In the AKO bookstore of the Amsterdam UMC I apologize for the purchase of The Seven Checkmarks by Joris Luyendijk. “It stirs up so much dust, let me read it,” I stammer to the saleswoman, who seems a little older than me. Let’s talk. She gives me a meaningful look when I say: “I’m afraid I…” And before I can finish she adds: “…you also have seven ticks?” Guiltfully, I nod yes.
Almost comfortingly, she says: “You seem quite nice otherwise!”
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A version of this article also appeared in NRC on the morning of February 23, 2022
