Seneca at the gym: stoicism and toxic masculinity
Today’s Stoicism isn’t in the Agora, it’s at the gym. Repackaged through TikTok reels and “alpha” podcasts, the ancient philosophy has been stripped of ethics and turned into a lifestyle brand of emotional repression and individual supremacy. Discipline replaces compassion, silence replaces civic duty. This isn’t about inner virtue, it’s about selling strength. But Seneca wasn’t training for dominance. He was training for justice.
Gamifying nationalism: the AfD and the politics of emotional belonging
Welcome to TikTok Nationalism: a flawless face, a beat drop, and the caption “Germany for the Germans.” Alice Weidel’s speech remixed with synthwave, AI avatars, and shadowy migrant clips. Politics has left parliament for the infinite scroll, where propaganda wears lip gloss and vibes. The AfD doesn’t campaign—it performs. Ultrantionalism becomes aesthetic, identity over ideology. As Marcus Bösch calls it: slopaganda—low-res, emotional, made to go viral. In this gamified nationalism, belief is optional. Just hit share.
Europe Wants Its Data Back—But What’s a Sovereign Cloud?
The EU wants to protect sensitive data and AI systems from foreign influence. Here’s what’s at stake.
Not All Microplastics Are as Dangerous as We Thought?
New research finds that saltwater may stop dangerous bacteria from hitching a ride on plastic.
The Future of Artificial Intelligence: Education Matters Now More Than Ever
AI is reshaping our world, processing information and providing content all in a matter of seconds. But this may not be as wonderful as it sounds. In a future driven by technology, strong education is crucial, and education must evolve at rapid paces as AI is doing so.
Raul “doesn’t waste time” on TikTok: A student from Maramureș wins four national olympiads
In the far north of Romania, in a quiet corner of Maramureș, performance and perseverance have a face: a quiet, ambitious, and above all, self-taught teenager.
Chinese “Artificial Sun” – A Path Toward Clean, Inexhaustible Renewable Energy
In the face of growing climate challenges, Chinese scientists have taken a significant step toward a technology that could become an inexhaustible source of clean energy. The success of the "artificial sun" marks a new chapter in the search for a safe and renewable alternative to fossil fuels.
Profits Over Privacy? Google Brings Back Tracking in Chrome
Despite previous promises, Google has decided that its Chrome browser will continue supporting third-party advertising cookies – a decision that many experts see as a major blow to digital privacy.
