New Phaistos

We have all been there... If you’ve been in the workforce long enough, you’ve likely heard (or shared) stories of frustration with management. Most revolve around skipped promotions, lack of recognition, or unclear direction. But the memorable ones often stem from something deeper: a disconnect between leadership decisions and the actual work—the product, the clients, or the culture that keeps things running smoothly. These situations can be especially demoralizing for top performers, who may feel the urge to quit—or worse, disengage silently. But before you check out, consider this: what if you stayed and tried to make things better? If the mission still matters to you and your voice holds weight, then staying and pushing for change can be a powerful act of leadership. You’re not just a cog in the machine; you're someone with insight, passion, and the potential to influence. Change is tricky business Applying for a bottom up change like this can be tricky. Most probably it is goin...

The wrong villain? Aviation gets a lot of heat these days. In fact, a part of society has even started embracing the concept of “flight shaming”: the idea that flying is an environmental sin. But here's the thing: aviation accounts for roughly 2% of global CO₂ emissions. That’s it. Compare that to road transport (around 15%), industry (24%), or agriculture (over 18%, with methane and nitrous oxide making it even worse). Yet somehow, the plane ticket becomes the guilt trip. Of course, I understand - it’s easy to blame jets! Aircraft are loud, dramatic, visible and often associated with private flights and excess. But what we don’t see is often more damaging. Agriculture is a massive emitter, not just of gases but also in terms of water use and land degradation. Shipping, which silently brings us almost every physical product we buy, leaves a heavy environmental footprint. Especially considering the inefficiencies of ship engines and the degraded quality fuel they use. Perhaps howev...

A reflection on a year of writing And just like that, it’s been a full year since New Phaistos went live. What a journey it's been! I've kept a steady rhythm — one post every weekend — and many of you have left thoughtful comments that sparked some great discussions. Thank you for reading, sharing, and joining me along the way! To mark this 52nd post, I thought I’d celebrate with something lighter; a few reflections from my recent trip to Sweden. Impressions from Sweden Let’s start with the obvious: Sweden was a delightful surprise. Beyond the minimalist design, efficiency, and cultural exports pop culture conditions us to associate with the country, it offered a deeper sense of calm and order. One thing I particularly admired was how nature is seamlessly woven into everyday life. Stockholm, for instance, is 40% green space — parks, forests, and water all organically integrated into the cityscape. Even privately owned natural areas are accessible to the public, thanks to a d...

Cold nation, cool ideas One of the places I’ve always wanted to visit is Sweden. Despite the harsh weather and small population, the Swedes consistently punch above their weight. They excel in fashion (H&M), tech (Spotify), automotive (Volvo, SAAB), and even pop culture (ABBA). This efficiency and global impact piqued my curiosity and led me to start planning a trip. But the Swedes have also managed to build something most people don’t associate with small nations: a cutting-edge fighter jet. Fighter jets are notoriously complex. They require expertise in aeronautics, advanced electronics, access to rare materials, and a deep understanding of systems integration—all packaged into a machine that must survive modern warfare. That’s why most countries source their defense aircraft from military superpowers. A tale of three jets You might now be wondering: how did Sweden manage to develop a modern fighter jet — the Gripen (the Griffin) — on a relatively modest budget of less than €3 b...

A hobby of a lost era Recently I have fallen in love with a very noble, but niche martial art - fencing. At first glance, fencing looks like a relic of the past. A sport that echoes old-school duels, aristocratic showdowns, and centuries-old traditions. Watching two opponents face off, masked and armed with slender swords, it feels almost like a living museum piece. But I invite you to look closer. Fencing today is a actually a showcase of modern technology. The art of the blade Take the weapon itself. A fencing blade isn't just a piece of metal hammered into shape. It's a result of decades of material science. Modern blades are forged from high-grade tempered steel or sometimes advanced alloys that carefully balance two opposing needs: flexibility and strength. A blade must be rigid enough to perform with precision, yet flexible enough to bend dramatically upon impact, minimizing injury. In a way, the blade mirrors a broader truth about progress — the best tools aren't b...