Schlagwort-Archive: H.G. Wells

Why the United Nations should create an Entertainment Empire

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The United Nations needs to create its own entertainment enterprise to sustain future operations.

The Digital Age has changed the way we produce and consume entertainment products. Everything has become faster, cheaper and more global. Digital technologies offer companies and individuals new cost-effective opportunities to develop, publish and distribute creative goods for a global audience. The rise of online companies like Amazon and Netflix is a clear sign for a changing media landscape.

Which leads to the question: Why are organizations like the United Nations not seizing this opportunity to become a major player in the entertainment industry?

Movies, video games and novels should be produced and published by the UN. A part of the net proceeds raised by the sales of these products could be used to finance the UN Development Programmes (UNDP), or programmes of other UN departments like the WHO, UNICEF, UNHCR, WFP, …

Here are 5 reasons why the UN should seriously consider this proposal:

1. Entertainment is a lucrative business

The UN is notoriously underfunded. Shortfalls and budget cuts for aid programmes or relief missions have become the norm. At the same time, Hollywood and the rest of the entertainment industry report record earnings. The Disney Company has earned $55.1 billion in total for the fiscal year of 2017. The studio’s entertainment segment made over $8 billion, thanks to Marvel’s superhero universe and the Star Wars galaxy.

Rumors about a possible sale of MGM and Sony Entertainment persist. Even Warner Bros. Studios might be up for grabs, if the AT&T merger fails. The United Nations could buy at least one of them. Just imagine, James Bond, Superman and Batman fighting together under the banner of the UN!

But movies are not the only way to make big money in the entertainment industry. Net revenue for the video game giant Electronic Arts has been over $4 billion for the last couple of years. AuthorEarnings.com reports $1.3 billion in E-book sales for the last three quarters of 2017 (US sales only).

The overall numbers suggest a profitable market with potential for expansion.

2. It’s (relatively) cheap

In the beginning, the UN would have to make some serious financial investment to establish itself on the global market, but the gain and the benefits could easily outweigh the risks. If movies and TV shows are deemed to be too expensive to start with, the UN could sell books. Thanks to the digital progress, books can be produced and distributed budget friendly in electronic form. Selling E-Books online would cut the production costs dramatically. Additionally, many well-known books are in the public domain and therefore freely available with no license fee or any other copyright issues attached. The UN would be able to publish stories written by Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Edgar Allan Poe, H. G. Wells and many more.

Even the development of video games has become affordable, thanks to the mobile phone market and a variety of streaming services. Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter are popular places to find supporters. While the UN is already using the website for its aid programmes, a different approach could turn out to be more successful in the long term.

Take for example the video game Star Citizen. Star Citizen is a space simulator that raised over $182 million; meanwhile an UN refugee campaign has reached $1.7 million. People would rather spend their money on the development of a video game than a charity project.

3. Increasing awareness and social relevance

Brand recognition is not necessarily something the United Nations has a problem with. Celebrities like Emma Watson are already supporting UN campaigns and social causes. But entertainment products could help the organization to broaden its audience and reach people who normally wouldn’t care about the UN and its mission.

4. The entertainment industry is recession-proof

Depressions or recessions take a toll on the economy. Many businesses are struggling to survive during such troubling times. There are few markets that are not only resilient to a downturn but actually gain from it. The entertainment sector is one of them.

Why?

Because the entertainment industry offers people a distraction and an escape from the cold, harsh world and all its tribulations. Hollywood knows how to sell dreams and illusions to the masses and so should the UN.

5. Achieving Financial Independence

The UN depends on the goodwill of its member states with their flaky leaders and unstable economy. An entertainment enterprise would not only decrease the UN’s vulnerability to unforeseen budget cuts but also secure funding for future peacekeeping efforts. The ultimate goal would be a self-sufficient and financially independent United Nations.

Conclusion:

The United Nations should act decisively and not miss the opportunity to establish an entertainment enterprise. Other NGOs like Greenpeace, Red Cross, WWF or PETA could follow its lead.

People are more likely to spend money on entertainment products than on charity. That certainly doesn’t speak for humanity, but we can use this fact to our advantage. Why should Hollywood be the only entity making profit by selling dreams and fantasies to people all around the world? The philanthropic industry should claim a piece of the pie. It’s time to give the money to those who want to create a just and humane future.

A final word of warning: If the UN decides to enter the entertainment world, avoiding preachy content would be recommended. Building schools in Africa or providing food supplies to war torn areas are certainly important and admirable tasks, but people don’t pay money to watch that in a movie theatre. The audience wants to be entertained, not lectured.

by Christoph Topitschnig

About the Author:

  • Studied Film & Media at the University of Vienna.
  • Created the “Austria Alliance”, a short-lived political party.
  • Founder of „Reading saves Lives”.
  • Author of “Endgame – The Tragedy of Kings and Pawns” (eBook, 2018).
  • Contact: topitschnig [AT] lesenrettet [DOT] com

Do we need a New World Order?

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Eclipse Climate change, energy crisis, genocides, religious wars, economic woes and widespread corruption are only some examples of a vast spectrum of threats our society has to cope with. The call for change, peace and safety has become louder with each new issue.

If we don’t solve these problems quickly, the consequences will be devastating for the entire human race. But could a global government be the solution to all our tribulations? Or is the idea of a “Universal State” just a delusional fantasy of megalomaniacal leaders and conspiracy theorists? Are people even going to accept such a World State?

The Shape of Things to Come

The idea of a unified world government to preserve peace between nations has already been discussed throughout the ages.

Philosophers like Plato or Immanuel Kant, writers like Dante Alighieri, Thomas Hobbes and H.G. Wells imagined utopian societies, a ‘New World Order’ or even a ‘Golden Age’. While their ideas were based on humanistic principles, authors of the modern World War era like Arnold J. Toynbee and Oswald Spengler have predicted a far more pessimistic outcome.

But what is a world government? A global governance is a political system that would make and enforce laws on international level without restrictions. It would require the unification of all nations under a global ruling system or a single ruler with cultural and economical power. This alliance could be achieved either by peace or by force. But only a peaceful unification would ensure a long lasting and stable relationship between each nation and its people.

A World Divided

The European Union is not a new global player but an old one. The EU has hardly the will and certainly not the resources to regain the status of a world leader. The Brexit is just the beginning of the end for the old continent.

The Middle East, despite its wealth, is drowning in ongoing wars or too busy copying the mistakes of the West. Africa is used as “resource cradle” for other nations and with all the turmoil and civil unrest not stable enough to be a powerful global force. South America is a victim of bad economic decisions and Russia has proven to be a strong but uncertain factor.

Some believe that China’s economic growth will turn the nation into the next leading superpower. Experts have already set a date: 2025. But even natural resources have a limit and Liebig’s Law of the Minimum will ensure a rude awakening for most experts and China.

After the end of World War II, the United States has achieved not only monetary but also cultural hegemony on a global scale. America has shaped modern society like no other nation before. Needless to say, this kind of influence has its price. Military interventions in Afghanistan, Iran, Vietnam, Iraq and Libya are just a few examples of a ruthless foreign policy.

The Decline of America

Admired and despised at the same time, the US has many enemies and allies. It is impossible to deny America’s supreme position and its role as ruling force. Calling the United States an empire might go too far for some but imperialism is certainly the political path the government has chosen to achieve and maintain its leading position. But even an empire as mighty as the USA has an expiration date.

In his book, “The Decline of the West”, German historian and philosopher Oswald Spengler has described the cyclic rise and fall of civilizations. Spengler does not speak of empires but distinguishes between cultures and civilizations.

According to him, a civilization represents the end stage of a culture. It is no longer creative and growing.

Reasons for the decline and fall of a civilization like the Roman Empire are manifold: a decadent lifestyle, aggressive foreign policy, increased taxation, unrest in colonies, overstretched military forces, loss of civic virtue among its citizens and corrupt leaders. Others blame the invasion of barbarians for its downfall. Sounds familiar?

America’s position as global leader is about to end. The country is no longer a unifying global force that inspires but rather a destructive vessel for hidden agendas. 

After America’s downfall, a new powerful global government has to replace the United States as fast as possible; otherwise the world will be torn apart by different players with no chance of recovery.

Kingdom Come

Let us assume, the world would be transformed into a Universal State. How could this State succeed?

People have to identify themselves as citizens of the world, a united global society striving for the common good and the improvement of the human race. But this new awareness must not be imposed on society. Only an incorruptible event can unite mankind.

A new global awareness requires a proper ruling government. As history has proven, a totalitarian system must not be imposed on a population. People would reject and rebel against it unless they freely choose such state. This New Order might not be implemented by a single nation but rather by an institution. The United Nations could be suitable for the task. Unfortunately, corruption, incompetence and the lack of real authority prevent the UN from taking advantage of its full potential.

A future global community is possible. The old world has outgrown its usefulness. The question is not if or when a New World Order will happen, but what kind of Order will emerge.

Author: Christoph Topitschnig, BA