Arbitrage Magazine - When a city becomes a state - vol 5 no 5 by Arbitrage Magazine

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VOLUME 05 NO. 5 SEPTEMBER 2013

THE RISE OF CITIES National Borders Fading: City States make a comeback Business In The Aboriginal Classroom: Education gives aboriginal students the support & knowledge to succeed as entrepreneurs

Gambling On A Nuclear Future: Nearly 30 years after Chernobyl, Belarus seeks energy sovereignty with Russiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s help

The Rise Of Urban Farming: A look at the potential positive affects of urban farming

t h a S R n

E W O L L O MORE F

G O D R U O Y

careers. education. ideas. all of it.

t h a S R n

E W O L L O MORE F

G O D R U O Y JOB HUNTING ISN’T JUST A PASTIME.

IT’S AN OBSESSION. WE’RE HERE TO HELP. EVEN BEYOND OFFICE HOURS. JOIN THE CONVERSATION. find our group

@jobpostingsca

jobpostingsca

jobpostingsTV

careers. education. ideas. all of it.

EDITOR’S NOTE

SEAN PREVIL

Editor-in-Chief Arbitrage Magazine I live in a city with many outlying areas and I often feel like they blend together as one single city. At the same time, they each operate under their own government and also take rulings from the provincial and federal government. As our world is growing, more cities are taking control of their own policies, laws and how they maintain their municipality. This allows them to make decisions that are better for the people who live in them. They have also pulled away from the nation they are found in and formed their own autonomous government. These cities have become what are known as city-states. It is interesting to note however, only three city-states that function as their own nation currently exist. But there are some cities I think we can all agree are reaching that status

even though they are still under the power of a federal government. From Toronto and New York, to Tokyo and Moscow, the big cities are often becoming better known than the countries they reside in. In this issue, we’ll be taking a look at what makes a city-state and the types there are, as well as how these sovereign cities could change how our society works. We then detail whether the rise of these cities are encroaching on rural farming and it’s change to urban way of farming. We take a look into the business world of pop-up shops, we highlight how the Internet affects democracy and in the science and technology world, we examine the interesting proposition of taking a vacation, albeit a permanent one, to Mars and we also examine youth entering the entrepreneur world.

Finally, this issue looks at the topic of helping people find jobs, Belarus’s attempt at energy sovereignty and as a treat, we present to you our interviews with James Cameron, Alex Trebek and base-jumper Felix Baumgartner at the 125th Anniversary Gala for National Geographic.

FOUNDER & CEO David Alexander ARBITRAGE SUPPORT STAFF BOARD OF DIRECTORS Samita Vasudeva, Garin Kilpatrick, Michael Manirakiza, Rabeea Wajeeha COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Monika Mistry ASSISTANT COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Connie Ny COMMUNICATIONS REPS Catherine Chen, Drew Tamakuwala, Marcia Rivera Navarrete, Alexandra Connerty, Ryan Hamilton HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR Seta Janian ASSISTANT HR DIRECTOR Samuel Jackson HR COORDINATIORS Nicholas Wagner, Stasia Dias, Kathy hu, Seta Janian, Elena Stefanac, Kulajika Kulasegaram

MAGAZINE PRODUCTION TEAM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sean Previl , Liana Crocco, Ethan Lou MANAGING EDITOR Kevin Chao, Thomas DiNardo (Assistant Managing Editor) CO-SENIOR ONLINE EDITOR Alexandria Chun SECTION EDITORS Michelle Hampson, Tilly Wark, Megan Barr, Carolyn Turgeon, Steven Gelis, Savanna Scott Leslie, Brianne Boehm, Joseph Ho ONLINE EDITORS Katherine Nader, Sebastien Bell, Tejas Shah, Aryssah Stankevitsch, Phyllis Ho, Sarah Marsh, Ani Hajderaj, Kirsten Parucha STAFF WRITERS Sarah Hartwick, Julienne Bay, Tim Alberdingk Thijm, Marc Posth, Spencer Emmerson, Jaron Serven, John Brannen, Grace Kennedy, Jordan Smith, Fatima Syed, Rebecca Ferguson ART DIRECTORS Katherine Chu, Ian Todd ASSISTANT ART DIRECTORS Mark Quimoyog, Summer Zhang, Dusi Rasiah STAFF DESIGNERS Leigh Cavanaugh, Saya Ye, Ruvini Silva, Bebe Yiting Zhang, Tai Soochan, Amy MacKenzie, Stefan Rowlin, Jonathan Kruschack, Dorvan Davoudi, Eman Faiz

CONTENTS WHEN A CITY BECOMES A STATE

44 8

Urban population growth As the world transitions from rural to urban life, more people are living in cities over rural areas. The rural life is slowly diminishing as the agriculture-based industry that once dominated the world is turning to mass industry, technology and service.

Business in the Classroom

Here today, Gone tomorrow

How Reputation Currency can Change the Resume

Going to Mars for a fee

ARBITRAGEMAGAZINE.COM AUGUST 2013

The Rise of Urban Farming

The Rise of Smarter Cities

Gambling on a Nuclear Future

Global Entrepreneurship in the G20

National Borders Fading

Can Internet properly support

When a city becomes a state

City States make a comeback

democracy and the public sphere ?

As the world’s growing population increasingly settles in great urban centres, the relationship between cities and their nation is transforming.

National Geographic’s 125th Anniversary

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URBAN POPULATION GROWTH As the world transitions from rural to urban life, more people are living in cities over rural areas. The rural life is slowly diminishing as the agriculture-based industry that once dominated the world is turning to mass industry, technology and service.

2010

1950s

more than

50%

1990 lived in urban areas

of all people live in a city

40% lived in urban areas

TODAY TODAY

Half live in cities between

1000K

TODAY

10% live in megacities*

2050

will live in a city

70%

urban growth per annum

2050 2050 Population will rise

60%

1.5%

MILLION PER ANNUM

5000K

The World Health Organization predicts:

2030

TODAY

urban residents increases by

3.4B *

will live in a city

6.4B

In developing countries

x2 2.5B 5.2B

2050 In developed countries, population will only grow from 920 million to just over 1.2 billion

2/3 will be a result of immigration

*megacities = more than 10 million people *3.4 billion figure based numbers from 2009

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BUSINESS IN THE CLASSROOM WRITTEN BY: SARAH HARTWICK,

EDUCATION GIVES ABORIGINAL STUDENTS THE SUPPORT AND KNOWLEDGE TO SUCCEED AS ENTREPRENEURS Santoro says that the Institution doesn’t shy away from the communities that are struggling. Rather, she says, “we wanted schools that had the biggest challenges.”

Jacob Pratt is a businessman, but he’s also an artist – a dancer and flutist trained in the traditional Dakota style. Two years ago, while in his second year of a business degree at the First Nations University of Canada, he was enjoying so much success that he wasn’t able to take on all of the performances being offered to him. Inspired by his classes, he had an idea. “As an emerging artist I was becoming more and more developed,” he says. “I started getting more performances than I could actually do myself. I started offering people the performances that I couldn’t do myself, and then quickly as a business student, I realized that there was an actual business opportunity that was available that wasn’t really being done at the moment.” Pratt founded Wambdi Dance, a company that connects performers with

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event planners. Then, on the advice of one of his professors, he took his idea to The Boom Box, a competition for young, aboriginal entrepreneurs hosted by the CBC and Dragon’s Den businessman W. Brett Wilson. Pratt placed first in the competition, winning $2,500 in funding and a threemonth mentorship to help guide him as he launched his company. The key to succeeding, says Pratt, was his education. Now in his fourth year of studies, he says that university has given him the tools to start his business. “It helped give me a lot of guidance and rather than learning by trial and error, I was given the outline on how to do it, which I found has actually shaped the way that I process information when I’m thinking about my business,” he says. He adds, “There are business people

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out there who have not taken university classes and have become successful, but [that is] a unique case, I think. For me, personally, university was a huge help.” Promoting entrepreneurship among youth through education is the basis of a program created by the Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative, the foundation started by former Prime Minister Paul Martin. T he Initiative created the Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Program, or AYEP. The program consists of two secondary school courses: one for grade 11 students and one for grade 12 students. The courses are implemented in high-risk schools in regions with an aboriginal-majority population, and focus on teaching business skills and entrepreneurship to students with support from the local aboriginal community. Administrative Director Lucie Santoro says the aim of the program is to give kids a reason to stay in school until graduation as well as encouraging them to pursue post-secondary education. “The purpose of our whole initiative is to give them the opportunities and equal treatment, to look at education as a world that’s open to them,” she says. In the grade 12 course, students are asked to create a business based on a product or a service they can provide. The results are diverse – Santoro says she’s heard of students coming up with everything from making and selling traditional jewelry and dolls to teaching local seniors to use the internet. The program now runs in 16 schools across the country, each with a program that is tailored to provincial requirements and the needs of each school. The textbooks for the courses are completely original, written by two teachers involved with the program and designed to reflect and appeal to the students. In Canada, only 40 per cent of onreserve and 57 per cent of off-reserve aboriginal students will graduate from high school. The Martin Initiative says in its public brochure that it has found that 70 per cent of the students who take these courses finish them, and most of

these students go on to graduate. It isn’t just the aboriginal community that will benefit from programs like AYEP working to raise graduation rates and lead aboriginal students towards post-secondary education. Labour force studies have shown for several years that encouraging aboriginal students could have positive effects on the Canadian economy as a whole. Free to Learn, a study published in 2010 by the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, identifies aboriginal youth as an economic asset in the face of a coming wave of retiring baby boomers. According to Statistics Canada, 28 per cent of Canada’s First Nations, Metis, and Inuit population are 14 years old or younger, compared to 19 per cent in the rest of the population. These children have the potential to be valuable resources. The study says. It adds later, “Whatever way one looks at it, the data say the same thing: as the Canadian labour force remains stable or stagnant while the economy is growing, the potential labour pool of Aboriginals is growing rapidly. The labour force implications are already here.” A 2011 study by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business entitled Promise and Prosperity: The

“Canada’s population is growing slowly and greying, while the Aboriginal population is growing rapidly and is much younger,”

Aboriginal Business Survey says that between 2001 and 2006, the number of self-employed aboriginal people rose by 38 per cent - five times the increase recorded in self-employed nonaboriginal people. Despite this growth, the total proportion of aboriginal business owners remains at about half that of the rest of the population. One of the major roadblocks to aboriginal entrepreneurship, particularly among young people, is a lack of access to capital. The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business points out that roughly half of aboriginal business owners don’t borrow funds to start their businesses. “Aboriginal small business owners consider access to financing, and access to equity or capital to be obstacles to their growth plans,” says the report. The Council speculates in a report from 2006 on the same subject that lack of capital access may be a “contributing factor for the self-employment gap” between aboriginal business owners and non-aboriginal business owners Pratt says there is a lot of potential for aboriginal businesspeople to help their communities. Many aboriginal people, he says, are naturally creative and entrepreneurial. “It’s a matter of finding the right kind of business, understanding how to do it and getting a lot of capital. Capital is really difficult to come by for anybody. And the more aboriginal entrepreneurs there are, the more capital is going to be available for other aboriginal entrepreneurs,” he says. “That’s the whole idea, to keep this whole process of entrepreneurial spirit growing and developing. That’ll help increase an economy of aboriginal communities “ The success of these businessowners can have a profound effect on everyone around them. “Aboriginal entrepreneurs are helping to improve the negative socioeconomic conditions experienced in so many aboriginal communities and families through unemployment,” says the 2006 report by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.

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PHOTOS: MEGAN KAMOCKI

And not only do aboriginal entrepreneurs create new capital and job opportunities, seeing members of their own community as successful business people can be deeply inspirational to youth. “It’s also very good to see aboriginal people succeeding in contemporary society; contributing to Canadian society as well as standing strong with traditional values. It helps instill a sense of identity and pride in a lot of aboriginal communities,” says Pratt. When the Martin Initiative is going through the selection process to partner with a new school, Santoro says that they won’t choose a school or a district until they know that the local aboriginal community will agree to be involved. “They’re introduced to a whole group of community leaders,” says Santoro. “Whether it be the teacher, the principal, the school, their chief, the whole community – when they’re introduced and they feel the support around the room saying, ‘we’re investing in you, and you can do it,’ it’s a very powerful message.” Members of the community, often elders, will give presentations to the students, and Santoro says that this is essential for not only giving the students a sense of their culture and history, but also to show relatable figures and examples of strong leaders. Following his success with The Boom Box competition, Pratt’s company has grown to the point where he’s able to invest in other start-ups he thinks have potential. He’s restructuring his company to allow for expansion, to bring in partners and to keep giving back to the community. “If I wasn’t in school and didn’t get my education, I don’t think I would have been able to have developed a successful business as I have. It helps you think outside the box and be able to effectively judge risk, and figure out what opportunities are really worth taking the risk and which ones aren’t,” he says. “I want to keep it growing and keep engaging other aboriginal people.”

DESIGN: YITING ZHANG

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HERE TODAY GONE TOMORROW

WHAT ARE POP-UP STORES AND WHY SHOULD YOU TAKE NOTICE? WRITTEN BY: JULIENNE BAY

It’s more exciting, something new [for the customers], only available for limited time.

Ever walk down the street and notice flyers for the next pop-up shop, bar or eatery? They seem to be everywhere around the city, and they show no signs of slowing down. We’re talking about pop-up shops: temporary retail “gigs”. They may be open anywhere from a few hours to a few months. They may focus on one particular label or sell items made by a collective team of artists/designers. The idea of a temporary shop isn’t all that new. Just think about the Halloween and Christmas shops that we see each year. So, what’s the buzz? “It’s more exciting,” says Jebril “Fresh” Jalloh, the owner of Get Fresh Company. “It’s something new [for the customers], only available for limited time.” Get Fresh Company is located at 498 Queen St. W. in the very hip, urban corner of Bathurst St. and Queen St. W of Toronto. Although it is a permanent store, Jalloh hosts series of pop-up events that represent a particular label.

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Just last April, Jalloh hosted a pop-up shop event for “Raised by the Wolves,” a Canadian streetwear collection. “The brand gets a lot of exposure, a lot of hype promoted through a bunch of different channels, so a lot of people will know about the brand,” says Jalloh. “The only disadvantage is that people can’t come every day to buy your stuff…but if you’re smart about it, you’ll promote your online store at the pop-up shop.” These shops are also for individual artists and designers, who simply want to show off their community’s creativity. City of Crafts, a group consisting of several artists, rent store space in Toronto each year to sell all things local and handmade. For those that want to buy unique items, things sold in pop-up shops will likely be hard to find again once the doors close. For most of these items, there are no labels, brands or even online shops. “This is kind of a one-time thing for a lot of people,” says Rosalyn Faustino, a participating artist. “A lot of times, the

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people don’t normally sell [their items] in shops… As for me, I’ve only done maybe two pop up shops, and I don’t sell anywhere.” And consumers agree that popup shops provide shopping experience that’s quite different from that of big box stores. “It allows you to have something unique,” says Julie Song, a university student from Toronto. “Not only is it a novelty in a sense, I think it allows people to be a part of what’s in and what’s not.” Pop-up shops also provide opportunities for business owners to test their consumer market before fully committing to a permanent store. “There are also people with good ideas, with little money, so they want to test it,” says Gay Stephenson, a landlady who has rented out her store space in the Danforth area to pop-up shops in the past. “And for those with online stores, it’s great to have opportunity to have a real store.” Sauvage, a stylish boutique shop located at 644 Queen St.W. Toronto, did a bit of research for six months with a pop-up location in March 2012, before

setting up a permanent location. “We always knew that we were going to the permanent location, so it was a great segue to the permanent location,” says Jaya Kahlon, the owner of Sauvage. “Definitely, a pop up allows you to get to know the customer, before making a big investment in a permanent store.” Of course, there are disadvantages to owning a business that seemingly requires less commitment than a permanent store.

It allows you to have something unique. “A permanent store gives you a place for the customers to come back and really cultivate your customer’s needs and cultivate the whole concept,” says Kahlon. “So when we moved to the permanent store, we were able to decorate the place to reflect our brand. We were really able to put our stamp on everything in a way that we weren’t able

to do with a pop-up.” Moreover, many landlords prefer long-term rentals over short-term rentals. “Short-term rentals are not ideal,” says Stephenson. “If the space is going to be empty anyway, it’s better to have something than nothing. It’s a nice way to fill it up and wait for the next tenant…it’s all very positive for your actual space, for renting out in the future.” So, what are you waiting for? Do you have an exciting business idea, but are not sure how it would work out in the consumer market? Maybe it’s your turn to join the pop-up retail trend. Keep in mind, though, that short-term business commitment isn’t necessarily easier than a permanent business set up. “It’s really stressful, but you will get that instant exposure,” says Faustino. And if you’re looking for an exciting, limited-edition consumer experience, find out where the next pop-ups are popping up in your area. “It’s happening almost every week,” says Faustino. “Even here [on this street]…there are so many already.”

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Location Get to know the neighbourhood. What is the demographic? A baby boutique certainly won’t do well in an area full of university students. It helps to look at other shops in the area, or noting what type events are held in the neighbourhood. Who are they geared toward? What would these people need to purchase? Moreover, what would they want to purchase? What is an average income in the area? These things all come into a factor when picking a location.

Idea Come up with a solid, innovative idea. What will your shop have that others don’t? Our thirst for newness and excitement has no limit. See all those boutique salons for dogs? We’re not just talking about traditional retail shopping. There are pop-up taco stands, bars, lingerie shops among everything else you can imagine. “In any business, the minute your competition has a new product or innovation that you lack, you suddenly will become in danger of going out of business,” says Nicholas Wen Shea, owner of NWS Promotions, an online custom apparel shop and Sky Trading Co., a gift shop at 229 Spadina Ave. Toronto.

Budget Sure, running a temporary business is a lot cheaper than a permanent one, but it’s not free. How much will the rent be? Will you hire temporary staff, or will you round up volunteers?

How much are you willing to invest, and how much do you expect to earn? It’s also important to remember that sales can exceed one’s expectations; but many times, it can be the other way around. “When you don’t budget carefully, it is especially likely for a small business to fail,” says Shen. “When sales are unpredictably slow…small businesses tend to struggle more because they don’t have the cash-flow to maintain rent and overhead expenses.”

find an angle for your promotional event. City of Craft, for example, is all about supporting the crafty community of the city. “A lot of people in Toronto really support the local artists,” says Faustino. “The energy of the show is great.” Julienne Bay is a j-student from Toronto. As an avid traveller, coffee-drinker and documentary junkie, she’s constantly trying to figure out what it means to be human.

Network “Use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram…And you need to know certain people. Certain shops will put the ads on their walls,” says Faustino. Building a network is important, whether it’s through social media, or simply in person by attending other similar events. “I definitely met a lot of other vendors, and you get a lot of network,” says Faustino, who participated in City of Craft’s pop-up event this year. “There’s a small community, where people will find out [about your event].”

Promote So, you’ve made some friends through networking. Now what? Why would they want to actually show up? …right, the party. “We do one day for a pop up shop, and we’re sponsored by Hennessey,” says Jalloh, the owner of Get Fresh Company. “So there’s free liquor all day, and people can come out.” Booze isn’t the only way to promote your pop-up business. It’s all about making it into a special event. What do your customers care about? If you can answer that question, you certainly can

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DESIGN: TAI SOO CHAN

Tips on getting started with your own pop-up business :

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careers. education. ideas. all of it.

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HOW REPUTATION CURRENCY

CAN CHANGE THE RESUME NEW WAYS OF EVALUATING THE WORK OF OTHERS CAN HELP PEOPLE FIND BETTER JOBS IN A MORE DYNAMIC AND HUMAN WAY

WRITTEN BY: TIM ALBERDINGK THIJM

Using a reputation currency system, the process of hiring service and temp workers becomes a lot easier for corporations

If you are employed today, you most likely had to fill out a resume, send in a cover letter, and hand in a portfolio or maybe a combination of all three. Employers want to gauge the quality of their staff and see whether hiring someone will ultimately be a valuable decision financially. This is certainly not new: people, when making transactions among each other, always want to benefit from the decision. Whether it’s as an employee, looking to be well-rewarded for a good job, or as an employer, looking to get good work done at a reasonable cost. On a large corporate scale, this is perhaps less noticeable through all the salaries, benefits and bonuses, but when we look at the new business platforms forming online today, connecting people on a small scale over websites like Kijiji,

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Craigslist, Taskrabbit, Zopa, or Skillshare, experts like Rachel Botsman are noticing a return to “old market principles and collaborative behaviors” that have been ingrained in human trade since the birth of writing. The implications of these changes are manifold, and perhaps stand as a rebuttal to those who say the information era has disconnected us from humanity’s old social mores and customs. But one of the more interesting areas of these new business platforms that Rachel Botsman touches on in a recent TED talk, are the rating and review systems in place. Consider reviewing a product on Amazon: in a review, one is recommending to other users whether or not the product is a worthwhile purchase. Most products on Amazon cannot be returned if they are

BIZ. START UP in poor condition, so users must rely on customer reviews. Regardless of the quality of the review, there is still an element of trust involved: if someone chooses to purchase an item over another based on positive reviews, they are assuming the reviewers were telling the truth about the quality of the item. This element of trust is even more important on new business platforms that, rather than connecting people with products, are connecting people with people – almost always, strangers with strangers. A person inviting someone into their home to walk their dog or do their laundry is trusting that person – who may be a total stranger at this point – based on referrals and recommendation. While this can be done with resumes, CVs, cover letters and the like. The internet has given us the possibility of gathering this information online, creating a more dynamic portfolio to demonstrate the qualities and competencies of people looking for work – a “reputation trail” as Botsman calls it. These online profiles, whether of the Superrabbit lawn care specialist on Taskrabbit or of the web designer on Skillshare, are ideal in the modern “knowledge economy.” The knowledge economy, as defined by Powell and Snullman in their paper, “The Knowledge Economy,” is “production and services based on knowledge-intensive activities that contribute to an accelerated pace of technological and scientific advance as well as equally rapid obsolescence.”As David Skyrme describes it, this new economy is characterized by an abundance of resources – knowledge and information – which are shared amongst people rapidly. Knowledge is not limited by national barriers, but rather spread over a global network. Nevertheless, as more recent or important knowledge has an inherently greater value than the older, less important knowledge, the competencies of workers are a crucial part in maintaining productivity and efficiency. A worker who can bring forward new ideas or knowledge with practical applications is much more valuable to a firm than a worker who offers nothing new.

This does not seem at first to overlap much with the idea of a reputation trail, but one should examine how websites like Taskrabbit or Skillshare operate. Essentially, they are allowing people to weed out ideal candidates for minor jobs based on reviews and the reputation trail. But taking these reviews further and developing a portfolio from them – as Botsman demonstrates – can allow someone to create a new form of resume, displaying someone’s overall reputation and some of their good qualities based on dozens of recommendations. This is how the concept of a new resume in a knowledge economy can be created by means of reputation currency. Thanks to the multitude of online examples at our disposal, we can see how

These sites help engage communities and encourage people to support and meet other people new ways to rate and analyze a person’s competencies can benefit the modern knowledge economy. Examining the advantages a reputation currency system provides and the implications it has for the knowledge economy, one can attempt to describe what a future portfolio might look like based on this information, allowing new levels of efficiency – as well as trust – to be reached between people on a professional level.

What are the advantages of reputation currency? There are four primary advantages to reputation currency today: it allows easy gauging of a person’s skill; it holds people accountable for their behaviour; it helps people to specialize in areas where they excel; and fosters trust between strangers. Sites like Taskrabbit in the US or Ayoudo in Canada, which are based on reputation currency, have rating systems

in place to gauge the work of a person in the various tasks they complete. On Ayoudo, service providers receive a Trust Score, which goes up based on the recommendations they receive from others based on their work. Taskrabbit’s “level” system, which goes up to 25, climbs with the number of good jobs the Taskrabbit has done. Both of these systems allow a poster to easily see how trusted a person is and the quality of their work, a great advantage of even a simple out-of-5 rating system, as they also indicate a certain level of experience and time commitment to the program. These rating systems also mean that, though the people connecting are often strangers, they are accountable for their behaviour and actions. The rating systems and reviews mean that a bad Taskrabbit will only gain infamy – a bad “reputation trail” – from a poorly-done task or one done without care or respect. An underperforming “task-doer” will receive fewer tasks than others, have a lower rating overall, and may have trouble finding new tasks. As such, good work is more rewarding for both parties, encouraging quality work regardless of experience level. While these sites built on reputation currency are often designed for basic contracting – although Taskrabbit for Business is now a hiring platform for temp workers – others like Skillshare can help people to find new work opportunities in areas where they excel, either by exploiting skills they may have neglected or learning new skills that give them valuable advantages in their careers. Through these services, some are able to find long-term through networking with people looking for employees with desirable skills and knowledge. Examples from Skillshare include Eric Corpus’s final project from a humour writing class that was featured on McSweeney’s Internet Tendency and Brian Park’s successful Kickstarter campaign after enrolling in Michael Karnjanaprakorn’s “Launch Your Startup Idea for Less than $1,000” Online Skillshare class. This again reflects the advantages of a reputation currency system in the knowledge economy, as

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platforms online and utilize their skills and services.

What are the implications of such a system on the knowledge economy? The implications of a reputation currency-based system for the knowledge economy are in many ways proofs of the advantages of reputation currency. The knowledge economy is a system that

Not only is hiring made easier through a reputation currency system, it is also more effective. works towards efficiency and a high degree of competency, as well as existing

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in a fast-developing and -advancing technological domain. Reputation currency values efficiency and productivity and helps increase the flow of ideas, something which is often seen in the knowledge economy, where “knowledge and information ‘leak’ to where demand is highest and the barriers are lowest.” Using a reputation currency system, the process of hiring service and temp workers becomes a lot easier for corporations. The Taskrabbit “service networking” system in their business section cuts out the old middleman of the employment agency, temp agency or online job board by quickly connecting employers with employees. Many reputation currency systems which rely on an online database which connects both parties in a transaction allow for this kind of efficiency. Not only is hiring made easier through a reputation currency system, it is also more effective. Corporations can examine the competencies of a future employee based on his service experience and help for others, what reviews say

PHOTOS: FIRST LAST NAME

strong workers with valuable expertise are trained and found through the use of these reputation currency systems before bringing new concepts and insights to the workforce. All of these advantages, united through these websites, help immensely in fostering a spirit of trust between people that has dissipated somewhat in the information age thanks to the anonymity of the Internet. By connecting real people together again, these sites help engage communities and encourage people to support and meet other people. One story Botsman shared in her TED talk was of a man in London who used Airbnb, a website for connecting people with homeowners around the world willing to rent out a spare room and provide breakfast to travelling guests. After having hosted guests for some time, the host, during the London riots, was contacted by several former guests to ensure his safety during the riots. The communal spirit fostered by these systems is simply one more advantage to them – encouraging even more people to explore reputation currency based

DESIGN: FIRST LAST NAME

BIZ. START UP

How might a post-reputation currency portfolio look? Given this understanding of both the advantages of reputation currency and its implications in the knowledge economy, one must examine how an actual portfolio might appear were reputation currency to become a major part of the modern economy. Already, Botsman has proposed a portfolio based on the information used on the websites she examines in her talk, but we may

also suggest possibilities given the foci of reputation currency systems and the knowledge economy. The use of a score system is common on sites both to quantify experience and as a measure of an employee’s skill. A good system to do so might be with certain levels of accomplishment or markers for different points, to demarcate different levels of achievement that a person has reached. With the great potential for interconnected information online, reviews and recommendations could be easily accessible to businesses perusing candidates. This could interact

The use of a score system is common on sites both to quantify experience and as a measure of an employee’s skill. with a sliding scale or a “wordle” structure of tags that easily identify the candidate, much as how Botsman showed in her presentation where words like “careful” and “helpful” were in larger type to show their repeated occurrence in multiple reviews. This sort of portfolio would require a connection to multiple ot her on l ine websites. T his interconnectivity would also lead to potential for linking portfolios with other online utilities in the social networking sphere for example. By having connections between a variety of sites and services, it would be much easier to gauge a candidate holistically given all of their online actions. There is a risk in such a connection however as it may infringe on an employee’s privacy or work-personal divide – a person conducts themselves differently on their personal Facebook than when helping a confused student on an electricians’ forum. But as has been seen with more firms asking employees to see their Facebook profiles, it is possible that in

the future employees will simply have to accept having their work integrated into their personal lives. It will have to be seen how firms and people choose to use their reputation trail in every way they live and how our actions may develop trust and community in the years to come.

Can reputation currency benefit the knowledge economy? Given the advantages of reputation currency as an instigator of communication and idea flow, and as a creator of fast, efficient networking there are clear benefits to its use in the knowledge economy in the improvement of cohesion between people and firms and further cementing a global network of ideas and knowledge. These advantages help to better organize and identify strong candidates in the workforce, and through the multitude of social media and networking tools available, one can conceive of a new form of portfolio based on both small-scale service duties like the ones performed by Taskrabbits and Skill-sharers, as well as larger duties within firms and longer-lasting jobs around the world where new knowledge and insight can be difficult to discover from a plethora of exceptional candidates. Whether the knowledge economy will benefit reputation currency can only be known with time experimentation and whether the increased connectivity comes at the cost of social privacy is uncertain, but regardless, reputation currency has shown itself to be bringing communities and people back into cooperative groups again. Perhaps it’s a necessity for safety in a world where technology threatens to alienate us all Tim Alberdingk Thijm is a freelance writer based in Toronto, Ontario. He is enrolled at the University of Toronto. Tim occasionally posts on his blog about writing, video games, and theatre, at cheeserollpincher.wordpress.com.

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PHOTOS/DESIGN: AMY MACKENZIE

about him, and his knowledge of his field. The transparency and permanency of the Internet allows a corporation to see when a candidate programmer helped teach other programmers on Stack Overflow, or how well a Taskrabbit who mows people’s lawns did on his last few jobs. This is a great help in selecting good candidates as information about them is readily and easily accessible, and a candidate can be very easily distinguished as helpful, intelligent, or as a leader based on their interactions online with others. This in itself greatly ameliorates idea flow between people and companies as it connects companies with stronger candidates faster. Given how much corporations value skilled employees with new, lucrative ideas in the knowledge economy, reputation currency is a clear boon for locating such people and utilizing their knowledge. Furthermore, the network of connections formed through reputation currency – as was the case for the Airbnb host during the London riots – allows firms to gain an even greater access to new ideas throughout various information fields in which they employ connected workers. With the impressive acceleration of the number of patents per year in the US, there is room for conjecture that such acceleration may in part rely on the ease with which ideas are communicated between people through the Internet and expert forums online. Firms can find stronger candidates thanks to this vigorous flow of ideas, as more and more employees, when connected online, are able to share and gain new knowledge to benefit the burgeoning knowledge economy.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

GOING TO MARS FOR A FEE WRITTEN BY: MARC POSTH

I will be 62 when I go in 2023. I don’t have children and I’m not married. I’m looking forward to stay on Mars

With the recent coming home of Canadian hero and astronaut Chris Hadfield on May 13, the subject of space and our possible future with it has once again crept back into the attention of the media – this is a good thing. Back in 1961, President Kennedy decided that it was the prerogative of the United States to place a man on the moon. A measly eight years later, Apollo 11 touched down on our familiar satellite and the famous words “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind,” were spoken which still resonates today. So why aren’t we on Mars four decades later? If you were to ask people in the 1960s sitting in front of their little televisions watching astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin step onto the Moon where we would be in the year 2000, you would probably hear fantasies resembling the lifestyle of the Jetsons with flying cars, real-estate on the Moon and a possible manned mission to Mars. Unfortunately for the science-

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fiction fans and enthusiastic visionaries within all of us, this isn’t the case. Why not? Before we get into heated discussions and hit each other with our opinions on what could have been done better throughout the space programs of the world, we must focus on what actually did happen in the past four decades. Thanks to NASA, the United States was the first to fly to the Moon and back, and because of such an accomplishment, they have been at the forefront of the public’s attention since then. Once the Russians were defeated in the amazing space race, a unified feeling that everything belonged to the Americans was felt throughout the world. They were the superpower, controlling land, air, sea, and space. Thus, the competition for further exploration into the Space became limited. What NASA did see from the Moon was Earth. This gleaming blue jewel captured our attention and gave us a greater perspective on our place within the universe, and so NASA

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

turned its head around, away from interplanetary exploration, and began to focus its attention on just that – our planet. To this point, our endeavours in space were funded by taxpayers and all great minds were hired by governments. Having just emerged from a very heated Cold War, going into space was a very closed-door subject with technologies and advances in the industry kept on very low profiles. After all, we do not want cutting edge scientific knowledge to fall into the wrong hands (see: 1979’s Moonraker). So what did happen between 1969 to now? Well, quite a bit. Two major projects really took focus: the International Space Station and its accompanying Space Shuttle Program. As they continued to send out satellites into orbit and launched missions to build up the I.S.S, funds began to run tight and so the multinational program in 1993 was initiated allowing nations such as Russia, Japan, and parts of the Europe to contribute. Space now began to shift towards being a common problem as opposed to a focused American issue. Let’s face it, breaking through the Earth’s atmosphere with payloads weighing up to 24,000 kilograms and a professionally manned crew is expensive, and as we are well aware, economics play a major role in the decision making of, well, anyone. So why go after projects that are quite close to home? Scientific research. Research leads to innovation which leads to new technologies. New tech becomes commercialized, and voila, a profit is found – whether we care to admit it or not, it is all about profits. So now that we are a little more caught up on our space histor y, let us refocus on the today and getting a foothold on the red planet. It should b e not e d t h at go v e r n me nt s p a c e exploration hasn’t been asleep on the subject. If you are not in-tune with the scientific community, a simple Google search will reveal to you endeavours s u c h a s M a r s O d y s s e y, t he M a r s Reconnaissance Orbiter, and of course the recent landing of the Mars Rover. But government projects tend to be

notoriously slow and careful due to the fact that their budget is dictated as a political move every now and then, and without any results they will lose precious tax payer backing. Placing budget, risk, and politics out of the equation, do governments have the means to go to Mars? NASA’s former associate administrator Dr. Alan Stern believes so. “Human missions to Mars could have been done as early as the 1980s, so the technology is certainly available today to implement such a mission,” he says. Dr. Stern affirms that “it’s Administration policy for NASA to sendpeople to Mars by the 2030s.”

“Things get a lot cheaper as people accept more risk, and more people die,” it’ll be the risk-takers who eventually colonize the planets, who mine asteroids, who settle space.” These are inspirational words. Though seemingly far away, it appears that the decades of the 2020-2040s are going to be filled with space explorers pursuing their interplanetary Manifest destiny as many of the private companies have plans to launch within that timeframe as well. Will there be another space race? Instead of a couple country’s fighting for spatial real estate, will the two contenders be governments versus private companies? If so, the latter will have a much needed edge. Results require risk and taking risks leads to the possibility of failure – failure is not an option for governments. Enter the advantage of the private sector. Recently we are seeing brave steps

towards colonizing Mars by private firms. The Mars One project by Dutch entrepreneur Bas Landorp has attracted up to 80,000 people in the first two weeks for a chance to take a oneway trip to Mars. The catch? Well, it is a one-way trip. However, it is these risks that explorers need to take. “ The main way that private companies will win out is when they accept a higher risk level than governments,” says Dr. Nick Schneider, research associate at the Laboratory for Atmospheric & Space Physics at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He compares inter pl anetar y exploration to the American West where settlement occurred at low costs and high risks. “Things get a lot cheaper as people accept more risk, and more people die,” he said and goes on to add that “it’ll be the risk-takers who eventually colonize the planets, who mine asteroids, who settle space.” While it is true that the approach taken by governments is to aim for absolute safety, it is understandable when you step into their shoes. They do not want disasters that would ruin their image because as we recall, their funds are dictated by public opinion. Not so for the private sectors. So where are all the eccentric visionaries and secret billionaires? Everywhere. Let us take a look at the aforementioned Dutch agency, Mars One. Their plan is to get a small team of astronauts to Mars by 2023. Being a private company, they have to meet their goals cheaply, and a one-way trip is quite cost reducing. Mars One has managed to secure major funds for their trip via sponsorship and reality TV deals. With over 80,000 applicants and only 6 people compromising of the

FUN FACT... did you know that Mars has polar ice caps, volcanoes and two moons?

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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

“NASA doesn’t believe in a one-way-mission,”

us common-folk in setting sail towards the stars. Though the science behind the Inspiration Mars Foundation may seem very cosmological, it is nevertheless a step, whether forward, sideways, or backwards, that is up to your judgement Not all private firms specifically focus on manned missions to Mars. Instead, others work in designing rocket components that are not only efficient, but affordable. SpaceX, from founder Elon Musk, was the first privately funded group to launch a spacecraft into orbit and recover it. This has enabled them to earn a contract with NASA as well as many other private sector companies. With such an example, it seems that cooperation between public and private entities is the key. NASA has always been the posterchild for space exploration, yet due to political pressures and bureaucratic constraints, their process is quite simply, inefficient. Promises are difficult to keep and frustration from an interested public builds up, decreasing funds and hopes. It is a very vicious cycle that

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breeds negativity around our space champion and in the end gets nothing accomplished. Colonizing Mars is for the good of us all. Though it may seem like a barren landscape void of little green men to the untrained eye, the tangible benefits should not be the sole priority. Creating heroes out of astronauts and giving society the common problem of ‘how to colonize Mars’ is what is important. Future generations need to be inspired, and this can only be done by working together. While competition does motivate the best within people, cooperation is what will get us to colonize Mars. Governments have the image and means whilst the private sector the ambition and budget. It is with the designs of SpaceX, NASA’s brand, Mars One’s ambitions, and yes, Inspiration Mars Foundation’s highly ambitious goals that man will set foot on one of the Earth’s closest, somewhat hospitable planet. Mars, here we come…soon… hopefully.

PHOTOS: FIRST LAST NAME

first team, their selection process was extremely rigorous. Jonah Berger was fortunate and skilled enough to be able to gain a spot. Picked out of thousands after having undergone many psychological tests, the idea of a going to Mars without a return ticket doesn’t faze him one bit. “I will be 62 when I go in 2023. I don’t have children and I’m not married. I’m looking forward to stay on Mars,” he states. Jonah will land as part of an initial team before being joined by a secondary group a couple years later. Trained in the repairing of the mission’s specific settlement structures as well as the cultivation of crops in confined spaces, he will act as the team’s doctor, biologist, repairer, and pilot. “NASA doesn’t believe in a one-waymission,” and goes on to say, “They call it a suicide mission, which it isn’t.” Jonah is confident. Is this the risk and drive needed to colonize Mars? Only time will tell. Fortunately for us back on Earth, Mars One’s activities will be captured by Living Unit cameras giving us a standin perspective to their mission, so stay tuned. Mars One isn’t the only project with similar ambitions. A little more ‘out there’ is multimillionaire Dennis Tito, head of the Inspiration Mars Foundation. For his flyby of Mars, he is currently seeking a married and middleaged crew. His plan is to leave 5 years from now, as this is when the planets will align giving the opportunity for a 501 day trip – this only occurs every 15 years. In short, if you want a glorified sight-seeing trip to the red planet at the expense of your life, sign up with Mr. Tito. Sarcasm aside, it is these far-reaching dreamers that inspire

DESIGN: STEFAN ROWLIN

“They call it a suicide mission, which it isn’t.”

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

THE RISE OF URBAN FARMING NORTH AMERICA’S TRANSITION FROM RURAL TO URBAN FARMING WRITTEN BY: SPENCER EMMERSON

A project such as this community farm will give the youth of this community as sense of ownership that could potential inspire them to dream big and understand what can come from hard work. 23

As I drive myself from point A to B, a significant question has grown where endless fields once resided: are we seeing the end of rural farming culture? I fondly remember waking up early on weekend mornings in order to beat the traffic out of the city, our final destination a chalet or cottage way out in the country. Between point A and B resided many a small town, populated with what seemed like farm after farm and field upon endless field. I remember staring at the giant tractors taking up our driving lane and my Dad impatiently trying to pass them. However, as I grew older and each trip came and went, significant changes appeared before my eyes. Those once never-ending fields seemed to in fact end. The giant tractors didn’t look so immense as they sat on the front lawn of each and every farm: FOR SALE – see owner for details. Just as skyscrapers are testing the

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limits of how high our cities can grow, our urban environments are expanding outwards, resulting in the manipulation of rural areas. Elizabeth Mylott, author of an essay concerning urban-rural connections, says, “Expansion of urban areas and large-lot development (greater than one acre) in rural areas are reshaping urban and rural areas.” To travel down a stretch of highway from Toronto to Guelph – roughly 100 km of highway – an onlooker can see the urban and large-lot developments that Mylott is referring to. The distinction between smaller farming communities and urban areas is becoming more difficult to see because these areas – like Guelph and Milton – are becoming more city-like by the year. Think of it as a fill-in-the-blank problem in which all of the blanks are subsequently filled by the term ‘urban development.’ This kind of development has the potential

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY big and understand what can come from hard work. The New York City housing authority is expected to monitor the project, and hopes to expand the project to four other housing communities within the city. Another project that is bringing farming into the urban fold is called Vertical Farming, and there are a few examples right in our own backyard.

Vertical farming helps protect crops by housing them in an indoor environment, protecting them from the negative effects of nature while still continuing to reap its benefits. Dr. Dickson Despommier has been attempting to answer the question of how we are to feed our growing population during a time period in which urban ecosystems are taking over rural farmland. It is believed that over 80 per cent of farmable land is already in use, and that the remaining 20 per cent with not adequately feed our growing population. This concept of indoor farming has been around for some time, but on a much smaller scale. However, with demand increasing for food, the need to scale up the production is upon us. “The biggest social benefit is that everyone gets fed,” says Despommier. “All the water is recycled, all the nutrients are recycled. All that leaves the building is the produce.” Natural events in our environments, such as the flooding currently going on in Western Canada, represent just

how fast a good crop can be taken away from us. Vertical farming helps protect crops by housing them in an indoor environment, protecting them from the negative effects of nature while still continuing to reap its benefits. Alterrus System, a Vancouverbased company, became the first North American Company to implement the vertical-farming technology when they redesigned the top floors of a Vancouver parking lot. “ T he Ver tiCrop technolog y represents a radical shift in sustainable food production,” said Christopher Ng, Alterrus CEO. “Current foodproduction methods are ineffective in dealing with the challenges of growing populations and decreasing amounts of farmland. VertiCrop’s high-density urban farming is an effective way to grow nutritious food using fewer land and water resources than traditional field-farming methods.” Perhaps it isn’t so much that North American agriculture is dying out, but more so that it is changing, much like it has in the past. Innovation such as steam power changed the ways farmlands were cropped. As these examples show, the end of rural farming should not be feared, but embraced. Spencer Emmerson is a freelance writer based in Toronto, Ontario. In October of 2012, he obtained his Honours degree in English from the University of Guelph. To learn more, please view his twitter account @TheSpinner24.

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DESIGN: DUSI RASIAH PHOTOGRAPHY: ABAD MAHAVA

to threaten agriculture, an idea that concerns Mylott. “The growth of urban areas threatens agricultural production,” she says. “As development spreads, it competes with agriculture for land.” Stats Canada supports this trend of urban development competing with agricultural communities, as there was a 6 per cent. decrease in farming communities’ population in Canada over a five year period from 2001 to 2006. These stats could suggest that farmers are beginning to move away from their past lifestyles as farmers to find new ways of making a living within the ever-expanding urban environment. As fewer people make their living through agriculture the current discourse has turned towards the future of farming. Unfortunately this current discourse places rural and urban environments on opposites sides of the spectrum, with rural areas being the sole place for farming and urban being incapable of sustaining agriculture. This is simply not the case, and currently there are several projects underway in several Canadian and American urban environments that demonstrate farming is far from extinct. In Brooklyn, NY, a recently hurricane-ravaged suburb is looking to use a 1-acre farm to create a sense of community and responsibility within their youth population. This particular section of Brooklyn is known as the Red Hook Houses, and represents the second-largest public housing community in the city. The farm will offer jobs to 34 teens in the area with the goal of getting “kids off the streets and into the fields, with the added benefit of eating better at home,” says Crain’s New York. Kristin Morse, from the Center for Economic Opportunity, explains: “The program tackles two of the Bloomberg administration’s main initiatives – one is food anti-obesity issues and the other is anti-poverty. This isn’t just a farm, but a job for these young people.” A project such as this community farm will give the youth of this community as sense of ownership that could potential inspire them to dream

STUDENT CO.

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careers. education. ideas. all of it.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

THE RISE OF

SMARTER CITIES HOW THE MODERN CITY COULD CHANGE US FOREVER WRITTEN BY: JARON SERVEN

what is different now is that the common city is in direct conversation with the rest of the world due to globalization: cities are becoming as powerful as the nations 26

Cities used to be the cultural epicenters of their respective countries. Over the past few decades or so, the Digital Age-and its side-effect, globalization--has rendered cities into a different type of public sphere. Sociologist Saskia Sassen, wrote about the future of studying the modern city in sociology and remarked that the Digital Age shapes major cities into “... nodes, where a variety of economic, political and subjective processes...” operate on a global scale. This shifts the role of the modern city away from the usual tropes of a regional, even national, center of identity and work, and into that of the global, “...engaging [the world] directly.” This is a keen observation about how our culture is changing around our continued advancements in digital technology. This perspective is changing the way we look at cities, and

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how we may utilize them as a tool for our globalized future. Most important is Sassen’s implication that cities operate on a more powerful scale than other areas of a respective country-- “bypassing the national”, as she calls it. While this has, in a way, always been true, what is different now is that the common city is in direct conversation with the rest of the world due to globalization: cities are becoming as powerful as the nations they occupy. This increase in influence and power may give rise to different social opportunities, which would require bold steps and experimentation to capitalize upon. The Creation of Smart Cities One step that many cities could be taking to better the effects of globalization is integrating technology into the socio-

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political infrastructure--creating a “smart city”. There are many factors that contribute to what a smart city could be, but generally speaking, the smart city is one that utilizes technology to its advantage, along with maintaining a socially agreed-upon intelligence within certain city characteristics--including smart living, smart economy, smart people and smart governance, among others. Now, what “smart” living, people, economy and governance could mean varies depending upon what city we may be speaking of, and “smartness” can range from awareness of the use of resources, to using technology to increase efficiency of public works projects. IBM, one of our leading technological companies, sees the potential opportunity in being the leader of the smart city movement, outlining on their site the different attributes of what a smart city could be. Further, IBM has published an open letter to the mayors of the world, giving examples of three city leaders making data-based decisions--as opposed to the old ways of policy-based legislation-which better incorporate the average citizen into the local community process, and increases the efficiency of those processes. For example, a citizen can notice a broken streetlamp, send a picture from their smartphone to the city’s data receiver, which would then, based upon the data, generate a repair order. The implications of such a system, extrapolated to all cities and throughout the socio-economic structure, are staggering. Citizens, living so long with all the information at hand but powerless to utilize the knowledge, would finally be able to help make decisions about their everyday lives. This can be accomplished without damaging the necessary division between politicians and average citizens--a division made necessary to avoid a chaotic, citizen-run politicalstate. Politicians would still have control over legislative responsibilities,

while the citizens would gain certain responsibilities in their living situations and public works projects. It would require the average citizen to participate, and to possibly allow water-tracking and structure-tracking technology into their everyday lives. The benefits of such a situation could outweigh the negative implications of greater government control--and besides, they’re already listening to everything we say and do anyway.

This can be accomplished without damaging the necessary division between politicians and average citizens Future Forecasts Special Consideration The larger concern with smarter cities is what to do going forward, in terms of national policy. Should the new smarter, globalized cities receive special treatment from their respective governments? The questions are complicated, and bring even more complicated answers. Technically, the citizen would be given greater power in their decisions with the integration of the smart city movement, and policy-makers would be hesitant to create a new order out of a city that already runs on state law (plus, just imagine: the State of Manhattan. A trifle odd.) governments? Besides, the biggest economic advantages for cities almost make tax-breaks a moot point: economic agglomeration. Agglomeration is an economic phenomenon that traces the rise in productivity in firms and workers within cities. It is generally agreed upon

that innate advantages of cities--larger market, sharing of suppliers between businesses, a higher transmission of local ideas--lead to agglomeration, or a higher rate of business in urban areas. If smart cities were to be given the larger economic power of a state, there could be a greater influx of people into the area, which may actually lead to diseconomies of agglomeration: put simply, overpopulation of a city can lead to negative social consequences-such as pollution, traffic congestion, etc.--that would in turn create an economic downturn. This is why cities never grow too large or overcrowded--why thousands of people take the train into New York City everyday to work. If cities were to be given the same status as a state or providence, people might be more inclined to live there, which may ultimately have a negative effect on the economy. This is speculation, of course: agglomeration is the title of a phenomenon, not a concrete theory of economics, and, to take a chaotic theoretical perspective, the deterministic nature of cities does not necessarily make them a predictable entity. The initial iteration of the smart city will expand, unpredictably, as our older cities have expanded into agglomeration and sustainability - a sustainability that has been proven in recent years by pollution and poor economic growth to be, in fact, unsustainable. Put simply, too much change would produce wildly unpredictable variations of the city at different iterations. When facing such an uncertain future for cities, we should proceed with cautious, yet bold, experimentation. Which begs the question: how, exactly, do we do that? The answer could be found in a grand social experiment going on right now: the charter city. Charter Cities Charter cities are another fascinating aspect of the globalization of cities in

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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

become involved, and it ultimately fell to a “group of private individuals” to do the job. “I don’t want to participate in this again,” Romer recently said, “unless there is a stronger governing presence and a national government with some accountability.” In essence, what Romer is calling for is more than a private investment--not a corporate city--but a socio-economic investment, a revamp on both the economic and governing scale. This does not mean that the overall concept of charter cities, as Romer sees it, is dysfunctional. What the Honduras project shows us is that true goodwill on the part of our governments will go a long way toward possibly achieving

Charter cities are another fascinating aspect of the globalization of cities in our age, another indication of how cities are flexing larger power over socio-economic variables economic prosperity. But more than that, what Honduras ultimately proves is that ambitious socio-political experimentation--like Romer’s concept of charter cities--is necessary to pull us out of our economic recession. The ways of old--the private, corporate investment, so prone to corruptibility--cannot work. So Honduras is not a failure by any means, it’s just the first iteration of a not her deter m in ist ic-yet-

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unpredictable system. It stands as proof that goodwill is necessary to pull us out of the mess we are all in. With the introduction of another variable--a positive, well-meaning governance--the new iteration of charter cities, wherever they may be, could produce better results. We are, after all, speaking of communities here. Both smart cities, and their experimental doppelgangers, the charter cities, require that variable of positive communal influence, an awareness of one another that, in the Digital Age, may just be easier to come by. After all, if we can integrate technology into the infrastructure of our cities, if we can create what amounts to small utopias in the middle of third-world disparity, why should it be so hard to believe in the power of mankind’s hopeful goodwill? Stranger things have happened.

DESIGN: RUVINI SILVA & IAN TODD

our age, another indication of how cities are flexing larger power over socioeconomic variables. Charter cities, as a concept, are being pioneered by Professor Paul Romer, the famous economist and activist previously of Stanford University, now teaching economics at New York University. The basic idea is that a third-party nation invests in an unused strip of land within a struggling, usually thirdworld nation, and creates what are hopefully prosperous economic and social conditions. Locals are allowed to come and go as they please. There is a “commitment to choice” that averts coercion into participation: under Romer’s direction, the charter city is the seed, and the people need to cultivate it. What they cultivate is, hopefully, a better local economy. This good economy would, in theory, spur further change throughout the rest of the developing nation. The host nation would also benefit, receiving returns on its investment, thereby creating an upturn in the overall global economy. This is something that Honduras had been working on for over a year, although it seems that this effort has collapsed. Romer and his partner Brandon Fuller proposed in April 2012 that Canada “...partner with other countries to help Honduras... not with traditional aid or charity, but with the institutional know-how that support economic prosperity and the rule of law.” There is, obviously, substantial political risk of such an operation, such as problematic infrastructure investing and future rule-of-law dealings between potential investors. But Romer and Fuller attribute these risks as aspects of “weak governance”, and that better, equal rules for charter cities are needed if they are to thrive. This is the principle reason why the Honduras project failed: “...strong independent oversight of the project was never created”-- no one wanted to take the political risk and make the proper arrangements. Canada did not

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

GAMBLING ON A NUCLEAR FUTURE NEARLY 30 YEARS AFTER CHERNOBYL, BELARUS SEEKS ENERGY SOVEREIGNTY WITH RUSSIA’S HELP Plus ça Change In the spring of 1986, life in the small city of Astravyets in the northwest corner of Belarus – then part of the Soviet Union – carried on as usual. Labourers went to the state-run factories for work, farmers sowed their crops and children went to school. It was weeks before the city learned that around 600 miles to the south, the worst nuclear accident in history had occurred, spewing highly radioactive Iodine-131 all over the city, country and most of Europe. It is in Astraveyets, ho we ve r, t h at a l mo s t 3 0 years after the Chernobyl disaster, Belar us’ first nuclear power plant will go on l i ne. P re s ide nt A lex ander Lu k ashenk a, in an unusually modest moment, said the construction of a nuclear power plant in Belarus is “nothing extraordinary.” A pro j e c t of t h i s s c a l e will have long lasting con s e q ue nce s a nd i f not extraordinar y, the issue of nuclear power in Belarus is important, not just for the country, but the region.

Belarus in Brief Belarus is an inconspicuous country of less than 10 million people in Eastern Europe. It’s nestled in between Russia and the European Union, though it’s undoubtedly friendlier with its immense Eastern neighbour. Almost 22 years ago, Belarus and

Russia were under the same red banner of the Soviet Union. W hile in the USSR, it underwent a period of ‘Russification’: the elimination of Belarusian language, culture and symbols and replacement with Russian ones. WWII was devastating and has left a deep scar on the Belarusian consciousness. The Nazi invasion and Soviet counter attack destroyed entire villages and towns

nuclear power in Belarus is important and killed a quarter of the Belarusian population. Despite this, Belarus was gradually restored after the war, with the capital city of Minsk being almost entirely rebuilt from the ground up in the grandiose Stalinist style. It became an industrial powerhouse within the Soviet Union, with its unparalleled trucks and tractors sold throughout the Eastern Bloc.

The Invisible Enemy In the true Soviet style of shabbiness and thriftiness, a series of cheap and i n h e r e nt l y dangerous

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nuclear power plants were built throughout the USSR. The most infamous plant was built in 1977 in Ukraine a little over 10 kilometres from the border of Belarus. Officially, the V.I. Lenin Nuclear Power Station or simply Chernobyl after the nearby city produced about 10 per cent of Ukraine’s power. In the early morning hours of April 26, 1986, an experiment at Chernobyl nuc le a r p o we r pl a nt escaped the control of technicians and scientists. The result was an explosion, reactor meltdow n and radioactive fire that burned for days. Deadly particles were ejected from the reactor and landed throughout Ukraine, Belarus, Russia and most of Europe. Because this radioactive cloud was heading toward Moscow, Soviet authorities decided to seed clouds over Belarus to literally rain radiation and prevent the fallout from reaching the capital. Due to the clouds, rains and prevailing winds, 60 per cent of the fallout from the disaster landed and remains in Belarus.

Europe’s Last Dictator Belarus has been independent country since the USSR’s dissolution and began to reintroduce its native culture and language. Despite initial democratic reforms in 1991, freedoms have slowly been curtailed by the country’s first current President, Alexander Lukashenka, who was dubbed Europe’s last

dictator by the US. The press and opposition groups are marginalized and elections are widely regarded as unfair and unfree by international observers. It should be noted that though the West has labeled Lukashenka a tyrant and dictator, credible polls in Belarus demonstrate time and time again he is popular with the people. His simple, brutally honest approach to everything, while unpopular with the international community, easily scores points with the rural Belarusian voter. This isn’t to say his tactics in retaining power are highly questionable and brutal (Belar us’ secret police are still known as the KGB). Lukashenka, now into his 19th year as Belarus’ head of state, has a love-hate relationship with Russia since the breakup of the Soviet Union. For a time, there was talk of a Russia-Belarus economic and political union with a single currency and military. But with two strong-headed men at the helm of these two countries (Putin in Russia), the pair have locked horns diplomatically for the idea to have any teeth.

From Russia With Love Belarus’ gaze away from reforms and the EU and tow a rd s ent renc h ment and Russia is partly about nostalgia and partly about economic perks in the form of energy subsidies. The Druzhba Pipeline moves oil and natural gas from Russia

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to Europe. Due to geography, the pipeline passes through Belarus. Close relations had meant for nearly a decade t hat resourcedeficient Belarus received dirt cheap oil and gas from its neighbour. Once upon a time, people joked that when Belarus negotiated oildelivery charges with Russia, it paid only the costs of the telephone call. I n 20 0 4 t h at a l l changed. Russia wanted to eliminated the discounts and own a stake in Belarus’ natural gas distributor Beltransgaz.Incensed, L u k a s he n k a s i phone d gas from the pipeline and Russia t u r ne d of f t he gas completely, resulting in a temporary shortage in Europe. After a brief cessation of hostilities, tempers f l a red aga i n regarding prices in 2007. Russia depends on Belarus to move its oil and gas to Europe, while Belarus needs discounted Russian fuels to keep the lights on. One joke in Belarus is that their radiators inform them when Russia halts energy supplies.

A New Power The waning significance of the Chernobyl disaster coupled with the energy d i sputes w it h Ru ssi a opened up discussions for an alternative solution to Belarus’ energy woes. Though there were plans to build a nuclear power plant in near Minsk in the late 1980s, Chernobyl prevented it from happening indef initely. Until now. Shortly after the energy dispute in 2007, Lukashenka announced that Belarus

needed a nuclear power plant because natural gas had become a political issue. To him, achieving energy independence is crucial for political independence. However, because of Belarus’ mounting debts and deficits and the lack of domestic knowledge and infrastructure for nuclear power it must rely an unlikely partner: Russia.

An Expert Opinion Dr. David Marples is a distinguished university professor in the department of history and classics at the University of Alberta and the author of over a dozen books ranging from Chernobyl to contemporary Belarus and the collapse of the Soviet Union. Russia is not only providing the loans and personnel for the plant, but the Russian-owned Atomstroyexport nuclear power equipment will be building it. “It is also using Russian fuel,” said Marples. “ T heoret ic a l ly B e l a r u s could ‘buy out’ Russia at some future stage, but it will still be dependent on Russian expertise and technology.” Belarus is also not being forthright with its neighbour Lithuania about what the environmental implications of the plant may be. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe established t he Epsoo Convention, which mandates an environment a limpact a s s e s s m e nt . “Lithuania has expressed concern, particularly given the Astravec (Astravyets) plant’s location in its border,” Marples noted.

“There have been discussions at various levels but the Belarusian side has refused to change the location.” While regional concerns regarding the power plant a re k now n , domest ic opposition is harder to gauge. In Belarus, rallies, protests and publ ic gat her ings u n s a nc t ione d b y t he government are illegal and dispersed, sometimes violently. As Marples put it, “People are afraid of nuclear plants, but not enough to get arrested over them,” So, what then? For Belarus, a decision has been made to pursue a nuclear power plant, with money and knowledge it doesn’t have. But with the two countries upping the ante to score points at home, natural gas and oil from Russia are, as Lukashenka stated, more political than economical. Dr. Marples asks the question: “Can Belarus continue to remain dependent on oil and gas if Russia uses them as a political tool to gain more inf luence over the Belarusian economy. Truly it is a Catch-22 situation.” Belarus has struggled with a sense of national identit y for centur ies. It has been dominated by Soviets, Nazis and now, Lukashenka reigns through electoral authoritarianism. A domestic, nuclear energy source may alleviate some issues in Belarus but, as Marples notes, it won’t resolve the fundamental problems in the Belarusian state. “Foreign currency depletion, high inflation, labor outflow and population decline … sale of valuable companies to Russia.” Marples also notes that

Russia is also buying up Belarusian companies, from trucking to cell phones to other natural resources. Time will tell whether or not a nuclear power plant was a game changer for Belarus or results in greater dependence on Russia. As Lukashenka noted, the decision to build may not be “extraordinary” but it is important for the average Belarusian right up to Belarus’ neighbouring countries. With thoughts of the short sightedness and devastating effects of events like Chernobyl, discussion and decisions for nuclear power in Belarus shouldn’t be taken lightly. JOHN BRANNEN, STAFF WRITER

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GLOBAL

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

IN THE G20 DESPITE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, NOT ALL COUNTRIES ARE ENTREPRENEURIALLY EQUAL

WRITTEN BY: GRACE KENNEDY

Crisis delenda est, Entrepreneurship est memorandum Under the revised words of Cato the Elder, 400 young entrepreneurs gathered in Moscow for the 2013 G20 Youth Entrepreneurs’ Alliance Summit in mid-June to discuss the future of entrepreneurship in their countries. Together, they crafted a report outlining the actions leaders of the 20 major economies should take to promote entrepreneurship in their countries. “One of the major concerns of many modern economies is structural unemployment, in particular among young people,” the 2013 communiqué reads. “Entrepreneurship is a tool that provides targeted support for those who are currently unemployed or underemployed, and who have high potential in the innovation economy

…. There is ample evidence to say that any seriously grounded policy to reinvigorate growth and job creation should have entrepreneurship at its core, with a strong emphasis on youth.” The actions that the G20 entrepreneurs advocate for certainly have that at their centre. Along with increased access to financing and sustainable labour laws, they also included recommendations for improved education and digital access. The national level, however, has a much different dynamic than the international. The G20 countries range from fourth to 132nd place based on the level of ease they have doing business in the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and World Bank’s evaluation of “Doing Business”. For starting a business, it

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ranges from second to 173rd. Many of these countries have a very different entrepreneurial culture than North America, as well as different levels of red tape, corruption, and bureaucracy. They may favour the independent entrepreneur or hinder them. Their government may be directly involved in the country’s economy – such as the German government, who has approximately a 45 per cent share in the country’s GDP – or may allow it to meander down its own path.

China – 91 for Ease of Doing Business For many people, the idea of entrepreneurship in the People’s Republic of China is an oxymoron and a half. The perceived atmosphere

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of closed policies and hushed bribery, along with the communist dislike of capitalism, does not seem conducive to the innovation of entrepreneurial activity. However, even under the early days of the communist regime Chinese entrepreneurs survived. Though most of these entrepreneurs were part of the Getihu (small-scale retail and service businesses like street vendors) and many were criminals or illegal migrants, they still demonstrated entrepreneurial characteristics. They often worked primarily to obtain benefits for themselves – an activity known as rent-seeking – and dominated the black market and underground economy. But in 1987, a change in policy and a repeal of the law limiting private employment to seven people saw a change in the demographic of entrepreneurship. Private enterprises increased by 93 per cent in 1987 alone – by 1990, township and village enterprises accounted for 20 per cent of China’s gross output. Although the traditionally negative connotations of starting a business remained, the times

were changing. Now, entrepreneurship has emerged from the Getihu. The Communist Party of China estimates that over 113,000 of their members run businesses, and small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) provide 60 per cent of China’s industrial output, according to the International Entrepreneurship website. The private enterprise sector has been growing by 20 per cent each year, compared to 9.5 per cent over the past two decades. Despite these impressive numbers, entrepreneurs in China do not have it easy. The fates of many businesses are dictated by the whims of government policy.

“There is no long term strategic planning because you don’t know what’s going to happen from one day to the next,” famous translator and art critic, Lei Fu was recorded saying in the Spring 2001 edition of the Stanford Journal of East Asian Affairs. “You just take it one step at a time.” Because of this instability, many Chinese entrepreneurs tend to be more opportunistic, focusing on short-term profits and maintaining safety-nets independent of their business, such as leaving their family abroad while they return to work in China for months at a time. They also develop guanxi, the Chinese equivalent to networking or

But in 1987, a change in policy and a repeal of the law limiting private employment to seven people saw a change in the demographic of entrepreneurship.

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INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

relationship building. However, guanxi encompasses more than just genial relations – it tiptoes around the edge of bribery and corruption to ensure speedy government approval, it creates trust to overcome natural and man-made obstacles. As Lin Wang put it in another interview for the Stanford Journal of East Asian Affairs, “You don’t just need connections, you need the right kind of connections.” Other obstacles are financial. In 1999, only 0.9 per cent of working capital loans went to the private sector. According to an article written by the specialist foreign direct investment practice, Dezan Shira and Associates, Chinese banks continue to pour billions of dollars into state-owned enterprises , which may motivate youth to return to the security and benefits of SOE work. “Many young people are now actively seeking careers back in China’s SOEs as they seek more protection and state assurances,” the article reads. “This bodes ill for the ability for

You don’t just need connections, you need the right kind of connections future generations being able to provide China with innovations that could turn it into a global leader. China as an innovator? Not unless the Chinese banks start to encourage and fund the nation’s entrepreneurs, and China gets its politics out of business.”

Argentina – 124 for Ease of Doing Business Argentina is quite a contrast to China. Instead of employing 75 per cent of the urban workforce as is the case in China, entrepreneurs represent only 9.2 per cent of Argentina’s.

Although this difference could be because of a difference in identifying an entrepreneur, the percentages are still telling. Only slightly more than five per cent of the Argentinian entrepreneurs pol led by the Inter-A mer ican Development Bank own equipment or machinery; the average entrepreneur employs nine workers for his or her business. This is largely because of the Argentinian tax system. According to the IDB paper, “Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Values, and Public Policy in Argentina”, is “highly noncontinuous, meaning that the marginal rates for business have drastic jumps in size”. Almost 40 per cent of Argentinian entrepreneurs are not registered as taxpayers because of the complexity of the registration process and the cost of expected taxes. A medium-size company can spend over 453 hours preparing, filing, and paying taxes, compared to 194 hours for countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. In addition, 47 per cent of entrepreneurs do so by necessity, and not by choice or opportunity. Although Argentina has a large middle class – the class most likely to take advantage of entrepreneurial activity – its financial sector is largely underdeveloped. Credit to the private sector amounts for only 14 per cent of Argentina’s GDP, compared to Brazil’s 53 per cent and Chile’s 97. Only half of Argentina’s registered firms have a loan, which the IDB says may be because of the effect of inflation and political instability on the financial market. This political instability also breeds the possibility of corruption among entrepreneurs; almost one fourth of businesspersons say that a typical firm would bribe government workers to secure a contract. Additionally, senior management spends 20 per cent of its time complying with government regulations, which the IDB takes to mean possible lobbying for special

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treatment. Registered A rgentinian entrepreneurs cite this corruption and instability, along with tax rates, to be their three main problems, whereas non-registered entrepreneurs give crime and a lack of access to credit. However, some focus is being given on the latter issue. The “Financial Support for Young Entrepreneurs” program allows companies sponsoring youth involved in entrepreneurial activity to receive a tax credit bond, which would authorize the company to deduct the payment from their income tax. This provides more incentive for companies to give young start-ups a boost in the Argentinian market. Even with this incentive though, 80 per cent of those polled in a survey during the Argentine Chapter of 2010 World Entrepreneurship Forum believe that further incentives are needed to promote entrepreneurship in Argentina. Although Argentina was the internet centre of Latin America during the 1990’s, and many ventures gained backers from the Silicon Valley, the longterm investments are still missing that could help drive the country towards opportunity-based entrepreneurship.

Saudi Arabia – 22 for Ease of Doing Business Saudi Arabia, a country that many North Americans consider austere and restrictive, is actively (and successfully) driving towards that opportunity-based entrepreneurship. “ There is a new breed of entrepreneurs that is gradually reshaping the economic landscape,” David Hamod, president and CEO of the National US-Arab Chamber of Commerce, wrote in the 2010 edition of US –Arab Tradeline. “These talented men and women are ‘pushing the envelope’ in their respective communities and challenging longstanding assumptions about value creation and risk aversion in the Arab world.” Although these entrepreneurs

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These talented men and women are ‘pushing the envelope’ in their respective communities and challenging longstanding assumptions about value creation and risk aversion in the Arab world. and races will focus on the issues they all share in their development towards entrepreneurial prosperity. Grace Kennedy is a journalism student at the University of King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She has done freelance journalism on both the East and West coasts and has a particular interest in science journalism.

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DESIGN: IAN TODD

entrepreneurial activity – employees from these fast growth companies have launched 41 new enterprises in two years. Despite this growth in innovation, the Saudi Arabian culture still has some entrepreneurial issues to contend with. There is still cumbersome government regulation and red tape, as well as a culture that is not conducive to the failure required for large-scale entrepreneurial success, nevertheless, Saudi Arabia still has its blocks in place for future growth. “Saudi Arabia has been the home of business leaders for a very long time,” Hamod wrote. “The Prophet Muhammad and many of his early supporters were traders and merchants. Equally impressive, Khadija, his wife, was a highly successful businesswoman long before she met the Prophet. But the Kingdom’s business environment has not always favored start-ups. Fifteen years ago, the entrepreneurial environment there was akin to Saudi Arabia’s vast Empty Quarter. Today, that start-up ‘desert’ is in full bloom.” The differences between the various G20 countries are bountiful. Each country suffers through different levels of red tape and corruption, government involvement and distance. Their entrepreneurs begin because of necessity or opportunity. However, the similarities between all can unite them during events the G20 Youth Entrepreneurs’ Alliance Summit. For many people, entrepreneurship is the key to prolonged economic growth; and together, young entrepreneurs from all different backgrounds, classes,

PHOTOS: IAN TODD

have created the SMEs that contribute to over 90 per cent of businesses in the countries like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, they only contribute to 30 per cent of the GDP, a figure that Saudi Arabian officials are trying to change. Abdulkareem Abu Al Nasr, CEO of the National Commercial Bank, said that economic diversity needs a “thriving, innovative entrepreneurial culture” built on supportive infrastructure in order to further the growth of SMEs in Saudi Arabia. “When I look at the culture in K AUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) I can see that this is a culture that embraces innovation, diversity and critical thinking,” he said during his keynote seminar at the University in 2011. “There is a support system here with all the pieces coming together to support the people to develop their business ideas and help them to the next level.” Like K AUST, the King Saud Universit y is focused on entrepreneurship and innovation and is home to the Riyadh Technology I nc ubat ion Ce nter a nd t he Entrepreneurship Centre, which organized the K ingdom’s first i nte r n at ion a l con fe re nce on entrepreneurship in 2009. The Kingdom also has the 100 Saudi Fast Growth Companies – a program meant to reward the fastest growing SMEs in Saudi Arabia. The 2009 and 2010 Fast Growth Companies created more than 35,000 jobs since they were established. In addition, these companies serve as incubators for other

t h a S R n

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careers. education. ideas. all of it.

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NATIONAL BORDERS FADING CITY STATES MAKE A COMEBACK

WRITTEN BY: JORDAN SMITH

“The modern nation state in some ways is in retreat in the very place where it began.”

The vast majority of cities today are found within national boundaries, which make up the global community. Cities are part of a larger collective nation that encompass a vast array of cultures and identities into a unique collage. Though generalisations will always exist, we know that not all Canadians are polite and love Tim Horton’s, and not all Americans are gun toting cowboys. From city to city within a given nation there are wide variances in demographics and as a result, cultures. Thus cities make up the larger national identities that have formed with the modern nation state. Collective identities amongst people are nothing new, what is new is how people have now been organized into nations with ‘clear’ boundaries and identities.

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However, the city, as in the past, is poised to transcend national borders and overshadow the nation state. A Brief History of the City State Although nation states seem as natural as waking up with the sun, they are a relatively new phenomenon. Political organizations have been around for thousands of years, but before we reached the point of nation states, there were city states. Past city states were epicenters for the development of modern societies and the institutions that came with them. For example, the city states of Ancient Greece saw some of the most basic underpinnings of Western intellectual culture develop within them. City states also served as major hubs along trade routes, such as

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the Silk Road, which lent them to a very cosmopolitan disposition. The Italian peninsula is a great example of how a territory morphed from many small city states into a nation state. Many of the city states had mutual agreements on matters such as defence that drew them together to eventually form a unified Italy. Although it remains a nation state, there are still regional differences on the peninsula. Dr. Chris Nighman, professor of History at Wilfrid Laurier University, whose expertise is Medieval and Renaissance Europe, explains that these regional variations are still prevalent today. “It’s there in the politics, in culture, it’s a big issue. It’s like the American north and south, it’s always going to be there,” explains Nighman. So although a modern nation state is technically a unified entity, the divisions that identified past city states and ways of life are still present. Onto the 21st Century Trends in Europe today suggest that national boundaries may fade and give way to regional entities that closely resemble, if not replicate, the city states of centuries past. Nighman clarifies this point: I think that is a safe prediction, if the Eurozone can hold together, if they can maintain their own currency, if they can even expand their jurisdiction a little further than it already is in terms of governing the economy. I think that those regionalisms, they’re just under the surface, they’ll pop right up… the modern nation state in some ways is in retreat in the very place where it began. Given the economic woes that Europe is currently experiencing, it is not hard to imagine this happening at all. If a scenario were to happen where national boundaries became faded and blurry, how would this affect the economy? We need only to look to the past to see how it would potentially work. Keeping with the Italian theme will again provide a great example. Florence for instance, although by name a city state, encompasses most of the region

of Tuscany. Nighman explains that “By the time Florence comes to dominate Tuscany it is sort of the government of Tuscany in the sense that it had its own trade policies and foreign relations, internal dynamics and so on.” So the city state can encompass more territory than just its footprint, and have a working governance to facilitate trade and other business activities. “They’re regional power blocks, a lot of the much smaller units have been swallowed up by the larger ones and have become more viable states for that reason” continues Nighman. So the future city state would in fact be larger than the city itself. With small regional power blocks there is no need for a national government. Instead, a supra national organization to oversee the economy would take the place of a national government. As Nighman pointed out, the small regional power blocks would be able to govern themselves as well. Moreover, t he sm a l l-sc a le territories would allow for the government machine to be quick and efficient in gathering information and implementing policy. It is simple really, the smaller number of people in a given jurisdiction, the easier it will be to set policies that are mutually beneficial for everyone. Today Singapore and Hong Kong are some of the most successful and reputable cities in the world to do business within. Singapore is a true city state whereas Hong Kong has special autonomous privileges from mainland China. Danielle Goldfarb, associate director of the Global Commerce Centre at the Conference Board of Canada, discusses these two cities and the success they have had due to their size. “It’s much easier for them to make economic policies, both those cities have been examples of very successful economic policies, because whereas India, an amazing growth story but is now kind of hung up by a lot of political uncertainty.” Both the cities and India have and are continuing to cash in on their economic potential, but the sheer size of India and all of its constituents makes governance more difficult, but far from impossible.

Not only are cit y states progressive and well-rounded in their demographics, they are more or less free from overbearing national governments. There were certainly figures like Genghis Khan who made his power felt over much of Asia in the early thirteenth century, but their interference with the daily activities within independent cities remained minimal, so long as its inhabitants were not hostile. This level of laissez-faire intervention also lent the city states a great deal of freedom in carrying on with their unique modes of operation. Another pay off to having a small region to govern, is that there are less variables to consider than on a national scale that encompasses many cities. City States Today While the nation state dominates the political theatre in the twenty first century, there are still city states that thrive, such as Singapore and Hong Kong. Although not plentiful, city states are still capable of living up to their reputations set in centuries past. A recent study done by the Asia-Pacific based business strategy firm Solidiance, suggests that the rise of the ‘new city state’ is upon us. The study ranked the top sixteen innovative cities in the Asia-Pacific region with six criteria; human talent, knowledge creation, technology, society, government, and global integration. Of the top five on the list, Singapore and Hong Kong are in 1st and 4th places respectively. Damien Duhamel, managing partner and author of the study, suggests that comparing the innovativeness of cities as opposed to their respective nations is a far more accurate indicator of the city’s overall health and viability as a place to do business. Duhamel believes that “Competition is no longer at a country level but rather, at a city level. This refers to competition for the best things: jobs, talent, education, lifestyle, R&D, business environment, sustainable urban hub, etc.” This lends credence to the argument that national borders are becoming faded and playing less of a role in determining a city’s

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economic success. To tell you that Singapore and Hong Kong are amongst the most innovative cities in the region is one thing. To know why they are held to such a high regard and be able to apply that information to other cities is where the benefit of this study lies. For the purposes of this article a detailed discussion of all the criteria and how the cities ranked would be far too lengthy. There are areas of interest that can be focused on though. The category regarding the cities governance is of particular relevance; in this area Hong Kong ranked 1st with Singapore in a close 3rd. Despite the fact that these cities operate under a-typical government systems, they have managed quite well in fostering innovative and progressive qualities. The conclusions reached from Duhamel’s study should be applied to other non-city states to see where there are gaps in relevant criteria and how they can be addressed. The criterion of governance for example stresses the freedom to conduct business and financial transactions in a stable political and social environment. Being autonomous cities with little to no interference from larger governing

bodies certainly lends Singapore and Hong Kong to said freedoms. With proof positive that these policies work, cities across the globe need to create such freedoms in their economies in order to succeed. This message should not be mistaken for the proposed complete deregulation of markets and laissez-faire policies. The study believes that “The government is also responsible in creating a stable condition (political, economy, social, etc) which majorly affects a city’s amenity and creativity production. Therefore to some extent, government can be seen as the innovation controller.” So there is a fine balance between creating business freedoms while maintaining a stable environment for such activities. As mentioned previously, small scale governance is a much easier endeavour than large scale governance. As a result the challenge of governing city states should be a welcome one in which we strive for the best possible results. Another area of interest that was measured by the study was global integration, in which Singapore ranked 1st. Sustainability and competitiveness were two hallmarks of how globally integrated a city can be. In order to

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remain integrated into the global community and economy a city needs to be able to support itself with limited resources on a long term basis. At the same time they must remain competitive in respect to other criteria such as attracting new talent. Attracting new talent is an essential part of remaining an innovative city. With an increase in competition at the city level, the nation in which they are found will become less of an indicator as to how attractive a certain city could be for workers and businesses. There is no doubt that national governments still play a role in shaping the city with national laws and regulations. However, should the new city state become a reality they will be able to afford a greater autonomy from a deteriorating national government. The future for city states looks bright, with the advantages that small scale governance can offer. Furthermore the potential deterioration of national boundaries could see regional differences emerge and create modern city states. Despite these positive elements there are still obstacles. Although a highly regarded city, Singapore has been facing its share of problems.

City States in Canada? The regional differences addressed by Dr. Nighman regarding Italy are not unique to that nation. These types of variations can be seen within Southern Ontario quite readily. Although part of a province and larger nation, the region that boasts most of Canada’s population

is home to a variety of cities with very unique identities. Areas like KitchenerWaterloo are home to two universities and a polytechnic college. As well as post-secondary education there are establishments such as the Perimeter Institute (a facility for the study of theoretical physics) and the Center for International Governance Innovation. Moreover Blackberry, the one-time dominator of the smart phone market is based in the modestly sized city. All of these institutions brought the title of ‘The Smartest City in the World’ to Waterloo in 2007. Whether you agree with this ranking or not is irrelevant, the fact is that the city has been granted a special place in the minds of people who monitor progress on a city level. This subsequently leads to a unique regional identity that as Dr. Nighman points out, are very long lived and significant forces. Moving west to the shores of Lake Huron you find Sarnia, a decidedly different city. Home not to world renowned universities or governance think tanks, it is known for its large proportion of fossil fuel refining and storage facilities. Although these are not nearly as desirable as universities, they serve to form unique identities and roles for their respective cities. Regional differences are also evident when comparing cities such as Toronto and Vancouver, where the former is the financial hub of Canada and Vancouver

serves as a crucial port city among other things. These differences seem obvious when pointed out, but the prevailing mindset is to think of Canada as a single entity with a unique identity. Should North America experience deterioration in national governments in the future, it is quite plausible for these regionalisms to become much more evident. Thus it follows that evaluating the city instead of the nation is becoming a more wise approach in determining where to live or do business. Hypothetically speaking, should national and provincial borders and governments become obsolete it is easy to see how cities will become the seats of regional power blocks, much as in Renaissance Italy. City states do indeed sound like a desirable route to take on a global scale, but this affirmation should not be seen as a definitive decision to do away with nations in a hasty manner. If and when the transition occurs it will be a lengthy process with many stumbling points. This article does not attempt to give answers as to how this transition will be made. More so it illustrates that city states of past and present have been very successful due to their small size and cooperation with neighbouring nations. Furthermore it is demonstrating that regional variations within nation states are far from forgotten and can form the basis for modern city states.

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ILLUSTRATIONS: SAYA YE

Roadblocks Even though it ranked high in global integration and governance, Singapore has faced opposition to its large number of foreign workers. “The main problem, says Ms. Seah [a Singaporean business owner], is a squeeze on margins caused by rising costs—above all, labour. The government has imposed rises in a tax called the foreign-worker levy. Paid by the employer, it is charged on every foreign worker” explains an Economist article . The levies are an attempt to transition markets from low wage and low skill to high tech and high skill. Although the endeavour is essential to remaining competitive and innovative on a global scale, the policies are hurting small to medium sized enterprises. Moreover, the rises in costs of operation are simply being passed on to the consumers resulting in inflation. These problems are very real and need to be addressed seriously, but if Singapore and other cities are as innovative as the Solidiance study shows, the problems will prove to be a mere stepping stone to further success.

DESIGN: SAYA YE

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POLITICS

CAN THE INTERNET PROPERLY SUPPORT DEMOCRACY AND THE PUBLIC SPHERE? EXAMINING CITIZEN JOURNALISM, CORPORATE INFLUENCE, AND THE PUBLIC INTEREST When you think about it, the Internet is an amazing tool. Connecting to a friend overseas has become instantaneous. Revolutions have been incited by tweets. Users are never trapped by their geography, but free to explore the online web. We go online for news, for enter ta inment, for conversation, and for information. You use the Internet to do your work, and leaders use it to run the world. It’s more than just media; it’s the backbone of a digital world. The Internet’s potential influence raises an important concern: does the beloved Internet necessarily support the ideals of freedom, the public interest, or democracy? For many reasons, the immediate reaction is often “yes”. Social media has forever changed our ability to speak out, free speech is an online right, and the digital world provides us a voice in the global conversation. However, at the same time, powerful brands and media conglomerates have vast amounts of online leverage, and can use the Internet to manipulate us. Many critics allege that online news sources have descended to delivering sensationalist and uncritical infotainment, whereas others suggest that advertiser’s expectations have undermined the potential of investigative journalism. How much influence do the media industry’s power-players have in the open web? Do media

conglomerates use the Internet to further their private interests, and can users respond by capitalizing on the web’s potential to democratize our media? The Internet is not a restrictive and authoritarian medium, nor is it the wonderful and free source that we often claim it is. In our increasingly digitalized world, it is crucial to at least consider

The media’s authority truly does impact public opinion and political discussion. the public interest, our democratic values, and our potential to shape our media.

A Healthy Online Public Sphere? In any thriving democracy, the people are given a chance to hear news, discuss it with others, and form positions. This is what philosopher Jürgen Habermas called the

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public sphere; he define it as “a domain of our social life in which such a thing as public opinion can be formed”. While this public discussion may have previously occurred through newspapers and cafés, now the Internet can satisfy all of our democratic needs for information and conversation. Blogs, forums, news articles, and social media all provide new opportunities for citizens to retrieve and relay knowledge in the open web. Our media hasn’t always been so free; in fact, six companies control 90% of all American media. These half a dozen media conglomerates – GE, News-Corp, Disney, Viacom, Time Warner, and CBS – hold the lion’s share of media, distributing nearly all the news, movies, television, and music that us consumers receive. T houg h t h is concentration of power into six companies is the reality of the market, the centralization of influence in a democracy hardly suggests an open public sphere. The media’s influence manipulates Canadians, too. For example, the day after 131 First Nations declared their disapproval of the Enbridge pipeline, the Vancouver Sun ran two front page stories about “Dog Rescuers” and “Problem Gamblers”; the next day, when one lone Gitxsan Nation native independently and incorrectly stated that his nation would accept a bribe, the paper’s front headline proclaimed “Gitxsan Supports

Enbridge Pipeline”. The media’s authority truly does impact public opinion and political discussion. Has this excessive corporate influence breached online media? That’s a matter of opinion. Most of the news we consume online still comes from sources owned by the same Big 6 who dominated the television age. Though the freedom of the Internet allows for citizens outside the domain of corporations to speak out, do individuals have the power or ability to shape the public sphere as much as media conglomerates? Eric Lohman, PhD candidate and lecturer at Western University’s faculty of information and media studies, believes that the Internet does not necessarily promote democracy, but that it can be used as an effective tool. As he explains, the web has the potential to create an active online public sphere “by connecting citizens to the information that will help t hem ma ke infor med decisions” and “connect[ing] them to other citizens so that the issues can be debated and discussed.”

Citizen Journalism and Public Action Author Bill Kovarik has noted, “political change […] is not only marked by a clash of classes or culture, but is often an outcome of changes in the way people exchange ideas.” Possibly the greatest attribute of the Internet is the online freedom that it affords users,

POLITICS

allowing them to democratize g loba l d i sc u ssion by contributing to it themselves. Citizen journalism has revolutionized the way news is reported and stories are told, because the power to shape the public perception of events is no longer reserved for news corporations. In “Citizen Journalism vs. Traditional Journalism: A Case For Collaboration”, Corinne Barnes explains that traditional news media is similar to a monologue, whereas citizen journalism creates a dialogue that takes a life of its own, promoting reader engagement and a healthy public sphere of thorough knowledge. Many analysts suggest that traditional reporting currently suffers from a lack of critical engagement. In their book The Business of Media: Corporate Media and the Public Interest, David Croteau & William Hoynes explain that traditional news media not only provide content for viewers, but also pro v ide v ie we r s for advertisers. Content such as news, therefore, must focus on drawing in consumers before providing strong material, resulting in the collision between private interests and the public interest. The trends of news broadcasters have shifted towards infotainment and snappy sound bites instead of thorough, thoughtful, and objective reporting. Citizen journalism, however, can avoid these problems because it is written specifically for the public interest and not for monetary gain. With diverse perspectives, active engagement , a nd no constraints, citizens can

uniquely contribute to and democratize the public sphere. In addition to citizen journalism, the Internet furthers public discourse through blogging, free access to information, photosharing, online forums, social networking, and more to come. The openness of the Internet allows people to change politics, and not viceversa. Grassroots activism,

Traditional news sources continue to dominate the media landscape, alongside the profitable practices they employ. s o c i a l c r it ique, a nd community-led initiatives have flourished online in a manner not possible before the 21st century. From the Reddit community that saved a Kenyan orphanage to grassroots environmental activism in China, global initiatives – initiated by people – are possible thanks to an open, democratic, online

public sphere.

Online Pandemonium One issue with the outbreak of citizen journalism, however, is that valuable voices are caught in a sea of intangible nonsense – a classic case of too many cooks in the kitchen. If everybody and their mother is interested in being heard, reputable perspectives that can actually present useful information are lost in the disorder. Additionally, with scores of untrained reporters comes irresponsible journalism. Barnes worries that “untrained writers may not understand concepts such as off-the-record material, attribution, balance, fairness and objectivity… They are not able to stand back from an issue and report the facts objectively, leaving the reader, listener, or viewer to come to his or her own conclusions.” Journalistic credibility is at risk, to the point that Wikipedia has become a more popular breaking news source than the New York Times and the blogosphere. This lack of responsible reporting has led to an information overload, and an Associated Press study found that “[young media consumers] were overloaded with facts and updates and were having trouble moving more deeply into the background and resolution of news stories.” Too many voices, and too much nonsensical information, prevent citizens from being properly informed by reliable sources. At its best, citizen journalism can provide a truly democratic approach to news reporting; at its worst, however, an information overload can hinder reader engagement.

Corporate Control In the chaos of an information overload, the voices that are heard overtop the commotion are the corporate news sources. Unlike your everyday blogger, established news broadcasters have credibility, funds, and the attention of consumers. The value of a wellknown brand is more important online than ever before, as familiar names will attract readers and established news corporations have the means – specifically, money and influence – to draw in consumers. Traditional news sources continue to dominate the media landscape, alongside the profitable practices they employ. Critics such as Croteau & Hoynes argue that proper informative reporting has been compromised by the pressures to appeal to advertisers and draw in viewers; this pressure has resulted in sensationalized, fragmented, and uncritical infotainment. In other words, educated decisions and discussions are hindered by news broadcasters treating viewers as consumers and not citizens. Lohman believes that “the Internet undermines democracy then by placing the interest of the market before the interest of democracy. And despite what many in the business community might like to imagine, the two are fundamentally incompatible.” Citizens face the same dilemma from the pre-digital age: do traditional news sources provide us the means to a healthy public sphere, and with it the knowledge to properly support a democracy? If those same few media conglomerates have the power to shape public opinion, will

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POLITICS

their inordinate leverage prevent citizens from making well-informed decisions? Or can citizen journalism revive and democratize the public sphere, providing citizens a thorough understanding of news and the knowledge needed to engage the issues?

The Media’s Role in a Democratic Public Sphere The media play a vital role in keeping governments, the corporate sector, and the civil sector honest. The news and entertainment industries hold tremendous influence because media commodities – unlike tangible products – contain powerful messages that can change the world. The Internet, above all else, provides all citizens will an online connection and the opportunity to speak their

mind. Though at times overwhelming, ultimately, the Internet is a democratic medium that allows people – not just companies – to convey information and understanding through mass media. Lohman believes that the online public sphere is one of the Internet’s greatest assets that must be protected. As he explains: “If commercial forces are left to their own free will, then they will transform the web into another television, where we log on to simply consume the media that is produced by large corporations. We will lose the ability to produce things ourselves, we will lose the ability to seek out diverse, radical, or unprofitable content. We will lose the ability to speak back.” Corporations still do have

a greater say in news than individuals; after all, media conglomerates have massive sway, established brands, and impressive funds. Though corporate broadcasters may have the capacity to abuse their influence for private interests, they also have important qualities that many citizen journalists do not: namely, reliability, training, and credibility as a renowned brand. Traditional journalism and citizen journalism together both keep the online public sphere well-informed and (hopefully) objective. Learning from various news sources and speaking back to the online community will provide the knowledge and comprehension to act as an active citizen in the public sphere. Understanding, discussing, and voting all

benefit from properly engaging with the media instead of uncritically consuming it. KEVIN CHAO

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TRENDS

WHEN A CITY BECOMES A STATE AS THE WORLD’S GROWING POPULATION INCREASINGLY SETTLES IN GREAT URBAN CENTRES, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CITIES AND THEIR NATION IS TRANSFORMING.

WRITTEN BY: FATIMA SYED

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“In the 18th century, 3 per cent of the world’s population lived in cities. In the 19th century this increased to 14 per cent. By 2007 this figure rose to 50 per cent and is estimated to become 80 per cent by 2050. ”

Greater Shanghai has a population surpassing 20 million; Mexico City and Mumbai are home to approximately another 20 million each. These cities have become bigger than entire nations in the world and are continuing to grow at an astonishingly rapid rate. Functioning as the key economic centres of the world, and involved in serious national and international political debates, the rise of these cities is forcing a change, or the very least a question, in their relationship with the countries they are in. Most great cities in the world today function separately from their nationstate in terms of economics; the main streams of international investment now occur between big cities rather than big nations: London to New York, New York to Tokyo, Tokyo to Singapore. The root of this power is, of course, the expansion of infrastructure. Size matters in geography and great cities across the world have recognised this. They campaign for increasing shares of the national budget to build and develop a solid transport and housing structure to cater for a booming urban population. In this, the city landscapes of today are reminiscent of the European tradition of city states like Rome, Athens, Sparta, and Babylon, which were centres of power, culture and trade. Back then, the rise of cities forced the rise of agriculture and innovation. City centres became the root of prosperity and happy dwelling as more and more people were attracted towards them. In the 18th century, 3 per cent of the world’s population lived in cities. In the 19th century this increased to 14 per cent. By 2007 this figure rose to 50 per cent and is estimated to become 80 per cent by 2050. This rise of population naturally meant cities had to grow bigger and work better. Today, the top 25 cities in the world account for more than half of the world’s wealth. The five largest cities in India and China now account for 50 per cent of those countries’ wealth. NagoyaOsaka-Kyoto-Kobe in Japan is expected to have a population of 60 million by 2015 and will be the effective powerhouse

of Japan while a similar effect on an even larger scale is occurring in fast-growing urban areas such as that between Mumbai and Delhi. In a Foreign Affairs article “The Next Big Thing: Neomedievalism,” Parag Khanna, director of the Global Governance Initiative at the New America Foundation, argues that this sentiment needs to come back. “Today just 40 city-regions account for twothirds of the world economy and 90 per cent of its innovation,” he notes, adding that “The mighty Hanseatic constellation of well-armed North and Baltic Sea trading hubs in the late Middle Ages, will be reborn as cities such as Hamburg and Dubai form commercial alliances and operate “free zones” across Africa like the ones Dubai Ports World is building. Add in sovereign wealth funds and private military contractors, and you have the agile geopolitical units of a neomedieval world.” In this respect, cities have remained the most pertinent governmental structure on earth and the most wellinhabited: Syria’s capital-city Damascus has been continuously occupied since 6300 BCE. Because of this consistency, growth, and the recent destabilisation and diminished effectiveness of federal governments after the global economic collapse, the focus on cities has increased even more. How to protect their burgeoning population and all the economics and politics that it requires, becomes a serious problem to resolve. The argument stands that if national policies – a set of practices implemented for the betterment of the entire nation rather than a specific aspect of it – becomes a road-block for growing urban centres such as Toronto and Mumbai, then shouldn’t the same cities be allowed their independence? Richard Stren, professor emeritus at the University of Toronto’s Department of Political Science and School of Public Policy and Governance, explains that “cities [are] more prominent because in proportion to the country as a whole, cities are much more productive. They are producing a lot more per person than the per person productivity of the nation.

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The argument stands that if national policies – a set of practices implemented for the betterment of the entire nation rather than a specific aspect of it – becomes a roadblock for growing urban centres such as Toronto and Mumbai, then shouldn’t the same cities be allowed their independence? 45

So they can make an argument that they are the economic motors of the country.” In a 1993 Foreign Affairs article entitled “The Rise of the Region State”, it was also suggested that “the nation state has become a dysfunctional unit for understanding and managing flows of economic activity that dominate today’s borderless world. Policymakers, politicians and corporate managers would benefit from looking at “region states” – the globe’s natural economic zones – whether they happen to fall within or across traditional political boundaries.” Could it be argued then that there is just too much happening in London and Shanghai for one national government to handle with the full attentiveness they need? Independently, “city-states” would have the ability to focus on the common interests of their corner of the population rather than the wider regions within which they are situated. The Foreign Affairs article concludes with the idea that “with their efficient scales of consumption, infrastructure and professional services, region states make ideal entryways into the global economy. If allowed to pursue their own economic interests without jealous governmental interference, the prosperity of these areas will eventually spill over.” However, Professor Stren highlights that the concept of the city-state is “interesting to think about but not an immediate reality,” mainly because they remain constitutionally limited. He

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highlights how Section 92 (8) of the Canadian constitution says that cities are under the complete control of the province. “There is an argument that says Toronto should become a province because it doesn’t get enough of the resources from the province, or even the federal government, that it needs in order to operate well. In fact, it gives back a lot more than it gets,” explains Professor Stren. There is evidence that cities are able to do things that national governments will not or cannot do at the local level. The introduction of congestion zones in London and fat taxes in New York are two such examples. The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group is a network of the world’s megacities taking action to reduce the effects of global warming. Even in the drive for climate change, cities are taking on a more central role than national governments. Yet cities remain “constrained in the ways we have organised our constitutions and laws in most systems in the world,” says Professor Stren. He gives an example of the 2006 City of Toronto Act which served to give Toronto certain powers that it did not have, such as the ability to charge new taxes in order to seek revenue from new sources. However, it was rejected by the provincial authority. “We would have to have a different system of government and a different balance of laws and responsibilities for

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Without this central metropolis, the rest of the province, and even the nation itself, may become a remnant. Cities function to provide the human necessities of sustenance, security and shelter. Things like clean water, electricity, reliable transportation, economic stability, and environmental protection are essential features a ‘great’ city must have. Due to the size of a nation, federal governments may not have the ability to truly focus on these interests on a local scale. Perhaps this is why Kenichi Ohmae claimed that nation-states have become “dinosaurs waiting to die.” Territory is becoming less and less important in a borderless world. Globalisation is forcing cities from Toronto to Shanghai to compete on a level in which nations were not on before. According to UN-Habitat, “larger combinations of urban area will be one of the most significant developments in the way people live and economies grow in the next 50 years.” Nations are not going to disappear completely, but like the telegraph grew to become the internet, change and adaption is beginning in their relations with cities. Perhaps it’s time to seriously bring back an age of the Modern-day Spartas.

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PHOTO EDIT: KATHERINE CHU

DESIGN: KATHERINE CHU

Fatima Syed is an aspiring journalist studying English and International Relations at U of T. An idealist at heart, her dreams involve finding a better tomorrow and seeing the world. In the meantime she reads obsessively, rants frequently, analyses everything and lives the best she can.

PHOTOS: DAN CAMPO

[city-states to exist],” concludes Professor Stren. He adds that “it could happen. Cities are becoming larger and larger all the time,” but “the world will be different when that happens. Maybe cities will take over countries. Maybe it’s more logical.” It is important to note that independent cities are part of the global system today. The Vatican and Monaco are sovereign cities. Hamburg and Berlin are cities that are also states. Singapore is perhaps the best example of a modern region-state because in forty-five years, the Singaporean government has managed to successfully urbanise a great city by taking an avid interest in the right policy frameworks to do so. Today it presents a city state model that has produced the highest standard of living in Asia for its diverse cultural populations. 65 per cent of its total populace has access to internet and it has the 20th largest economy in the world with the 6th highest GDP per capita. It has accomplished great innovative successes in green initiatives such as eco parks and vertical urban farms, has regularly seen budget surpluses, and has the 4th highest average lifespan in the world. Unrestricted by state and federal ties and able to respond to the immediate needs of its citizens, Singapore creates a possibility for cities like New York, Chicago, London, Barcelona or Toronto to move in the same direction. Could cities of the 21st century become independent? Or is Singapore a pleasant exception, drawn out of great ethnic tensions and rendered possible only by its island location? “We are more and more recognising how important and significant they are in our cultural life and our social life and our economic life. We need to pay more attention to them, but I don’t think any higher level government level would let them,” says Professor Stren. Perhaps this is because a metropolis like Toronto or Shanghai is the focal point for an economically dynamic national centre. Therefore, it serves as an extensively beneficial, functional and meaningful unit of the national sphere.

THE LAST WORD

NATIONAL TH GEOGRAPHIC’S 125 ANNIVERSARY GALA WRITTEN BY: REBECCA FERGUSON

JAMES CAMERON, ALEX TREBEK & FELIX BAUMGARTNER JOIN THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY TO CELEBRATE 125 YEARS IN WASHINGTON, DC

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“I think Obama, he is the guy to jump with,” offered base jumper – and the first person to break the sound barrier – Felix Baumgartner at the National Geographic Society’s 125th Anniversary Gala. “He seems to know what he is doing and is very disciplined. But… I’m not sure if the secret service would be happy with him doing that!” Baumgartner joined Academy Award winning filmmaker James Cameron, “Jeopardy!” host and National Geographic Bee moderator Alex Trebek, scientist Edward O. Wilson, oceanographer Sylvia Earle, and humanitarian Howard G. Buffet at the formal affair on June 13, 2013 which took place at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC. The gala included a cocktail party and reception, dinner, awards ceremony and an after party all in the theme of “A New Age of Exploration”. The cocktail party took place in an upper level foyer where VIP guests enjoyed a selection of cocktails and appetizers. Amidst the evening gowns and tuxedos, the elegant Silvia Earle opted

THE LAST WORD

March 26, 2013, Cameron made history by completing the first-ever, single-pilot dive to the Challenger Deep, an area of the Mariana Trench that is the deepest place on Earth. He completed the voyage in the ‘Deepsea Challenger Submersible’, which he designed and engineered himself. Prior to this journey Cameron had seven years of preparations and training. The voyage was featured in the June 2013 edition of National Geographic magazine and will be the subject of a 3-D feature film. Though the risks of this voyage were great, Cameron explained, “Every explorer has the same thing inside of them. They know the risk of what they are doing is worth it because they are widening the pool of knowledge.” Additionally, Cameron has newly made a pledge to change his eating habits and has become a vegan. He stated, “I’ve had an epiphany recently. There is one thing you can do for yourself and the other around you that will have a profound effect – change what is on the end of your fork! By changing what you eat, you will change the entire contract between the human species and the natural world.”

Every explorer has the same thing inside of them. They know the risk of what they are doing is worth it because they are widening the pool of knowledge.

saving endangered parrots, building revolutionary technology to help African tribes become self-sustainable and deepsea photography. As the cocktail hour drew to a close guests were ushered towards the main hall for the dinner and awards ceremony. As they arrived a spectacular scene met their eyes. 80-foot screens displaying national geographic video footage filled the archways, Huge, silk blue banners cascaded down from the ceilings, and a candlelit dinner set at a hundred tables was waiting. The dinner featured a locally sourced menu that took guests on a geographical journey. The first course centered on the ocean, the main had an earthy theme, and dessert saluted the Arctic. Chef and National Geographic Fellow Barton Seaver created the menu. T hroughout the mea l, past recipients presented the honored guests with awards celebrating their contributions to exploration, science and natural conservation. Howard Buffet was the first award winner. He received the Chairman’s Award to Philanthropist and Humanitarian for his contribution to conservation. As he looked out at the crowd he announced, “This looks like a U2 concert!” He ended his acceptance s p e e c h b y p r a i s i n g t he Nat ion a l Geographic Society, “National Geographic is like a big family that is all around the world. Who else can have a global reach and still be the brother you never had?” The other five honoured guests were also presented awards for their contribution to science, exploration and conservation. Upon acceptance, each urged guests stay the environmentally friendly course. Said Trebek, “There are so many things conspiring against us, least of which is apathy. But that can be fixed.”

I n add it ion to big n a me celebr it ies, many of t he nat iona l Geographic’s explorers and journalists were present at t he Ga l a. T hough lesser known, their work is equally as impor tant and inspir ing. T heir projects are vastly different and include

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for a glittering blue sweater with dress pants. She took a few moments from the reception to discuss her work. Earle, being the first person in history to use scuba diving for science, explained, “The Ocean drives the way the planet works, we need to protect the ocean as if our lives depend on it, because they do. I think we are now at the best time in history to be alive. We know more than was known in all previous generations and we’ve seen in the space of a lifetime how much we can do to influence the nature of nature. But the real question is – what are we going to do with all this opportunity?” Alex Trebek, donning a white tuxedo, spoke of his many contributions recognized by the National Geographic Society. Though he is primarily know for his role as the “Jeopardy!” host, Trebek has demonstrated a profound commitment to geography education. This includes a $1 million pledge to create an endowment fund for the National Geographic Bee, a competition he has hosted for the last 25 years. A Sudbury, Ont. native, Trebek made many references to his home country during the cocktail reception. He first joked about personally replacing Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, before continuing on a more serious note, “I’ve always been interested in politics and [entering the political field is] a possibility. But for the moment I’m still the host of Jeopardy! and I’m going to continue with that for a while.” When asked if he would ever consider moderating a presidential debate Trebek responded, “I would love to moderate a presidential debate. Unlike some of the other moderators (and I’m not trying to disparage them but I have a different approach), I would not let the politicians get away with standard responses. I would try to get them to answer the question, even though I might look bad doing it.” A buzz of excitement rose among guests when James Cameron arrived. Though perhaps one of the world’s most successful filmmakers, Cameron is celebrated for different reasons within the National Geographic community. On

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