
Welcome to The Thought Blog,
Every week, I’ll invite you to explore a wide range of topics, from philosophy and technology to design, science, business, politics, art, history, and the future. You’ll find that The Thought Blog covers an eclectic mix of subjects, each aimed at expanding your perspective and sparking new ways of thinking.
I don’t claim to be an expert in any one of these areas, but I am passionate about one thing: thinking. In fact, it’s my greatest passion — the process of diving deep into complex topics, questioning what I know, and sharing the journey along the way. This blog is an attempt to organize my thoughts and share them with anyone willing to join me in the exploration.
In this article, I’ll cover three things:
Why should you read? – What’s in it for you and what’s my goal in writing this.
Who am I? – A little background so you know who’s behind the words.
Ground rules – A few basic points about how The Thought Blog works.
Let’s dive in.
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Why read?
The world is a complex place, full of diverse perspectives. This can make it hard to navigate — especially when ideas are expressed in quick, shallow formats like tweets, short videos, or passing comments. Sometimes, it feels like we're all shouting over one another, but not really listening.
When I think back to the most formative moments of my youth, one stands out: dinner table discussions with my family. There, my parents, brothers, and I would talk about anything and everything, often touching on subjects like philosophy, technology, and the future. We weren’t trying to "win" arguments; we were there to enlighten one another. Through this exchange of ideas, we learned things we never would have imagined before.
This dynamic — the free flow of ideas, the willingness to listen, and the patience to understand — is what I want to replicate here. When we give others the space to express themselves and take the time to listen, the world opens up in ways we can’t access on our own. It’s a richer, more fulfilling experience.
That’s the goal of this blog: to share my thoughts, yes, but also to share them in a way that adds value to your own thinking. By carefully articulating my ideas and inviting you into the process, I hope to create a space where we can both expand our worlds.
In short, why read?
You enjoy a weekly read
You want to learn how to think
You want to be informed about topics you're interested in
You want to be exposed to new topics
You want to explore someone else's perspective on the world
You wish to expand your world and your thoughts
Now that you know why this blog exists and what it can offer, let me tell you a little more about myself and how I came to be here.
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Who am I?

I’m Robbe Nagel, a 24-year-old from the Netherlands. I studied Industrial Design at the University of Technology Eindhoven, which gave me a strong foundation in technology and design. For the past several years, I’ve been building businesses, including a company called Spaces that focuses on creating immersive, interactive experiences — think pop-up stores that function like physical social media. I’ll dive into more of this in future posts, but for now, that’s a bit of my background.
But here’s the thing: I’m not defined by my résumé. I’m not just an industrial designer or an entrepreneur. At my core, I’m an observer, a creator, and a storyteller.
An observer
For me, everything starts with observation. I look at the world around me — at people, places, nature, and things both large and small — and wonder. What’s beautiful? What’s surprising? What’s hidden beneath the surface? It’s this curiosity that sparks my thoughts and shapes the philosophies I share.
A creative
While observation is passive, creativity is an active force. I love solving problems, exploring new opportunities, and dreaming up ideas that can change the world. I see the world as a sandbox — shaped by those who came before and open for us to contribute to, as well. My greatest joy is playing a small part in this collective story.
A storyteller
Ideas are only meaningful when they are shared. In my life, I’ve discovered that storytelling is the most powerful way to communicate. Whether I’m giving a speech on New Year’s Eve, writing a short story for a friend, or speaking at a TEDx event, I’ve seen firsthand how stories can move, inspire, provoke thought, and foster connection.
These three elements — observation, creativity, and storytelling — are the heart of this blog. They’re how I make sense of the world, and how I aim to engage with you.
That said, while you’ll get to know me through my writing, this blog isn’t about me. Yes, I’ll occasionally share personal stories and experiences, but the real value here lies in the ideas we explore together. The Thought Blog is just as much for you as it is for me.
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Ground rules
To keep things simple, here are a few ground rules for The Thought Blog:
New posts every Sunday: You can count on a new post every week.
Length: Most articles will be a quick read — about 5 minutes — and rarely will they exceed 10 minutes.
Purpose: This blog is meant to inform, inspire, and provoke thought. It’s a place for deep reflection and meaningful exploration.
Contribute: Feel free to contribute in the comments! Your input makes The Thought Blog a more dynamic place, and suggested topics can be used for later articles.
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Thank you for joining me on this journey. I’m excited to share these thoughts with you and hear your own.
See you next week,
Robbe
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