What are ‘Bildungblocks’ and what does the logo reference?

Through the blogs and videos that I post to on this webpage, I intend to provide an accessible mode of learning, which is often not available to most of us after we have left the formal education system. The topics discussed belong, I think, to that part of the humanities through which we can become more complete persons, and thus work on our Bildung. The logo reflects this ambition, as it is the cuneiform sign ĜEŠTUG. In ancient Mesopotamia this sign was taken to mean, amongst other readings, ‘wisdom’ or ‘understanding’. More on Bildung can be read here. And a thorough explanation of the logo can be found there.

Why are you qualified to do this?

I have dwelled long enough in academia, both as a student and as an employee, to know the ropes of academic research. Luckily, I got out with my sense of humor intact.

Speaking of humor: why the cringy humor in an otherwise accurate and informative blog?

In a large part to maintain my own sanity. I have written hundreds of thousands of words for a variety of clients and employers. Unfortunately few of their lines of business allowed for humor. In addition, it is my firm believe that knowledge can be absorbed and retained more readily if there is a mental ‘hook’ of sorts. I have found the humor is as good a mental hook as any.

It is the current year, why is this website so simplistic?

The spartan design of the site allows those with bad eyesight to make the texts as large as they desire. Furthermore, it makes the lives of those who use text-to-speech-software easier.

Why the footnotes?

As I am a card-carrying member of the International Association for Meticulousness, I am more or less obligated to do this – else I will not by invited to anyone’s birthday ever again. But to drop the droll, nobody is always right. With notes, readers can verify my sources and remind me of my fallibility. Furthermore, and hopefully more important in practice, if a topic interest you, you can find more information through the footnotes.

You didn’t reference that one important source! Are you incompetent?

While selecting the sources for these blogs, I take care that they are as easily accessible as possible. Because, if readers cannot find the sources that I refer to, they cannot correct me nor can they find more on the topics that interest them. This also means that I am sometimes stuck with older or more general literature, than is customary in scholarly publication. But I always take care that my sources can carry my points. More on my fastidiousness in selecting proper sources can be found here.

Is it better to read Bildungblocks in English or Dutch?

English of course!