Tom Theuns
@tomtheuns.bsky.social
Assoc. Prof. Political Theory & European Politics, Leiden University
Democracy | EU | PI NWO Veni 2021-2025
Out now: PROTECTING DEMOCRACY IN EUROPE https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9781911723745
Prev. UWC; Maastricht; Oxford; Sciences Po
Democracy | EU | PI NWO Veni 2021-2025
Out now: PROTECTING DEMOCRACY IN EUROPE https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9781911723745
Prev. UWC; Maastricht; Oxford; Sciences Po
Expect Hungarian access to Russian oil and gas to be an election talking point in Hungary as Orban fights for his political survival.
(I won’t link the article because Döpfner is dangerous and Axel Springer owns Politico)
(I won’t link the article because Döpfner is dangerous and Axel Springer owns Politico)
November 17, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Expect Hungarian access to Russian oil and gas to be an election talking point in Hungary as Orban fights for his political survival.
(I won’t link the article because Döpfner is dangerous and Axel Springer owns Politico)
(I won’t link the article because Döpfner is dangerous and Axel Springer owns Politico)
Happy No Kings to all who celebrate
October 18, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Happy No Kings to all who celebrate
Ik vroeg chatgpt voor stemadvies:
- voor een stemmer met inhoudelijk geen voorkeuren
- die aangeeft dat economie en migratie belangrijke themas zijn
- en die niet op een kleine partij wil stemmen
advies? VVD
- voor een stemmer met inhoudelijk geen voorkeuren
- die aangeeft dat economie en migratie belangrijke themas zijn
- en die niet op een kleine partij wil stemmen
advies? VVD
September 29, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Ik vroeg chatgpt voor stemadvies:
- voor een stemmer met inhoudelijk geen voorkeuren
- die aangeeft dat economie en migratie belangrijke themas zijn
- en die niet op een kleine partij wil stemmen
advies? VVD
- voor een stemmer met inhoudelijk geen voorkeuren
- die aangeeft dat economie en migratie belangrijke themas zijn
- en die niet op een kleine partij wil stemmen
advies? VVD
September 27, 2025 at 11:49 AM
you can't fly a paper plane from Germany to the Netherlands, but you can cross the border in one step
September 24, 2025 at 6:51 AM
you can't fly a paper plane from Germany to the Netherlands, but you can cross the border in one step
When I suggest that the rivalry between Draco and Harry takes place in the context of a magical sports-based setting (prompt 75), ChatGPT suggested 'Skyball' as the first option.
Later on in the same reply it referred to Skyball as Quidditch.
8/10
Later on in the same reply it referred to Skyball as Quidditch.
8/10
September 23, 2025 at 12:56 PM
When I suggest that the rivalry between Draco and Harry takes place in the context of a magical sports-based setting (prompt 75), ChatGPT suggested 'Skyball' as the first option.
Later on in the same reply it referred to Skyball as Quidditch.
8/10
Later on in the same reply it referred to Skyball as Quidditch.
8/10
From prompt 70, ChatGPT started to suggest characters from the Harry Potter story unprompted: the first was Professor McGonagall.
She is the first, but this pattern will also accelerate as the chat develops.
7/10
She is the first, but this pattern will also accelerate as the chat develops.
7/10
September 23, 2025 at 12:56 PM
From prompt 70, ChatGPT started to suggest characters from the Harry Potter story unprompted: the first was Professor McGonagall.
She is the first, but this pattern will also accelerate as the chat develops.
7/10
She is the first, but this pattern will also accelerate as the chat develops.
7/10
For example, it's response to prompt 57 included both giving Ron red-hair, the first years gathering in the Great Hall, and making the stairs of the school move.
6/10
6/10
September 23, 2025 at 12:56 PM
For example, it's response to prompt 57 included both giving Ron red-hair, the first years gathering in the Great Hall, and making the stairs of the school move.
6/10
6/10
By prompt 28, ChatGPT suggested a very specific detail from the Harry Potter story that I didn't tease out or ask for - Vernon, the name of his uncle.
Offering such details would become increasingly frequent in the rest of the chat.
5/10
Offering such details would become increasingly frequent in the rest of the chat.
5/10
September 23, 2025 at 12:56 PM
By prompt 28, ChatGPT suggested a very specific detail from the Harry Potter story that I didn't tease out or ask for - Vernon, the name of his uncle.
Offering such details would become increasingly frequent in the rest of the chat.
5/10
Offering such details would become increasingly frequent in the rest of the chat.
5/10
I got 'Harry' by asking alternative first names that sound like Larry, then, in prompt 20, I asked for surnames similar to Cotter that also reflect a trade.
Potter was ChatGPT's first suggestion.
I used similar workarounds to get Hogwarts, Draco Malfoy, Ron and Hermione.
4/10
Potter was ChatGPT's first suggestion.
I used similar workarounds to get Hogwarts, Draco Malfoy, Ron and Hermione.
4/10
September 23, 2025 at 12:56 PM
I got 'Harry' by asking alternative first names that sound like Larry, then, in prompt 20, I asked for surnames similar to Cotter that also reflect a trade.
Potter was ChatGPT's first suggestion.
I used similar workarounds to get Hogwarts, Draco Malfoy, Ron and Hermione.
4/10
Potter was ChatGPT's first suggestion.
I used similar workarounds to get Hogwarts, Draco Malfoy, Ron and Hermione.
4/10
In prompt 18, I nudged ChatGPT to give Larry's scar a 'specific, noticeable shape'.
ChatGPT's first suggestion was a lightning blot.
4/10
ChatGPT's first suggestion was a lightning blot.
4/10
September 23, 2025 at 12:56 PM
In prompt 18, I nudged ChatGPT to give Larry's scar a 'specific, noticeable shape'.
ChatGPT's first suggestion was a lightning blot.
4/10
ChatGPT's first suggestion was a lightning blot.
4/10
By the twelfth prompt, ChatGPT suggested Larry goes to the 'Enchanted Academy', a magical school.
My strategy remained largely constant. I would say I don't like some detail, and ask for a list of alternatives, pushing along the Harry Potter theme without explicitly naming things.
3/10
My strategy remained largely constant. I would say I don't like some detail, and ask for a list of alternatives, pushing along the Harry Potter theme without explicitly naming things.
3/10
September 23, 2025 at 12:56 PM
By the twelfth prompt, ChatGPT suggested Larry goes to the 'Enchanted Academy', a magical school.
My strategy remained largely constant. I would say I don't like some detail, and ask for a list of alternatives, pushing along the Harry Potter theme without explicitly naming things.
3/10
My strategy remained largely constant. I would say I don't like some detail, and ask for a list of alternatives, pushing along the Harry Potter theme without explicitly naming things.
3/10
Slowly, I tweaked the story closer to the one we all know.
After the second prompt, ChatGPT suggested 'Larry' slept under the stairs.
2/10
After the second prompt, ChatGPT suggested 'Larry' slept under the stairs.
2/10
September 23, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Slowly, I tweaked the story closer to the one we all know.
After the second prompt, ChatGPT suggested 'Larry' slept under the stairs.
2/10
After the second prompt, ChatGPT suggested 'Larry' slept under the stairs.
2/10
yeah, we don’t group buy FT alas.
Is not obvious to me that the weekly digital edition of the economist is included in the discounted digital edition, do you know that it is?
Is not obvious to me that the weekly digital edition of the economist is included in the discounted digital edition, do you know that it is?
September 15, 2025 at 7:40 AM
yeah, we don’t group buy FT alas.
Is not obvious to me that the weekly digital edition of the economist is included in the discounted digital edition, do you know that it is?
Is not obvious to me that the weekly digital edition of the economist is included in the discounted digital edition, do you know that it is?
Smart look for our collaboratively authored democratic theory manifesto THE SCIENCES OF THE DEMOCRACIES (UCL Press, release date: August 7)
It's been wonderful to be part of this project, with lead authors Jean-Paul Gagnon and Benjamin Abrams.
uclpress.co.uk/book/the-sci...
#OpenAccess
It's been wonderful to be part of this project, with lead authors Jean-Paul Gagnon and Benjamin Abrams.
uclpress.co.uk/book/the-sci...
#OpenAccess
July 18, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Smart look for our collaboratively authored democratic theory manifesto THE SCIENCES OF THE DEMOCRACIES (UCL Press, release date: August 7)
It's been wonderful to be part of this project, with lead authors Jean-Paul Gagnon and Benjamin Abrams.
uclpress.co.uk/book/the-sci...
#OpenAccess
It's been wonderful to be part of this project, with lead authors Jean-Paul Gagnon and Benjamin Abrams.
uclpress.co.uk/book/the-sci...
#OpenAccess
I like how these little ovular dudes are teaching toddlers how see-sawing is a zero sum game and nothing to laugh about
June 14, 2025 at 12:10 PM
I like how these little ovular dudes are teaching toddlers how see-sawing is a zero sum game and nothing to laugh about
Best gift-for-talk ever.
Karola Voß (mayor of Ahaus) and Gerard van den Hengel (mayor of Haaksbergen) gave me an insect hotel as thanks for a short presentation I gave on my research/the theme of 'European Friendship' during their visit to Leiden & The Hague last week.
Beats the classic 🍷 or 💐!
Karola Voß (mayor of Ahaus) and Gerard van den Hengel (mayor of Haaksbergen) gave me an insect hotel as thanks for a short presentation I gave on my research/the theme of 'European Friendship' during their visit to Leiden & The Hague last week.
Beats the classic 🍷 or 💐!
May 25, 2025 at 6:39 AM
Best gift-for-talk ever.
Karola Voß (mayor of Ahaus) and Gerard van den Hengel (mayor of Haaksbergen) gave me an insect hotel as thanks for a short presentation I gave on my research/the theme of 'European Friendship' during their visit to Leiden & The Hague last week.
Beats the classic 🍷 or 💐!
Karola Voß (mayor of Ahaus) and Gerard van den Hengel (mayor of Haaksbergen) gave me an insect hotel as thanks for a short presentation I gave on my research/the theme of 'European Friendship' during their visit to Leiden & The Hague last week.
Beats the classic 🍷 or 💐!
My 2yo is convinced that I am this sleeping lion from Elmer. Or maybe that the sleeping lion is her daddy.. it's unclear. Not sure how I feel about this.
Anyway, happy Easter weekend to those who celebrate (and a Good Friday to those who don't 😉). Logging off for a bit.
Anyway, happy Easter weekend to those who celebrate (and a Good Friday to those who don't 😉). Logging off for a bit.
April 18, 2025 at 7:28 AM
My 2yo is convinced that I am this sleeping lion from Elmer. Or maybe that the sleeping lion is her daddy.. it's unclear. Not sure how I feel about this.
Anyway, happy Easter weekend to those who celebrate (and a Good Friday to those who don't 😉). Logging off for a bit.
Anyway, happy Easter weekend to those who celebrate (and a Good Friday to those who don't 😉). Logging off for a bit.
Reminds me of Balzac's proofs, which I saw in a fascinating exhibition in Paris recently.
April 15, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Reminds me of Balzac's proofs, which I saw in a fascinating exhibition in Paris recently.
Turns out the best thing to beat winter blues is spring
March 25, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Turns out the best thing to beat winter blues is spring
I side with the meteorologists—spring starts on March 1. Because that means:
• Winter is over.
• The Oxford University Press (US) edition of Protecting Democracy in Europe was published on the first day of spring!
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
• Winter is over.
• The Oxford University Press (US) edition of Protecting Democracy in Europe was published on the first day of spring!
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
March 4, 2025 at 11:19 AM
I side with the meteorologists—spring starts on March 1. Because that means:
• Winter is over.
• The Oxford University Press (US) edition of Protecting Democracy in Europe was published on the first day of spring!
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
• Winter is over.
• The Oxford University Press (US) edition of Protecting Democracy in Europe was published on the first day of spring!
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
I called up srp coatings to ask if they thought European security integration would be accelerated because of the breakdown of the Atlantic alliance but it turned out we had a different idea of what fell under 'non-paint specialist'
February 16, 2025 at 1:03 PM
I called up srp coatings to ask if they thought European security integration would be accelerated because of the breakdown of the Atlantic alliance but it turned out we had a different idea of what fell under 'non-paint specialist'
someone at Microsoft doesn't like that I've been highly invited for servicing 🤔
January 26, 2025 at 7:13 PM
someone at Microsoft doesn't like that I've been highly invited for servicing 🤔
strong historian jealously this morning. miffed my current project requires attention to the news cycle.
I want to stop scrolling and start scrolling 👇
I want to stop scrolling and start scrolling 👇
January 16, 2025 at 10:00 AM
strong historian jealously this morning. miffed my current project requires attention to the news cycle.
I want to stop scrolling and start scrolling 👇
I want to stop scrolling and start scrolling 👇