My “Octogenarian” Blog

My “Octogenarian” Blog

Welcome to my “Octogenarian” blog …

Born of a lifetime spent observing and living through the changing tides of time, this blog is a space where I hold a conversation with myself — a place to reflect on the world as it is, and as it might yet become.

Here you’ll find reflections, musings, and essays on life, politics, culture, nature, and humanity. It explores the cultural treasures that make life worth living and voices concern about the future of our global society. Through it all, it advocates for universal values — as a compass to help guide us through this century’s defining challenges.

In a time when emotions often sweep away the most basic realism, when the practice of “tarring and feathering”  would be preferred for those with a opposing view — and when even the crudest media propaganda finds eager ears — these writings seek to explore, question, and occasionally challenge the dominant narratives of our time. Not with the goal of persuasion, but to offer a quiet counterweight: a place where truth and reflection might still find room to breathe.

This blog is a journey across four landscapes:

🌍 World Affairs

Critical reflections on international relations and the ever-returning cycle of war — a constant in history which, as Will Durant noted, has not diminished with either civilization or democracy.

From the promises and failures of Pax Americana and Western hegemony to today’s uneasy global balance of power: the Transatlantic relationship, the Russian–Ukrainian war, the Middle East, and ongoing questions of international justice.

📚 Culture & Humanity

Explorations of books, poetry, and music that accompany life’s journey. Reflections on aging, memory, wisdom, and wonder — drawn from eight decades of living.

Also included: conversations with our new artificial intelligence companion, the Prompt — sometimes playful, sometimes philosophical, and occasionally provocative. A few essays, by readers’ suggestion, have been gathered under “Favourites” for closer reading.

🏛️ Politics & Society

Observations on national politics and the battle for the soul of nations — from the challenges facing the United States and its presidency, to the evolving role of the European Union and the political shifts in the Netherlands.

Also discussed: broader societal questions such as gun control, capital punishment, and what I call the American Paradox — the coexistence of liberty and injustice.

👤 About

A few words about the blog’s origin and its author.

I invite you to explore wherever your curiosity leads.

And I thank you — for reading, and for your unseen, but ever-felt presence.

Netherlands, WJJH, 16.5.2025

Musings: The “Octogenarian” blog serves as a reflective space for this minority of one, sharing insights on life, politics, culture, and society through critical essays and musings. It aims to challenge prevailing narratives by fostering dialogue around universal values and global issues while celebrating the richness of human experience across eight decades.