Philosopher Ward Huetink (Socires) and Denker des Vaderlands Marjan Slob are guests of the first episode of Freedom and Connectivity, a new podcast presented by Bas Mesters. Marjan Slob discusses the increasing loneliness in society and Ward Huetink discusses new forms of connectedness and meaning that arise.
In the podcast Bas Mesters talks to Marjan Slob and Ward Huetink about the tension between freedom and connectedness. That freedom offers much needed space is undeniable. But much space for yourself also creates distance and can lead to too little connection to the other, and therefore to loneliness. Marjan Slob wrote The empty sky (2020) in which she thinks about loneliness, and as Thinker of the Fatherland she instructs herself to "make space." Ward Huetink talks about the forms of connectedness that have arisen in the newly found space in society, and to what extent these structures can give meaning.
Ward Huetink © Lilian van Rooij
Marjan Slob © Robert van Hall
Listen to the podcast via Spotify, Apple podcastsOr your favorite podcast app.
Ward Huetink is researcher in Socires and programme leader of Structures of Sense. The programme inventoryes, examines and stimulates Socires in collaboration with Vrijzinen Nederland new movements of encounter and meaning, which generate or seek new ritual forms. For more information, please visit SociresEN/SvZ.
Marjan Slob is an independent philosopher, speaker and writer, and Denker of the Fatherland (2023-2025). She wrote several works including The empty sky: about loneliness (2020) and recently Through the trees the house: about wood construction (2022). For more information, please visit Your emails or on EN
Freedom and Connectivity is a new podcast series of De Interv Space in collaboration with Stichting Stimuling Vrijzien Onderwijstgoed. Together they explore the limits and possibilities of freedom and connectedness. What do these concepts mean? Why are we struggling with it? Where do they crash? How are they connecting? Editorial is by Bram van Boxtel and Laurents ten Kate. Presentation and final editing is in the hands of Bas Mesters.
The Space is a stage for independent debate and dialogue. An area where people from different perspectives discover, question and shape reality. Where speakers relate critically and learn from each other in freedom and equality. Programming is carried out by an independent editor. De Groene Amsterdammer is a media partner. For more information and episodes check podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the space between.
Socires is an independent think tank in The Hague. In various programmes, we focus on how institutions, business and civil society can build a vital society together, in view of the major changes in politics, the economy, culture and ecology. We do this through research, social analyses, public meetings, and publications. In addition, we develop forms of dialogue and cooperation in which several actors develop the willingness and capacity to take responsibility for strengthening society together.