Resonance

Dear Netherlands,


this week's post is all about resonance as the title gives away.
On Wednesday I attended an evening lecture by the German sociologist Hartmut Rosa ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BwKasee9Qc ) called 'Living in times of acceleration'.
He said that modernization sets the world in motion. A society can be called modern when it systematically requires (material) growth, acceleration, increase in production. The economy , science, art/literature and politics run on the promise of increase.
Humans strive for increasing their horizon, making the world 'available, accessible and attainable' on the promise of making 'more' of the world at an incredible speed. According to Rosa, we run on the promise that eventually there willl come a time where life slows down. E.g. "I only have to do this one job and then everything will be fine and I'll be happy!. Yet, says Rosa, it won't get better. It will be even worse next year.
In our constant process of making the world more 'available, accessible and attainable' (Triple A), the world eventually becomes more arid, quiet, numb, because not all sub-systems in the system can keep up. Rosa asks: Why do people listen to music? To feel alive, to feel connected to the world, it is an access to resonance. We answer to it.
While writing this blog entry I (ironically!) listen to a playlist on Spotify. Rosa asks: Through Spotify 9 million titles are available. But does this enhance our music experience? No. We still only listen to what we know, what we like. Same with streaming: in effect, fewer films are watched, people turn to the blockbusters.
We feel overwhelmed. So the world becomes silent. Eventually, with some people this leads to burnout because nothing touches anymore, the world becomes empty, dead, grey. The access to resonance is dead and we feel that we lose the world. Because we are overwhelmed by the speed, complexity and options.
Structurally, we experience a desynchronization, and culturally, the dream of Triple A leads to a loss of the world.
What are we going to do about it?, Rosa asks. He does not wish for a static society, but a new institutionalisation. He says that humanity needs a society which does not need to grow, speed-up and innovate just to keep up the status, a so-called 'mode of adaptive stabilization'. Society should grow if change is needed and desired. It should be modern in a liberal, pluralistic and democratic sense.
He calls for a Responsive World. For resonance as a way of relating to the world, where the subject and the world appear to touch and transform each other. People ought to reconnect with things and be transformed by their interactions. Resonanace requires that 'both sides speak their own voices, which includes contradiction and dissonance and leads to non-predictable transformation'. People ought to be willing to be transformed and to respond. Resonance is listening to voices different from yours and to get in touch with the difference.
Contradictory to the Triple A theory, resonance necessarily entails non-availabilty and elusiveness. It cannot be accumulated or increased or stored or controlled since we do not know the result of resonance. Resonance is not a set of mind, but a relationship.
In a competitive system as we live in at the moment, there is no resonance. Therefore, according to Rosa, the system and its institutions must enable resonance. Rosa calls for a revolution. Since we know that it is possible to live differently we should structure the world differently from the system of capitalism which consists of explotation, inequality and alienation.


Get out there and get in touch with the world. With yourself. With other people. With objects. With nature. With the system.
Make life worth living. Give it a meaning. Break out of 'more'.
Do not live in a dead and silent world. Get in touch. Be and feel alive.
This might sound naive to some people, but I, personally, genuinely believe that the key to a happy life lies in there. In being in love and being inspired by work.
What leads to a good life? That's what I am here for to figure out. It's easy for us to see what is wrong. But it is hard to see what is good for us.


Inspired by the lecture I made a small bike tour on Thursday afternoon alongside the Waal-Maas-Kanaal which I have a beautiful view of from my window. It had been a lovely day and in the late afternoon the warm sunlight and the soft breeze made me hop on my bike and discover a new part of Nijmegen. Riding my bicycle was inspiring, liberating and refreshing. I love going new places with my bike. It gives me such freedom, such joy!

Today, I talked to my dear friend who is on her Erasmus in Glasgow on Skype. Our conversation was also inspired by Rosa's lecture. We talked about how we do not want to be controlled or lead by companies, the system or society but by our ideas and visions. Is it not sufficient in life to be a good, honest, friendly, kind, polite and pleasant person? To do random acts of kindness and live in an exemplary manner. This certainly makes a good life in our opinion. People should focus on making life and the system we live in ethically better.
What sense is there in increased consumption and focus on profit while neglecting 'humanity' in the sense what makes humans human? To care about each other.


Love,


Jane

Look up, look down, look around

Dear Netherlands,


I already mentioned it before but they say that Erasmus is like a rollercoaster. I could not agree more.
On Erasmus, you meet highly intersting people. They surprise you - in good or not so good ways. Nonetheless, they teach you a lot.
I intend to 'find myself' here - as cliché as that may sound. And yes, through the experiences here, uni or private life, I learn what I wish to learn. Slowly, but steadily.


Dear Netherlands, you know, in life, it's about the little things. Random acts of kindness.
Today, I was on my way home from my excursion to the city centre after uni (I just HAD to see the Grote Markt in proper sunshine for the first time), when I and the other cyclists stopped at a traffic light. A young woman and a young man behind me had a conversation in English. Usually it's me and my Italian friend who entertain the other cyclists at traffic lights or annoy them by cycling next to each other on the fietspad. This time it was, as I guessed, two other Erasmus students. Funnily enough, they talked about the fact that they always presuppose the Dutch speaking English. That they do not even try to approach the Dutch in Dutch, but readily start talking to them in English.
I do the same, yet, I always apologise for only speaking English and make integration efforts, for example trying to pronounce the name of the bread in the bakkerij. The verkoopster then happily corrects me and teaches me one or two words in their language. I then praise their heerlijk carrot cake and we part as happy people.
I arrived at my student dorm and 20 seconds later the Erasmus students from the traffic lights arrived at the bike sheds. Since it is a bit tricky to hold the door of the shed open while pushing your bike inside, I saw the girl struggling with it and held the door open for her. She was thankful and we started a chat about the bike parking spaces. We then both realized that we 'met' at the traffic light and she said she just cycled relaxed behind me because I had such a convenient pace. Oh we then had a lovely little chat about our studies. If I had not held open that door, we would not have got to known each other.
Everybody I met today was in such a good mood thanks to the beautiful weather. It is still a bit chilly but the clear blue sky and bright sunshine make up for it. Spring is definitely on it's way. I, for sure, had a spring in my step! The last three weeks here were characterised by snow, rain and cold. And this one sunny day makes me incredibly happy.

Sunlit 'Grote Markt'



Typical Dutch snack: my beloved carrot cake and a variety of 'kaas': jong belegen, verse geitenkaas met honing and roombrie.

I cannot emphasize enough how lucky I am to study at this university for my Erasmus. On Monday I attended an evening lecture by a p rofessor from the London School of Economics about 'Europe's Promise. Kant's Point of View', he talked about euro-scepticism, euro-federalism and Kant's third way. Kant anticipated a United Europe of States, instead of the United States of Europe, so that states could maintain peace without giving up their sovereignity. It was a highly interesting talk.
How lucky we are to live in the Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain...!


I also genuinely enjoy my Political Communication lecture every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I soak up everything like a sponge and let myself be inspired.

"Joy in looking and comprehending is nature's most beautiful gift." - Albert Einstein

It is true. Oh, so true. Look around. In nature. In your surroundings. Engage with your environment. Be present. And learn.

A little goes a long way: a welcome card from the city of Nijmegen. I genuinely feel welcomed here.

Even on days when the sun blinds you while riding your bike: Keep your eyes open.


Love,


Jane

Random Thoughts

Dear Netherlands,


On Tuesday we had a flatmate dinner. For me it was like a 'National Geography Study' (like my Czech flatmate called it) to observe students in their 'natural environment (=student dorm), though it is debatable how natural and 'national' the setting is for international students. Nonetheless I gained many insights from listening to my flatmates, what they talk about, how they talk. What is important for them. If they are happy. What makes them happy. For example: not to regret decisions. Carpe diem - to enjoy everyday and make the best out of it. We talked about different lifestyles and different attitudes towards life. If we value morality highly or not.
Personally, I feel like I am in a constant struggle between morality and 'letting go'. Trying something new or not trying it. Perhaps I would like it if I tried something new. Perhaps I won't. My moral principles sometimes keep me from trying something new. Is it bad that they restrict me? Or is morality - generally - going down the drain and I should hold on to my principles?


Socialising with Dutch people is not easy when you do not speak the language. I know a few (or more) Dutch words and quite often understand what the Dutch say to me, but when answering I switch to English. I experience it as tricky to get to know people here apart from the international students. I asked another German guy (who has been living here for 3 years now) if he also had troubles getting to know the Dutch. He said: "Haha, no, my girlfriend is Dutch! But of course it is hard for you if you do not speak the language. This is indeed a barrier which is not overcome easily when you are only here for a few months." ... I had the feeling that he implied that I should not have come here if I could not speak the language...
They offer you a proper brain training here: constantly switching between English, German and Dutch.


I have the impression I am a different person when I speak English instead of German. Any other language but my native one.
It is interesting to think about the fact that people judge and advise you on the basis of what they know about you. It can be difficult to convey the genuine meaning and your genuine personality when you cannot use your native language to explain it, even if you have a decent command of the other language. Other people will never get a holistic picture or view of your personality/character. How can they advise you properly if they cannot know you wholly? Is another person able to tell you what is right or wrong for you? Friends can reflect, mirror, tell you how you 'usually' do things. But is it true?


I feel a bit like Descartes, who said that the answers to all our questions can be found within ourselves. We just needed a quiet room and a rational mind. He travelled, met a lot of people of different tempers, gathered various experiences, tested himself in different situations and at all times reflected personally upon whatever came his way so as to derive some profit from it.
After each enounter I myself always try to reflect upon how it could benefit me personally. 'Cogito ergo sum. This sentence signals a commitment to working through emotional confusion, prejudice and unhelpful tradition in order to arrive at an independent, rationally founded vision of existence.'
Merci beaucoup. Gotta work on that.


Tot ziens!
Jane

Dealing with the Dutch

Dear Netherlands,


before I came here I did not worry about finding Dutch friends since I consider myself a rather open, friendly and approachable person. I had heard, though, that it might be difficult to become friends with Dutch people since they tend to stay within their established group of people.
When forming work groups in my classes the international students usually end up forming groups of themselves because the Dutch are already in groups consisting of their friends of peers.
Today during my Political Communication class the lecturer asked us to think about his question for two minutes ourselves and then turn to our partner to discuss our ideas. After I had come up with a few ideas I turned to the Dutch girl sitting next to me, looked at her and smiled, ready to start a conversation. But she did not look at me, even shielded her notes from me with her hands.
This might be a strong example, but my international friends confirm my impression that the Dutch prefer to stay for themselves. I hope this changes in the near future... Previous encounters with Dutch (e.g. at MUN conferences) stayed positively in my mind.

Building bridges

'Think differently' - appropriate motto for this month

Most Dutch reference point to find the way home

I had a lovely weekend with my international friends. On Saturday a German friend and I cycled across the border to Germany to do some shopping (everything is so much more expensive in NL!) - especially to buy some proper German bread. We took the scenic route, yet, on the way back we had to hurry up a little to be home before the rain started.

Whenever a pedestrian crossed our way near the border - on the German or the Dutch side - we greeted them or waited for them to greet us to find out if they were Dutch or German.
Since the Dutch car drivers are very considerate towards cyclists and their positive behaviour was a striking difference to what we are used to in Germany, we paid special attention to how 'fietsers' were treated once we had crossed the border.
We noticed what power a border still has! Once back on good German roads we experienced 'Fahrvergnügen' which only lasted for so long until the next German (!) car crossed our way and nearly pushed us off our bikes. Quickly we zijn gefietst back to the 'safe' side of the border...
In the shopping centre it seemed as if the cashiers were glad to have some Germans in front of them for a change - inside the shop we barely heard a German word but only Nederlands!

Welkom in Nederland

Let op, fietser!

Willkommen in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland

On Sunday my Russian friend and I checked out one of the many beautiful cafés in Nijmegen before exploring 'Honigcomplex' - a fancy place near the Waal river with cool shops, cafés, galleries, a skate park, music and event venues... We curiously entered one hall and found a vintage flea market inside we did not know about! We share a preference for vintage clothing so this discovery made our day. Our Italian friend met us there and we explored the interesting site of 'Honigcomplex' in the sunshine. Afterwards we went back to another cute café in the city centre (don't judge us, we just try to assimilate and be 'gezellig' - I reckon we are quite good at it ;) ) where the waiter thought we were British - because our accents were rather good, apparently, hihi. On the vintage market I also already had to explain to a woman that we were actually Russian, Italian and German, after she had let loose a flood of words in Dutch and we were staring at her doubtfully. Due to the linguistic proximity of Dutch and German I am usually the first of us three to understand the Dutch person and explain the situation, now and then seasoned with a few Dutch words. "Jullie zijn Engels?", asked the verkoopster. "Nee, wij zijn Russian, Italian and German", I answered. Much appreciated, though. Dank je wel!

Bridge over the Waal river

Fiets perspectief

Kopje koffie, anyone?

Kaas paradijs

"Thijs studeert economie in Nijmegen."

Jane studeert politocologie in Nijmegen. En zij leert Nederlands!

Books for uni...

How can I possibly study with this view from my room?

I am so lucky to live near the water.

Cheers!

Jane

P.S. from Tuesday morning: I cycled on the 'fietspad' in the right direction, sharing it with other cyclists. Nothing worse than cycling on the wrong side (always stick to the right side of the road!) so I was happy to follow other 'fietsers'.

Suddenly children appeared on the scene, cycling in the wrong direction! Usually I am not afraid to tell people that they are wrong - in English, when I get answers like "I don't speak English!" and I reply "Yes, you do!!" - since it can get dangerous on narrow bike lanes. This morning I was too tired to shout so I just gave the children an angry look. They were performing tricks with their bikes and when I passed them, one of them spat at me and hit my shoulder. Spit on my jacket and scarf! I was furious and yelled at the boy in German: "Du Vollidioit!!" (you utter idiot). Yeah, the native language usually comes through with strong emotions. They just laughed and cycled away. I then realised that they probably did not understand my utterance but hoped that they could tell from my face.
Disgusting and disrespectful.