Translated, the title of this book would be Who do you choose to be? Conversations and thoughts about a new era (Wie kies je om te zijn. Gesprekken en gedachten over een nieuwe tijd)

There is an obvious and growing discontent about our society and the functioning of its institutions. The mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema recently expressed this sentiment in a interview with a newspaper. Wie kies je om te zijn. Gesprekken en gedachten over een nieuwe tijd was first published in 2021. It contains 53 short essays, of 7 or 8 pages each, based on interviews with people from all walks of life. The interviews are grouped into five sections, bringing together contributions by theme or background of the contributor, viz. politicians, scientists, artists, philosophers and other public figures. Many are well-known public figures or autoritative representatives in their field.

What brings most contributions together is a striving for authenticity. There is broad consensus among the contributors that, although nostalgia plays a role, solutions are to be found in making choices toward new ways in the future, rather than restoring past patterns. However, core elements from our culture need to be reinvigorated, as there will always remain a need for truth, and true and effective communication.

Still, the book is reflective, and there are no ready solutions. It is a pleasure to read and contemplate each contributors ideas and thoughts. ( )