Immigration is one of the defining societal issues of our time. It touches on the economy, labor markets, demographics, security, and values. Precisely because of this, the conversation around it tends to be emotionally charged, but for that same reason, it should also be as clear and honest as possible. Too often, the immigration debate … Read more
In local government, there is one word that tends to surface precisely when a decision feels difficult: reputational harm. When the issue on the table is a multimillion-dollar investment or the zoning of a new development area based on investment promises, the discussion usually begins with numbers. Profitability calculations. Employment effects. Risk assessments. Scenarios. And … Read more
Traditional car culture and hands-on automotive enthusiasm are going through a period of transition. The average age of car enthusiasts keeps rising, hair in garage crews is turning gray, the ranks are thinning, and conversations more often begin with the words, “Do you remember back when…” Younger enthusiasts still find their way in, but in … Read more
I’ve been producing events since the early 1990s—in many different roles and across a wide range of productions. One of the most important has been the family-friendly classic and hobby car event Big Wheels – The Summer Meet in Pieksämäki, which has been part of my life since 2002. Over the years, Big Wheels has … Read more
The “rules-based international order” has, since World War II, largely been a story the Western world has told itself: a world in which international rules are respected, sovereignty is honored, and disputes are resolved in institutions rather than on the battlefield. Now that story seems to be breaking down—fast. The extraordinary U.S. military operation in … Read more
The Monroe Doctrine seems to have stepped back out of the history books into the world of the living — now reborn as the Donroe Doctrine. But has a new Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact already been concluded as well — and are we already living with its consequences? History has a habit of repeating itself. The United … Read more
We all carry around a whole dictionary of comforting phrases: “Pull yourself together.”, “Think positive.”, “One day at a time.” and the classic: “This too shall pass.” They’re easy to say. They roll off the tongue like an automated reply — friendly, harmless, a little distant. Most of the time, they’re meant to build a … Read more
Right now, several generations live side by side, each with a very different relationship to war and its threat. There are children, teenagers, and adults for whom the Cold War is nothing more than the title of a chapter in a history book, and many no longer have anyone in their close circle who still … Read more
It’s easy to blame globalization, online shopping, and cheap shipping for the disappearance of brick-and-mortar stores. But honestly, the biggest culprit is often staring back at us in the mirror — we, the consumers. Many of us walk into a local shop to test a product, feel the quality, and ask the salesperson for extra … Read more
Events are an important part of many municipalities’ identity and sense of community. They bring people together, offer things to do, and make life more enjoyable. Farmers’ markets, summer festivals, and cultural evenings are valuable moments in everyday life — experiences that can’t be measured in money. From an economic perspective, however, their impact is … Read more