Issue 93: What Our Flags Say About Us
Welcome to Backstory, a weekly newsletter turning global technology shifts into a three-minute read. This week, we’re thinking about flags – Mary Ames, Director of Strategy
THE BIG TAKE
What Our Flags Say About Us
A simple piece of fabric still carries incredible power across societies for all our technological prowess. National flags hold a place of significance deep in people’s hearts, regardless of their nationality. This feeling of pride and nationalism is deeply ingrained in the Middle East, where flags tend to blend religious symbols with national colors. From this perspective, Saudi Arabia’s moves to change its national flag represent a major shift in Saudi society and signal how it intends to embrace the future.
Rebranding a nation: Saudi Arabia has been signaling that it will replace its green flag emblazoned with a sword and inscribed with Islam’s creed as the birthplace of the faith. The Shura Council recently voted in favor of changes to the flag and the national anthem. The vote is nonbidding but it does signal a shift in the country. A new flag would likely emphasize Saudi nationality and national pride, which are core to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s long-term goals for the country.
Reforms and rethinking: The debate over the next Saudi flag shows how far along the country is with its rebranding. As the Kingdom opens itself up to the world, its leaders are looking for profound ways to showcase the speed of change taking place. Flags, national anthems, and other instruments of civic pride are the most profound demonstrations of this shift because they show vital internal changes taking place. A new Saudi Arabia with its arms open to the world will need new symbols. We are excited to watch the historical transformation unfold.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“A thoughtful mind, when it sees a nation’s flag, sees not the flag, but the nation itself.”
– Henry Ward Beecher, American statesman
OUR VIEWS THIS WEEK
A new week for a new year: The world is still trying to find a balance between remote and office work as the pandemic rolls on. With additional Covid-19 variants on the horizon, we can only assume that the indecision about returning to the office will continue for the near future. Given the uncertainty, the UAE approach of making changes to the workweek while attracting remote workers is a sensible one. In this piece published by Xische, we explore how the week change will continue the progress of the UAE.
The UAE at 50:As we celebrate the UAE’s golden jubilee, it’s vital to consider the truly remarkable people that make the UAE what it is today. With the hard work, determination, and vision of the Emirati people, the UAE would not be at the forefront of future technologies. For all the wise investments that have taken place over the last 50 years, the investment in the people of this nation has proven to be the most impactful. In this piece published by Xische, we detail why we can’t wait to see what the next 50 years will bring.
SPOTTED ELSEWHERE
Telegram’s quiet reign: Facebook is regularly in the news for less than savory data collection practices. Given the ubiquity of WhatsApp, which is owned by Facebook, millions around the world are looking for possible alternatives to the popular messaging platform. In this fascinating profile in Wired, the secretive app Telegram gets the full treatment. If you are interested in the future of messaging apps, this profile is a must-read.
Europe’s great emporium: Cities like Dubai have dominated trade and influenced culture in the modern era. This is especially true when looking at the world from an emerging market point of view. Throughout history, there have been many other great cities that have dominated trade and culture in their own ways. The New York Review of Books published an excellent review of the rise of sixteenth-century Antwerp that’s well worth a look.
QUICK HITS
Solar-powered system offers a route to inexpensive desalination.
A cargo ship full of Porsches is on fire and adrift in the Atlantic ocean.
Inside the Bitcoin laundering case that confounded the internet.
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