I hope you're doing well, dancing often, eating healthily and exercising a lot. Today, while I was studying in Metaforum, I learned from a newly installed snack machine that lounging on the couch equals poop emojis, that I should participate in TikTok trends and that riding a scooter is inherently wrong.

Fortunately, the screen displaying this is quite eye-catching, with lots of bright colors that flood my brain with 'nice' hormones when I look at it. The style of the videos was particularly appealing. Perfect for an overstimulated teenager from the TikTok generation. Lots of stimuli that quickly grab the attention of passersby, without actually needing to convey a message. And it works!

New hype

During the time I was sitting here, I saw dozens of groups briefly stop in front of it. To quickly grab a snack or just laugh at the irony that’s so obvious here. A machine that encourages you to move more while simultaneously selling Red Bull and M&M’s? Brilliant! So, I came up with an appropriate term: calorie coating. Maybe it will catch on! Are you, members of the Executive Board, joining this new hype?

Fortunately, the English speakers among us are still 'safe' because this machine spits out its unoriginal, boring, childish slogans in good old Dutch. A bystander's reaction: "It makes me want to puke." It's unclear whether he meant the snacks or the video. I can understand why these kinds of snacks are sold on the campus. There is clearly demand for them. After all, sugar and caffeine are proven to be addictive. But as for my lounging behavior? Please mind your own business.