Author: Joop Beris

  • Road-tripping

    Road-tripping

    Now that Covid-19 seems to be under control, it was time for some quick road-tripping through Europe. One of the cool things about continental Europe is that you can get in a car and simply start driving. A few hours later, you’re in a different country, with a different culture and a different language. Yet…

  • The Great Song of Indifference

    The Great Song of Indifference

    In 1984, 10 year old me called into a national telethon to donate my allowance to aid people in Ethiopia, dying of famine. This telethon was inspired by Band Aid, organised by Irish singer – songwriter Bob Geldof. In November 1989, I was glued to the TV to watch the events around the fall of…

  • Android’s hidden trackers

    Android’s hidden trackers

    I think it’s old news by now that your smart phone tracks you. Advertising companies and government agencies both want to get their hands on as much information about you as they can, for various reasons. But how much information does your phone leak about you and to whom? Apple provides transparency reports and even…

  • Religion doesn’t belong in the science classroom

    Religion doesn’t belong in the science classroom

    Recently, a student from the USA contacted me to ask if I was willing to participate in an email interview. His professor gave him the assignment to interview a non-believer or a sceptic. Since he had earlier read my article “9 logical reasons why there is no God“, he wanted to interview me. I asked…

  • Not a fan

    Not a fan

    In 2018, British comedian Ricky Gervais released a comedy special on Netflix entitled: “Humanity“. In the intro, he commented on the title: “I don’t know why I called it that. Not a fan, to be honest.” Recently, it’s a sentiment I find myself sharing with Ricky Gervais.

  • Europa Universalis

    Europa Universalis

    I like to play complex games that allow me to immerse myself in an alternate reality or a historical setting. Sure, running around and shooting people can be fun for a while, don’t get me wrong. Especially after a stressful day! But at the end of the day, I get more satisfaction from games that…