Main Page

<ask default="None yet" format="embedded" limit="2" sort="published" order="desc"> +"+" contains an extrinsic dash or other characters that are invalid for a date interpretation.</ask>

Patrick Stewart

30 October 2026

When the table read of the first episode of The Next Generation happened, it was Patrick Stewart who first pronounced the name of the android Data. He enunciated a crisp T instead of the American habit of letting the letter disappear somewhere on the top of their mouth. Gene Roddenberry then set up the rule that whoever reads a name first decides on the pronunciation. Given the profound cultural impact of Star Trek this influenced the way data was pronounced, and thus much later also influenced Wikidata.

Captain Picard and Professor X as portrayed by Patrick Stewart embodied leadership for me, a role model since growing up. If you read up on the production of Star Trek: The Next Generation, you will learn that he also was a role model and a leader for the rest of the cast, his professionalism and conduct contributing far beyond the role he portrayed on screen. In his private life he served less of a role model, but unlike some other stars his private life sure didn't have anywhere near the prominence in the public consciousness as the roles he portrayed have.

He'll always be my Captain. "Make it so" is such a wonderful catchphrase, showing confidence in the capabilities of the crew, and how good communication and consensus had worked before. The scenes of Captain Picard and his leadership team sitting around the table, discussing options and coming to level headed decisions, had little counterpart on Kirk's Enterprise. I don't expect to get into the habit of drinking Earl Grey, hot, though.

And even though Magneto was right, Professor X exemplified the mercy and compassion I want to always aspire to. The real-world friendship with Ian McKellen provided such a fruitful interplay for the portrayal of the relationship between Professor X and Magneto: sure, both Stewart and McKellen were brilliant actors, and I have no doubt that they would have been able to bring that relationship to life on screen even if they would have despised each other off screen, but their chemistry and friendship off screen, knowing about it, just made the rivalry and friendship of the characters feel so much more vivid. I'm looking forward to seeing Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen portray Professor X and Magneto and their relationship once again in Doomsday.

Ad Astra.

Simia

Serbia elections 2026

26 October 2026

The election in Serbia is a win for democracy. The students' list very intentionally ran on one message: against the Vučić government, against corruption, for accountability. They tried to avoid having a commitment on any other issue: no commitment for or against the EU, for or against Russia, for or against Lithium exports. They defied having a leader, very intentionally.

They stand for basic values: for democracy, for the freedoms of speech, of press, of research and education, for a separation of powers. This was enough to carry an election, fortunately, but is it enough to form a government and lead a country?

Vučić was the minister of information in the Serbia of Milošević. I wouldn't be surprised if Vučić conceded quickly to position himself to run for president before the year is over. This isn't over.

The hard part is starting. Rebuilding democratic structures, reinstating press freedom, gaining agreements on what to do, not just on what to be against. All the best!

P.S.: To make it clear: I am so incredibly happy Vučić conceded quickly. In my mind I imagined sonic weapons being used against an agitated crowd, police and army marching against the people, voting results being faked, tanks rolling through the streets of Niš and Belgrade, the cities burning.

None of this happened.

And I am shaking with relief that none of this happened. And I am so incredibly thankful that none of this happened.

Vučić has lost the election. And he conceded. He did the Orbán. And for this, for this!, I am thankful to him.

This could have been a very different morning today. It is not. This is good.

Simia

... further results