“Global mobility is no longer just for a small elite of executives”
Regular readers of this blog know that here I’ve been publishing interviews I conducted for my upcoming new book, “Meconomy” (release date: January, 18th). This is the final epsiode of my little series of uncut research material.
In today’s interview I speak to Andrew Tuck, editor of MONOCLE (I’m a regular contributor to his magazine). For my chapter about global mobility I picked Andrew’s brain about reinventing oneself after the “Rethink Year” 2009. Part two of our chat will be up in a few days.
Andrew – MONOCLE seems to argue quite passionately for a lifestyle of global mobility. Do you feel this is relevant mostly for a well-off elite and for business travelers or can we all choose where to live and work today?
It’s not so much that we argue for global mobility, it’s just that we saw there was this community and that it was not being addressed. But don’t have a stereotyped vision of who these people are. It’s no longer just a small elite of executives. It’s the London graphic designer working in Sydney, the Swedish architect working in Spain, the Indian student studying in New York. They are all people who look at the world as a place of opportunities and are not scared about jumping on a plane to find a new business idea, place to study or home. That’s why our annual Quality of Life Survey, that names the best cities to live in the world, is always a massive hit – it’s amazing how powerful and alluring a city’s brand can be. People do move country for lifestyle as well as work.
Politicians and developers all over the world are seeking to attract the international ‘creative class’ and it seems quite a few of them consult you and MONOCLE-chairman Tyler Brûlé on how to do so. What’s your advice?
Since the introduction of the survey we have had lots of cities approach us – wanting to know why they didn’t make the grade or what thy need to do to move up the chart. Our vision is that cities need to get the ‘hard’ aspects of urban planning right – easy to use public transport, good bike routes, quality public education, efficient airports – but not neglect the ‘soft’ elements: independent retail, housing on a human scale, great parks, character. These are what turn just another city into a place you’d like to put down roots.
Isn’t being mobile on a global scale an outdated concept in the face of climate change and teleconferencing? Even MONOCLE has run a cover story about people choosing the simple life and ‘going back to the farm’. Is this a contradiction or just two sides of the same coin?
People will always want to meet face-to-face – try creating a bond with your client over Skype as opposed to taking them out for dinner. And people will always want to see the world. But Monocle has from day one supported craft, small business, people being their own bosses, countries keeping their design traditions and the pure pleasure of making something by hand. We are more likely to run a big story on a great local store than a successful supermarket chain for example.
