Olivier Beys
@olivierbeys.bsky.social
Works at EU Parliament on circular economy and green industry transition | Founder of Tournevie tool library | Fond of commons projects and Brussels | www.tournevie.be
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Olivier Beys
@olivierbeys.bsky.social
· Nov 23
Four simple steps on how to argue intelligently and how to criticize with kindness, by the inimitable Daniel Dennett.
It's an invaluable little gem I cannot recommend enough for anyone making an argument on online plaforms.
brainpickings.org/2014/03/28/d...
It's an invaluable little gem I cannot recommend enough for anyone making an argument on online plaforms.
brainpickings.org/2014/03/28/d...
Reposted by Olivier Beys
This is who Chancellor Merz is allying Germany with.
February 13, 2026 at 7:48 AM
This is who Chancellor Merz is allying Germany with.
Met 'bondgenoten' zoals Jim Ratcliffe van #Ineos heeft de Vlaamse regering, die nochtans dolgraag fossiele krakers in Antwerpen wil en er veel geld, tijd en middelen voor over heeft, geen vijanden nodig. www.tijd.be/ondernemen/c...
Ineos eist compensatie van Vlaamse overheid voor vernietiging vergunning kraker
Ineos, de groep rond de Britse miljardair Jim Ratcliffe, eist een vergoeding van de Vlaamse regering voor de vernietiging in 2023 van de vergunning voor Project One, de ethaankraker van het chemiebedr...
www.tijd.be
February 12, 2026 at 9:51 AM
Met 'bondgenoten' zoals Jim Ratcliffe van #Ineos heeft de Vlaamse regering, die nochtans dolgraag fossiele krakers in Antwerpen wil en er veel geld, tijd en middelen voor over heeft, geen vijanden nodig. www.tijd.be/ondernemen/c...
Morgen komen de Europese leiders samen in Alden Biesen. Context: de benarde situatie van de Europese industrie. De Wever en co misbruiken die situatie om te snijden in ons klimaatbeleid en Europa te versnipperen. Dat zal niks opleveren. Uiteraard bepleit de groene visie precies het omgekeerde 👇
February 11, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Morgen komen de Europese leiders samen in Alden Biesen. Context: de benarde situatie van de Europese industrie. De Wever en co misbruiken die situatie om te snijden in ons klimaatbeleid en Europa te versnipperen. Dat zal niks opleveren. Uiteraard bepleit de groene visie precies het omgekeerde 👇
Reposted by Olivier Beys
This Thursday, European leaders gather at Alden Biesen on the future of our industry.
De Wever, Merz and Meloni want to dismantle European rules and hand more power to member states. But that weakens Europe precisely when we need to stand strong. 1/4 👇
groen.be/greening_industry_makes_europe_strong
De Wever, Merz and Meloni want to dismantle European rules and hand more power to member states. But that weakens Europe precisely when we need to stand strong. 1/4 👇
groen.be/greening_industry_makes_europe_strong
Greening industry makes Europe strong and independent
Ahead of the industry summit in Antwerp and the informal European summit at Alden Biesen, Sara Matthieu, member of the Industry Committee in the European Parliament, warns against the course that De W...
groen.be
February 10, 2026 at 10:34 AM
This Thursday, European leaders gather at Alden Biesen on the future of our industry.
De Wever, Merz and Meloni want to dismantle European rules and hand more power to member states. But that weakens Europe precisely when we need to stand strong. 1/4 👇
groen.be/greening_industry_makes_europe_strong
De Wever, Merz and Meloni want to dismantle European rules and hand more power to member states. But that weakens Europe precisely when we need to stand strong. 1/4 👇
groen.be/greening_industry_makes_europe_strong
"Profits of pitchfork and hammer manufacturers expected to soar in coming years"
February 10, 2026 at 11:13 AM
"Profits of pitchfork and hammer manufacturers expected to soar in coming years"
We staan voor een tweesprong: we kunnen kiezen voor de oude, gefaalde recepten van nationalistisch rechts met meer deregulering en 'flexibiliteit' voor lidstaten, of voor een gecoördineerd Europees en strategisch beleid gericht op investeringen in modernisering en vergroening 1/2
Overmorgen komen Europese leiders samen in Alden Biesen over de toekomst van onze industrie.
De Wever, Merz en Meloni willen Europese regels afbreken en lidstaten meer macht geven. Maar dat verzwakt Europa net wanneer we sterk moeten staan. 1/4 👇
groen.be/vergroening_industrie_europa
De Wever, Merz en Meloni willen Europese regels afbreken en lidstaten meer macht geven. Maar dat verzwakt Europa net wanneer we sterk moeten staan. 1/4 👇
groen.be/vergroening_industrie_europa
Groen: "Vergroening industrie maakt Europa sterk en onafhankelijk"
Op de vooravond van de industrietop in Antwerpen en de informele Europese top in Alden Biesen waarschuwt Sara Matthieu, lid van de Commissie Industrie in het Europees Parlement, voor de koers die De W...
groen.be
February 10, 2026 at 10:20 AM
We staan voor een tweesprong: we kunnen kiezen voor de oude, gefaalde recepten van nationalistisch rechts met meer deregulering en 'flexibiliteit' voor lidstaten, of voor een gecoördineerd Europees en strategisch beleid gericht op investeringen in modernisering en vergroening 1/2
Reposted by Olivier Beys
High energy prices, ageing assets, global overcapacity & delayed investments. Europe’s industry is under real pressure.
These challenges are real & must be addressed.
However, weakening rules protecting our health, climate & nature won't solve them.
✍️ @jenniferrankin.bsky.social @theguardian.com
These challenges are real & must be addressed.
However, weakening rules protecting our health, climate & nature won't solve them.
✍️ @jenniferrankin.bsky.social @theguardian.com
EU urged not to roll back green agenda in effort to revive faltering economy
Campaigners say industrial issues cannot be solved by watering down climate and environmental policies
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2026 at 9:10 AM
High energy prices, ageing assets, global overcapacity & delayed investments. Europe’s industry is under real pressure.
These challenges are real & must be addressed.
However, weakening rules protecting our health, climate & nature won't solve them.
✍️ @jenniferrankin.bsky.social @theguardian.com
These challenges are real & must be addressed.
However, weakening rules protecting our health, climate & nature won't solve them.
✍️ @jenniferrankin.bsky.social @theguardian.com
De laatste maanden is een campagne bezig om Europees beleid af te bouwen, zogezegd om 'de industrie te redden'. En Bart De Wever speelt er een hoofdrol in. Laat je niet vangen. De recepten van BDW, Meloni en Merz zullen de net EU verzwakken 👇 @ecodenker.bsky.social www.standaard.be/opinies/dit-...
Dit is een cruciale maand voor de EU: we mogen de Europese versie van de kettingzaagpolitiek geen kans geven
Rechtse politici en de zware industrie misbruiken de geopolitieke onzekerheid om hun agenda door te drukken, schrijft Dirk Holemans. De aanval op onze rechtsstaat en welvaart is ongezien.
www.standaard.be
February 9, 2026 at 9:53 AM
De laatste maanden is een campagne bezig om Europees beleid af te bouwen, zogezegd om 'de industrie te redden'. En Bart De Wever speelt er een hoofdrol in. Laat je niet vangen. De recepten van BDW, Meloni en Merz zullen de net EU verzwakken 👇 @ecodenker.bsky.social www.standaard.be/opinies/dit-...
Reposted by Olivier Beys
Hannah Arendt did not mince words, did she?
'Totalitarianism replaces all first-rate talents with crackpots and fools whose lack of intelligence and creativity is still the best guarantee of their loyalty.'
From "The Origins of Totalitarianism" (1951)
'Totalitarianism replaces all first-rate talents with crackpots and fools whose lack of intelligence and creativity is still the best guarantee of their loyalty.'
From "The Origins of Totalitarianism" (1951)
January 29, 2026 at 3:48 AM
Hannah Arendt did not mince words, did she?
'Totalitarianism replaces all first-rate talents with crackpots and fools whose lack of intelligence and creativity is still the best guarantee of their loyalty.'
From "The Origins of Totalitarianism" (1951)
'Totalitarianism replaces all first-rate talents with crackpots and fools whose lack of intelligence and creativity is still the best guarantee of their loyalty.'
From "The Origins of Totalitarianism" (1951)
Reposted by Olivier Beys
Waarom volgens de zeer bedachtzame Jonathan Rauch, die het F-woord niet snel in de mond neemt en tot voor kort afwees, Trump’s bewind een vorm van fascisme is.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
January 29, 2026 at 6:35 AM
Waarom volgens de zeer bedachtzame Jonathan Rauch, die het F-woord niet snel in de mond neemt en tot voor kort afwees, Trump’s bewind een vorm van fascisme is.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Voici un excellent résumé pourquoi le traité avec le Mercosur n’est pas une bonne idée pour notre souveraineté, une idée pourtant défendue par bcp de commentateurs récemment
L’accord UE-Mercosur et le piège de la réponse géopolitique à Donald Trump.
saskiabricmont.eu/priorites/24...
saskiabricmont.eu/priorites/24...
L’accord UE-Mercosur et le piège de la réponse géopolitique à Donald Trump
L’accord UE-Mercosur et le piège de la réponse géopolitique à Donald Trump
saskiabricmont.eu
January 27, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Voici un excellent résumé pourquoi le traité avec le Mercosur n’est pas une bonne idée pour notre souveraineté, une idée pourtant défendue par bcp de commentateurs récemment
Reposted by Olivier Beys
🇨🇦PM Carney just schooled our cowardly European leaders at #Davos. This speech was clearly aimed at them:
"We must actively take on the world as it is, not wait around for a world we wish to be."
"What does it mean for middle powers to live the truth? First it means naming reality..." (🧵1/6)
"We must actively take on the world as it is, not wait around for a world we wish to be."
"What does it mean for middle powers to live the truth? First it means naming reality..." (🧵1/6)
January 20, 2026 at 7:00 PM
🇨🇦PM Carney just schooled our cowardly European leaders at #Davos. This speech was clearly aimed at them:
"We must actively take on the world as it is, not wait around for a world we wish to be."
"What does it mean for middle powers to live the truth? First it means naming reality..." (🧵1/6)
"We must actively take on the world as it is, not wait around for a world we wish to be."
"What does it mean for middle powers to live the truth? First it means naming reality..." (🧵1/6)
Dit is precies het soort opvattingen die Europa naar de slachtbank hebben geleid. Zoals Mexico, Brazilië en China aantoonden moet je Trump weerstand bieden. Hij ziet militaire en commerciële chantage als een legitieme tactiek. Je moet hem tonen dat het niet werkt. www.standaard.be/opinies/eu-m...
EU moet nu vooral het hoofd koel houden
Het is verleidelijk om Trump een lesje te leren. Maar de EU moet vooral haar eigen belangen in het oog houden.
www.standaard.be
January 20, 2026 at 8:29 AM
Dit is precies het soort opvattingen die Europa naar de slachtbank hebben geleid. Zoals Mexico, Brazilië en China aantoonden moet je Trump weerstand bieden. Hij ziet militaire en commerciële chantage als een legitieme tactiek. Je moet hem tonen dat het niet werkt. www.standaard.be/opinies/eu-m...
Reposted by Olivier Beys
🇪🇺 Het nieuwe Made in Europe-plan had er al lang moeten liggen, want het is vijf voor twaalf.
Omdat fossiele grondstoffen elders goedkoper zijn, is onze industrie niet meer competitief. We moeten dus zo snel mogelijk van fossiele grondstoffen af. 1/2
www.tijd.be/politiek-eco...
Omdat fossiele grondstoffen elders goedkoper zijn, is onze industrie niet meer competitief. We moeten dus zo snel mogelijk van fossiele grondstoffen af. 1/2
www.tijd.be/politiek-eco...
Nieuw 'Made in Europe'-plan moet industrie in Europa houden
De Europese Commissie wil de tanende industriële basis van Europa afremmen met een nieuw pakket maatregelen. Met de zogenoemde Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) zet Brussel vol in op snellere vergunnin...
www.tijd.be
January 19, 2026 at 5:48 PM
🇪🇺 Het nieuwe Made in Europe-plan had er al lang moeten liggen, want het is vijf voor twaalf.
Omdat fossiele grondstoffen elders goedkoper zijn, is onze industrie niet meer competitief. We moeten dus zo snel mogelijk van fossiele grondstoffen af. 1/2
www.tijd.be/politiek-eco...
Omdat fossiele grondstoffen elders goedkoper zijn, is onze industrie niet meer competitief. We moeten dus zo snel mogelijk van fossiele grondstoffen af. 1/2
www.tijd.be/politiek-eco...
It has never as clear as today. I would hope the people and political leaders act accordingly
‼️ Billionaire wealth jumps three times faster in 2025 to highest peak ever, sparking dangerous political inequality.
Read Oxfam's new report ahead of #Davos 🔗 www.oxfam.org/en/press-rel...
#RuleOfTheRich #FightInequality #TaxTheSuperRich
#WEF26
Read Oxfam's new report ahead of #Davos 🔗 www.oxfam.org/en/press-rel...
#RuleOfTheRich #FightInequality #TaxTheSuperRich
#WEF26
January 19, 2026 at 12:31 PM
It has never as clear as today. I would hope the people and political leaders act accordingly
Pretty ironic to see the orange manchild in the White House throw tantrums like this, and accuse Europe of ‘civilisational decline’.
As always, watch out for declining empires (like the US) as they flail wildly about them.
As always, watch out for declining empires (like the US) as they flail wildly about them.
![NEW: @potus letter to @jonasgahrstore links @NobelPrize to Greenland, reiterates threats, and is forwarded by the NSC staff to multiple European ambassadors in Washington. I obtained the text from multiple officials:
Dear Ambassador:
President Trump has asked that the following message, shared with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, be forwarded to your [named head of government/state]
“Dear Jonas: Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America. Denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China, and why do they have a “right of ownership” anyway? There are no written documents, it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there, also. I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States. The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland. Thank you! President DJT”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:hbpefio3f5csc44msmbgioxz/bafkreie7itpptx3xbxhpsnlaqmwk752h7pcrion5ija2apksljtax2adx4@jpeg)
January 19, 2026 at 8:02 AM
Pretty ironic to see the orange manchild in the White House throw tantrums like this, and accuse Europe of ‘civilisational decline’.
As always, watch out for declining empires (like the US) as they flail wildly about them.
As always, watch out for declining empires (like the US) as they flail wildly about them.
Reposted by Olivier Beys
In sum, Europe has little to lose in hitting back hard. The hope here is Europe hits back hard and prompts Trump to deescalate, just as he has done on China. Thus by escalating Europe is also creating a pathway to deescalate this crisis.
January 18, 2026 at 3:04 AM
In sum, Europe has little to lose in hitting back hard. The hope here is Europe hits back hard and prompts Trump to deescalate, just as he has done on China. Thus by escalating Europe is also creating a pathway to deescalate this crisis.
Excellent piece. Contrary to the ridiculous claims in the US NSS that Europe is in 'civilisational decline', it has never been as relevant as today. That is exactly why powers such as the US and China (and multinationals and techbros) actively attempt to undermine it. Elbows up, Europe!
Europe Is Stronger Than Its Leaders Think
My latest for @projectsyndicate.bsky.social to counter the dominant narrative of a weak EU doomed to fail
prosyn.org/nsSlUOT
My latest for @projectsyndicate.bsky.social to counter the dominant narrative of a weak EU doomed to fail
prosyn.org/nsSlUOT
Europe Is Stronger Than Its Leaders Think
Alberto Alemanno warns policymakers against panic-driven reforms that threaten to undo hard-won gains.
prosyn.org
January 17, 2026 at 12:51 PM
Excellent piece. Contrary to the ridiculous claims in the US NSS that Europe is in 'civilisational decline', it has never been as relevant as today. That is exactly why powers such as the US and China (and multinationals and techbros) actively attempt to undermine it. Elbows up, Europe!
Brilliant takedown of the technocrats in Europe 👌
Withering spot-on piece on Europe’s governing elite that rings true for anyone who has spent time in Brussels: “This tribe hopes to ward off multiple catastrophes at once by following its trusted method: wait until adversaries act, then respond feebly”
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
The impotence of Europe’s governing elite
From Brussels to Moldova, the men in blue suits know they’re in trouble. But what are they going to do about it?
giftarticle.ft.com
January 17, 2026 at 12:10 PM
Brilliant takedown of the technocrats in Europe 👌
The MAGA elite is afraid of civilisational erasure in Europe and intends to boost the far right in upcoming elections. Sounds to me like they should be shitting their pants over their own demise. www.ft.com/content/f123...
January 14, 2026 at 4:55 PM
The MAGA elite is afraid of civilisational erasure in Europe and intends to boost the far right in upcoming elections. Sounds to me like they should be shitting their pants over their own demise. www.ft.com/content/f123...
Shoutout to Bsky!
X is cesspit filled to the brim with disinformation, porn and AI slop. It is poisoning our minds, societies and politics
Now #Musk is using it to destroy the EU and boost the far right
Sign this to call on your representatives to abandon X 📣
www.openpetition.eu/petition/onl...
X is cesspit filled to the brim with disinformation, porn and AI slop. It is poisoning our minds, societies and politics
Now #Musk is using it to destroy the EU and boost the far right
Sign this to call on your representatives to abandon X 📣
www.openpetition.eu/petition/onl...
Boycott X - Online petition
Get your representatives and governments from X, right now! Billionaire Elon Musk, the owner of X, supported the presidential election of Donald Trump with hundreds of millions of dollars. Trump torpe...
www.openpetition.eu
January 13, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Shoutout to Bsky!
X is cesspit filled to the brim with disinformation, porn and AI slop. It is poisoning our minds, societies and politics
Now #Musk is using it to destroy the EU and boost the far right
Sign this to call on your representatives to abandon X 📣
www.openpetition.eu/petition/onl...
X is cesspit filled to the brim with disinformation, porn and AI slop. It is poisoning our minds, societies and politics
Now #Musk is using it to destroy the EU and boost the far right
Sign this to call on your representatives to abandon X 📣
www.openpetition.eu/petition/onl...
Project promotors are usually convinced that ‘their’ project will push out the others on the market, not the other way around. Or they have friends in high places, with big guns. There’s a logic in the madness.
Despite the fact that the world is clearly oversupplied for oil in the coming years, it hasn't put a single dent in enthusiasm for accelerated expansion of new oil projects
The idea that this industry operates on a rational or logical basis is itself irrational...
productiongap.org/2025report/#...
The idea that this industry operates on a rational or logical basis is itself irrational...
productiongap.org/2025report/#...
January 10, 2026 at 11:38 PM
Project promotors are usually convinced that ‘their’ project will push out the others on the market, not the other way around. Or they have friends in high places, with big guns. There’s a logic in the madness.
Great rant once again, reflecting about every sane person’s mood right now 👌
January 8, 2026 at 11:18 PM
Great rant once again, reflecting about every sane person’s mood right now 👌
Europa heeft een probleem. En het zijn niet onze regeltjes om onze natuur en leefmilieu te beschermen, zoals ons alom wordt wijsgemaakt. Nee, het is onze cultuur. Case in point: een CEO zoals Dumarey, wiens uitspraken uit 2023 'have not aged well' to say the least.
www.standaard.be/economie/aut...
www.standaard.be/economie/aut...
January 8, 2026 at 3:17 PM
Europa heeft een probleem. En het zijn niet onze regeltjes om onze natuur en leefmilieu te beschermen, zoals ons alom wordt wijsgemaakt. Nee, het is onze cultuur. Case in point: een CEO zoals Dumarey, wiens uitspraken uit 2023 'have not aged well' to say the least.
www.standaard.be/economie/aut...
www.standaard.be/economie/aut...
This is Trump's manchild Homeland Security Advisor. In light of these (and other) tantrums, we shouldn't be surprised to see the US acting as a wrecking ball to international relations. A remidner to do everything we can to isolate this regime -- contrary to the spiel of European leaders right now.
MILLER: The US is using its military to secure our interests unapologetically in our hemisphere. We're a superpower. It's absurd we'd allow a nation in our backyard to become a supplier of resources to our adversaries
TAPPER: Sovereign countries shouldn't be able to do what they want?
M: *yells*
TAPPER: Sovereign countries shouldn't be able to do what they want?
M: *yells*
January 6, 2026 at 9:52 AM
This is Trump's manchild Homeland Security Advisor. In light of these (and other) tantrums, we shouldn't be surprised to see the US acting as a wrecking ball to international relations. A remidner to do everything we can to isolate this regime -- contrary to the spiel of European leaders right now.