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.

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.” 

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.

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.

HelloFake 2027

 I’ve seen some surprise about real wages or spending in certain countries compared to the HelloSafe Prosperity Index 2026, which once again doesn’t match the reality of European countries for me either.

I have my own rough TOP 20 worldwide ranking based on median wealth per adult (typical real assets of ordinary people – the closest measure to “how wealthy people really are”). The data varies depending on methodology (UBS / Global Wealth Report), but over the long term it generally looks like this:

1. Switzerland

2. United States of America

3. Hong Kong

4. Australia

5. Luxembourg

6. Denmark

7. New Zealand

8. Singapore

9. Netherlands

10. Norway

11. Belgium

12. United Kingdom

13. Canada

14. France

15. Sweden

16. Taiwan

17. Ireland

18. Japan

19. Spain

20. Germany

 What is important:

* This is not about “how much the state earns,” but how much wealth an average person actually has (real estate, savings, investments minus debts).

* That is why some countries with high GDP (for example Qatar or Ireland) are not ranked highly here – their numbers are distorted by corporations or inequality. Czechia is not there either, because Czechs are generally not as wealthy as people in those top twenty countries.

If we are talking about average income, wages, or nominal wealth, then for example Czechia is poorer than the residents of the United Kingdom or France.

The HelloSafe Prosperity Index works with data where:

* low unemployment does not rule out low wages, underemployment, or real poverty

* low relative poverty does not mean comfort

* high home ownership among the older generation does not mean affordable housing (for younger people, for example)

* PPP (Purchasing Power Parity) may suggest “good purchasing power,” but for example rent and high energy prices can completely change that paper reality

If you look at the real feeling of living standards, some countries definitely do not feel like TOP 20 richest countries in the world.

For example, the mentioned index suggests that the gap between the extremely rich and the extremely poor is not as huge in some parts of Europe as it is in the USA. Fewer extremes mean a smaller gap between social classes, while greater equality does not automatically mean a good standard of living or determine what someone with an average income can actually afford.

When it comes to living costs and wages, I calculated how much I would have left on average each month from the salary in a social services (with my practice) in the Netherlands after covering my usual, basic expenses (this is food, pharmacy, cosmetics, electricity, insurance, clothing) or maintaining a my usual “minimalistic” lifestyle. The amount would be probably €1,700 to €2300 per month, depending also on spending on things such as clothing. The upper limit of possible savings is approaching the salary of a management of a smaller social service facility in Czechia, such as a care home with around 50 clients.

The approach as a Mirror of Economy

 In the article The Landscape as a Mirror of Society, I wrote about Dutch land management, which is clearly visible at first sight. 

The Netherlands is also considered 

the second-largest exporter 

of food in the world... 

This is mainly about the value of exports, not the number of tons of food produced. 

As in other areas of the economy, the Netherlands is also remarkable in how much it can earn from exports.

I already wrote in the above-mentioned article about Dutch farming, and the truth is that the Netherlands uses high-tech greenhouses, precision agriculture, automation, and innovative cultivation methods. Thanks to this, it is able to achieve high yields even on a small area and with lower resource consumption.

A one of the major roles is played by the connection between farmers, companies, and research institutions. Dutch Wageningen University & Research is globally known for its research in agriculture and food production.

Another key factor is strong logistics, especially the Port of Rotterdam. Goods quickly reach both European and global markets. The Netherlands also functions as an important trade hub. Thanks to its strong ports and logistics centers, goods from all over the world are in the Netherlands and are then distributed further to other countries.

Last but not least, a major reason is that instead of focusing on cheap commodities, the Netherlands concentrates on products with higher value due to quality, specialization, or technology. These include seeds, greenhouse vegetables, flowers, cheeses, dairy products, or processed foods. 

Lekker

 Hah… I recently mentioned that I like hip hop, among other music genres.

At the Happs mix, I also mentioned that Amsterdam is sometimes perceived as a kind of “black sheep,” but I said that I don’t see it that way, that this isn’t like a hip hop track mixed into Happs.

Additionally, I talked about Christmas in Amsterdam. In my opinion, Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful places in Europe during Christmas. I love the real Christmas atmosphere there. 

I also wrote a lot about how I perceive the Netherlands as a genuinely safe country. Sometimes it gives me an indescribable atmosphere, one I find hard to find elsewhere: The West Coast of Europe.  

I came across a video on Dutch Instagram, belonging to a Dutch girl, Somi Linda aka driplist. The video’s description says, “Dutch rappers: I was raised by the streets…” This video is another one, in my opinion, that captures what I often write about the Netherlands. I laughed when I saw this video for the first time.

Experiences Over Statistics

 Recently, I wrote about Grand Est in France. The truth is that, statistically, French cities often rank among the most dangerous in Europe. In many cases, this is true not only statistically.

Grande Île de Strasbourg 

I wrote about Grand Est intentionally because cities in Grand Est, such as Strasbourg, do not rank among the most dangerous cities.

 I don’t like statistics. Safety statistics, including those from Eurostat, are based on reported cases. Reality can be different, and from experience, it is. In Czechia, cities have everyday crime that Eurostat does not cover, I think. This is precisely because it concerns safety—things are either not reported, or people don’t see that reporting would solve the problem, or the issue does not turn against the person reporting another. In many Czech cities, people complain that they are afraid to be outside during the day, let alone after dark. Eurostat, however, shows nothing like this.

„definitions and counting of official crime vary between countries, and comparisons between countries can therefore be misleading“ European Commission 

The same goes for cost of living. Statistics often deal with prices but not with wages, for example. When statistics claim that living costs are lower somewhere, income is not taken into account at all. This is just one example of how statistics fail when it comes to cost of living or poverty.

I don’t know exactly how Strasbourg compares statistically to cities in Czechia, for instance. However, my impression is that Strasbourg itself is safer and calmer than cities in the Czechia. For example, at night, a drone is enough to cover many areas and monitor moving people. In Czech cities, a drone would not be sufficient in similar places.

At first glance, this might seem like excessive control. But the situation is clear: Strasbourg is calm at night in these areas. People are practically absent, homeless people or drug users are minimally visible—or rather, they are simply not there—and the space is well monitored. In such a case, a drone is sufficient for prevention and monitoring.

The contrast with many Czech cities — statistically different places — is stark. In city centers and main areas, movement of various “undesirables” is common even during the day—homeless people, drug users, thieves, or even worse. People often fear intervening, even when something happens that would require a reaction. In such an environment, a drone would not be sufficient—the area is too lively.

It is also clear that official statistics, for example Eurostat in my view, do not provide an accurate picture. They are based only on reported cases and often do not reflect how people actually feel or how safe their daily environment is. In cities, people regularly experience fear from everyday crime, complain about the situation, which statistics almost never capture.

Strasbourg, which I used here as an example, is, from the perspective of nighttime calm around the center and safety, simply a “different world.” Drone there work as an effective supplement for prevention. In similar Czech cities, this approach would fail because the dynamics and concentration of problematic groups in the center and main areas do not allow for simple technological monitoring.

 During the COVID-19 pandemic, drones began to be used in France to monitor compliance with lockdown measures and the movement of people in public spaces; this practice was subsequently restricted by courts due to privacy concerns, which led to the adoption of legislation in 2023 that legalized the use of drones and established conditions for their deployment—officially for purposes such as maintaining public order or preventing crime.

So calm and a sense of safety in a city are not just about statistics or technology, but about the actual reality, the visibility of problems, and the experience of the people who live and move there. Strasbourg shows that sometimes it’s enough to simply have a space where people “normally aren’t” for prevention to be effective. In my view, if there were a society that denied the existence of crime, Eurostat would evaluate that society as perfectly fine.

I don’t even need to mention why so many people outside of a country know me. This is also something that could be sociologically questioned. 

      

        “These styles focus on melodic builds and smooth evolution rather than big drops.”

 Who is Miss Monique?

  I found myself wondering why I’d even make a post about Miss Monique. Then I thought—what if this were 11 or 12 years ago? What would I have said about Miss Monique back then?

A progressive stream by a DJ I’d never heard of appeared on YouTube. Her music made me feel something immediately—melodic, flowing in a really engaging way.

Miss Monique 2016

I remember being drawn to how colorful it felt. I was listening to streams from Ukrainian Radio Intense. Her name is Miss Monique.

It must have been around the time of the war in Donbas. Back then, I remember being somewhat naive about it all, even surprised by who Miss Monique was. But those Radio Intense streams had a certain atmosphere—they stood out.

Today, of course, many more people know Miss Monique. Miss Monique doesn’t really need an introduction anymore… Miss Monique is a Ukrainian progressive producer and DJ, now recognized all over the world.

Electric, Biosphere, Loona, Raindrop, Timelapse, Means To An End, Concorde, Eros, I need U, Miss Monique Remix of Yang, etc. I like this music. 

 This post came from spending a few days listening to Miss Monique music again on Spotify. What surprised me was that she still creates the same kind of sound I used to search for 11, 12 years ago on YouTube. That feeling hasn’t changed—and that made me genuinely happy.

In what Ukraine represents today; It holds onto something not everyone once expected from it. Ukraine is strong. 

The Dutch CCTV

 I had an arguments about why the Netherlands is a pretty friendly country and seems to be safe.

  Yet, 

the fact that the atmosphere in the Netherlands often feels more relaxed: 

 Dutch cities also tend to have CCTV networks, integrated with AI-based monitoring and real-time alert systems, and you can be everywhere immediately warned by police through loudspeakers on the street or in a park about your behavior without any intermediary.

Once, for example, I experienced a situation where someone who was trying to have a “picnic” in a Dutch park was warned over the police loudspeaker. It was quite a shock, because in other parts of the same park man can clearly see people sitting on benches and for example they smoking a joint, since THC is legal in the Netherlands. But this particular area is more nature protected.

Another example is this experience where a Czech bus drivers tried to enter the Maastunnel in Rotterdam, and they were immediately warned over the loudspeaker by police and given instructions to back out of the tunnel entrance. People in the cars near the tunnel were quite surprised by the event. The yellow bus had to turn around in the bend of cars in front of the tunnel. Traffic into the Maastunnel was blocked because of it. At first, I was surprised that the bus drivers didn’t know where to go in Rotterdam towards Centraal Station, and then that they drove into a Maastunnel meant for cars, which caused the incident. In the end, though, I couldn’t help laughing at the confusion they caused and how they were being instructed over the loudspeakers by police, they were shocked because this immediately CCTV system and loudspeakers itself. It was such a typical “Czech” decision to “just cut it off there and see what happens”. The bus drivers probably didn’t know about CCTV networks in Rotterdam and police loudspeakers which a one can find all over Rotterdam. The truth is, it was crazy to want to go into a tunnel with passenger cars. 

When Euphoria Turns Into an Opponent

 Recently, I read that in the United States there has been a significant increase in THC use in recent years. Along with this, a phenomenon known as Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) has been appearing more frequently.

 THC, which many perceived as a beneficial, calming, or medicinal substance, has in some cases turned into an opponent.

THC often acts as a means of inducing euphoria, relieving various types of pain, and improving appetite. However, in some cases—especially with chronic use—it transforms into the opposite of what it was meant to provide.

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is precisely that opposite, and it appears to occur in many chronic THC users.

From experience, I have encountered this in certain individuals as well. They often appear tired, weakened, lacking appetite, frequently vomiting—yet they continue using THC, believing they will overcome the condition, or perhaps due to a perceived dependence. This is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome.

I looked into 

 the reasons behind CHS:

 The endocannabinoid system is a part of the human body—it regulates mood, appetite, stress, and pain perception. When this system is stimulated externally over a long period of time, it adapts. It reduces sensitivity. It recalibrates. It searches for a new balance: The paradox is that the more a person tries to stabilize their experience through an external substance, the more they may disrupt the body’s ability to stabilize itself.

What is striking is the cyclical nature of this phenomenon: Nausea → THC use → short-term relief → deeper destabilization → further use.

The body sends a signal, but the mind interprets it through past experience: “This has always helped me.” And it is precisely this memory of relief that sustains the cycle.

Physical exhaustion, dehydration, and loss of strength during CHS episodes are symptoms. The body loses electrolytes, cannot eat, sleeps poorly. The body is under strain. Psychological apathy, irritability, or anxiety when abstaining point to another kind of dependence—not necessarily dramatic, but quiet: dependence on external regulation of one’s internal state. The user may find themselves in a vicious circle, aware that THC no longer benefits them, yet unable to stop using it.

The phenomenon of CHS is not merely a medical complication. It is a reminder that any long-term artificial amplification or suppression of a system changes its fundamental setting.

Not every long-term cannabis user will experience this condition. Reactions are individual. Genetics, frequency of use, THC potency, and nervous system sensitivity all play a role. But for those in whom this cycle develops, 

  the solution…

 is paradoxically simple—though psychologically demanding: complete cessation for at least an extended period of time. A return may be possible, but likely only in the form of occasional use rather than chronic use.

Carrie as a Warning: When Society Fails the Individual

Carrie 2013

 I’ve already written that I like Chloë Moretz because in her films she often portrays what she herself feels, or she chooses roles that have a clear purpose. One of the strongest examples of Chloë Moretz being true to herself, for me, is The Miseducation of Cameron Post. During the U.S. elections, Chloë Moretz also spoke about her identity and expressed concern about the possibility of Donald Trump being elected.

Recently, I rewatched Carrie (2013). This remake of the classic story by Stephen King depicts a teenage girl who is systematically humiliated by her classmates and psychologically suffocated by a fanatical religious upbringing at home.

“I just want a normal life…”,  Carrie 

After watching the film, I was left with questions. For a moment, I was even uneasy about whether the film could be seen as inspirational or as justifying mass murders, which sometimes happen for reasons similar to those the film portrays. Mass shootings are more frequent in the U.S., but such social phenomena are not limited to one country.

The film ultimately feels more like a warning, I think — that when a person is mocked, ignored, or oppressed over a long period of time, something accumulates inside them. Carrie releases this accumulated pain in a destructive way, killing everyone — maybe in distrust of everyone, including those who stood by her. 

Once again, I see in Chloë Moretz someone who accepts a role because of its deeper intention.

And this is where the film asks an uncomfortable question: What happens when a collective systematically destroys an individual — and can later even pretend it knew nothing about it? In Carrie, this is very clear: collective bullying is not just about a few “bad individuals.” It is a group dynamic. And groups have a strong tendency to protect their own image.

It is true that the bullying, humiliation, and rejection of Carrie are carried out by society in the film, yet in the end almost all of them are massacred — except for one person, who later testifies in court about the unbelievable events.

The climax at the prom is not a triumph. It is a tragedy. Carrie does not kill only those who hurt her. In a state of emotional overwhelm, she destroys everything. The film makes it clear that violence is not justice — it is collapse.

In my view, the film does not say that revenge is the solution. Rather, it points to the possible consequences of the systematic oppression of an individual.

Carrie also has supernatural abilities in the film, specifically telekinesis. When I think about the reasons why I like Chloë Moretz, I wonder whether there is also intention in this aspect. In a way, oppressed individuals may become more aware of systems of oppression for the sake of their own survival; they may learn to read people more accurately and develop an understanding of reality that is inaccessible to anyone except the oppressed themselves. In the film, however, there is something deeper about controlling reality. At the very beginning of the film, Carrie saves herself precisely through this power.

In the context of various societies where systematic oppression, bullying, and isolation exist, Carrie functions as a warning. Chloë Moretz portrays a character who is not a symbol of evil, but a symbol of society’s failure. And perhaps that is why the film provokes such strong emotions — it forces to reflect on where individual responsibility ends and where societal responsibility begins. 

“Different country, different customs”

 Sometimes I wonder how certain observations could be formulated so that they don’t sound “harsh”. On the other hand, I’ve already shared Nukivalent’s streams, for instance. She has an interesting critique of cultural and social habits. On her Instagram profile, videos often appear in which she points out various cultural and social patterns.

I think that if Nukivalent were Czech and pointed out cultural or social habits in clothing or in self-care, and in Western European countries—such as the everyday norms in the Netherlands or in Germany—she would receive heavy criticism, even if what she said were true. The same could be said about many parts of France and values there. 

But the truth is still the truth—it can be seen and even felt. And I laughed when I saw Nukivalent’s streams for first time, because there is a truth about cultural and social values.

In a way, the criticism from DnB ravers of Central Europe that I wrote about after Hospitality at Melkweg in the autumn is enough for me. However, I don’t generally see those typical Dutch “norms” within these communities. They are commonly visible at Dutch techno, tech-house events, but not at similar drum and bass events. I saw no one the person there. Yet in the eyes there, something glows differently than is natural. 

It would be possible to talk not only about outward things, but also about inner ones, which are just as visible externally. In some country, there is a saying: “Different country, different customs.” That proverb captures it well. I recently wrote about my “azureness,” which someone say is visible in me when I return from the Netherlands. I stand by the idea that if I had to explain what I mean by identities, it is difficult to explain something that someone does not know, does not perceive, or perhaps does not even acknowledge—likely because of their own social habits.

But this is not only about the Netherlands. Other Western countries also have values that are hard to find elsewhere, or do not exist at all. I would dare to say that also about someone’s in interest, I can claim that someone similar is not exist elsewhere, and they could be misunderstood because of their identities. And these values are visible in everyday life, or the same, within their professions. This is something no one will convince me could be otherwise. 

I know it from myself — sometimes I think I’m doing something that isn’t even around me. But I do it because I perceive it as something natural. And when I go further west, I see all around me what I mean here. And much more — sometimes I see a glow in the eyes that I don’t see anywhere else at all.