Olda N.

"Above all, we need to lean into our achievements. Europe remains an oasis of security, stability, and the rule of law. We have independent courts, who strive not to be mere mouthpieces of whoever is in power. We keep our word. We respect contracts. Our continent respects and admires science, reads history, cares about culture, and is mindful of the lessons of the past. We should use those things to become a magnet for investment, for innovation, for people with new ideas. Our very predictability is an advantage in a world of unpredictable powers." "We did invent divisive and ugly ideas, and we can retrieve them from the past. But all of the texts that led to the birth of classical liberalism were written here too, if we want to find them, revive them, and reinterpret them for the present." Anne Applebaum, The Speech to Europe 2026 https://www.erstestiftung.org/en/a-speech-to-europe-2026-the-european-moment/

I wouldn't guess I might say it: It's great of Instagram what it caused during FIFA World cup! Social media constantly divide societies tearing them apart to tiny groups having their own specific feeds. So we commonly talk about different things and topics, not knowing about others , that seem rare (odd?) and marginal. But this World cup is different. It seems like everyone knows at least one famous football player and follows games of his country. People who barely followed football are now drawn in. This brings together families, coworkers but mainly creates once again a common topic really discussed and followed by (almost) everyone.