One lesson learned about Iran

In Iran, there is a cult for martyrdom, more than in other cultures. Since centuries. 

For reasons long to explain. Iran admires its martyrs, and they used to call USA "the big Satan". Thus, someone killed by the US turns immediately in a martyr to be admired and this motivates people who consider its country a victim of an injustice. It's part of their history, their tradition, their culture. 

It's a bit like Bush who called for a "crusade" against Osama Bin Laden. But that word motivated many integralists to stand against the Crusaders. History matters, words must be used carefully. 

Have a good night.

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Open question about path

"Path Dependency", "lock-in", "resilience". 

I am intrigued by the notion of "path" because I get the intuition, but to prove it for city and regional development as well as careers is quite challenging, but it's so crucial. 

It's not about punctual decisions, it's about chains of events. Someone’s life is not just one decision, but a set of decisions that lead us to a path or another, which shapes the decision we will be allowed to make. A punctual decision is not that interesting, it’s more about the whole path, within the path or “path changing”. 

However, how to identify paths for cities, regions, life, careers, even love. If I’m here, it’s because the path 

I decided to follow within the given possibilities I had. 

Ferretti sings “geography is destiny”. I was born in a quite lucky part of the world, still I had to emigrate because of the very bad socio-economic conditions. I don’t complain in total, but other people around me had different paths, notably those from southern Italy… 

What is a path? How to define? How to operationalize it?

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Netflix's Ottomans, Season 2

Netflix Ottomans is the best historical docu-series I've ever seen (at least, so far). 

Season 2 is great because it explains why Vlad Dracula, the Prince of Wallacchia, was such a bad boy and inspired the famous vampire. The good is that it makes sense, it's linked to historical facts, avoiding today's ideological discussion (the series is "slightly" pro-Turks...). 

Vlad did terrible things, monstrous actions with the attempt to free Wallacchia from the Ottoman Empire. The series is a mix of actions and interviews to historians. The drama freedom is limited to just a couple of scenes that don't alter the historical reconstruction (the final duel is very unlikely, but it serves the story without changing the historical meaning). 

I must say it's not a show for kids, not much romance, not many laughs.... There are good reasons why Vlad is famous as a monstrous leader (but... NO! He didn't drink blood and was not a vampire). However, it's also said that, in case of victory, we would have a completely different perception of him, forgiving the couple of bad actions we usually forgive to winners. His victory would have changed history like the sieges of Buda and Wien. 

Anyway, actors are good, the direction excellent and scenarios wonderful. 

I really think it's important to know those parts of history shaping our present. This series is, in my view, the less ideological I've ever seen in Netflix (Brits, please learn). It's well done, topics are relevant and entertaining. The final point is that looking at what Vlad did I didn't sleep per one week... just to say...

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Netflix's 1899

I really enjoyed 1899, and it's pity it'll be discontinued. I promise, no spoiler, but some comments. It's nice the idea of combining a multi-language story mixing some national backgrounds, though they didn't push it till the end (how can a Chinese and a Polish fall in love if they don't understand each other?! Anyway, that's not a spoiler because it's a detail in the story). The ending is so complex I wouldn't be able to spoil you, but I enjoyed because it is not the classical 'villain' to be defeated. All characters make sense to me, and the scenarios/landscapes are beautiful. It's sometimes too dark, and they might add some more 'positive' characters. Anyway, I enjoyed it and it's pity they discontinued it. It was worthy 2 more seasons. 

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Again on Sept/11

 I watched the whole series on Sept/11 by Netflix. Some random impressions

1. were videos back in 2001 so low quality?! I remember 'decent' quality videos of the collapse of the Twin Towers.

2. The attack on the Pentagon is still the biggest mystery nobody really explained.

3. So many mistakes in the Afghanistan war(s) by all US administrations and allies (yes, Obama made huge mistakes too). It was astonishing to hear former FBI directors and high-level officials.

4. G.W. Bush got something personal in those tragedies. It was his great opportunity to show his father how good he was, but then Sept/11... then the UNJUSTIFIABLE war in Iraq until the complete, desperate disaster he left on his path. This would deserve an ancient Greek tragedy…

5. When you wage war, you must be clear about what victory will mean. 

6. Afghani landscapes are amazing, so beautiful. It’s sad to see such a devastated country.

7. Too many (incl. Netflix) forget that the origin of the Afghani crisis is the devastating colonization by the British. Like in Israel. And many other post-British mandates in the region. It’d be enough to read Wikipedia…

8. The attack to the Twin Towers was and is still a tragedy to be elaborated by many.

9. bin Laden was a genious and a terrorist. But mainly a terrorist.

10. How can you come back after you ‘go’ Guantanamo? Are you ‘better than them’ if you’re torturing your prisoners? That decision undermines the trust we can have in the self-declared biggest democracy in the world. 

Ok. Just some ideas. I’d love to have the opportunity to discuss it over a beer. 

In person. Somewhere.

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About Sept/11

I'm watching the Netflix series on Sept/11. 

"How is it possible they hate us so much?". This was the most shocking question that arose just after that tragic date. It is a crucial question to understand "why" Osama bin Laden took such a tragic decision. Reacting with anger as W. did was unwise; it was essential to understand the 'why' of the enemy. When I was saying this, many friends accused me of being a bin Laden's supporter because it was impossible to rationalise such a criminal act. Yet, September 11 was no accident. It was a deliberate, well planned terroristic attack. You've to assume your enemy is acting in a rational way to defeat him. Only if you assume that bin Laden was acting for (his/their) own good you can understand, then react in the best, effective way. Back in the 90s, the US were the only global power after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The US was convinced of being invincible and undoubtedly good, given how bad the Soviets were. Unfortunately, the world was more complex. 

 The second big question in my mind is about the attack to the Pentagon. How is it possible they hit the headquarter of the most powerful army in the world? This happens even after the Twin Towers were hit. I expect the Pentagon to be the most defended area in the world. All alerts should have been activated immediately after the first attack on the Twin Towers. How is it possible that the Pentagon was so vulnerable? I know it’s mainly offices, not an operational base, but it’s symbolic value is known everywhere in the world. If the attack to the Twin Towers was unthinkable, any general knows that s/he must defend the headquarter against any possible attack. That’s something nobody yet explained me, not in a convincing way. 

Anyway, History has shown us that the US reaction was a failure. George W. Bush will be remembered as an unfit President in the most tragic page of US history. Because reality is always more complex than good vs bad guys!

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After 200 years

He was a bloody dictator. His wars caused 12 years of pan-European terror with 4,300,000 soldiers dead plus about 2-2,500,000 civilians, about the same as Hitler but in a Europe with much less inhabitants. He destroyed a significant share of human heritage plundering Italy, Spain and Egypt. His imperialist propaganda is still resonating with the idea of ‘exporting freedom’ with armies and authoritarian regimes. We won’t miss you.

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decade

Today, I celebrated 10years in Belgium! 

At first, it was a complicated, short-term relationship with Brussels. Like many others, I came just for a 5-month intern with unknown ideas about the future. Slowly, I discovered an amazing city, wonderful, though difficult to explore. 

This is one of the best images for me. Brussels is like London (where I was before moving here), but with one, fundamental difference. In London there is 'everything' and it constantly comes up to you overwhelmingly. In Brussels, you can find 'everything', but you have to find it, go looking for it, and this makes difficult to appreciate the European capital. 

It's ten years in Brussels, rather than Belgium, and I'm still in love with this fantastic, small global capital. Fragmented, complicated, slow, immobile and dynamic. A real European crossroad where everybody can meet, come and feel strangers as we all here. 

I am used in mixing English and French, Italian at home and (some) Dutch at work. I bought a grammar book of Brusseleir (the Brussels dialect, which is a mess between French and Dutch) and wrote a lot of papers about this city-region. I know everything about its institution, history, water, tunnels, innovation policy, cohesion policy and research performance, but these are boring stories. I still have so much to learn. 

Brussels means my family life with my 2 kids born here, countless friends and, among many other wonderful things, I can't forget Impro for Dummies - Brussels, an amazing story that had ended as all great stories have to. I think it is the day to start applying for the Belgian citizenship. Let's see if feasible. 

Meanwhile, merci, bedankt, thanks, grazie!

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2 days ago I said

 

Academia is the cradle of every professional, but you cannot grow if always stay in a cradle

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Looking forward

In the last 8 months, we lived a real nightmare. The apartment where we moved last September ended up being a disaster. Technical equipment was irregular, and the contract was a trap plus other, various problems. We were cheated, defrauded, even aggressed. We had to move out urgently living in an apart’hotel per 6 weeks and we lost a lot of money, just to get out of that trap.

Now, we’re finally elsewhere restarting our life. I feel I’m stronger in the love for my wife and my family, happier for the help of many friends who did A LOT during these weeks/months and thankful for the support of my colleagues. There are still some toxic leftovers, but I feel much better now.

Still, I’ve the frustration because that landlord won’t get what she deserves, and the apartment will just be rented to someone else, who will fall in the same trap. I discovered we were the third ones in line to be defrauded by her. I’ve learnt the regional laws protect the landlord, basically also if s/he guilty (even Wallonia and Flanders have much better laws for tenants). My experience says the justice system is in favour of the richer ones, regardless they’re the victim or the guilty.

Now, I’ve my life back. I hope the friends reading these lines will help me to move forward because that’s just a terrible chapter to archive. Let's look forward.

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Humour and listening

This video deserves to be shared. She was my professor during my university studies, a great lesson. 

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nuovo progetto

Trovate tutto qui.

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London

For me, London is like an ex-girlfriend: we spent great time together, we had fun and we loved each other. Yet, now that love is over, my life is elsewhere with my new love. We still share a lot of friends and we meet from time to time, but that story is over, sorry!
I keep my souvenir and it is nice, from time to time, to remember those good days, but the future is elsewhere. I am pretty sure I wouldn't be able to live again in London: too much stressful, too big, too many things. Great city, but Brussels is better and more relaxed for me.

Anyway, this song is still great.

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Eurocrisis, in a nutshell

Since the beginning of the crisis (2008-2010), Europe is ruled by a centre-right coalition with an overwhelming majority in the European Parliament and the unanimity in the Council, meaning the 27-28 PMs of European member states. This coalition is based on the idea of “austerity” as way-out for the crisis (although with few internal discussions before finding an agreement). Negotiations with Greece progressed as long as Greeks voted in line with this centre-right majority, and shared this approach. During last elections, Greeks said that this policy was detrimental for them, and turned to the left breaking the unanimity in the EU Council. Clearly, this political difference is a problem for negotiations, and this has determined the current crisis.

We might dislike the situation, but this is line with the Europe we voted for. My positions were minoritarian, but I had my voice during last Italian and European elections. I don’t like these results and outcomes, but we’ve lost elections. I am just very annoyed by those asking for change, but voting for the status quo. That’s all.

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this summer

Sofia, Istanbul, Samothrace.

See you later.

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still improvising

Last night, my first theatre class performed for the first (and last) improshow. I was the theacher and the director of the show... Emotion, for me... my first time in English... Well done, my boyz did a great job... I'm very happy...

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now, I've

Now I've this blog, plus facebook, twitter, googlebuzz and google+... and so? What do I need? I'm becoming a bit doubtful about so many similar tools. I mean: I like these things, but now it seems to much.

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confesso un'emozione, improvvisamente

Vi confesso, senza spiegarvi troppo, un'emozione.
Domani, insegnerò alla mia prima classe... di teatro.
Insegnare non è cosa nuova, ma teatro sì.
Emozione, come da primo giorno di scuola.

Come dissi tempo fa:
" All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts"
(W. Shakespeare)

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a bit scary

I've check the counter for contacts on this blog: in the last 24h, I've receveid visits from both the US Department of Justice and the Italian Ministry of Justice.

This makes me a bit scary.

I'm not a terrorist,
NON SONO UN TERRORISTA.

Maybe, you don't like my ideas, but I'm not a real revolution-man.
Sarò (catto)Comunista, ma se Silvio vuole prendersela con noi, scegliete qualcuno di più pericoloso per voi...
NON HO FATTO NIENTE...

I'M INNOCENT!!! I DIDN'T ANYTHING, I'VE A FAMILY... GET THEM! (H.S., 2005)

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In life

"In life, things are found by chance, but saved by choice" (C. Zucchi)

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