Society

Why do we glorify complexity and look down on simplicity — especially in tech? I wanted to share this because it resonates with so much of what I’ve experienced and observed in tech myself. In Joan Westenberg’s thought-provoking piece, “Why Simplicity Offends Tech Elites”, she explores the curious tendency within tech circles to glorify complexity and dismiss simplicity as somehow less valuable. Reading this, I was struck by how deeply embedded this mindset is in startup and developer culture — where convoluted solutions, obscure tools, and overly engineered systems are often seen as badges of honor. Westenberg challenges this mentality, arguing that simplicity should not be mistaken for laziness or lack of depth. In fact, true simplicity is hard-earned — it requires clarity, discipline, and empathy for users. ...

In 2025, digital advertising is looking more like a pyramid scheme than a sustainable marketing model. As John Kilhefner explains in his HackerNoon article, the obsession with pageviews and impressions has led to a bloated, user-hostile web—filled with pop-ups, autoplay videos, and trackers that drive readers away. Publishers chase clicks at the expense of quality, while brands spend millions on ads that users increasingly ignore or block. The result? A fragile ecosystem where trust erodes and ROI quietly collapses under the weight of empty metrics. ...

Much has been said about the Dunning-Kruger effect, where individuals with limited knowledge are convinced they have deep expertise in a subject. When this overconfidence is combined with a more aggressive personality, it creates the perfect storm—leading to challenging dynamics in teams and organizations. Recognizing and addressing this phenomenon is essential for fostering healthy collaboration and continuous learning in the workplace.

Biometric identity verification has deep historical, philosophical, and cultural roots that go beyond mere technology. From ancient philosophical inquiries into the nature of self to modern discussions on ethics and privacy, the concept of identity has been a subject of ongoing debate. Understanding these dimensions is crucial as biometrics become increasingly integrated into our daily lives, influencing societal norms, practices, and public perception. Contemporary perspectives on identity, influenced by thinkers like Foucault and Derrida, challenge fixed notions and emphasize its fluid and dynamic nature. As we navigate this evolving landscape, it’s essential to consider the ethical, legal, and social implications of biometric technologies, ensuring they align with our values and respect individual autonomy. ...

Technological change, geoeconomic fragmentation, economic uncertainty, demographic shifts and the green transition – individually and in combination – are among the major drivers expected to shape and transform the global labour market by 2030. On current trends over the 2025 to 2030 period job creation and destruction due to structural labour-market transformation will amount to 22% of today’s total jobs. This is expected to entail the creation of new jobs equivalent to 14% of today’s total employment, amounting to 170 million jobs ...

In 1980, Isaac Asimov penned a brief yet powerful opinion piece that feels strikingly relevant today. A visionary of technological futures, Asimov captured—with unsettling clarity—the mindset shaping our current era. Cult of ignorance

Since 421 AD, Venice has stood atop millions of wooden piles driven deep into the clay bed of the lagoon. Unlike modern cities built on steel and concrete, Venice’s foundations rely primarily on alder wood, with some oak, chosen for its durability in water. This intricate network of submerged timber supports the entire city, allowing it to rise above the water. Over centuries, constant exposure to saltwater has petrified these wooden pillars, hardening them into a stone-like state. This natural preservation process has enabled Venice to withstand the test of time. St. Mark’s Campanile alone rests on a staggering 100,000 piles, while the grand Basilica della Salute required over a million. To create this massive foundation, ancient builders drove the tree trunks into the seabed with precise craftsmanship, forming an immense submerged forest beneath the city. ...

Diogo Alves was one of Portugal’s most notorious criminals, often considered its first serial killer. Born in Galicia, Spain, around 1810, he moved to Lisbon, where he worked as a servant before turning to crime and leading a gang that terrorized the city. Between 1836 and 1839, he robbed and murdered victims at the Águas Livres Aqueduct, throwing them from a height of over 60 meters. Authorities initially mistook the deaths for suicides, allowing the killings to continue. He is believed to have murdered 60 to 70 people. When security increased, his gang shifted to home invasions and killings. Captured and sentenced to death for murdering a family, he was hanged in 1841. In 1867, Portugal became the first country in the world to abolish the death penalty. ...