specifically thanks Floris and Mignon for demonstrating that writing a PhD thesis is in fact doable, by beating me to it. Thanks also to all the friends I met through AEGEE-Eindhoven, with whom I still keep in touch even if we are too old for AEGEE by now. Meeting up is always a guarantee for lively discussions or simply having fun. Thanks Luis for founding Mariachi Eindhoven and letting me join, and for being one of my oldest friends since I live in Eindhoven. Also thanks to all the other Mariachis throughout the years, in particular those during my PhD years: Emilio, Edwin, Diego, and Juan Antonio. We have played some wonderful music together (and still do) at many nice events, it has definitely made my life next to the PhD much more enjoyable. Thanks also to my band mates from Dowwen Hèze, for enabling me to sing and play on bigger stages than I ever have, providing yet another musical outlet to enrich my life (and forget about my PhD for a while). Thanks also to my metal friends from Finland, Egypt, Israel, Mexico, Hungary, Russia, The Netherlands, and beyond, collectively known by a Finnish word best left unmentioned, for countless WhatsApp discussions both thoughtprovoking and nonsensical, providing ample opportunity for procrastination, and of course thanks for the amazing yearly festival experience (as long as there isn’t a pandemic in the way). Finally, thanks to all other friends left unmentioned, for enriching my life far beyond my PhD. And of course, thanks to my family, for their unconditional love and support, for setting examples upon which to base my own path, and for simply spending time together. My siblings and their partners, Joost, Robin, Tanja, Pim, and my cute little nephews Finn, Max, and Liam. My parents, mum and dad, for providing us with a safe and loving home, giving me all this opportunity to develop myself and create a good life. For teaching me to develop good morals and showing me the value of hard work (even if I don’t always follow that example). It saddens me deeply that my dad, who has been indispensable for my (long) academic journey, does not get to see me obtain this final degree. Thank you dad, for everything. Last but definitely not least, thanks Elene, for all the love, support, comfort, and shared joy, for making our house a home, for sharing our struggles and encouraging each other, especially these times when we were in the same boat of writing a thesis and managing our own motivation. Thanks for showing me the beauty of life, from the big picture to the little things, until the tiniest of details. For trying to be your best self as I try to be my best self, and for your patience when I inevitably fail to do so. For the good, the bad, and everything in between. Loek Tonnaer Eindhoven, September 2023
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