Coaster campaign

Are we more stressed now than we used to be, will AI soon take over my job, and what exactly makes a good book? These and other questions popped up in various pubs, coffee shops and restaurants in Groningen. To mark its 410th anniversary, the University of Groningen distributed no fewer than 90,000 coasters with thought-provoking questions from UG researchers in the city centre.

You probably managed to get your hands on a coaster in one of Groningen's bars or cafés, or you ended up on this page in some other way. Great! All the questions and answers can be found on this page!

In 2024, the University of Groningen (UG) celebrated its 410th anniversary. This 'birthday' was celebrated with the theme 'Making Connections'. The focus was on maintaining existing connections and establishing new ones. The sustainably manufactured coasters fit in perfectly with this theme: the questions invite fascinating conversations, connect people and allow visitors to the hospitality industry to engage with RUG research in an accessible way.

A total of nine questions by UG researchers from different disciplines can be found on the coasters. You can find the answer to the question on this Lustrum website using a QR code on the back of the coaster. The questions are very diverse. For example, lecturer and researcher Sam Maasbommel answers whether we are unwittingly influenced politically. Researcher Tommaso Caselli reflects on whether we will soon still have a job due to the booming rise of artificial intelligence. And on a lighter note: do you actually speak a foreign language better with a beer? Professor Martijn Wieling knows the answer. In short, make sure to collect them all!

If you want to see all the questions and answers in advance, just scroll down.

All questions and answers on one page

Should the government do more to protect my data?
In a world increasingly shaped by technology, governments must increase efforts to secure and enforce protection of your data. As digital divides emerge, it is vital to ensure fairness in resource and power distribution. Read more?

Will AI steal my job? The short answer is “maybe”. Artificial intelligence (AI) is at the core of a transformative revolution affecting all aspects of society. AI-based tools are already integrated in our daily lives (look at your phone!). AI will have disruptive effects but it will also contribute to creating new jobs. Read more?

Do you speak a foreign language better after a beer? Higher alcohol levels in the blood do not seem to improve pronunciation skills in a non-native language, nor make them any worse. In the mother tongue, however, pronunciation does worsen under the influence of alcohol. These are the results of a study conducted by us during Lowlands Science 2018. Read more?

What makes a good book? A good book evokes a world that, while different from the day-to-day reality of the reader, the reader feels drawn to. In a good book, life and love, desires and fears are made palpable through the style and voice of the narrator. Read more?

Do morning- and evening-type people really exist? Yes, morning- and evening types really do exist; it’s not just something you talk yourself into. One of the causes is a difference in the functioning of a person’s biological clock. Lifestyle also has an effect, though, making it possible for an evening person to get up a little earlier, and a little later for a morning person. Read more?

Are we more stressed than we used to be? Probably. Our stress system is attuned to acute, temporary threats such as a hungry sabre-toothed tiger that prehistoric man had to flee from or fight. Today’s stresses, such as the pressure to achieve, are more prolonged and constant: we are almost always ‘switched on’. Read more?

Do you still exist when you are dead? Yes, it’s possible! Dying is not only a biological but also a social process. After a death, the bond you have with a loved one does not suddenly disappear. These relationships change, fade, or intensify, depending on the time and place. Some people talk to the deceased or propose a toast to them on their birthday at their grave. Or they might write letters to keep them updated on everything going on in their life. Read more?

Are drugs legal in the Netherlands? Contrary to what many people think, drugs are not legal in the Netherlands. However, we are tolerant of soft drugs, such as cannabis. The government tolerates the possession of five cannabis plants and five grams of soft drugs, and cannabis cafés (coffee shops) are allowed to sell small quantities under strict conditions. Read more?

Am I being unwittingly politically influenced? Political parties use personalized ads on social media to get your vote: so-called microtargeting. This means that you might get to see a different message than your neighbour. While this is not done as surreptitiously here as in the United States (think Cambridge Analytica), regulation may still be wise to ensure a transparent debate. Read more?

Last modified:11 November 2025 2.31 p.m.

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