Welcome to the Op-Ed Hub, the crown jewel of my writing collection!
Now, don’t get me wrong—every piece I write has its own value, but this section stands out because it features editorials that have graced the front page of România Liberă, one of Europe’s most esteemed newspapers since 1877.
Each essay serves as a doorway to the present, offering a clear-eyed look at technology, culture, and the search for meaning in our algorithm-driven world.
These aren’t just articles; they’re vibrant snapshots of thought, each one signed and published in a space that truly resonates with the public.
To find my articles on România Liberă webpage, click any title marked with the 🔗 symbol.
While the originals are in Romanian, you can find full English translations on ResearchGate and Academia.edu.
I invite you to dive in—not just to read, but to really engage with these essays as rich spaces for contemporary insight.
Beginning in November 2025, you'll be able to catch my op-eds from the online edition of România Liberă also through this website's RSS feed
December 1 isn’t just another day on the calendar;
it’s a vibrant link connecting our past to the future.
In this editorial featured in România Liberă (Issue No. 9995, December 2, 2025),
I take a closer look at how Romania’s defense philosophy has transformed over the years.
We journey from the rugged hills of Cireșoaia and the old-school Caquot observation balloons
to the cutting-edge, algorithm-driven systems of NATO.
It’s a fascinating evolution—from bayonets to drones, and from bravery to coding.
My article highlights the remarkable way tradition and technology
come together to protect our freedom in an age filled with hybrid threats.
In today’s world, where security challenges are becoming more digital by the day,
the lessons from the Great Union still ring true: we need to stick together and stay alert.
This piece encourages you to think about how
military honor and the latest innovations can work hand in hand,
creating a future where our resilience is both human and tech-savvy.
The Black Sea is far more than a mere expanse of water;
it serves as a vibrant crossroads where energy routes, military interests,
and geopolitical ambitions converge.
In today’s world, as hybrid threats and evolving alliances redefine security dynamics,
this region is quietly emerging as a pivotal front that will shape Europe’s future.
History reminds us that this scenario is not unprecedented.
During World War II, the Black Sea was fiercely contested,
crucial for its resources and strategic pathways.
The Romanian Mountain Corps, comprising Divisions 1, 2, 3, and 4,
traversed this land toward Crimea, leaving an indelible imprint on the region’s history.
In the present day, those same waters are teeming with a complex interplay of naval strength,
aerial reconnaissance, and energy corridors.
This positions the Black Sea as a vital asset for
NATO’s eastern flank and a cornerstone of global stability.
Grasping the developments here is not just significant;
it’s imperativ for anticipating
the next chapter in Europe’s security story.
The battlefield has evolved beyond just human presence.
Now, swarms of drones buzz around like high-tech predators, disrupting communication lines,
while algorithms help make decisions even before soldiers take action.
In this unseen conflict, where technology turns into a weapon,
Romania’s elite Mountain Troops are leading the way into a new era—blending bravery with advanced tech.
With their infrared optics, adaptive uniforms, and NATO-level standards,
they continue to be the vital last line of defense in a world where warfare is increasingly algorithmic.
The situation in Ukraine resonates across the beautiful Carpathians,
reminding us just how delicate peace can be.
Our Mountain Troops blend tradition with modern techniques,
always prepared for the challenges of alpine landscapes and high-tech warfare.
Former brigade commander General (ret.) Cristian-Ioan Teglaș highlights the importance of professionalism,
teamwork, and flexibility as key elements for thriving in a future influenced by drones,
cyber threats, and deepfake misinformation.
Even with all the technological progress,
one thing stays the same: the resilience of the human soldier facing tough conditions.
Power is no longer dug—it is signed.
And sometimes, it’s signed by a dog.
In the age of blockchain, authority is not imposed but negotiated through code and consensus.
Delegated Proof of Stake replaces the miner with the validator, the vote with a cryptographic signature,
and the leader with a protocol.
From ancient numismatics to meme coins like Dogecoin, we witness a symbolic shift:
governance becomes programmable, and irony becomes infrastructure.
The digital agora is no longer ruled by charisma, but by credibility—and the ledger,
once a tool of control, becomes a canvas of collective trust.
In this world, even a joke can become a currency, and even a dog can wear the crown.
Beneath the laughs, there’s a deep truth we can’t ignore: value isn’t tied to metal coins or paper bills anymore.
Instead, it’s all about the networks of belief and the math that backs them up.
What started as a fun experiment has evolved into something much bigger,
challenging the foundations of power itself and making consensus the new ruler of the game.
In this article I dive into an intriguing universe where
I take a closer look at the semiotics of algorithmic mediation,
all sparked by a seemingly minor detail:
the phrase “Girl in a jacket” that struck me in a search engine snippet.
What might seem like a simple mistake actually turns into a fascinating clue,
shedding light on how our digital systems shape gender representations through things like metadata,
ranking systems, and the design of user interfaces.
I take you on a journey from the blurry line between what we intend to convey and what actually gets displayed,
all the way to the cultural implications of voice assistants and humanoid robots.
I also challenge my readers to think about the ongoing presence of feminine stereotypes
in the world of algorithmic design.
By comparing the mysterious smile of the Mona Lisa with the calculated gaze of Sophia,
I raise a thought-provoking question about presence, authorship,
and the quest for symbolic equity in our AI-driven age.
"From Blackboard to Blockchain: The Lesson School Can No Longer Postpone"
explores the silent revolution reshaping education.
The bell still rings, but now it echoes through notifications and digital platforms.
Between printed textbooks and decentralized networks,
a new pedagogical ecosystem emerges—one where learning is no longer confined to classrooms,
but flows wherever vocation meets connection.
Web 1.0 offered static knowledge, Web 2.0 enabled interaction, and Web 3.0 promises ownership,
transparency, and trust.
In this evolving landscape, diplomas become NFTs, teachers become mentors of meaning,
and students navigate not just content, but direction.
The future of education is not about screens—it’s about discernment,
adaptability, and the ethics of technoculture.
Here I penned an essay that explores the intriguing space between prediction
and reality—not so much about achieving certainty, but about finding meaning.
I suggest that Romania could become a testing ground for emerging technologies
by weaving together its economic, energy, and cultural frameworks under the theme of regeneration.
Looking back at the 1990s, when 286 processors and dial-up connections sparked a wave of digital excitement,
I contrast that initial optimism about prosperity through information technology with our current landscape.
While the internet is now a staple of daily life and AI has moved from the realm of speculation
to something we encounter regularly, many of those futuristic dreams still feel just out of reach.
The takeaway here isn't about lost chances; it's a reminder of how
our imagination drives progress.
In today’s world, artificial intelligence isn’t just rewriting market rules
— it’s reshaping the meaning of work.
Automation, robotics, and algorithms no longer simply streamline processes;
they orchestrate a new harmony between human insight and machine precision.
From ERP systems that unify operations to conversational agents transforming customer experience,
technology is becoming the backbone of business.
Romania stands at a crossroads:
not just a beneficiary of this shift,
but a potential architect of an economy where digitalization amplifies creativity and collaboration.
The future isn’t about replacing people—it’s about reclaiming time for what matters:
design, decision, and meaning.
In this emerging landscape, success is measured not by speed alone, but by adaptability and vision.
Tomorrow’s economy is a score where humans and algorithms play in counterpoint—and
Romania can lead the performance.
"The Art of Algorithms: Where Leonardo Meets Sophia and the Digital Economy"
explores the golden thread of proportion that links nature, art, and code.
From the spiral of a seashell to the gaze of the Mona Lisa,
from Sophia’s robotic portrait to Fibonacci-based market charts,
a hidden logic of beauty and balance traverses epochs.
In this new paradigm, algorithms are not just tools—they are expressions of a generative intelligence,
shaping both aesthetics and strategy.
As AI co-authors art and blockchain certifies identity,
we enter an era where code becomes canvas, and the future is drawn not in pigment, but in pattern.
Beauty, once a mystery, now emerges as a matrix—connecting stars,
humans, and scripts in a shared language of creation.
"The Code of the Stars" isn’t just a catchy phrase;
it’s a doorway to something bigger.
Think about it: from the golden grooves of Voyager’s musical message to the intricate workings
of convolutional neural networks that help drones navigate the rugged Martian landscape,
we’re starting to communicate in a whole new cosmic dialect.
This language isn’t just about sounds or grammar;
it’s a blend of intuition and computation, memory and models.
As AI steps in as our trusty co-pilot in the vastness of space—turning raw data
into navigational guidance and silence into meaningful signals—we’re doing more
than just sending tunes into the emptiness.
We’re sending real meaning.
In this symbolic journey, Romania’s rich legacy—like Coandă’s pioneering
jet propulsion and Donici’s groundbreaking solar research—takes on fresh significance.
Maybe, in the stillness of space, where sound doesn’t travel,
it’s this unique blend of algorithms and human curiosity that will make our voices heard.
Not as conquerors of the cosmos, but as companions exploring the unknown together.
Being responsible with technology isn’t only about addressing the climate crisis;
it’s a wonderful chance to dream up a brighter future!
In a world where heatwaves sometimes steal the spotlight
and algorithms are hard at work predicting risks to our planet, technology is in a special position.
It’s not just watching our challenges unfold;
it’s an important partner in discovering solutions.
Just look at Romania, for instance!
With a strong base in nuclear energy and great international friendships,
the country is at an exciting turning point.
This is where energy and ethics come together,
and innovation pairs beautifully with compassion.
From AI-powered climate models to modular reactors backed by transatlantic teamwork,
Romania has so much more to share than just infrastructure—it offers a wonderful vision of what’s possible!
As global platforms gobble up energy at rates that could power entire cities,
the real question isn’t whether technology can save the planet;
it’s about how we can weave it into a sustainable future.
"Flight Between Calling and Destiny: From Miorița to Space Oddity"
invites us on an intriguing adventure that weaves together
the rich threads of pastoral myth with the boundless expanse of space.
On Romanian Aviation Day, we take a moment to honor the courageous individuals
who dared to gaze up at the sky and pursue their dreams.
But this celebration goes beyond just recognizing their bravery;
it nudges us to reflect on a deeper question: what does it truly mean to leave Earth behind in our modern world?
Between the shepherd of Miorița and Major Tom,
the drifting astronaut from Bowie’s legendary song,
we discover a common thread of human longing that connects ancient tales to the silence of the cosmos.
Both characters embrace their destinies,
not as a way to escape, but as a conscious acceptance of their unique journeys.
Music acts as our bridge—whether it’s Pașcanu’s haunting choral elegy or Hadfield
strumming his guitar in zero gravity—capturing the essence of who we are amids
the vast emptiness of the space.
Crises no longer knock politely at the door.
They arrive together, overlapping like waves in a storm—AI reshaping work,
climate change eroding certainties, geopolitics fraying supply chains.
In this restless world, stability is no longer a straight line;
it’s a fragile balance in motion, a vibration that never stops.
Picture society as a violin.
Four strings hold its voice: economy, technology, culture, education.
Each has its own tone, yet harmony depends on their resonance.
When one string tightens too much—through fear,
speculation, or sudden shocks—the entire instrument trembles.
The economy, for instance, is not a rigid machine but an oscillating system,
sensitive to moods as much as to numbers.
History whispers this truth: from Tulipomania to the 2008 crash,
confidence has always been the invisible bow that sets the rhythm.
And what keeps the music from breaking?
Culture—not as ornament, but as a tuning key.
It doesn’t silence crises, but it makes them intelligible, turning dissonance into meaning.
"From Heron to AI: What History Tells Us About the Future"
isn’t just a story of dramatic change; it’s more like a beautiful echo through time.
Over the centuries,
the journey of human knowledge has taken ancient insights and transformed them into
modern wonders—think of Heron’s steam-powered aeolipile evolving into the cutting-edge
petawatt lasers we see today in Turnu Măgurele.
Today’s AI models, nuclear research, and conversational interfaces aren’t just standalone achievements;
they’re part of a larger narrative, a cultural cycle where ideas come back around, polished and reimagined.
In this ongoing story,
Romania stands out as a significant hub—a place where light serves as both a symbol and a tool,
and where science and culture are intricately intertwined.
So, as we look to the future, it’s not about jumping into the unknown.
Instead, it’s like a spiral of meaning that calls for not just innovation,
but also wisdom, care, and a sense of continuity.
"The Code of the City: Culture, Currency, and the Urban Future"
explores a really intriguing concept:
the cities of tomorrow won’t just be about their impressive skyscrapers or sprawling suburbs.
Instead, they’ll be shaped by trust, meaning, and what we like to call symbolic infrastructure.
Imagine a future urban landscape where electric vehicles glide effortlessly
through a choreographed dance of algorithms, and blockchain currencies become
a new way for us to build collective confidence.
Culture will be the heartbeat of city life,
weaving a vibrant tapestry of values that influences everything from design to economic interactions
and our sense of community.
Consider CityDAO’s groundbreaking approach to decentralized governance,
or picture the haunting melodies of Chopin floating through the air in Warsaw’s stunning Łazienki Park.
In this vision, the city evolves into a living symphony of coexistence,
where architecture, technology, and our shared experiences come together in harmony.
"Culture 3.0: From Patronage to the Metaverse"
marks an exciting shift in how we view culture—not just as a pretty escape,
but as something deeply meaningful and symbolic.
In a world where success often boils down to numbers,
true wealth lies in finding that sweet spot between what really matters and what we can actually experience.
Culture has evolved from being a luxury to becoming a guiding compass for all of us.
Consider this: Whether we’re reminiscing about the elegant salons of the aristocracy
or exploring today’s vibrant, decentralized networks, culture is always on the move.
From the patronage of the Renaissance to the innovative art markets fueled by blockchain,
it’s like a living code that mirrors our shared identities and experiences.
Take Romania, for example. With its rich history and a fresh digital vibe,
it’s poised to fully embrace this thrilling transformation.
In the metaverse, where avatars represent our digital selves and virtual spaces buzz with festivals,
museums, and lively marketplaces, culture becomes something you can truly dive into and engage with.
It’s an exciting time to be part of this cultural evolution!