This article reviews various books related to the concept of future cities. It questions the source of dynamism that led to the massive investment in global urban cities. Does it come from the media attention cities receive, or from the rural exodus, or from both? The article also questions why cities are so prosperous. Does it comes from the nature of the population cities attract, with the presence of a “Creative Class” as argued by Florida, or does it come from the rich, unexpected and productive interaction cities create as argued by Glaeser? What is certain is that cities are re-creating themselves in order to achieve a better balance with the suburb and better serve its constituents. Will it work?

A nationwide survey of Peak Occupation

As I watched “the Middle Men” on Netflix last night, which tells the story of how adult entertainment came to life on the internet, I was disgusted by the attraction to money, sex and power that drove the businessmen all along, and was surprised by the “positive” role of adults’ entertainment websites in catching a network of terrorists around the globe. This highlighted the ambiguity of the Internet being both hateful and useful.

After watching this movie, the news this morning on the NYT that Goldman Sachs had significant shares in a website involved in sex trafficking demoralized me but sadly did not shock me. After all, why would it be surprising that some banksters are also sex traffickers? In this context, clients and shareholders need to care about where they invest their money, and due diligence is needed more than ever.