especially sensitive is Utrecht, one of the most important railway hubs in Europe. Huge numbers of trains pass through it every day, and any disruption there quickly affects the entire network.

The high density and intensity of train operations make it possible to offer:

* frequent services,

* high capacity,

* comfortable transfers,

* fast travel without a car — often even faster than driving.

At the same time, it creates an environment where just a few minutes of delay can threaten the stability of the entire network, and effectively the whole country. Punctuality is a fundamental condition for the survival of the system itself.

Fat is Fast

 I have a few thoughts about fatbikes. People often ask me whether the bike is fast and whether it is physically difficult to ride…

First of all, I went through a period where I tested all kinds of MTBs, from the original standard 27.5 bikes to the rise and mainstream adoption of other wheel sizes like 29 and 27.5+.

Based on videos from the USA showing a group riding trails and rocks, jumping through forests, I discovered the fatbike. I also watched videos from Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) testing fatbikes, and I decided to try buying a good one myself. For damaged roads, dirt and forest paths, rough terrain, but also softer terrain like sand and pebbles, crossing streams, and easier climbing in off-road conditions, it seemed like a very universal solution for different environments. Surprisingly, a good fatbike is also great for jumping.

After testing all kinds of terrain, including easier uphill riding on rough surfaces, I concluded that I personally prefer riding a 26x4 fatbike rather than struggling on a 27.5+ or 29. Not to mention snow. Even on a good 29er, riding through rough snowy terrain is terrible. MTB 26x4 tires are similarly tall to MTB 29-inch sizes, but they are four inches wide.

Secondly, I found it amusing that riding fatbikes is being restricted in Amsterdam. This topic is actually quite openly discussed in the Netherlands. Fatbikes are faster and, compared to normal bicycles, can be quite dangerous because of that. A nation where bicycles are the main form of transport understands this well.

In a way, I share the Dutch approach, and the bicycle is also my main means of transportation now, for example when commuting to work. However, compared to the Dutch cycling infrastructure, riding on damaged terrain with normal tires is uncomfortable, so using an MTB fatbike on rough surfaces makes more sense. In the Netherlands, I would mainly want to ride a fatbike along the beach by the sea, where it would be ideal because the tires do not sink into the sand. Fatbikes were originally designed for these kinds of soft terrains as well as harsh conditions.

Since I mentioned transport, like in the Netherlands I also prefer public transport. In the Netherlands, public transport is generally faster, more precise, and less noisy because the government itself wants people to use public transport instead of cars. The same applies to bicycles and cycling infrastructure. It is also connected to sustainability, which the Dutch government strongly promotes: fewer emissions, less pollution, and less use of natural resources. Recently, different train discounts have also been discussed for this reason. The Dutch government is actively trying to encourage people to use public transport more often.

In the Czech Republic, sustainability, including public comfort are often ignored and perceived as restrictions. In my opinion, what is truly limiting is outdated oil-based infrastructure that feels closer to the third world. Modern infrastructure in the Netherlands is far more modern, faster, and quieter.

Huis van Oranje

 If I told someone because carrots are also orange thanks to the Netherlands, many people would probably think it’s fake.

For most of history, that simply was not the case. Carrots existed in many colors — purple, white, yellow, and red. The orange variety that dominates the world today only became popular in the early modern era, mainly thanks to Dutch agriculture, which I have mentioned several times already as highly inspiring.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, agriculture and trade developed rapidly in Netherlands. Dutch farmers experimented with cultivating different vegetable varieties and gradually bred more stable and tastier orange carrots.

And thanks to the strong Dutch trade and logistics network, which I have also mentioned before, orange carrots quickly spread across Europe and later to other parts of the world.

The orange color is also linked to a high content of beta-carotene, which the human body converts into vitamin A.

And just to add a bit more Dutch… who knows who is behind New York City? Today’s New York City was originally a Dutch colony called New Amsterdam. The Dutch founded it around 1624 on the island of Manhattan as part of the colony of New Netherland.

A world without human freedoms and rights

 The idea of equality carries within it a paradox that may ultimately lead to the denial of the human being itself. If people are naturally different, then every difference creates the potential for hierarchy. Differences in intellect, talent, ambition, creativity, or will create differences in influence. And differences in influence gradually create inequalities of power. The moment a society decides to eliminate all hierarchies completely, it comes into conflict with human nature itself.

Human beings are not static creatures. They long for growth, self-overcoming, creation, knowledge, and progress. Yet progress means movement forward, and movement forward creates differences between people. Some think faster, some create more, some lead, while others follow. Absolute equality therefore could not tolerate true individualism, because individualism itself is the source of inequality.

If a society without any hierarchy were to exist, it would have to control not only the economy or social relations, but human thought itself. Intellect would become a problem, because differences in intellect create differences in influence. Ambition would become a problem, because it creates movement and progress. Individuality would become a problem, because it disrupts the uniformity of equality. Such a society would have to constantly ensure that no one “stands out.”

This is where the similarity to Nineteen Eighty-Four emerges. Not necessarily in the form of a traditional state, but in the principle of absolute control in the name of a higher idea. In Orwell’s world, that idea is power. In a vision of absolute equality, equality itself could become the new authority, total power over mind of all beings. The control of language, the restriction of thought, and the suppression of individuality would not serve to protect the state, but to preserve the uniformity of society. 

The paradox of such a system is that the attempt to eliminate hierarchy creates a new and even deeper form of domination. Power would no longer exist only within institutions, but within the very principle of equality itself, which would define the limits of human expression. A person would cease to be a unique individual and instead become a function of the system. Individuality would be seen as a threat to the stability of the collective order. 

Drink spiking

January 2022

 I already mentioned the unusual situation in drum and bass—that in January 2022, at a well-known Prague club, after accidentally entering the backstage area, I saw fans chanting Sidney SN. I also mentioned a likely case of drink spiking. It was probably an opiate; I was still experiencing hallucinations on the evening of the third day, when I was calmly lying on my bed while the shadows of objects in the room were moving. The strange thing was that despite the hallucinations, I was at the same time extremely calm.

A recent Beat Sexism survey was published: According to the survey by the organization Beat Sexism, around 32–33% of respondents had personal experience with so-called drink spiking (meaning that a drug or another intoxicating substance was added to their drink without consent). Out of 1,041 responses, 336 people reported personal experience, which is 32.3%. More than 91% of them were women. The most common age group was 19–24 years old. The research was focused mainly on young people in Prague, especially students and visitors of nightlife venues.

If the survey is accurate—which it most likely is to some extent—although chanting the name of a liquid drum and bass artist is rare, drink spiking is quite widespread in Prague.

I also wrote that these very experiences with events in Prague are among the reasons why I do not want to visit Prague. For me, it is a dangerous place, not only because of poisonings at events, and I prefer daylight events outside of Czechia. And the fact is that since 2022, I have not attended any event in Prague.