Is IT transforming democracy?
RevisitHow did IT impact democracies in 2016? From amendment generators to innovative counter-strategies, technology's influence on politics continues to grow.
The price of ignoring context in problem-solving
RevisitWithout context, problem-solving skills suffer, affecting both personal and social effectiveness. Aldo Matteucci explains why cultivating creativity and contextual awareness is essential.
Are states truly unitary actors?
RevisitThe 'realism' theory assumes states have a single coherent principal directing subordinate agents, but history tells a different story. WWI, the 1941 USA–Japan oil embargo, and the Vietnam War reveal complex internal dynamics.
![The hidden layers of consciousness 1 Representation of consciousness from the seventeenth century](https://diplo-media.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/2024/06/Representation-of-consciousness-495x400.png)
The hidden layers of consciousness
RevisitDiscover how consciousness is connected to social behaviour, and how our subjective experiences shape our reality.
![The waning of mind maps 2 iderot and d'Alembert's 'Map of the System of Human Knowledge'](https://diplo-media.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/2024/06/Encyclopedie-_Diderots_Tree_of_Knowledge-495x400.jpg)
The waning of mind maps
RevisitThere has been a steady shift from using mind maps to relying on external maps. What impact does this have on human cognition and our decision-making processes? Aldo Matteucci analyses.
![Religious history and big data 3 Celebrated in regions across India, Nepal, and other countries, Chhath Puja is an ancient Hindu Vedic festival dedicated to the sun god Surya. During the festival, people participate in several rituals, such as bathing in holy water, abstaining from food and drink, and standing in the water for at least one hour to ask for protection for their families.](https://diplo-media.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/2024/05/Chhath-Puja-495x400.jpg)
Religious history and big data
AI & philosophy, humAInism, Revisit Artificial IntelligenceIn 2015, Aldo Matteucci commented on the ambitious plan for a big data-driven encyclopedia of religious cultural history, highlighting issues with Western biases and the difficulty of quantifying religious experiences.
Diplomacy and spying
Revisit Diplomatic functions and toolsGovernments spying is common, but diplomats should not. In this post, Aldo Matteucci explores the importance of privacy, autonomy, and creativity in diplomacy, warns against the threats from public opinion, and advocates for pragmatic transparency.
![Video games for diplomats? 4 diplomacy board game](https://diplo-media.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/2024/05/diplomacy-board-game-495x400.jpg)
Video games for diplomats?
RevisitCould video games improve how diplomats learn? And how do they enhance skills in decision-making, problem-solving, and strategic thinking? Aldo Matteucci analyses.
![The winding road to understanding soft power 5 Skydivers from 17 countries set a Head Up World Record](https://diplo-media.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/2024/04/Norman-Kent-Photography-HeadUp-Record-2019-03101-495x400.jpg)
The winding road to understanding soft power
RevisitThe post examines how shared beliefs and experiences shape society, alongside the continuous evolution of our social structures.
How does identity impact segregation?
RevisitHow does identity impact segregation, and how do fractals come into play? Join the discussion to uncover the complex interplay shaping our cities.