impossibly possible

The Kairos Principle

Naturally Happy

Dear Impossible Readers,

Psychological research increasingly indicates that seeking meaning leads to more enduring well-being than simply chasing happiness. A sense of purpose in life offers us resilience, direction, and perseverance. While pursuing long-term happiness can sometimes lead to unhappiness, this is known as the paradox of happiness. Nonetheless, I cannot help but notice how naturally joyful babies are. So, when does that happiness begin to fade?

Babies are almost always happy, except when nature calls. Unless they are experiencing some kind of distress like hunger, pain, illness, diaper emergency, or not enough cuddling, babies are genuinely joyful.

Perhaps happiness does not fade because life worsens, but because our awareness burdens us more. As we age, we accumulate memories, expectations, and comparisons. These may help us navigate life, but can also diminish our joy. For some, this heightened consciousness appears early, even before adulthood has a chance to smooth out those rough edges.

How can we regain happiness without chasing it? Research indicates that happiness often returns when we live with purpose. Purpose shifts our focus outward. Contributing, accepting responsibility, and finding meaning beyond ourselves lessen self-criticism. Although purpose does not eliminate suffering, it provides context, fostering a more peaceful and enduring happiness.

In search of meaning,
Yours Possibly

Further Reading

Alimujiang, A., Wiensch, A., Boss, J., Fleischer, N.L., Mondul, A.M., McLean, K., Mukherjee, B. and Pearce, C.L., 2019. Association between life purpose and mortality among US adults older than 50 years. JAMA network open, 2(5), pp.e194270-e194270.
Baumeister, R.F., Vohs, K.D., Aaker, J.L. and Garbinsky, E.N., 2016. Some key differences between a happy life and a meaningful life. In Positive psychology in search for meaning (pp. 49-60). Routledge.
Duckworth, A.L., Peterson, C., Matthews, M.D. and Kelly, D.R., 2007. Grit: perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Journal of personality and social psychology, 92(6), p.1087.
Mauss, I.B., Tamir, M., Anderson, C.L. and Savino, N.S., 2011. Can seeking happiness make people unhappy? Paradoxical effects of valuing happiness. Emotion, 11(4), p.807.
Ryan, R.M. and Deci, E.L., 2001. On happiness and human potentials: A review of research on hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. Annual review of psychology, 52(1), pp.141-166.
Ryff, C.D., 1989. Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of personality and social psychology, 57(6), p.1069.
Ryff, C.D. and Keyes, C.L.M., 1995. The structure of psychological well-being revisited. Journal of personality and social psychology, 69(4), p.719.

The Kairos Principle

The Stages of Flight

Dear Impossible Readers,

I usually appreciate change because I think that without it, nothing evolves and progress stalls. The real questions are: what exactly constitutes a change? When do changes bring benefits? When are they detrimental? When are they simply unnecessary? And do we truly need to change at all?

Not everything needs constant modification. Often, resistance can serve as a valuable asset. If everyone were easily swayed, the world would be in chaos. Thus, it takes as much determination to initiate change as to stay steady.

Change is more than just movement. It is a purposeful transformation. Like a butterfly, not every stage is visible or glamorous. There is the egg, quiet and unremarkable. The caterpillar, ravenous and restless. And the chrysalis, which seems lifeless. From the outside, nothing seems to happen, but internally, everything is being broken down and rebuilt. Change often appears as stagnation before taking flight. We usually see the cocoon as an ending, but in reality, it is a period of negotiation between what was and what could be.

Every stage of the butterfly’s development serves a purpose. The caterpillar does not rush its hunger. Instead, it must eat, grow, and understand its body’s limits before it can even imagine having wings. The chrysalis is not merely a break but a process of refinement. Old parts dissolve to make way for stronger ones. When the butterfly finally emerges, it is not just changed, but fully prepared. Its gains in one stage lay the groundwork for the next. Without the patience involved in growth and the silent discipline of transformation, flight would be impossible.

So, what defines a change? It might not be the act of becoming different, but the willingness to be undone. Good change broadens us. It sharpens our vision, deepens our empathy, and enables us to act with greater purpose. Bad change, however, fractures without rebuilding. It is movement driven by fear rather than purpose, alteration for the sake of escape. Some changes are unnecessary, like tearing open a cocoon before the wings have developed. Interruption masquerading as progress.

Do we really need to change? Not necessarily. Roots are as important as wings. The tree does not envy the butterfly, nor does the butterfly regret being a caterpillar. Growth requires both progress and patience, understanding when to adapt and when to remain steadfast. When chosen intentionally, resistance is not stagnation but a form of stability. An affirmation that not everything delicate needs altering, and not everything complete requires fixing.

This balance embodies wisdom. Knowing when to shed skin or stand firm, and honouring change as a deliberate, necessary act. It is earned and irreversible, like metamorphosis.

Even still, we grow,
Yours Possibly

Further Reading

Belles, X., 2017. MicroRNAs and the evolution of insect metamorphosis. Annual Review of Entomology, 62(1), pp.111-125.
Jackson, J.J. and Wright, A.J., 2024. The process and mechanisms of personality change. Nature Reviews Psychology, 3(5), pp.305-318.
Sheeran, P., Klein, W.M. and Rothman, A.J., 2017. Health behavior change: Moving from observation to intervention. Annual review of psychology, 68(1), pp.573-600.

Genetic

The Rare Responsibility: The Silent Instructor

Dear Impossible Readers,

Genetic rare diseases form a unique and often misunderstood group within rare medicine. Unlike disorders limited to a single organ system, these diseases originate at the molecular level, in DNA itself. They can affect nearly any tissue in the body. A single gene mutation may disrupt development, metabolism, neurological function, or cellular maintenance, sometimes all at once. This fundamental overlap explains why rare genetic diseases often defy traditional medical classifications yet share common diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Recognising these conditions as a category helps patients, families, and clinicians focus on the root causes rather than just the symptoms.

The diversity within this category is remarkable. Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) is caused by a signalling mutation that transforms soft tissue into bone. Hutchinson–Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) results from a defect in nuclear structure that accelerates ageing. Congenital Insensitivity to Pain with Anhidrosis (CIPA) arises from the failure of sensory neurons to develop, leaving patients unable to feel pain or regulate temperature. Alkaptonuria is a metabolic disorder caused by an enzyme deficiency, which leads to pigment accumulation in connective tissues. Finally, Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI) is driven by toxic protein misfolding in the brain. These diseases are rarely clinically similar, yet all stem from specific genetic errors, emphasising the central role of DNA in rare diseases and highlighting the wide range of mechanisms that genetics can disrupt.

Current treatments are mostly supportive and vary greatly. FOP requires careful handling of trauma and pain, but no cure exists. HGPS patients benefit from cardiovascular and growth-focused care. CIPA care concentrates on preventing injuries and overheating. Alkaptonuria can be managed through dietary restrictions and symptom relief, while FFI has no effective therapy beyond palliative care. Overall, most interventions target complications rather than fixing the underlying genetic defect. This variability reflects both the complexity of human genetics and the historical limitations of medicine in addressing DNA-level disorders.

Genetic rare diseases are at the forefront of medical innovation. Gene therapy and gene editing offer the potential to correct or compensate for defective genes. RNA-based drugs may silence harmful mutations or restore missing proteins. Advances in genomic sequencing, early diagnosis, and personalised medicine are paving the way for treatments that could slow or even prevent disease progression at a molecular level. Although most of these therapies are still experimental, they represent a fundamental shift from symptom management towards directly addressing the root causes.

For patients and families today, the most immediate opportunities lie in personalised medicine. Genetic testing can identify the specific mutation causing a disorder, enabling treatments to be customised to an individual’s molecular profile. Clinical trials increasingly focus on specific gene variants, providing access to therapies tailored to a patient’s unique genetic makeup. Multidisciplinary care remains vital, but the combination of early diagnosis, detailed genetic information, and emerging targeted therapies is already improving outcomes. By understanding rare genetic diseases at the molecular level, patients and clinicians can make informed, proactive decisions that translate personalised medicine into practical strategies today.

Toward a decoded future,
Yours Possibly

Which rare disease category would you like to see covered next?

Further Reading

Bernardini, G., Braconi, D., Zatkova, A., Sireau, N., Kujawa, M.J., Introne, W.J., Spiga, O., Geminiani, M., Gallagher, J.A., Ranganath, L.R. and Santucci, A., 2024. Alkaptonuria. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 10(1), p.16.
Choi, M., 2025. Editorial for the special collection: frontiers in rare disease genetics. Genomics & Informatics, 23(1), p.9.
Harrak, H., Rhee, S., Souttou, A., O’Meara, S.J. and Knox, C., 2025. Understanding the clinical morbidity and mortality of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva: a systematic literature review. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases, 20(1), p.262.
Hong, J., Lee, D., Hwang, A., Kim, T., Ryu, H.Y. and Choi, J., 2024. Rare disease genomics and precision medicine. Genomics & Informatics, 22(1), p.28.
Ikrama, M., Usama, M., Haider, M.H., Israr, S. and Humayon, M., 2024. Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis: A literature review and the advocacy for stem cell therapeutic interventions. Therapeutic Advances in Rare Disease, 5, p.26330040241292378.
Khan, Z., Sankari, A. and Bollu, P.C., 2024. Fatal familial insomnia. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.
Khawaja, S., Ali, R.H., Ahmed, I. and Umair, M., 2025. Gene Therapy in Rare Genetic Disorders: Current Progress and Future Perspectives. Current Genomics.
Rodríguez-Blanque, R., Nielsen, L.M., Piqueras-Sola, B., Sánchez-García, J.C., Cortés-Martín, C., Reinoso-Cobo, A. and Cortés-Martín, J., 2024. A systematic review of congenital insensitivity to pain, a rare disease. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 14(6), p.570.
Zhou, X. and Song, J., 2025. Unraveling the mysteries of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome: a comprehensive review of LMNA gene mutations. Biogerontology, 26(5), p.186.

The Kairos Principle

The Real Monster

Dear Impossible Readers,

It is easy to blame our disappointments on big, disruptive events like pandemics, elections, or natural disasters. After all, they did fuck up our lives. But what they truly reveal is who we really are, both as individuals and collectively. They dismantle our routines, assumptions, and excuses. Pressure reveals the remnants of resilience, fear, courage, and doubt.

When the world collapses, some hands open, others form fists. Crisis cuts through the noise and lays instincts bare. Stress causes us to cling to our identities and beliefs. Lines turn to stone. Words lose their beat. Polarisation intensifies. Fear takes the stage. Freedom is taken hostage.

A crisis is a black hole moment, a point of no return. Once you pass the event horizon, everything is stripped away. The singularity reveals only the truth. Crisis does not create monsters. It frees them.

From the singularity,
Yours Possibly

Further Reading

Bailie, J., Reed, K., Matthews, V., Scott, K.M., Ahern, C. and Bailie, R., 2024. Volunteering as prosocial behaviour by medical students following a flooding disaster and impacts on their mental health: A mixed‐methods study. Medical Education, 58(4), pp.430-442.
Duan, H., Wang, X., Wang, Z., Xue, W., Kan, Y., Hu, W. and Zhang, F., 2019. Acute stress shapes creative cognition in trait anxiety. Frontiers in psychology, 10, p.1517.
Greenberg, J., Pyszczynski, T. and Solomon, S., 1986. The causes and consequences of a need for self-esteem: A terror management theory. In Public self and private self (pp. 189-212). New York, NY: Springer New York.
Landsman, K., 2021. Singularities, black holes, and cosmic censorship: A tribute to Roger Penrose. Foundations of Physics, 51(2), p.42.
Liébana Puado, S., Sanz-García, A., Fausor De Castro, R., García Vera, M.D.L.P. and Sanz Fernández, J., 2022. Dysfunctional Attitudes and Long-Term Posttraumatic Growth in Victims of Terrorist Attacks.
Manteli, M. and Galanakis, M., 2022. The new foundation of organizational psychology. Trait activation theory in the workplace: Literature review. Journal of Psychology Research, 12(1), pp.939-945.
O’Brien, K.E., Henson, J.A. and Voss, B.E., 2021. A trait-interactionist approach to understanding the role of stressors in the personality–CWB relationship. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 26(4), p.350.
Peña-Garay, M., Sandoval-Díaz, J. and Cuadra-Martínez, D., 2025. Social representations of formal volunteers and spontaneous volunteers in socio-natural disaster risk management contexts. Behavioral Sciences, 15(4), p.497.
Yang, Z., 2025. Understanding spontaneous volunteering in crisis: Towards a needs-based approach of explanation. The Social Science Journal, 62(1), pp.28-38.

How does your future look?

The Hidden Cost of the Future

How does your future look? – Special Edition 2026

Dear Impossible Readers,

While I enjoy discussing eccentric future technological ideas, it is equally important to examine the other side of the coin. To be clear, this piece aims to be a statement rather than a provocation. The typical hierarchy reveals two things. First, there is someone at the very top of the food chain. And second, there is a massive, broad base that supports everyone else. 

Africa provides the raw materials that enable our high-tech world, yet the continent receives only a small share of the value. Cobalt is essential for nearly every smartphone and electric vehicle battery. The Democratic Republic of Congo holds about 70% of the world’s reserves but gains only 1–3% of the total global value chain. The same applies to coltan, lithium, and platinum group metals. Africa supplies the foundation, but most of the wealth from refining, processing, and manufacturing flows abroad.

The imbalance for other commodities is equally striking. Cocoa and coffee create global markets worth tens of billions each year, yet less than 10% of the final value remains in the producing countries. Gold, diamonds, and platinum often see only 10–15% of their market value stay on the continent, despite these resources being crucial to the luxury, industrial, and electronics sectors.

Suppose Africa claims a share based on contribution and necessity, considering environmental costs, labour, and global reliance on its resources. In that case, estimates indicate it could control 15–20% of the value chain for high-tech metals and 20–30% for essential agricultural commodities. This is roughly five to ten times what is currently realised, translating into billions of dollars annually that could fund education, infrastructure, and technological development across the continent.

The figures reveal more than just economics. They shed light on the hidden cost of progress. Every device, every battery, every screen that fuels the dreams of the future carries an unseen debt. A wealth quietly extracted from African soil, labour, and potential. And within this lies the quiet revolution waiting to emerge: the shift from extraction to empowerment.

The hidden cost of the future is not unavoidable. It becomes apparent when we follow the flow of materials and wealth from African mines to the devices we hold in our hands. It also indicates a different kind of future. One where Africa shifts from being a supplier of raw materials to a centre of innovation and production. Local refineries, battery factories, and technology hubs could turn what is now mere extraction into lasting development.

This is not a revolution of barricades, muskets, or sudden upheaval. It is a systemic revolution: a shift in global trade, investment, and production rules that recognises Africa’s rightful stake in the technologies of tomorrow. The AfCFTA, regional industrial initiatives, and investments in local high-tech infrastructure are early sparks of this change, as they claim a fairer share of value and build the capacity to transform resources into knowledge and products.

Imagine a world where the cobalt powering a battery benefits the community that mines it, where the gold in a circuit funds schools, and where the minerals beneath African soil become the foundation for African-made innovation. This vision is ambitious but also realistic. It demands courage to overhaul systems that have long externalised costs and concentrated profits elsewhere.

The technologies we envision hold a record of human choices, values, and injustices. Recognising the hidden cost of the future is the first step towards creating a shared, equitable one that reflects the contributions of all who make it possible.

Progress without fairness is extraction,
Yours Possibly

Further Reading

African Development Bank, 2016. Strategy for Agricultural Transformation in Africa 2016-2025.
Businesstech.co.za, 2025. Africa’s rare mineral moment: Can the continent seize it?
Discovery Alert, 2025. Congo Cobalt Export Quotas: New Controls Reshape Market.
International Energy Agency, 2025. Stepping Up the Value Chain in Africa – Analysis.
International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), 2025. An Analysis of the Cocoa, Coffee, and Tea Value Chains in Africa.
McKinsey & Company, 2025. Winning in Africa’s Agricultural Market.
National Geographic Education. Africa: Resources.
ODI, 2025. The ‘Strategic Mirage’ of Africa’s Green Minerals Wealth.
Inside the mine that feeds the tech world – and funds Congo’s rebels | Reuters
agriprohub.com, 2025. Why Africa ‘Misses Out’ on Cocoa’s Wealth.

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.