Prosit! We all know from the student cantus and the parties, but now - all of a sudden - it’s got a nasty ring to it. That made us think. Is it really too early to be lighthearted about it? As usual, we tend to disagree. Respectfully...
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…The famous Dickens quote sums it up nicely. These past few weeks we’ve seen the best and the worst in people.
Of course this crisis is dreadful and massively destabilizing our society. No need to explain that any further. Of course people run huge risks and the remembrance of Covid-19 will be entirely different for those who lost a loved one, or were affected by it themselves. Of course we cannot predict what this is going to do for the weak, for the employment, for the economy. It’s unsettling, nut it cannot be helped. And we’re making the best of it.
A crisis always makes things clear. It’s a catalyst for both good and bad.
The evil mentality of speculants represented at its lowest level by greedy ‘panic’ buyers of toiletpaper and pasta. But also the tremendous kindness and voluntary help of many companies, organizations and individuals. Trying to make a difference, trying to make things bearable.
The idea that our global European idea is totally ruined, versus the strengthening of local government, and local communities. This is not the end of the EU, it could very well mean the new beginning, of a European context based on people rather than economic frameworks. Why not?
The relentless whining and complaining we hear all around, vis à vis the seamlessly unending energy and willpower of scientists, doctors and medical personnel to help people and fight the disease.
It is a destabilizing time, but it is also a period of immense creativity. And it’s precisely that creativity that we want, need to highlight… for out of creativity come solutions. And solutions is what will make us stronger.
We invite you all to participate in a contest. Not just any contest, but the expression of your creative ideas. Be it a painting, a video, a graphic expression or the writing of an essay on the positive aspects of the Corona virus. Because optimism and laughter are strong forces, capable of making the difference.
Therefore. Start writing, filming, singing,… Unleash your creative potential and show how you think, reflect and acted during the crisis.
What did it do to you, to your family and friends, to your local community. …
Ask your fellow alumni to join in. Put VUB on the map, around the world, showing that your education and your time here made complete human beings out of you.
But first and foremost, show that a connection remains, no matter how hard we’ re all touched by this atrocity. Let’s make something beautiful out of this.
You won’t be doing it for free. Because the first 10 participants will receive a copy of the book Homo Roboticus, an essay on the interrelations between man, technology, science and art.
You can send your submission to alumni@vub.be!