I think I have no option anymore. — There was this game I used to play every year. I tried to receive as many invitations to speak at international events as possible. Speaking engagements were (and are still) essential in the academic world. Many academics assumed “the more invitations, the more impact.” Some could only talk about the…

In a world of AI supremacy, people need more sports. — It’s a Sunday afternoon. A clear, crisp winter afternoon. Any given Sunday. My wife and I are walking outside. It’s thirty degrees. But with the fierce wind from the north, the wind chill temperature drags it down to seventeen. …

It’s time to forget about “teaching” and encourage students to “level up.” — TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO I contemplated the scene before me, as if I were a spectator, when — in reality — I was the star of the show, waiting in slight trepidation, if truth be told, for my performance to begin. The lecture hall was already packed and noisy. The sound of unfolding wooden…

Our future depends on it. — I had just started my academic career and received an invitation to speak at an international conference about business governance and values. In a country that can’t be named. The government was looking to level up their investment environment. At least, that is what they told me at the time. …

Don’t worry, I was a believer too. — When I was cleaning my electric shaver earlier this week, I noticed a gray tint on all the tiny bits of hair that fell out of the blades. They used to be black. At least, that’s what I tell myself. My wife takes a more skeptical view. Don’t kid yourself…

What! No online footprint? Then you don’t exist for me. — Another day at the office and I’m discussing job applications with a colleague. She never starts by reading or even looking at the supporting documents that job applicants send. Instead, the first thing she does is to check the applicants’ online profiles. It takes away the facade of the job…

A stress-free life of cosmetic improvements, dating younger people, and space travel? — If only we were billionaires, the man said. Then, we could stop worrying about the daily grind and live life like a dream. Do what we want when we want. We could plan our next space adventure. I might even trade you in for something younger, he joked. I am…

Back to Life, Back to Reality — We want information. Accurate and reliable information. But where can we find it? The students sound desperate. They are working on an assignment, and like with many things in life, having access to good information is crucial. The world is full of so many fake and untrue statements, the students…

I more and more feel like a visitor in a bizarre land. — Age is nothing but a number. At least, that’s the feeling I had when working from home — a house built in 1919. My wife and I moved here in 2008. It was love at first sight. As soon as we stepped through the front door, we looked at each…