Left-wing Patriotism for European Integration

Eurosceptic parties won 135 out of 751 seats in the last European Parliament election (2019).[1]  This may not seem like much, but it raises the question of what is happening to the integrative concept of the European Union. A Green politician and current German vice…

Music as a Messenger: Do the Dead Wear Gold Jewelry?

I have never thought that Madonna was the inspiration of this piece. When I was listening to it carefully by minding the lyrics, I came across these two lines, and wondered, so music can have a dual role for humanity: it either divides or unites.…

Platform Monarchy: Elon Musk and the Future of Twitter

“Elon Musk Completes $44 Billion Deal to Own Twitter” read the headline in the New York Times at the end of last week, referring to the public discourse surrounding Elon Musk’s takeover of the social media platform Twitter [1]. Known as a controversial entrepreneur, Musk…

A Wall of Rusted Razors: Modernity and the Culture of Waste

This text is the English translation of the article “Bir Duvar Dolusu Paslanmış Jilet: Modernite ve Atık Kültürü“, by Yiğit Yolcu, published on arete portal on 19 August 2022. The text was translated into English by Emin Aslan Özbek. Modernity has brought progress, ease, and…