Author: Jouke Gaastra
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My AI Stack in 2025: Why the ‘Best’ Model Isn’t Always What You Need
A couple of weeks ago, I was chatting with Claude about European flight rewards programmes, just a conversation on how I could improve one of my existing blog posts. Twenty minutes later, I had a functional Eurobonus calculator running on my blog. The interesting part? I never asked for an app. Claude just… built one. This crystallised…
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RIS-505 2024 – Autumn Resit Exam – Explanation
This NotebookLM-generated video explains the answers to the first (Autumn) Semester resit exam of 2024.
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Vacation and Productivity: Lessons from Marrakech
Introduction We’re waiting for the train to Gardermoen Airport. The Oslo sky is autumn blue, warm enough for just a light wool jumper. I can’t quite believe that this afternoon we’ll be in 30-degree heat in the bustling medina of Marrakech. I’m mentally reviewing my packing list, but not the usual holiday checklist. I’m thinking…
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RIS-505 – Foundations of Risk Analysis and Risk Science – Video 2
Like I said, I am revisiting the RIS505 course material while trying out new AI tools to see how they have improved and whether they are any good at helping me study. I was really surprised by how well NotebookLM has become. It generated an excellent video. Yet, as always, AI should only be used…
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RIS-505 – Foundations of Risk Analysis and Risk Science – Video 1
I am currently retaking RIS-505 to improve my grade. So I am revisiting the course material while trying out new AI tools to see how they have improved and if they are any good at helping me study. I was really surprised by how well NotebookLM has become. It generated an excellent video. Yet, as…
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Book Review: The Paradox of Svalbard
After spending seven weeks on Svalbard, I thought I had a good understanding of what life was like in Longyearbyen. I’d experienced the midnight sun, navigated the rules about polar bear safety, and observed the unique dynamics of this remote Arctic community. But it wasn’t until I read The Paradox of Svalbard by Zdenka Sokolíčková…
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What’s On My Desk: A Windows User’s Apple Ecosystem Experience
Let’s talk tech, that’s always fun. The MacBook I recently bought a MacBook Air—my first Apple laptop. I grew up with Apple computers in the house, but I’ve always been a Windows user. I never understood why you would spend more for having fewer functionalities. But over the last two to three years, things have…
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What Does It Cost to Study in Norway?
After completing my degree in Risk Analysis at UIS in Stavanger (2023-2025), it’s time to make up the balance. I’ve kept records for most of the months I studied, so I’ll be able to provide you with a reasonably accurate picture of what you can expect to spend if you plan to pursue studies in…
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My Messy Writing Workflow: From Brain Dump to Published Post
My writing process isn’t what you’d call “polished.” There’s no content calendar, no editorial strategy, and no organised system. What I do have is a workflow that consistently publishes posts, which is more than I can say for the rigid systems I’ve tried and abandoned in the past. Going with the flow This simplicity is…
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1000 Days of Norwegian On Duolingo; The Strangest Sentences
Duolingo is known for its somewhat strange sentences. Scentences that make you question, when will I ever use this? Because they are so strange, you do tend to remember them. But then again, will you ever use them? questions questions… Here are the eight strangest sentences I’ve encountered or found on the web during my…
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A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy (1859): Marx’s Preface Explained
Background I was discussing the course literature of ”Philosophy of Science and Research Methods (MEE125)” (Part of the Master Sustainability at the University of Stavanger), and I thought that one of the texts on the list would make for a good blog post. In this blog post, I’ll explain the main arguments of Marx in…
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Hunting for Ducks: How Well Do You Evade Black Swans?
I’ve built what might be the world’s first risk management training tool disguised as a browser game. Well, sort of. It’s called Black Swan Duck Hunt, and whilst it looks like a simple shooting game, it’s actually a profound metaphor for organisational development. The Art of Duck Hunting In the game, you’re hunting ducks. These…
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Why Results Matter More Than Degrees in 2025 Job Applications
Here’s an uncomfortable truth about today’s job market: your degree is worth less than it was a decade ago. Look at the numbers. In Ireland, 63.9% of 25-29 year-olds hold tertiary education. In Luxembourg, it’s 61.1%. France sits at 54.3%, while the Netherlands and Cyprus both exceed 55%. Across the Euro area, we’re looking at…
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The Seven Summits of Norway: My Next Challenge?
I’ve been looking for a new fitness challenge. After six rounds of the Nijmeegse Vierdaagse (the four day marches), I’m ready for something different. Don’t get me wrong, walking 200km in four days through the filled streets of Nijmegen has been amazing, but living in Norway now, the logistics of getting back to Nijmegen each…
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Rethinking Risk Matrices: A Scoping Review of Probability Consequence Diagrams and Decision Framework for Diagram Selection
Two years ago, when I first started learning the academic side of risk analysis at the University of Stavanger, I discovered the gaps between academics and risk management in practice. Most of these gaps can be traced back to the way risk is defined. The risk definition, which involves multiplying probability by consequences (C×P), is…
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Exploring Norway on a Budget: A Complete Guide
I knew Norway was an expensive country before I moved here two years ago, but I was still surprised when I did my first grocery shopping. I was standing in an REMA 1000 (looks a bit like an Aldi for those of you unfamiliar), staring at vegetables that cost three times what I’d paid in…
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My Life in Weeks
This is a map of my life — where each tiny box represents a single week I’ve lived or will (hopefully) live. All the boxes together represent 100 Years. I first came across this idea through Gina Trapani’s blog, who made her own version. She got it from Wait But Why’s now-classic post on Your…
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Test Your Norwegian! Similar Sayings in Norwegian and Dutch
It has been fun learning Norwegian. Sayings I think are especially fun, and there are plenty of similarities between Norwegian and Dutch in that respect. Here are some of my favourites. Do you know the meaning?
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How to Create a Risk Matrix for Cyber Security using Python
Creating this cybersecurity risk matrix visualisation is more straightforward than it might initially appear. I’ve provided the complete Python code for generating this matrix, which uses matplotlib and numpy libraries. Install the required libraries (pip install matplotlib numpy) and run the script to generate your own cybersecurity risk assessment visualisation.
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My SAS EuroBonus Credit Card Application: The Expat Credit Conundrum
I recently cancelled my Dutch American Express Platinum card and mentioned that I was planning to switch to the SAS EuroBonus Mastercard as my primary travel card. Well, things didn’t go quite as smoothly as I’d hoped. The Application Process After weighing my options (which you can read about in my Best Norwegian Credit Card for Flight Bonuses post),…