A Climate-Controlled Utopia – in Dubai

 A Climate-Controlled Utopia – in Dubai

Eyad Abu Awad

Many of us have endured Dubai's scorching summers, yearning to enjoy its beautiful beaches, parks, and gardens without the extreme heat. I wondered if a futuristic technological solution could allow us to enjoy these amenities year-round, as Dubai is known for its architectural innovations. To my delight, I discovered that such a project, the Mall of the World, has been in development for years. Conceived as a climate-controlled mini-city, this ambitious project offers more than shopping; it's designed as a comprehensive ecosystem under a dome, providing refuge from the harsh climate and redefining sustainable urban living.

Historical Overview and Concept

The idea of the Mall of the World was first introduced by Dubai Holding in 2012/2014. The original concept included an 8-million-square foot mall connected to a theme park, 100 hotels (20,000 hotel rooms) and serviced apartments, areas for theaters, cultural events, medical tourism, and a wellness district, all under a retractable roof. The project was envisioned as a temperature-controlled city, a response to the challenging summer temperatures of the region, making it a year-round tourist destination.

The mall is expected to be able to receive 180 million visitors annually

Evolution of the Project

Over the years, the scale and vision of the Mall of the World have evolved. Post-announcement adjustments led to a reimagining of the project to better integrate with Dubai’s urban fabric. The retractable roof concept was replaced with a fixed structure, emphasizing sustainability and full-year operation without the need for opening.

In August 2016, it was announced that Mall of the World would be relocated to Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Road and that it will be scaled back to three malls, which will be built in stages, according to the development’s chief operating officer. Additionally, the project will include 35 office buildings and 8,000 residential units, ranging from luxury to student accommodation. These residential and office spaces will support the commercial areas, enhancing the vibrancy of the project’s shops and restaurants.

Current Status

As of now, the Mall of the World is still in the stages of planning, with further design refinements and infrastructural developments underway. The project's emphasis has shifted slightly to incorporate more green spaces and a larger focus on sustainability. This reflects Dubai’s broader goals of reducing its carbon footprint and enhancing environmental sustainability.

Design and Innovation in Climate Control

Central to the Mall of the World is its massive dome structure. This climate-controlled dome will utilize cutting-edge materials with high insulation properties and will be equipped with advanced climate control systems, ensuring optimal indoor conditions are maintained throughout the year.

Sustainable Indoor Ecosystem

Reflecting an indoor forest, the mini-city within the Mall of the World will include extensive greenery, supported by hydroponic and aeroponic technologies. Water systems within the dome will utilize recycled water, showcasing a commitment to sustainable practices.

Design of the interior of the dome to resemble a natural environment, including a forest area with trees, plants, and water features, utilizing innovative techniques such as vertical gardening and artificial sunlight to support the ecosystem.

The concept of an indoor forest within the dome leverages advanced agricultural technologies. These systems allow for the cultivation of plants without soil, using nutrient-rich water and air, which is particularly suitable for dense urban environments where space is at a premium. By using recycled water, the project not only conserves water but also minimizes its environmental footprint, reinforcing its sustainability goals. Additionally, the inclusion of vertical gardens enhances air quality and maximizes the use of vertical space efficiently. The use of artificial sunlight, possibly through fiber optic solar lighting, ensures that plants receive adequate light for photosynthesis, vital in an enclosed environment

Renewable Energy Integration

The energy strategy for the Mall of the World includes implementing solar panels (capitalizing on Dubai's abundant sunlight), wind turbines, and potential geothermal sources to achieve a net-zero energy output. This commitment to renewable energy sources underlines the project's alignment with global sustainability trends.

Development of Resorts and Amenities

Luxurious resorts within the Mall of the World will provide both indoor and outdoor experiences, designed to cater to international tourists and residents alike, offering a unique blend of comfort and adventure within a controlled environment.

Smart Transportation and Infrastructure

A network of electric shuttles and automated people movers will ensure efficient transportation within the dome, supported by smart city technologies that optimize urban operations and enhance living standards.

Conclusion: Shaping the Future of Urban Development

The Mall of the World stands as a testament to Dubai’s relentless pursuit of innovation. By blending luxury, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology, the project not only aims to transform the urban landscape of Dubai but also to serve as a blueprint for future cities globally.

I sincerely hope this initiative continues to progress and that it will be realized, propelling Dubai further into the future, and establishing it as one of the world's most technologically advanced and livable cities.

Generative AI in Journalism

Generative AI Overview

Generative AI refers to artificial intelligence systems that can create new content, such as text, images, and music. It is based on machine learning, particularly deep learning techniques involving neural networks. These neural networks are trained on large datasets to generate outputs that mimic the training data. For example, in text generation, models like GPT (Generative Pretrained Transformer) analyze vast amounts of text to produce coherent and contextually relevant content. Similarly, in image generation, models like Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) create realistic images by learning from a dataset of existing images. In other words, they are a “class of very powerful AI models that can be used as the basis for other models: they can be specialized, or retrained, or otherwise modified for specific applications” (Loukides, 2023, p. 2).

The transformative potential of generative AI as a technological force is profound, promising to redefine creativity, enhance productivity, and reshape ethical norms. This technology, built on advanced machine learning algorithms and neural networks, is not only automating tasks but also creating novel content, thus challenging our traditional understanding of human creativity.

 

Historical Context

Early AI Development: The evolution of AI from its inception in the mid-20th century includes several key milestones. Alan Turing's computational theories, especially his concept of the Turing Test (Turing, 1950, pp. 433-460) laid foundational ideas for AI. The development of neural networks, a significant leap in AI, began with the perceptron in the 1950s. Over the decades, advancements in computational power and data availability have led to more sophisticated neural networks, enabling modern AI capabilities.

Early technological advancements like the internet and personal computing have significantly influenced societal structures, cultural norms, and economic models (Castells, p. 1). The advent of the internet enabled unprecedented connectivity, reshaping communication, and fostering the rise of digital culture. Personal computing democratized access to technology, changing how people work, learn, and interact. These technologies also catalyzed the emergence of new economic models, such as e-commerce and the gig economy (which is a labor market characterized by the prevalence of short-term contracts or freelance work).

 

AI's Growing Influence: The trajectory of AI's impact on society has evolved from basic automation to complex decision-making. Initially, AI was used for routine tasks, like calculations and data processing (Kaplan, 2016, p. 144). Over time, advancements in machine learning and neural networks have enabled AI to tackle more sophisticated tasks, including pattern recognition, natural language processing, and predictive analytics. This evolution has led to AI systems that can make decisions in complex environments, influencing fields like healthcare, finance, and transportation.

 

Technological Determinism and Generative AI

Through the lens of technological determinism, generative AI can be seen as significantly shaping societal norms and behaviors, as it is influencing various facets of life.

 

1. Creativity and Art: The emergence of AI in creative fields is redefining the concept of creativity, traditionally seen as a uniquely human trait. AI-generated art and literature challenge our understanding of creativity and originality (Boden, 2016, pp. 57-59). This technological advancement is not only creating new forms of art but is also influencing how people perceive and interact with artistic works.

 

2. Work and Employment: Generative AI is transforming the workplace. It automates tasks, thus shifting the nature of jobs and required skills (Brynjolfsson & McAfee, 2014). This shift could lead to job displacement in certain sectors while creating new opportunities in others, fundamentally altering employment landscapes.

 

3. Ethics and Society: The capabilities of generative AI bring forth ethical dilemmas, especially concerning data privacy, the authenticity of information, and the potential for misuse in creating deepfakes. These concerns necessitate a reevaluation of ethical frameworks and legal standards to keep pace with technological advancements.

 

4. Media and Communication: In media, generative AI's ability to produce realistic content is transforming how information is created and consumed. This raises concerns about the authenticity of information and the potential for spreading misinformation (Tufekci, 2015). As AI becomes more involved in content creation, it also influences the way narratives are shaped and disseminated.

 

Current Generative AI Applications

Generative AI is increasingly being used in journalism, although its impact and the extent to which it can replace human authors are subjects of ongoing debate and exploration.

Several news organizations are experimenting with AI for various aspects of journalism. The Associated Press, for instance, has created a detailed module with specific guidelines for using AI, employing it for tasks like compiling digests of stories for newsletters and creating short news stories from sports scores or corporate earning reports (Bauder, 2023). AP stated that any item produced by AI must be “carefully vetted - just like material from any other source, and that a photo, video, or audio segment generated by AI should not be used unless that segment is the subject of a story itself” (Hurst, 2023).

The Guardian (2023), on the other hand, has outlined its approach to generative AI, focusing on using the technology to assist journalists in managing large data sets, with strict human oversight and a senior editor's permission required for any editorial use of AI. Similarly, local newsrooms are exploring AI to publish a high volume of local stories on topics such as weather, fuel prices, and traffic conditions, as seen with News Corp Australia's production of 3,000 articles a week using generative AI.

 

However, the role of AI in journalism is not without challenges. Ethical considerations and the potential for factual inaccuracies are major concerns. For instance, tech outlet CNET faced criticism for publishing AI-generated content without clear disclosure, leading to an update in their processes for greater transparency. Not only did CNET publish AI-generated material, but it also created “articles generated by artificial intelligence, on topics such as personal finance, that proved to be riddled with errors” (Harrington, 2023).

 

Ethical guidelines suggest that AI-generated content should be clearly disclosed to audiences and not presented as human-written. Additionally, there are challenges related to the accuracy of information, especially in breaking news reporting, as AI models often struggle with generating accurate and factual information regarding current events or real-time data.

 

Overall, while generative AI presents opportunities for enhancing productivity in journalism, it also requires careful consideration of ethical, human, and editorial implications. The technology is viewed not as a replacement for human journalists but as a tool to augment their capabilities, allowing them to focus on tasks that require human judgment and creativity. Therefore, the complete elimination of authors by AI in journalism is not currently foreseeable, given the technology's limitations and the value placed on human insight and analysis in the field.

 

Societal and Ethical Implications

The implications of AI-generated content on concepts like authorship, intellectual property, and truth in media are complex and multifaceted.

In terms of authorship and intellectual property, the rise of AI-generated content has led to significant legal challenges. A fundamental issue is determining the actual creator of AI-generated works and, consequently, who owns the copyright. Under U.S. copyright law, generally, the creator of the content owns the copyright, but this becomes complicated when an AI algorithm creates the work. For instance, in the case of Thaler v. Perlmutter et al., the court upheld the United States Copyright Office’s decision that human authorship is a prerequisite for valid copyright protection. This decision underscores the importance of human creativity in copyright law but leaves unresolved how to handle content created from both AI and human input (Clarida and Kjellberg, 2023)

There's also the concern of potential plagiarism or copyright infringement with AI-generated content. “The instances of academic plagiarism have escalated in educational settings, as it has been identified in various student work, encompassing reports, assignments, projects, and beyond” (Elkhatat, Elsaid and Almeer, 2023). AI writing assistants, while designed to generate original content, could inadvertently produce work substantially similar to existing material, potentially leading to accusations of plagiarism or copyright infringement. In such cases, "I didn't know" is not a viable defense, as most forms of infringement are strict liability torts. This highlights the inherent risk in using AI for content creation, as users often cannot verify the source of information or ensure content originality.

Regarding the truth factor in the media, the use of AI in journalism raises ethical and factual accuracy concerns. While AI can assist in synthesizing information and informing reporting, its current capabilities lack originality, analytical skills, and a developed voice, essential for quality journalism. Another factory that should be stressed is that AI “is a ‘language machine…not a truth machine’, so the human factor is still a vital element in producing journalism” (Hurst, 2023). Moreover, AI models often struggle with generating accurate and factual information, particularly in real-time or current events, posing a challenge for breaking news reporting. Thus, while AI has a role in journalism, it cannot solely be relied upon, especially for complex and nuanced reporting.

In conclusion, while AI-generated content offers many opportunities for innovation and efficiency, it also brings significant challenges in authorship, intellectual property, and maintaining the integrity of information. These challenges necessitate careful consideration and adaptation of legal and ethical frameworks in the digital age.

 

Case Study: The Associated Press

A specific example of generative AI impacting journalism is the use of AI-driven tools in the newsroom of the Associated Press (AP). The AP has integrated AI into its journalistic processes, primarily for automating the creation of straightforward news reports, especially in areas like sports and finance.

 

The AP uses AI to automatically generate news stories from structured data. This began with their use of a tool called Wordsmith, developed by Automated Insights, to produce news stories on corporate earnings reports. By inputting data into Wordsmith, AP was able to automate the creation of earnings reports articles, a task that was previously time-consuming for human reporters (Lewis-Kraus, 2016).

 

This automation significantly increased productivity. Before implementing AI, AP reporters wrote about 300 earnings reports stories per quarter. After the adoption of AI, this number increased to over 3,000, demonstrating a tenfold increase in output without sacrificing accuracy (Philips, 2013). Moreover, this automation freed journalists to focus on more complex, investigative stories where human insight and analysis are irreplaceable.

 

However, the implementation of AI in journalism also raises concerns regarding job displacement and the potential for errors in automated content. While AI has enhanced efficiency in news production, it has also led to debates about the evolving role of journalists in an increasingly automated news environment (Graefe, 2016).

 

The AP's approach to AI in journalism reflects a broader trend in the industry: leveraging AI for routine, data-heavy tasks, while retaining human journalists for more nuanced and analytical work. This strategy underscores the complementary role of AI in journalism, augmenting human capabilities rather than replacing them entirely.

 

Benefits:

- Increased Productivity: The use of AI has allowed the AP to increase the volume of content produced. For instance, their earnings reports coverage expanded from 300 to over 3,000 articles per quarter after implementing AI (Philips, 2013).

- Resource Allocation: By automating routine reports, AI frees up journalistic resources, allowing human reporters to dedicate more time to in-depth, qualitative reporting (Graefe, 2016).

 

Challenges:

- Accuracy and Reliability: While AI improves efficiency, there are concerns in regards to accuracy of the generated content, especially in complex or nuanced reporting scenarios.

- Ethical and Employment Concerns: The integration of AI in journalism also raises ethical questions about transparency and the potential for job displacement in the industry (Lewis-Kraus, 2016).

 

Broader Impact:

- Impacts on Journalism: AI is transforming the journalism industry by changing how news is produced and consumed. It encourages a shift towards more data-driven journalism and may change the skill sets required for future journalists.

- Societal Implications: The widespread use of AI in media can influence public perception and understanding of news, underscoring the need for clear guidelines and ethical standards in AI-generated content (Graefe, 2016).

 

Conclusion:

The adoption of generative AI by organizations like the AP highlights both the potential and challenges of this technology in journalism. While it enhances efficiency and allows journalists to focus on more complex and high-quality reporting, it also brings up questions about the future of the human factor, the accuracy information, and ethical considerations in media. As this technology evolves, its integration into journalism will likely continue to influence both the industry and societal perceptions of news and information.

When considering the use of generative AI in journalism, exemplified by the Associated Press and its adoption of automated news writing/generation, it should be stated that it can be analyzed through the lens of technological determinism because it confirms that fact that technological advancements play a primary role in shaping societal structures, cultural norms, and human behavior (McLuhan, 1964, pp. 7-8). In the context of journalism, the integration of AI technologies aligns with this theory in several ways:

- Shaping News Production: The adoption of AI for routine news generation signifies a complete modification of the journalistic processes, driven by technology. The increased efficiency and capacity for producing large volumes of content demonstrate how technology can redefine industry practices in general. (Philips, 2013).

- Influencing Journalistic Roles: As AI takes over more routine and data-driven tasks, the role of journalists in the field evolves. This aligns with technological determinism, where technology influences human roles and skills required in a profession (Graefe, 2016).

- Impacting News Consumption: The way audiences consume news can also be influenced by the presence of AI-generated content, potentially leading to changes in how people interact with and perceive news media. This is a direct implication of technological change influencing societal behavior, a core concept of technological determinism.

- Ethical and Societal Considerations: The ethical concerns and the potential for misinformation with AI in journalism highlight the broader societal impacts of technology. These implications reflect technological determinism's assertion that technology not only changes practices but also raises new ethical and societal questions (Lewis-Kraus, 2016).

 

In summary, the application of generative AI in journalism and its subsequent effects on the industry and society exemplify the principles of technological determinism. The technology is not merely a tool but a transformative force that reshapes industry norms, professional roles, and societal interactions with news media.

 

 

Bibliography:

 

Ahmed M. Elkhatat, Khaled Elsaid & Saeed Almeer (2023) Evaluating the efficacy of AI content detection tools in differentiating between human and AI-generated text. Available at: https://edintegrity.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1007/s40979-023-00140-5/ (Accessed: 17 November 2023).

 

Bauder, D. (2023) AP, other news organizations develop standards for use of artificial intelligence in newsrooms. Available at: https://apnews.com/article/artificial-intelligence-guidelines-ap-news-532b417395df6a9e2aed57fd63ad416a/ (Accessed: 28 November 2023).

 

Boden, M. (2016) AI: Its nature and future. Oxford, the UK: Oxford University Press.

 

Brynjolfsson, E. and McAfee, A. (2016) The Second Machine [Ebook]. New York: W. W. North & Company.

 

Castells, M. (2000). The Rise of the Network Society. Blackwell Publishers.

 

Clarida, R. and Kjellberg, T. (2023) ‘Thaler v. Perlmutter’: AI Output is Not Copyrightable. Available at: https://www.law.com/newyorklawjournal/2023/09/14/thaler-v-perlmutter-ai-output-is-not-copyrightable/ (Accessed: 22 November 2023).

 

Graefe, A. (2016) Guide to automated Journalism, Tow Center for Digital Journalism, New York: Tow Foundation.  Available at: https://academiccommons.columbia.edu/doi/10.7916/D8QZ2P7C/download/  (Accessed: 14 November 2023).

 

Harrington, C. (2023) CNET Published AI-Generated Stories. Then Its Staff Pushed Back. Available at: https://www.wired.com/story/cnet-published-ai-generated-stories-then-its-staff-pushed-back/ (Accessed: 20 November 2023).

 

Hurst, L. (2023) Robot reporters? Here’s how news organisations are using AI in journalism. Available at: https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/08/24/robot-reporters-heres-how-news-organisations-are-using-ai-in-journalism/ (Accessed: 20 November 2023).

 

Kaplan, J. (2016). Artificial Intelligence: What Everyone Needs to Know. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

 

Lewis-Kraus, G. (2016). The Great A.I. Awakening. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/14/magazine/the-great-ai-awakening.html/ (Accessed: 15 November 2023).

 

McLuhan, M. (1964). Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. New York: McGraw-Hill (PP. 7-8).

 

Mike Loukides (2023) What Are ChatGPT and Its Friends? California, USA: O’Reilly Media.

 

Philips, M. (2013) How the Robots Lost: High-Frequency Trading's Rise and Fall. Available at: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-06-06/how-the-robots-lost-high-frequency-tradings-rise-and-fall/ (Accessed: 19 November 2023).

 

Tufekci, Z. (2017). Twitter and Tear Gas: The Power and Fragility of Networked Protest. Connecticut, USA: Yale University Press.

 

Turing, A. M. (1950). ‘Computing Machinery and Intelligence.’ Mind, 59(236), 433-460.

 

Viner, K. and Bateson, A. (2023) The Guardian’s approach to Generative AI. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/help/insideguardian/2023/jun/16/the-guardians-approach-to-generative-ai/ (Accessed: 24 November 2023).

 

The New Foldable Winner: Honor Magic V2

 

Samsung seems to be reassured about its position in the foldable phone market and its laziness in developing designs and improving performance over the past two years, with Galaxy Fold 3 & 4, and 5, opened the way for many companies, such as Huawei, Oppo, Google and OnePlus, and allowed them to develop phones that are superior to Samsung devices. They offers better features, with foldable screens that are more vivid and flexible, as well as specifications that include batteries that last for longer periods, thinner body, and better dimensions, whether with regard to using the phone closed or when opening it and using it as a large tablet.

The latest Samsung device in this category, Galaxy Fold 5, is largely similar to its predecessors, except for what is related to the processor (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2) and the hinge that connects the two components of the phone, and reduces the crease in the middle of the large screen when opening the smartphone... The biggest problem is that the price will remain high.

The only feature that separated the South Korean company's product from the rest of the is the presence of the electronic pen (S Pen), which allows the user to write and draw, taking advantage of the dimensions of the large screen.

Meanwhile, what can be described as the strongest competitor to Samsung has emerged from the Chinese company Honor, which until recently was part of Huawei. A foldable phone that is currently on the market (9.9mm thin when closed, and 4.75mm when opened), in addition to that, it will be equipped with a larger battery than that of Samsung Fold phones; the Honor battery reaches 5000mAh, and it will work on the same processor (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2), in addition to an external screen similar to a normal mobile phone screen measuring 6.43 inches, unlike the long screen of the Samsung Fold.

The fatal blow came with the provision of the new Honor device with an electronic pen, as it can be used with both screens, external and internal, for writing and drawing.

The phone was launched in the Chinese market recently, and now after its IFA moment, everyone is waiting for it to be launched in the world, especially if the price will be better than that of the Galaxy device.

Has Samsung already lost the race?

What did Technology bring to us all?

Do you remember the professional freelance photographer that used to rove beaches and resorts, offering his services to beautiful ladies and families, for a certain not-so-high fee? Do you remember how people were posing according to the photographer’s indications and instructions, and how they were eagerly waiting to receive their photographs after development? What happened to that kind of experience?

Well, what happened was that the job of the photographer was simply eliminated, fewer people seek professional photographers now, except when it concerns high level occasions; weddings, important receptions, political or economic events, or the like. Now, everyone is a photographer, with their smartphones, they are just pointing and shooting, disregarding the quality of the final shots or the skillful application of light and shadow effects, not to mention that if you know someone familiar with Photoshop, you can remove any unwanted features that, magically, appeared in your photograph, because you did not take care of many elements; such as the background, the position of the sun, that trash on the sand, or the direction of the wind.

The same applies to many other professions. They sank in the moving sands of technology.
It is essential to state that the great advances of science and its applications in what concerns devices and tools became an important part of all our lives. Communications became so easy and accessible that you can practically get in touch with anyone anywhere around the world in a matter of seconds. Remember how difficult it used to be to find a public phone booth during emergencies? And do you remember that if the person you are trying to call was not home at the moment of the phone call or even in another room, you might not be able to talk to them at all?

You can read any book in any language the moment it is published, you can listen to music without carrying around a box full of tapes or CDs. And you can watch a movie or a TV series on TV, PC, tablet or smartphone, regardless of where you are located in the world.

However, it is important to discuss the other side of the coin, technology was the reason for many problems related to security, free speech, jobs, and more.

Everyone became an expert photographer who knows everything there is about the art of photography, the moment he/she bought the latest iPhone or Galaxy device.

No one needs to go to university to study history or literary styles, or the basic ethics of storytelling; they do not need to know about the difference between writing news for print, radio, or TV. They just create a blog or open an account on Facebook and start writing, stating that they are Journalists; experts in their fields.
Suddenly, everyone is an expert in politics, economy, medicine, technology, investments, and the deepest and most important questions of our existence.

This has led to a situation where many people get their health advices from self-proclaimed medical experts instead of turning to real medical doctors; many are taking their essential directives concerning their mental status from literal charlatans who have an attractive website and some agents promoting them on social media; many take their daily dose of news and information from sources that the least we can describe them with is untruthful or misleading; and many children or teenagers are being deceived and harmed by criminals and predators posing as online friends and helpers, or by dragging them into extreme political or criminal groups.

Not everyone is an expert; this is a fact. But technology, and the Internet, turned many fakes into experts, and gave them the opportunity to gather followers and make money and present themselves as the real solution to everyone’s problems, and that is THE PROBLEM.

Alternative Views - Climate Change & Electric Vehicles

At the beginning of this article, it should be stated that the need to find solutions to the environmental problems we face today is, or should be, a top priority for everyone, even if there still is a debate concerning the facts and specifics of Global Warming (or Climate Change).

Looking at the laws and measures taken by governments and regional institutions in the last 25 years, anyone should be able to notice the similarities between what was done in the end of the 1990s and what is being done and we are witnessing today.

In the last years of the 20th century; in the kick-off of the heat of the environmental movement, there was a push to do something serious and effective regarding CO2 emissions, which are the main cause, according to experts, of Global Warming. This led European governments to come up with a mechanism that would reduce the number of old cars in circulation and, at the same time, encourage citizens to get rid of their aging vehicles and substitute them with new ones that use unleaded petrol. This was to be done by offering discounts for those who came and handed over their 10-year-old, or older, cars and signed in to buy new ones. This happened between 1998 and the first years of the new millennium. 

In Italy, for example, the economic incentive offered for the scrapping of cars amounted to approximately 1 million lire (about 500 euros) for each old vehicle delivered for demolition. This incentive was combined with a discount on the purchase price of the new vehicle.

That was it, or at least that was what everyone thought; “it is done, we made that huge effort, we did our part and now we can go on with our lives”. But what were the results? 

While many point out the positive points, others see it differently and insist that it did the opposite to what it was promoted for. According to a spokesman for the Italian environmental group Legambiente, the policy had positive effects on the environment by reducing the number of older, polluting vehicles on the road, improving air quality in European cities.

The policy, as environmental expert Fabio Toninelli argued, also "encouraged people to buy new cars, which were generally safer and less polluting than older models" (qtd. in The Local Italy).

But positive was only one side of the argument, as others explained that the real effects were completely different; Fabio Toninelli indicated that the policy encouraged people to buy new cars, which only contributed to traffic congestion and air pollution in the long run. The policy also did not address the issue of affordability. As Monica Ridzi, a spokesperson for the Italian consumer association Codacons, noted, "the incentives were not sufficient to help low-income families replace their old cars with new ones". In other words, people who had older cars did not have the financial ability to buy new ones, and that took away their only means of private transportation. The measures did not take that aspect into consideration; the middle class and poor citizens were not even thought about. Not to mention in what state and in which dumpsters or wasteland all those old cars finished.

The environment was but a facet of that policy, because, even if not directly talked about, revitalizing the economies of European states and increasing the profits of car makers were important elements of that whole equation; according to Reuters, the policy was successful in boosting new car sales, which in turn helped to stimulate the Italian and Spanish economies.

Now, after 25 years, the whole story is repeating. 

Car sales have slowed down recently due to a variety of factors, such as changes in consumer preferences and the longevity of newer cars. But this is also the normal cycle of production and consumption of such products; people who bought cars in the last 5-10 years, are not considering buying new ones, and if they do, the used cars they will sell, will remain in circulation allowing lower-income families to have a private means of transportation. How can car makers boom again? The EU comes to the rescue… Again... And the argument is the same: The environment.

The European Union is now proposing policies to incentivize the use of electric vehicles as part of its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. One such policy is the "Green Deal," which aims to make Europe the world's first climate-neutral continent by 2050. The "Green Deal" proposes a series of measures to promote the use of electric vehicles, including tax incentives for electric car buyers and the development of charging infrastructure across the EU.

The new policy includes a target of reducing emissions from new cars by 55% by 2030, compared to 2021 levels. This target will be achieved through a combination of incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles and penalties for car manufacturers who do not meet the emissions target.

“After months of negotiations, the European Union reached a political agreement this week to effectively ban new nonelectric cars from 2035 onward.” (Dennis).

There has always been an effort exerted by big companies around the world to keep themselves and their products dominant and relevant, and of course, to keep making huge profits. In some fields or business activities, achieving that objective requires developing products, refining their qualities, and making them more obtainable and affordable. But what if that were not the case? What if the companies wanted to sell more but, at the same time, keep raising their prices and increasing their profits? And what if governments made it legal to do so?

This is not a hypothetical question, it refers to actual events that have been taking place for more than 25 years in many Western countries, especially the European Union.

Works Cited

Deutsche Welle. "Italy Scraps Car Subsidy Scheme, but Leaves Green Motoring in Reverse." DW, 10 July 2012.

Toninelli, Fabio. "Pros and Cons: What Italy's New 'Eco-Bonus' Means for You." The Local Italy, 16 Feb. 2018.

Reuters. “WRAPUP 3-French, Italian car sales up on scrappage schemes" Reuters, 1 Apr. 2010, 
https://www.reuters.com/article/autos-idCNTOE63006G20100401

Dennis, Brady. "The EU wants all new cars to be electric by 2035. Here's what that could look like." The Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2022,
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2022/10/28/eu-electric-cars-2035/

Culture & Social Transmission

 

Culture refers to the dynamic and complex system of beliefs, values, norms, customs, artifacts, and behaviors that a group of people share and pass on to others and future generations within a society. Through this process of social transmission, culture shapes the identity of individuals and groups.

According to Clifford Geertz, culture is "a system of inherited conceptions expressed in symbolic forms by means of which people communicate, perpetuate, and develop their knowledge about and attitudes toward life" (Geertz 89). In other words, culture cannot only be defined as a set of beliefs and practices, but also the way in which these beliefs and practices are communicated and shared within a society.

The New York Times states that culture is a critical aspect of any society, as it helps to define the identity of a community and provides a sense of belonging to its members. In the article "The Power of Culture," the author writes, "Culture is what makes us who we are. It shapes our beliefs, values, and behaviors, and it provides a framework for understanding the world around us."

One example of cultural transmission within a society is the transmission of gender roles and expectations. Gender roles refer to the set of expectations, norms, and behaviors that are associated with being male or female. These roles are learned and transmitted through socialization processes that occur within families, schools, media, and other social institutions. Sociologist Arlie Hochschild argues that "Gender is not simply a biological given but is instead a cultural construct that is learned and transmitted through social processes" (qtd. in Risman and Seale 93). This transmission occurs through socialization processes that reinforce gendered behaviors and expectations.

Another example is the transmission of religious beliefs and practices. Religion is a powerful force that shapes people's worldviews, values, and behaviors. Religious beliefs and practices are learned and transmitted through social institutions such as churches, mosques, temples, and other places of worship. In his book, The Sociology of Religion, Émile Durkheim argues that "Religion is not simply a set of beliefs or practices, but rather a social institution that serves to integrate individuals into society" (qtd. in Stark 36).

Language is another example of cultural transmission. According to USA Today, language is a critical aspect of culture, as it shapes our ability to communicate and express our thoughts and emotions. In the article "The Importance of Language in Culture," the author writes, "Language is the key to cultural transmission. It is through language that we are able to express our thoughts, ideas, and beliefs, and it is through language that we are able to transmit these cultural values and beliefs to future generations." This quote emphasizes the importance of language in shaping culture and in transmitting cultural values and beliefs from one generation to another.

In conclusion, culture is a complex and multifaceted force within society, it is transmitted from one generation to the next through various forms of socialization. The process of social transmission plays a critical role in shaping individual and collective identity, shaping behaviors, and reinforcing social norms. Examples of cultural transmission within a society include the hospitality and how to treat guests and strangers in general, it also includes language and. Understanding cultural transmission is crucial in developing a better understanding of how society shapes individuals and how individuals shape society.

 

Works Cited

Geertz, Clifford. The Interpretation of Cultures: Selected Essays. Basic Books, 1973.

Brooks, David. "The Power of Culture." New York Times, 16 Nov. 2019.

Risman, Barbara J., and Chunyan Peng Seale. "Gender As a Social Structure: Theory Wrestling with Activism." Gender & Society, vol. 30, no. 4, 2016, pp. 590-610.

Stark, Rodney. Sociology, Tenth Edition. Cengage Learning, 2016.

"The Importance of Language in Culture." USA Today, 10 Mar

 

“Musulmano Cattolico?”

Many years ago, when I was a newcomer to Italy, I rented an apartment from a sweet old lady. She used to remind everyone almost every day that she was 88 years old, and that she took care of herself all alone.

I found the apartment, which was simply a room and a bathroom and a kitchen-corner, acceptable, for both my needs and for what I could pay back then.

The old landlord kept coming to visit me each evening, just to check on me and to ask if I needed something, and in the meanwhile, each evening, she was telling me parts of her story; how her husband died years ago, and how her children left her alone; a daughter that got married and moved to another city with her husband, and a son who immigrated to another country. She had only her house and the apartment where I lived to take care of; a small world she had indeed.

The thing that keeps reminding me of this lady is that during one of her visits, she reluctantly asked me, very innocently: “Are you Catholic?”, I said: “No, I am Muslim”, after some seconds of silence and reflection, she came back with another question: “A Catholic Muslim?” (“Musulmano Cattolico?”) at that point I smiled and simply said: “Yes”.

It was there that the idea became very clear to me, Christians, Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Orthodox, Sephardic, Muslims, Sunni, Shiite, Sikh, Buddhists, we are all the same; humans that should only think of each other as equals. And it is not bad or strange or offending to think of someone as Muslim Catholic, or Christian Sunni, or Jewish Protestant, if you do believe that we are all the same.

The old lady knew all about life: We are the same, and all the differences that we see between us, are things that we created ourselves; they do not exist.

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