Bay Street Bull Winter 2017 | Masai Ujiri and Serge Ibaka

Feature Cities of the Future

Fashion Travel Watches

How Toronto Raptors’ Masai Ujiri and Serge Ibaka have used basketball to give back to the communities that raised them.

Winter 2017

Culture Be A Man

Business Investing in Canada

Sports The eSports Takeover

#ReadyToDive

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CONTENTS – WINTER 2017

66 Cover Story

66

The End Game

For Toronto Raptors’ Masai Ujiri and Serge Ibaka, basketball is more than just a passion. It’s an opportunity to lift communities and change lives.

Tech

Business

24 My Banker, the Robot

42 Investing in Canada

Sports

Fashion

30 Game On

44 Travel timepieces

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing banking and the way we manage our money. Should financial institutions be worried?

eSports has gone from our living rooms to a potential 2024 Olympic games contender.

Will this change society’s long-held definition of what we consider an “athlete”?

Culture 34 Crossing Borders

Two mothers: one from Israel, one from Palestine. Both lost their sons to war.

Both bonded forever in pursuit of peace.

38 Somebody’s Watching Me

The Chinese government’s newly implemented Social Credit System is like a sci-fi nightmare in real life. Has the Big Brother of the future arrived?

The Canadian startup community is ripe with innovation and there are tons of worthy Canadian entrepreneurs to back.

So why is there still a funding gap?

VIDEO: Go behind-the-scenes of our cover shoot at BayStBull.com

60

Every business trip needs an exceptional timepiece to go with it. Meet your first class companions.

Features 50 Good Guys Gone Bad

From Harvey Weinstein to Kevin Spacey, the psychology behind why likeable men continue to get away with sexual assault.

54 Be A Man

What does it mean to be a man? While society’s idea of masculinity has been detrimental to men’s mental health for ages, things are slowly changing.

60 Metropolis 2067

06 Editor’s Letter 08 Contributors 10 Events 14 The Report 18 Ask An Expert 20 How It’s Made 86 Where to Take Your Clients 87 What to Get Your Clients 88 Exit Interview 4 BAYSTBULL.COM WINTER 2017

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COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHALAN AND PAUL

From utopian architecture to lab-grown meat, a picture of what our cities could like in 50 years.

MUST BE LEGAL DRINKING AGE - PLEASE ENJOY HENNESSY RESPONSIBLY.

EDITOR’S LETTER

MASTHEAD

The Optimist

Publisher David King Editor-in-Chief Creative Director Lance Chung

Ibaka Foundation. They radiate hope as they tirelessly strive towards lifting up the youth of an entire continent through the game, showing that sports are, and have always been, a way of unifying people.

Elsewhere in this issue, we look at hope as a tool for healing from the past. In “Crossing Borders” (page 34), our writer tells the powerful story of two mothers on either side of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict who were brought together through shared tragedy – the deaths of their sons. For them, opening their hearts to hope has allowed them to work together to promote peace between the two nations, and move forward towards forgiveness.

We also look at the road ahead. Technology continues to move at an exponential pace, which has created some very exciting possibilities for what the future could look like. In “Metropolis 2067,” (page 60) the notion of hope takes on a different form as we imagine what society will look like in 50 years time based on existing technologies today: soaring utopian towers, lightning fast modes of transit, smart cities – progress.

Yes, reality may seem grim. It may feel like a downward spiral towards oblivion at times. But just remember that it only takes the light of a single flame to illuminate a world of darkness. We must seek strength in each other to keep that flame going, to make it burn brighter.

So, as you wrap up your year and think about the road ahead, just remember to march forward, climb upwards, and keep hope alive.

Lance Chung Editor-in-Chief and Creative Director @mrlancechung 6 BAYSTBULL.COM WINTER 2017

Advertising & Partnerships Greg Hutton Online Editor Christina Gonzales Digital Manager Ross Dias Proofreader Michelle Wiliams Contributing Photographers Adrian Armstrong Shalan Crivellari Paul Crivellari Contributing Writers Tristan Bronca Pasquale Casullo Bruce Croxon Jeff Hindle Sabrina Maddeaux Christopher Metler Nicholas Mizera Miroslav Tomoski Contributing Illustrators Katie Carey Deshi Deng John Holcroft Coen Pohl Head Office Suite 302, 183 Bathurst Street Toronto, Ontario M5T 2R7 Canada Subscriptions & Inquiries info@rathgroupinc.com

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHALAN AND PAUL

Hope.

A simple four-letter word that carries the weight of mountains. What does it mean to us?

The end of the year often gives us reason to pause as we reflect on the past and cast forward our resolutions. As we set out planning our final issue of 2017, we asked ourselves a question: what are the different ways that hope is embodied in the minds of our society?

To say the least, 2017 has been a year that history will never forget. It’s hard to believe that less than 12 months have passed since Trump took over the White House, and since then, it’s felt like one travesty after another, each day bringing forth its own set of disastrous headlines.

Call us crazy, but maybe that’s why we’re feeling so optimistic. The silver lining of it all has been that we’ve shone a light on the darkness in our society, and with it, illuminated the wounds that need healing. Like an episode of Stranger Things, demogorgons have emerged from the upside-down that is the Trump presidency (and if we’re being honest, global political landscape), but with it, our very own troupes of heroes who are pushing back just as hard, if not harder, for a better society.

Heroes like our winter cover stars, Toronto Raptors’ Masai Ujiri and Serge Ibaka. In “The Endgame” (page 66), the two basketball titans serve as inspiring role models via their respective organizations, Giants of Africa, and The Serge

Art Direction & Design Sali Tabacchi Inc.

CONTRIBUTORS

Shalan and Paul are a collaborative husband and wife team specializing in portrait and fashion photography. Having moved to Toronto eight years ago, the two have since worked with Emmy Award-winning actress Tatiana Maslany, actor Dane DeHaan, and alt-rock band, July Talk. When not shooting you can find them strolling along the lake, grabbing drinks with friends, or singing karaoke until the early hours of the morning.

Nicholas Mizera is a professional editor and journalist based in Toronto. He has lent his unique voice and sense of style to prominent print and digital lifestyle publications including Toronto Life, Sharp, Gotstyle Man and DailyXY. He is currently a blogs editor at the Huffington Post Canada. When he’s not on assignment, Nicholas is the stylish writer behind The Gentleman Journalist. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @nicholasmizera.

Miroslav Tomoski is a writer with a focus on the cross section between culture and politics.

In pursuing this fascination he has navigated both sides of the press pool, working for local and national campaigns and covering them as a journalist. When he is not on the road he spends his time in a quiet lake town just outside of Detroit.

Chris Metler is routinely contracted by North America’s most influential content generators.

With bylines in VICE and fellow premier titles, his creativity plays an integral role in the current rebrand of RogersMedia.com – a dynamic hub which harnesses the cross-platform potential of the Canadian media titan’s television and radio broadcasting, sports, publishing and digital brands.

Bruce Croxon is a serial entrepreneur. He founded Lavalife, an online dating site, in 1988 and went on to sell the company in 2004 for $176 million. Since then, Bruce has turned his attention to providing growth stage Canadian companies with the funding they need to succeed. To do this, he co-founded Round13, a venture capital firm with a focus on Canadian companies working in the digital industry. He’s also the co-host of The Disruptors on BNN & CTV, a weekly show spotlighting Canadian business, and former dragon from CBC’s Dragons’ Den.

Sabrina Maddeaux is an award-winning lifestyle writer whose work has appeared in The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, National Post, Toronto Sun, NOW Magazine, and other prominent outlets.

She also makes frequent TV appearances as a style and pop culture expert on Cityline, ET Canada, and The Morning Show.

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EVENTS

Council for Canadian-American Relations

PHOTOS COURTESY OF COUNCIL FOR CANADIAN AMERICAN RELATIONS

The Council for Canadian-American Relations (CCAR) hosted a special gala dinner at the luxurious Metropolitan Club in New York City. Frank Stella, painter, sculptor, printmaker, and one of the most inventive American artists of 20th and 21st century, and The Honourable Hilary M. Weston, one of Canada’s most notable businesswomen and philanthropists, were CCAR’s American and Canadian Honorees. The guest list included prominent names in public service in Canada and the United States, like the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur L. Ross and the Ambassador of Canada to the United Nations, Marc-André Blanchard.

10 BAYSTBULL.COM WINTER 2017

EVENTS

TEDxToronto

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANDREW WILLIAMSON AND BRITNEY TOWNSEND

On October 27, 2017, on a cool autumn day in Toronto, over 1,000 guests gathered at the Evergreen Brick Works to exchange ground breaking ideas at TEDxToronto. The theme of the 2017 conference was “Legacy – What will yours be?” The conference kicked off with former Toronto Chief Planner at the City of Toronto Jennifer Keesmaat. Other speakers of note included Reverend Dr. Cheri DiNovo, an ordained, United Church Minister, who performed the first legalized same-sex marriage, Michelle Latimer, director and writer of Viceland’s breakout indigenous series RISE, and Ahmed Hussain, Canada’s immigration minister. After the conference, TEDx guests sipped on cocktails and mingled into the night.

@BAYSTBULL 11

EVENTS

Dinner Date Toronto’s biggest female chefs come together to tackle inequality and celebrate women at The Drake Hotel

In 2012, when Alex Feswick, The Drake Hotel’s chef de cuisine, started Dinner Party, a dinner series inspired by The Dinner Party mixed-media artwork by Judy Chicago (widely regarded as an icon of 1970s feminist art), there were female chefs in Toronto – they just hadn’t been brought together yet.

Born out of frustration with a food industry dominated by men, and a general disdain for the overall “lack” of female chefs in the city, Feswick took it upon herself to bring her female contemporaries together to collaborate on a menu that they’d showcase at triangular tables, mimicking Chicago’s work. “[These are] 30 women that are running their own kitchens, [and] having a powerful voice in the food industry.

We’re not as scarce as people think,” Feswick says. Therein, her mantra: together, female chefs have a voice, and they’re not as rare as people think.

“When [Alex] started working for The Drake, a few years ago, one of the first conversations she and I ever had was about Dinner Party,” says Mia Nielsen, head curator at The Drake. “The whole experience started as an art installation, then Alex built upon that idea to create a dining experience.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF KSENIJA HOTIC

WRITTEN BY CHRISTINA GONZALES

DRAKE HOTEL & BAY STREET BULL

“Dinner Party was about bringing everyone – male or female – into a collective space to tackle inequality.”

Now it’s in that wonderful gray area of dining, coming together, and artwork.”

Nielsen reached out to female artists whose work fit organically within the dinner-installation format: candle sticks and cloth napkins by Sandra Brewster, flower arrangements by Diane Borsato, and post-meal gifts from Jennifer Murphy.

The city’s top female chefs, (Paula Navarrete of Momofuku Daisho, Laura Maxwell of Le Select, and Miriam Echeverria of Los Colibris, to name a few), were split into teams. They collaborated on three distinct menus: dishes included quirky plates like “peaches and dreams” (sour cherry, chicken pate, and foie gras) and super-satisfying dishes like “the witch’s egg” (pheasant tortellini, brandy, sage, duck egg, and truffle). Meanwhile, some of Toronto’s best-known male chefs acted as servers to the diners.

For Feswick, Dinner Party was about bringing everyone – male or female – into a collective space to tackle inequality.

And while she recognizes that the restaurant industry has its problems, there’s work to do that extends far beyond it.

“I feel like what it boils down to, [is] our domestic responsibilities or motherhood, which really aren’t conducive to the [food] industry,” she says. “It makes it really hard for women to have both [a career and a family]. But it’s [about] women professionals everywhere. Men have been working longer than we have, so these notions that women are traditionally in the home kitchen preparing food [are out-dated].”

Luckily, Feswick works at an establishment where females are given equal opportunity. “There are so many women running all aspects of this company, I find it really unique in that regard,” says Feswick. “Our CEO is a woman, our PR, our marketing, our cultural programming, our curator, our HR. [There are] other female managers to work for, and so it’s always felt, for me, like a safe place to go and create.”

And ultimately that’s what we need more of: dinner parties, yes. But how about workplaces that prop up women, and give them a safe environment to flourish? Double yes.

THE REPORT

The Panel In our ongoing series, we ask our panel of experts what advice they can offer on a given topic.

This issue: travel tips.

Ela Aldorsson co-founder, Ela Handbags “In the last year or so I have started to meditate on flights, even if only for a couple minutes, to turn off the surrounding noise and my racing thoughts, which can really clear the head. On longer flights I also pack my own meal and snacks, and drink plenty of water. Having good food on a flight is a real game changer for me, especially when it comes to fatigue upon arrival. Lastly, especially when I am rundown and have to travel, I use essential oils, like ginger or oregano. They come in tiny little bottles but are incredible for nausea or a sore throat. There are times that I also will rub a tiny bit under my nose when there are sick people around me on a flight.”

Mijune Pak Top Chef Canada judge “I don’t pack light, so my advice is to pack a suitcase in a suitcase if you plan to bring things home, which I always do. [I always] leave a couple universal adaptors in my luggage so I won’t forget, and if it’s a really short trip, I use a contact lens case for face creams, which seal well. On long hauls, setting spray and dry shampoo are your best friends. I also take photos of my passport and cards, and store them safely on my computer in case something happens.”

Nicole Verkindt CEO, OMX “Traveling is a constant way of life for me, so working on the road is a must. Because the company that I run is a web-based supply chain platform, I have to use digital technologies to manage my documents, data, and everything else that I’m doing. [For me], I always fly the same airline to maximize points, and use Nexus to bypass lines. I never check a bag and pack only one range of colours and running shoes.”

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THE REPORT

GDP

1 CXBO chocolate bar Splattered edible paint and sweet cocoa galore, chef and chocolatier Brandon Olsen’s culinary and artistic collaboration with his partner Sarah Keenlyside continues as the bonbons and egg-shaped confections give way to more familiar desserts: six varieties of chocolate bars. Including salted caramel, lime and ginger, and apricot and chilli, the bars are almost as delicious to look at as they are to consume. $10

A regular roundup of glorious domestic products.

WRITTEN BY PASQUALE CASULLO

2 Quill and Tine Evangelista touchscreen glove High-tech innovation in fashion isn’t always made up of metallic bodysuits or self-tying shoes that the world of cinema will have you believe. Leather that works on touchscreens can be just as revolutionary. Nor does technology imply discomfort; not when supple lamb leather is lined with cashmere and elevated by a rabbit-fur palm. $215 3 Lambert & Fils lighting fixture The skilled hand of a potter’s son is visible in Lambert & Fils refined design. Growing up, Samuel Lambert, the design studio’s founder, could often find himself assisting in pottery in his father’s Eastern Quebec workshop. Now at his design

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space in Montreal, the studio’s spirit is just as collaborative and supporting independent creation, the lighting fixtures designed by Lambert and his collaborators are always manufactured and assembled in Montreal. Pricing upon request.

4 Thom Fougere bar cart Since their mid-century heyday, the living room bar cart hasn’t quite been through a significant update. Winnipeg-based architect Thom Fougere might just be the one to change that. His quiet, ash-coloured structure with a detachable leathersurfaced top tray is an update on a classic that is ingenious in its simplicity, and revolutionary in its silent protest of over-designed Frankensteinian monsters. Price upon request.

5 Monte and Coe backpack The founders of Monte and Coe had a singular mission: they wanted a bag that was permanent, not temporary. That search perenniality was the same for the accessory’s look, durability, and quality. And, as it goes with all great ideas, because they couldn’t find what they were looking for in the Canadian market, they decided to create it themselves. $595

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THE REPORT 1

Fashion Gives Back There is a change happening in the fashion industry. Designers, both up-and-coming and established, are taking a more holistic route to the way they create their products and present their brands. A new, “slow fashion” movement is taking hold – one based on keeping everything local, sustainable, and ethical – all while keeping things beautifully-crafted and luxe.

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WRITTEN BY PASQUALE CASULLO

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1 Peggy Sue Collection When Peggy Sue Deaven-Smiltneiks showed up to the 2016 Toronto Fashion Incubator New Labels Design Competition gala, she rolled in with everyone who makes her label possible: farmers, tanners, weavers, spoolers. Then, she won the $25,000 top prize. Peggy Sue Collection (the label) runs with a strict ethos, entailing that every part of her manufacturing process can be traced back to its origins – so much so that because the designer hasn’t found a plant-based dye in North America, her gowns, sweaters, and jackets are currently offered only in natural hues. Assisted by her Milton, ON-based community, she’s proving that fashion can be chic and sustainable.

2 Triarchy Not every company will stop production in order to find a greener, more ethical way to make their goods, but that’s just what Canadian-born, LA-based Triarchy did in 2016. Horrified by the great wastage involved with making denim, they halted all operations until they could find a remedy to the issue. After finding a factory in Mexico that uses 85 percent recycled water for the dyeing process, Triarchy forged ahead in 2017. Now, with its entire

business structure changed, the company is venturing into new fabrics, such as a cotton-tencel denim mix that uses even less water than cotton denim does on its own, as well as “remixed,” revitalized, vintage denim pieces.

3 Kotn A farm-to-hanger story, Kotn supports Egyptian cotton farmers directly by providing them with seeds, fertilizer, and subsidies that the government once supported. When starting the company, the Toronto-based founders had just one motivation: to create a simple, well-made t-shirt at a reasonable price. It quickly grew to be much more than that as the B-Corp certified Kotn became as much about creating quality essentials as rebuilding an entire industry from the inside. A top-to-bottom enterprise, they work with farming families to cultivate Egypt’s “white gold” at honest and fair wages, all while supporting the community via other initiatives, like partnering with pro-literacy organizations.

4 Mary Young Canadian designer Mary Young is known for creating elegant lingerie with a socially-conscious touch. A feel-good brand that supports women in

more than one way, three dollars of every purchase goes toward Raw Beauty Talks, a non-profit society promoting mental and physical health of girls and young women through education in schools, public events, and media. Also, there’s her ‘Self Love Club,’ a series of talks, events, and other content themed around empowering women, helping them gain self-confidence, and become more loving, inward and outward.

5 Brother Vellies Brother Vellies, while founded by New York-based, Toronto-born Aurora James, is an African company through and through; every shoe and accessory is produced in Africa, every skin and material is sourced in Africa, and every design is African-based.

James is making waves with her line, and started with an intention to introduce the world to her favourite traditional African footwear. By empowering locals through providing them with jobs and life-long skills, maintaining relationships with farmers, as well as using a ‘head-to-tail’ methodology with animals and material, Brother Vellies is a company that has more than a fast impact.

@BAYSTBULL 17

ASK AN EXPERT

Killer Knock your audience off their feet with these tips from TEDxToronto’s resident speech maestro WRITTEN BY CHRISTINA GONZALES

Jeff Lohnes is a man that feels comfortable on the stage. As the co-chair and former host for TEDxToronto, he’s worked with some of the most captivating speakers in the world. When he’s not running the annual conference, Lohnes keeps the momentum going by coaching a range of inspiring individuals (from politicians and entrepreneurs to athletes and actors) and connecting them to various communities. To put it mildly, he knows a thing or two about commanding an audience and owning the stage.

Get connected “Usually, the gap is not connecting emotionally. Storytelling is how you have impact; it’s very similar to advertising. How can you move the needle on the way people think, feel, and act differently after you speak to them?”

A recipe for success “A talk should always have some combination of entertainment, inspiration, and education. That’s where we start, and then it’s about crafting the talk and picking the stories that will be the most relevant and resonate with the audience at the end. You need to have nuggets that are interesting – something your audience is going to go home and have to repeat to their son, daughter, wife, husband, and friend.”

Collect yourself “In the moments before hitting the stage, remind yourself of the goal of your talk – why are you going up there? Then take a couple deep breaths, and right before you walk on, get in the headspace of the emotion you want to convey. Calmness is the best default but for others, they may want to show energy and thus, an exciting thought can set their head right. [Ultimately], I like to remind people that it’s important to know you won’t ruin anyone’s day with your talk. You have the opportunity to elevate their day, to inspire, excite, and educate people. So just go, be you, and ​everyone will win.”

“I get [speakers] to write a goal for their talk. What do you want to change about how the audience will think and act? What do you want them do differently afterwards? I [also] get them to think about what the audience’s goal is. What does the audience actually want to get out of this? List your stories, experiences, research, and data [that you plan] to share, and then cross reference it with who you’re speaking to. That quickly becomes the filter for which stories you should share.”

Practice makes perfect “Start practicing early, to refine and make your speech better. I really do encourage people to record it and listen to themselves – it’s one of the hardest and worst things for anyone to have to endure.

It really does teach you how to do it better very quickly. The other thing is to present to others, and be open to their feedback.”

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PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDREWWILLIAMSON

Find a starting point

SUTTON & BAY STREET BULL

How to Build a Profitable Real Estate Portfolio Get the lay of the land from the real estate experts at Sutton WRITTEN BY HENRY BALABAN

Navigating the real estate landscape can be a confusing and frustrating experience. Whether you’re making your first foray into the market or in the process of building your portfolio, keep these essential principles in mind in order to come out on top.

01 Think long term (even if you end up acting short term) It’s important to understand that about 10 percent of any appreciation will be eaten up by soft costs, which range from Toronto and Ontario Land Transfer Taxes to real estate commission and capital gains tax. In order to make your investment worthwhile, you’ll need to hold onto the property for several years. Hopefully within those years, a property will generate a positive cash flow, which can afford you the opportunity to expand your portfolio and buy other investments.

02 Get into the market early While interest rates are low, use it to your advantage as an opportunity to build equity faster. In the case of Toronto’s real estate landscape, you can try entering other markets within 100 kilometers of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) if downtown prices aren’t feasible. In these places, you can still get good investment properties from $300,000. The faster you pay off or reduce the mortgage, the sooner you’ll be able to borrow against the income property and increase your net worth.

03 Think future appreciation potential and cash flow Look for locations with an upside, as the cash flow is what will help carry the property until you are ready to cash out or expand your portfolio. As such, choose locations near universities, large hospitals, transportation routes, or large employment hubs. These locations are usually easier to rent out and retain value over time. Also, try to think outside the box and look for different types of properties. Student rentals in university towns, or small commercial plazas with good tenants in smaller markets, are just a couple of ways to diversify your real estate portfolio.

04 Use real estate for tax planning If you’re in a high tax bracket, in some cases, losses from a rental property may be used to offset other taxable income. You can depreciate your rental property while your income is high (thus reducing your taxes) and recapture the depreciated value when selling the asset, hopefully at a time when your income is lower and at a depreciated dollar. When your property appreciates and starts returning a positive cash flow, you can re-mortgage and use the money to buy other investments, thus increasing the size of your portfolio.

05 Buy worry-free properties Unless you have experience in construction, and have a lot of free time at your disposal, buy properties that require less repair and maintenance – condos may be your best bet. In most cases, condo corporations look after the exterior, heating, and common areas. This makes ownership a lot less complicated.

The Nose of Armani WRITTEN BY CHRISTINA GONZALES

Twenty years ago, Giorgio Armani envisioned a fragrance that embodied the indescribable sensory freshness of an island called Pantelleria in Italy, located just southwest of Sicily. The man for the job was perfumer Alberto Morilla, who encapsulated that mineral freshness and gave it a distinct masculine power. The result was the iconic Acqua Di Gio, released in 1996.

Now, the brand has reunited with Morilla once again to create Acqua Di Gio Profumo Special Blend, an homage to the original Acqua Di Gio, with a warmer side. Its olfactory signature? Patchouli. Here, the ‘nose’ behind the best-selling fragrance talks about how he created the new iteration and how one should wear it every day.

GIORGIO ARMANI FRAGRANCES & BEAUTY & BAY STREET BULL

Describe the process of making Acqua Di Gio Profumo Special Blend

I always focus on a base, which will be the signature of the fragrance. If there are too many ingredients you can easily lose your core idea. I chose patchouli because of its complexity, which brings contrast and depth to a fragrance. The overall process was then to create a fragrance that remained faithful to the Acqua Di Gio original. Its breathtaking sea scent is now enhanced with patchouli and other new ingredients.

How do the unique combination of ingredients work together to create the final scent? Why did you choose these specific ingredients?

The new Acqua di Gio Profumo Special Blend is more textured, unveiling a spiciness mixed with salty minerality. The top notes of bergamot combined with elemi and pink pepper create a surprising, spicy freshness.

A wave of Cascalone®, a fantastic aquatic molecule, ensures Acqua Di Gio Profumo Special Blend retains an essence of the sea. The heart of the fragrance is rich with fir balsam and patchouli, which gives the fragrance sensuality. It was really important for me use ethically sourced patchouli: we chose a unique origin of patchouli, selected and harvested in Guatemala.

How has technology and innovation impacted your work?

Today, perfumery would not exist without innovation. I like to combine the ingredients in nature together with olfactive molecules that are isolated and synthesized. While natural ingredients bring a distinct signature, synthetic ones bring greater possibilities.

Where do you think fragrance fits in the life of a modern man and woman today?

The power of fragrance is very underestimated.

A fragrance is a mirror of your personality – it’s a part of you, and a concentrate of emotions. You have to feel good in the fragrance when you wear it.

What is the proper way of wearing a fragrance? How do you like to wear yours?

I mainly apply perfume on my neck. I would also advise spritzing perfume on clothes and on key points like the hair, the chest, and wrists. Spritz the bottle like a cloud around you, or apply directly to your skin.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GIORGIO ARMANI FRAGRANCES & BEAUTY

HOW IT’S MADE

STARTUP SPOTLIGHT

Handled Dressing for success just became a lot easier WRITTEN BY ROSS DIAS PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANICK LAURENT

For 20 years, Shira Yoskovitch led the charge as a senior executive in retail, distribution and supply chain management. Life as a busy career woman and caretaker often left her strapped for time, inevitably forcing her to leave certain responsibilities on the backburner. For Yoskovitch (and so many other professionals), efficiency is key to success, which often means building a wardrobe of key sartorial essentials that can be incorporated into a streamlined dressing routine. The problem is, what if you don’t know what those essentials are, or don’t have time to seek them out?

Fast forward to today and Yoskovitch is aiming to solve that problem.

Enter: Handled Concierge Services, a full-service app that eliminates the one-size-fits-all model by matching users to “Handlers” for a customized experience. Services range from personal shopping and wardrobe editing to image consultations and alterations. Time is both money and a luxury, which their team recognizes by allowing clients to focus their efforts on productivity or personal time rather than combing the city for new clothes.

“Handled’s platform allows the already busy person to easily outsource their shopping to style and gifting experts in a low-risk, budget friendly, and transparent way,” Yoskovitch says. “We handle everything from sourcing to delivery, and then manage any alterations or returns if needed so that clients can spend more time living their lives.”

Like personal assistants, Handlers take their cues from a list of wants uploaded by clients to the app and remain in constant communication to manage budgets, deliveries, and returns. “Handlers have inside knowledge of sources and selections that go beyond one store, one mall, or one website.

They extensively research across both online and brick-and-mortar stores to find the perfect items, including bespoke and budget-friendly options,” says Yoskovitch. More than that though, they assist in wardrobe editing by reducing clutter down to key essentials that both flatter and fit an individual’s lifestyle.

There is something about the transformative power that clothes can have on your confidence. Everyone knows the feeling: that new suit that fits like a glove, the dress that showcases all your best features. Imagine if every piece you owned could evoke that same emotion – how would that carry over to the rest of your life? The beauty of Yoskovitch’s approach lies in the eye of the Handler, whose expertise in the area guides smart choices that will work across occasions and environments, and have you looking your best without wasting any time.

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Handled CEO Shira Yoskovitch

RADO.COM

RADO TRUE PHOSPHO LIMITED EDITION HIGH-TECH CERAMIC. LUXURY AND COMFORT.

TIME IS THE ESSENCE WE ARE MADE OF

TECH

My Banker,

The Robot 24 BAYSTBULL.COM WINTER 2017

Artificial intelligence is quickly changing the way we manage our money.

Should financial institutions be worried?

ILLUSTRATION BY SALI TABACCHI

WRITTEN BY JEFF HINDLE

When analysts for finn.ai, a Vancouver fintech firm, scrutinized the call centre operations of a Canadian bank recently, they stumbled across a few key insights: one, that each call costs the lender about eight dollars, and two, that the bulk of that expense goes towards answering about 50 queries that come up over and over.

Jake Tyler, finn.ai’s CEO and co-founder, put those details together with another one: that as many as 50 percent of customers, especially millennials, prefer to interact with large service organizations using an online chat or messenger service rather than calling a customer care centre.

Armed with knowledge, the 14-person firm has created a suite of artificial intelligence (AI) tools that can perform tasks such as fielding customer queries in a chat interface on a mobile banking app or analyzing a customer’s banking activity.

This personalized banking assistant, Tyler says, may suggest that a client schedule their bill payments, move funds into a RSP, and recommend other behavioural changes to improve cash flow. “The objective is that we’re learning about you.”

Finn.ai isn’t alone in seizing on the potential for AI in the fintech space. Indeed, in the past year or two, a broad range of fintech firms, as well as more traditional financial institutions, have moved quickly to incorporate smart computing into both their service offerings and their back-end transaction processing systems as a way to tap markets that traditional banks and insurers have overlooked. Millions of venture capital is flowing into AI-based fintech start-ups, among them Borrowell, which raised $12 million this summer to develop “smart borrowing” offerings.

According to recent Accenture surveys of banking and insurance executives, more than three in four predict that AI is poised to revolutionize their sectors. “It’s going to be everywhere in the next five to ten years,” says David Gens, president and CEO of Merchant Advance Capital, a seven-year-old firm that uses advanced statistical analysis to provide credit and transaction services for SMEs. AI and “machine learning” is the label for a branch of computing that involves highly sophisticated algorithms that are programmed to look for patterns in huge sets of data and make robust predictions based on historical patterns. The newest AI algorithms are capable of ‘learning’ and adapting their pattern recognition capabilities as they work through more and more data.

In the financial world, the emerging applications are highly diverse and cover verticals like investment advice, credit and insurance risk assessment, small business accounting, micro-finance in emerging economies, cyber-security, and even compliance and oversight. (A UK regulator announced this summer it would begin developing AI algorithms that could read compliance disclosure documents as a means of reducing regulatory costs.)

The most discussed development, certainly, has been the investment industry’s move to create “robo-advisors” – AI-driven investment services that deliver automated asset allocation using algorithms that combine information such as a client’s savings goals, analyst recommendations, and historical performance data on stocks and funds.

While the robo-advisors that originated in the US were actual robots (in that they made trades in a client’s portfolio without human intervention), Canadian regulators

The most discussed development has been the investment industry’s move to create “robo-advisors”

@BAYSTBULL 25

TECH

“For banks, this is an opportunity to move up the value chain.”

26 BAYSTBULL.COM WINTER 2017

have required investment dealers to ensure there are always qualified portfolio managers to oversee the process and are available to their clients.

On the banking and lending side, fintech firms have developed AI tools that work with larger branches of data sources to perform credit risk assessments, including, in some cases, analyses to show that some potential customers with no credit rating aren’t nearly as risky as previously assumed.

Insurance companies, in turn, have invested in AI systems programmed to look for details in new claims that match patterns found in previous fraud cases. Meanwhile, Cybersecurity firms with AI capabilities, such as the UK’s Darkface, are attracting millions of dollars in venture capital as they develop algorithms that can sift through huge amounts of internet traffic to detect viruses.

Emerging AI-driven consumer banking applications, however, are the ones that seem to hold the greatest potential for disruption.

Philip Barrar, founder and CEO of Mylo Financial Technologies, a two-year-old Montreal startup, says his firm’s AI algorithms continually evaluate a client’s transaction data and automatically generate recommendations that will force lenders and banks to sit up and take notice – for example, suggesting other card companies with fees that are more suited to a client’s buying and payment habits. “These recommendations are AI driven,” says Barrar, whose firm provides a platform with access to other financial services firms in exchange for origination fees.

Yet Tyler also argues that lenders and banks can deploy these technologies to reduce their overheads, increase efficiency, and build more “sticky” relationships with customers who benefit from highly personalized recommendations. “For banks, this is an opportunity to move up the value chain.” He states that if AI algorithms provide consumers with information about services, savings opportunities or investment advice geared to their own needs, loyalty will increase.

Gens and Barrar both point out that these technologies open up entirely new ways of delivering financial products.

Mylo’s fractional investing system, for example, can be configured to automatically round up a consumer’s debits or credit card payments to the nearest dollar, with those extra bits of change deposited into an RSP. With an active account, those amounts can add up to $1,000 a year.

Gens says his firm traces its roots to an innovative approach to small business lending based on a loans repaid with a fraction of debit and credit card charges. Two years ago, the company began applying advanced statistical analysis to its customer data as a means of pricing credit risk more accurately. Such moves have allowed Merchant Advance Capital to grow into the broader B2B space.

Tyler says players of all scales in the financial services world have no choice but to dive into AI-driven applications. The reason?

He points to the emergence of universally accessible AI-driven technologies like Google Assistant, which offers a highly personalized and mobile-friendly evolution of search. “We’ll be talking to the internet,” he notes. “It’s important for banks to adapt.”

BOMBAY SAPPHIRE & BAY STREET BULL

The Art of Slowing Down TAKING THINGS DOWN A NOTCH WITH BOMBAY SAPPHIRE

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BOMBAY SAPPHIRE

WRITTEN BY CHRISTINA GONZALES

Star of Bombay is a slowly distilled gin – a premium expression of Bombay Sapphire. Made with 12 different botanicals, including dried bergamot, orange peel, and ambrette seed, the resulting gin is silky and complex with notes of citrus, nutmeg and pine. This winter, Star of Bombay has partnered with slow-cooking master, New York’s Chef Michael Kaplan of Two Forks, to slow things down and veer away from the hectic lifestyles of the busy professional. Here, Chef Kaplan and Bombay Sapphire North American brand ambassador Gary Hayward share why the world needs more slow cooking.

WE NEED TO SLOW DOWN

TIME LEADS TO QUALITY

LOW HEAT DEVELOPS FLAVOUR

We live in a fast-paced society, and a meal can be delivered to your doorstep with one click of a finger.

There aren’t many opportunities to enjoy a quality cocktail or a special meal at home.

“It’s so important to stop and slow down with loved ones,” says Kaplan.

“The perfect way to do this is with a slow-cooked meal. It takes some prep work, but it doesn’t require you to slave over the stove all day.

Once a recipe is in the oven, you can walk away and enjoy your time with friends and family over a pre-dinner cocktail.”

“The process used in Star of Bombay is called ‘slow distillation,’” says brand ambassador Gary Hayward.

“Bombay was the first gin house to use vapour infusion, a process that steams botanicals, rather than boiling them. That vapour delicately extracts the oils of the botanicals into the spirit. [For Star of Bombay], the vapour infusion process is slowed down by half, resulting in a smooth, bright, and intensely flavoured gin.”

There are parallels between a slow-distilled gin and a slow-cooked meal, Kaplan explains. “A slow process always leads to complexities in taste and texture, and Star of Bombay’s vapour-infusion process shows a commitment to quality – our interests are perfectly aligned,” he says.

Slow cooking is a great technique to develop flavour because the low temperatures and longer cooking times allow flavours to develop without relying on harsh, carcinogenic open flames, deep frying, or other cooking methods that take away from the natural flavour of a dish, Kaplan says.

Many of the most famous aperitif cocktails are actually gin cocktails, as gin is like the chameleon of all the spirits. “Simplicity is the key to an aperitif,” Hayward says. “You don’t want to confuse the palate or overwhelm your taste buds prior to dinner. Star of Bombay gin on the rocks would make an excellent aperitif.”

WHISKY

Glenfiddich’s rewriting the rulebook, and introducing the world to single malt whiskies that no one’s ever seen before. After some 130 years in the Scotch business, here’s the story behind the brand’s ground-breaking Experimental Series.

WRITTEN BY CHRISTINA GONZALES

Brian Kinsman has been Glenfiddich’s malt master since 2009. For anyone who understands a malt master’s role, it’s solitary work, requiring a profound amount of patience and passion for the craft.

After all, making a superb single malt is no easy feat.

At the Glenfiddich distillery in Dufftown, Scotland, Kinsman is always tinkering. Over the years, the brand has come up with all sorts of experiments.

(You may be familiar with the award-winning, 15-Year-Old Glenfiddich Solera, finished in solera vats, created by Glenfiddich’s fifth Malt Master David Stewart.) While some of the experiments make it to market, there are a plethora of others that don’t – and that’s just the nature of the whiskymaking business.

But what if a distillery could take their experiments and showcase them to the world?

Enter Glenfiddich’s Experimental Series.

“We’ve got a very simple test for an experiment: are you able to stand up in front of a room full of whisky enthusiasts and connoisseurs, and talk about [it],” Kinsman explains. “It doesn’t mean we want all the whisky connoisseurs in the world

to love every product. Clearly, [certain whiskies] are suited to different palates. But from a pure, whisky-aging discipline, we want to hit that mark, and we want to stay true to the brand.”

In 2016, Glenfiddich released IPA Experiment, the first expression of the Experimental Series.

Kinsman collaborated with local craft brewer Seb Jones of Speyside Craft Brewery, and together they created a special IPA craft beer (a beer intended to sit inside whisky casks). Later, the casks would be emptied of the beer, and used to finish Glenfiddich whisky. The result? A single malt imbued with zesty citrus notes and tangy hops from the IPA. Earlier this year, Kinsman embarked on another, more unpredictable experiment: He invited 20 of Glenfiddich’s worldwide ambassadors and whisky experts to the distillery, and gave them the task of choosing one malt each, from thousands of stacked casts in the warehouse. The final 20 malts, matured in everything from port pipes to virgin bourbon barrels, were combined. The final whisky maintains that same warm and fruity character

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GLENFIDDICH

DISRUPTION

GLENFIDDICH & BAY STREET BULL

of a Glenfiddich, but its multiple personalities are revealed through notes of cinnamon spice, almonds, and licorice. The expression was dubbed Project XX (project 20).

The latest expression is closer to home.

Winter Storm is a limited-edition whisky, finished in French oak icewine casks from Peller Estates Winery in Niagara, Ontario.

Kinsman first heard about icewine from Glenfiddich’s Canadian brand ambassador Beth Havers: “She talked about it, she preached about it, she sent me bottles of it,” he explains.

In the middle of a stormy Canadian January, he finally took a trip out to Peller to learn about the process of making icewine, from start to finish.

He discovered that rare malts (aged 21 years) finished well in icewine casks, revealing a surprising and delicious whisky, rich with flavours of Turkish delight, tropical fruit, and fresh lychee.

For Kinsman, the best bit about all this experimentation is that he gets to collaborate with others who excel at their craft. “It’s massively rewarding,” he says.

As for the future of the Experimental Series, there’s certainly no end date. How the expressions and releases will evolve is still a mystery. “The Experimental Series has become vehicle for the things we do naturally anyway,” Kinsman says.

“Because there are so many great experiments, some of the really nice ones get left behind if we can’t scale up. We have to figure out how we’re going to let people hear about them, taste them, and be part of it.”

Picture this: one enters the Glenfiddich distillery in Dufftown, and gets to sample a multitude of small-batch whiskies that no one’s ever tried before.

That’s the essence of disruption – it’s rooted in experimentation, innovation, and discovery.

SPORTS

30 BAYSTBULL.COM WINTER 2017

FROM OUR LIVING ROOMS TO A POTENTIAL OLYMPIC GAMES DEBUT, ESPORTS IS CHANGING SOCIETY’S DEFINTION OF THE “ATHLETE” WRITTEN BY CHRISTOPHER METLER

They’ve journeyed from the bedrooms of teenagers to packing stadiums worldwide. Evolved from addictive video games played competitively for spectators into a potential medal event at the 2024 Olympics.

Transformed couch-bound contenders and made them top-earning, professional participants.

Maybe most significantly, they’ve translated a booming tech phenomenon into big Wall Street business. It begs the question: how in the heck did eSports progress into a bonafide industry gamechanger?

—

“When I look at eSports, I see a lot of similarities to traditional sports. A big part of the appeal for both is its competitive nature,” remarks Ruwan Silva.

Silva is one of the co-founders of StockJocks – considered the world’s first live fantasy sports app – which fulfills its promise to change how you watch sports by giving fans total control and freedom over their fantasy team.

The platform is just one of many like-minded operations building an eSports trade around a truly immersive environment, for one, and a feeling of playing alongside the action, as opposed to simply watching. Silva deems these interactive pillars central to the recent prosperity of eSports.

Truth be told, sports fans no longer want to be relegated to the sidelines.

At least that’s how the Ontario eSports League’s Director of Corporate Sponsorship (OeSL), Chris Waugh, sees it. The OeSL provides a stage for gamers to participate in eSports events across the province, and Waugh himself is responsible for developing strategic relationships with non-endemic brand partners.

“Seeing the very best play the games we love, and witnessing competition at the highest level, are things that we gravitate to,” he observes.

ILLUSTRATION BY SALI TABACCHI

—

Despite their recent exposure, eSports haven’t come without their share of intense discourse and disagreement. Specifically, over whether or not eSports is shifting the definition of what an “athlete” is.

Martin Reader, a former Olympian who competed at the 2012 London games in volleyball, approaches the conversation with an open mind, although he’s admittedly chosen to take a more hardline stance on it.

“I think the virtues of an athlete always have, and always will, live in the combination of body and mind. Both are essential components to being competitive in the context of expressing human movement in a real arena,” says Reader.

In other words, a diplomatic Reader bluntly disagrees that competing virtually through an avatar can be at all compared to using one’s own trained body.

“I acknowledge electronic gaming requires a high level of skill and problem-solving proficiency, however, just because it is called ‘eSports’ [that] doesn’t mean those who play them are athletes.”

While Reader can appreciate the temptation and pressure on certain organizations to adapt to the evolving landscape of digital competition, he’s just as firm that something like eSports should never be placed in the same arena as Olympic sports – as has been put on the table, with Paris open to adding eSports to the 2024 Games, and the Olympic committee even laying out expectations for their inclusion.

To be clear, Reader isn’t out to diminish the credibility of eSports. Rather, he gives full credit to those who dedicate their time and effort to be a champion in them. He also understands the IOC must demonstrate flexibility in order to attract new generations of participants and viewers, as well as ensure the Olympics remain relatable and relevant.

Instead, he glimpses a unique opportunity for eSports to have their own arena, and their own Olympic-esque movement.

“One that has relatable values, specialized anti-doping practices, and disciplines reflective of the games on the market. To be a world class eGamer is one thing, but I can’t imagine any Olympian or aspiring Olympian would agree to having eSport gamers competing while sitting in a chair for an Olympic medal.”

—

On the flip side, Gamma Labs CEO, Clifford Morgan, reckons the definition of an athlete can absolutely be reinterpreted due to eSports. Having himself notched a few big eSports firsts as of late – his line of G FUEL beverages being made the official energy drink of Turner and talent WME/IMG’s ELEAGUE – Morgan’s opinion is certainly a qualified one.

What Morgan thinks is happening now is that since people playing competitive electronic games typically start very young, they’ve begun to attain some of the success that’s associated with other top athletes. And with that has come higher pay, a different standard of lifestyle, and a more serious training regimen.

“The stereotype of thinking that these kids are just eating fast food and sitting on their couches, that’s over.”

Morgan calls them kids, but is quick to point out that, at every professional echelon, we’re really talking about an identical demographic. “18 to 25 is probably the sweet spot for competitive gamers,” and Morgan says that’s no different in the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, and UFC. He insists the dedication of being a top competitor in eSports is indistinguishable from the dedication of anyone in those leagues.

“And as the technology continues to evolve with the sports and the games, I think they will become one and the same. In another ten years, you won’t be able to argue between whether a traditional athlete from a stick-and-ball type sport is in as good a physical condition or better as someone who plays eSports.”

—

Whatever side of the debate you might be on, the impact of eSports has been tangible. In 2016, Goldman Sachs valuated eSports at $500 million US. By 2020, its audience @BAYSTBULL 31

SPORTS

is expected to reach a whopping 589 million and bring in $1.48 billion in revenue, according to market research firm, Newzoo.

Waugh stresses that a key feature to the fortune of eSports is the fact they aren’t hindered by the territorial nature of normal sports teams.

“Fans can come from anywhere in the world. And although we are starting to see certain teams focus on trying to build up regional identities, the most bankable ones aren’t restrained by dividing lines – they are totally international. The eSports community was born online, and this borderless community is a clear derivation of that.”

Inevitably, major professional sports leagues in North America have begun to take notice of eSports’ popularity – its profitability, too – and are eagerly throwing their hats into the mix.

“THE STEREOTYPE OF THINKING THAT THESE KIDS ARE JUST EATING FAST FOOD AND SITTING ON THEIR COUCHES, THAT’S OVER.” Earlier this year, the NBA announced plans for its own professional eSports association, featuring the best 2K players on the planet. Set to debut in 2018, 17 NBA teams will participate in the inaugural season, with each featuring five contestants who will play the game using newly created avatars, – not existing NBA players. No artificial intelligence will be used.

Playing ability is strictly determined by skill.

As far as Brendan Donohue, Managing Director of the 2K League, is concerned, the NBA’s decision-making process in launching their own groundbreaking eSports championship was really a combination of two things.

For starters, Donohue can’t help but acknowledge the explosive amplification of eSports, in general.

“Look at the success and audience size of eSports, more broadly, that’s gone on. It continues to grow. When experts survey the industry, they expect it to double again in size over the next three years. I mean, it’s becoming an incredibly big business, which is encouraging.”

And secondarily, Donohue points to the triumph – as well as the increasing achievements – of the NBA’s 2K game itself, where the eSports league originated.

“We’re by no means starting from ground zero here. The 2017 version sold over nine million copies. The ‘’18 game is doing great as well. I guess it just speaks to people [who love] to watch elite competition. It’s a completely immersive experience.”

—

Indeed, the world of eSports is emerging and cutting edge. As a result, specific roles are evolving while the industry expands. Not just where it pertains to the obvious (such as players banking millions of dollars in prize money) but behind the scenes.

Going forward, it’s anticipated that most jobs in eSports will be new ones created by entrepreneurs, or existing positions that evolve and grow in demand as this marketplace becomes more mainstream.

“That’s why we are seeing analytics companies popping up, betting and gambling consortiums, even eSports nutritionists,” says Waugh. “People are eager to try businesses that have worked in the traditional sporting realm, and apply those principles to eSports. That’s not to say they are all going to work, but they damn sure are going to try.”

32 BAYSTBULL.COM WINTER 2017

It should come as little surprise, then, that eSports are now being built into the curriculum at a handful of post-secondary institutions. Take Lambton College in Southwestern Ontario, whose eSports diploma idea came about after speaking with key employers that support this new sphere.

“It was noted that companies have been stealing talent from each other in order to grow,” explains Donna Church, Lambton College’s Vice President of Academics. “Using many external ad hoc representatives, there were key themes that emerged as to the skills needed to work in a variety of areas within this industry.”

Lambton’s program of study – spanning everything from sports marketing, communications, finance, and business development to ethical leadership and health promotion – is designed to make a well-rounded business student who will be well-versed in various aspects of sports management and entrepreneurial training, all set around a base of eSports as the major area of focus. Graduates will be prepared to pursue a variety of career opportunities, while others may also pursue an entrepreneurial calling in eSports as a pro-player, coach, or streamer.

—

Who knows, some may one day find themselves working, shoulder to shoulder, with Donohue in further shaping the NBA’s 2K League. or in guiding other major league sports bound to jump into the fray next. The Olympic Games, even.

It all goes to suggest, and perhaps fortify, the notion that the eSports revolution has arrived. And unlike other electronic sporting fads which died off in a hurry, it’s here to stay.

“This is a long-term play,” Donohue concludes on behalf of the NBA, though he may as well be speaking to eSports in their entirety. “This is an absolute. We know the global reach of this is real.”

Game on.

It doesn’t get more Instagrammable than this. #drakeweddings thedrake.ca/weddings

Photo: Kayla Rocca Photography

Danielle + Curtis on the shores of Lake Ontario, in front of the Drake Devonshire, Prince Edward County.

HOW TWO MOTHERS – ONE ISRAELI, ONE PALESTINIAN – FOUND PEACE AFTER FINDING FORGIVENESS WRITTEN BY NICHOLAS MIZERA

Mothers Robi Damelin and Bushra Awad once found themselves on opposing sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It took shared tragedy to bring the two unlikely individuals together, but today they work side by side, united as friends, to spread a message of peace.

Damelin, an Israeli, remembers that her son, David, initially resisted joining the military when he was called to serve. He was raised in a home with liberal values, a philosophy teacher, and activist leader at Tel Aviv University.

“He learned a lot of my rebellious character, I suppose,” says Damelin. Eventually David decided to accept the posting, telling his mother that as an officer in the reserves, he would lead his soldiers to respect the people of the Occupied Territories.

Writing through an interpreter, Awad, a Palestinian, recalls that her son Mahmoud was kind, funny, and excelled

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF RELI AVRAHAMI

CROSSING

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I WANTED TO SEE THE ONE WHO KILLED MY SON AND ASK HIM, ‘WHY DID YOU BURN MY HEART, AND [TAKE] AWAY MY HAPPINESS AND MY LIFE?

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at school and chess. He protected and supported his mother, and especially his younger siblings. “He used to treat them as [if] he was their parent,” she writes. He was so handsome that the girls of their village fought over him, adds Awad, with what is certainly no small amount of motherly pride.

In March 2002, David was felled by a Palestinian sniper’s bullet while guarding a military checkpoint. Mahmoud was killed by an Israeli sniper six years later.

Both mothers, crushed by their respective heartbreaks, took divergent paths to healing as a way to reconcile an unspeakable tragedy that shook them to their core. From the start, Damelin was determined not to allow her son’s death to lead to further bloodshed in his name. She travelled to other countries and sought out priests, rabbis, and imams. She spoke to survivors of similar tragedies, including an Afrikaans mother who found the grace to forgive those who had ordered her daughter’s killing. “Forgiving is giving up your just right to revenge,” Damelin recalls the bereaved mother telling her. “That was very meaningful for me, because it was also to understand why the person did it.”

Damelin’s quest to find meaning behind David’s death – to find peace and the strength to forgive – led her to write to David’s killer in prison. Damelin received a reply to her letter two years later. It wasn’t kind, but it offered her closure.

Faced with the news of her own son’s death, Awad first felt the desire for revenge. And she, too, wanted answers. “I wanted to see the one who killed my son and ask him, ‘Why did you burn my heart, and [take] away my happiness and my life?’” she remembers. Awad would find some semblance of solace when she joined the Parents Circle Families Forum, an initiative that brings together more than 600 families on either side of the conflict in an effort to promote reconciliation as an alternative to revenge.

Damelin insists that conflicts like the one between Israel and Palestine, or the Apartheid she witnessed growing up in South Africa, all share one thing in common. “Fear creates hatred and violence,” she says. In her experience, this fear is borne of the systematic dehumanization of the supposed enemy, creating a rift between two sides paralyzed by fear of the other. That fear, however, often melts away the instant they meet their supposed enemy face to face, hear their story and find something in common, just as she and Awad did when they met for the first time at Parents Circle.

Their first meeting, which was caught on video, shows the two seated face-to-face. Awad appears uncomfortable.

Then a flicker of connection – Damelin shows Awad a photo of her David. Awad’s expression softens. She engages. By the end, Awad is smiling along with Damelin. “Robi and I are mothers,” writes Awad of the conversation they had.

“This is what we share. We lost our sons - a great pain we both carry” Damelin recalls this moment as Awad’s “breakthrough” – the shared realization that they each carried the same pain. “The minute that became clear to [Awad], it became much easier for her,” recounts Damelin. “It didn’t mean she became Martin Luther King overnight and we’re all feeling love. But it [was] a beginning.”

“ ”

FORGIVING IS GIVING UP YOUR JUST RIGHT TO REVENGE

Since then, the two struck a deep and lasting friendship. They’ve visited each other’s homes and donated blood together, a deeply symbolic act as part of another initiative they started to unite Israelis and Palestinians.

They also learned much more about each other’s lives in these simple moments they shared. Damelin remembers bringing Awad to a beach – her first time to the sea. There, Damelin prompted her friend to exchange her heavy, black garb for a T-shirt. “She was jumping around in the sea like a little girl,” Damelin says of Awad. “And I realized how privileged my life had been, and what her life is like living in those conditions.”

Damelin understands the importance of acknowledging the living conditions of Palestinians like Awad where, “freedom of movement, a basic human rights do not exist”.

Like others in Parents Circle, through what Damelin has learned from her friend, and vice versa, they have established a strong and shared narrative with a number of commonalities that help them understand what the other has gone through.

Experiences and exchanges like these allow individuals to see each other’s history and experience life through another’s eyes, helping sow the seeds of empathy needed in order to heal and forgive what many cannot.

Awad and Damelin have simply discovered that it takes both sides to be willing to forgive in order to see the humanity in the other.

“It’s great to help each other [on] the path of healing,” writes Awad. “Forgive so you can live.”

TK

TK

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CULTURE

SOM EBO DY’ SW ATC HIN G FR O TH M G O EB IG OGL E BR O T SU R V HE R O E ILL A FT HE NCE T FU T U O CH RE I HA NA’S SA S WR LR OCI A I TT EA EN DY L CR BY E MI AR RO R IV DIT S SL YS ED AV TE T OM

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In the late 18th century, British philosopher Jeremy Bentham devised what might be considered the perfect prison system. What Bentham called the Panopticon was a circular structure in which the prison cells line the outer walls facing inward toward an opaque guard tower. The guard in the centre could see every cell from his perch, while the prisoners could never know whether they were being watched or not and, therefore, would always behave as if they were.

“He who is subjected to a field of visibility, and who knows it, assumes responsibility for the constraints of power,” said French philosopher Michel Foucault, who later described the concept in his book Discipline and Punish, “He makes them play spontaneously upon himself; he inscribes in himself the power relation in which he simultaneously plays both roles; he becomes the object of his own subjection.”

In essence, surveillance, whether real or not, is a powerful motivator. It’s a concept the Chinese government has decided to take to its most extreme end with the help of modern technology in its newly proposed Social Credit System.

The system is one in which the government will track the online activity of its citizens – their social media posts, their online shopping, and even the people they associate with, to determine the trustworthiness of its population.

“It will forge a public opinion environment,” a 2014 government document titled Planning Outline for the Construction of a Social Credit

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System states, “where keeping trust is glorious. It will strengthen sincerity in government affairs, commercial sincerity, social sincerity, and the construction of judicial credibility.”

Though the idea has been floating through the halls of power in Beijing for years, and a voluntary system already exists, this comprehensive system will be mandatory for all Chinese citizens by 2020. The program is ideologically inspired by the lofty and unifying goals of President Xi Jinping. It’s another Great Leap Forward that’s meant to modernize a society in which contracts are routinely violated and counterfeit products are mass produced. Yet its dangerously totalitarian nature is best described by a September 25 document titled, “Warning and Punishment Mechanisms for Persons Subject to Enforcement for Trust-Breaking.”

Outlining a series of punishments for those with a low social credit score, the document begins with the broad statement that, “if trust is broken in one place, restrictions are imposed everywhere.”

What are those restrictions? They can range from restricted travel to hurting an individual’s job prospects and their ability to receive a loan.

Beyond the professional repercussions, a citizen’s score will also be affected by that of their family, friends, and acquaintances, essentially threatening to ostracize anyone who doesn’t lead a government-approved life.

As for those with higher social credit scores, the system rewards these citizens with fast track visas to Europe, government granted loans, and the @BAYSTBULL 39

CULTURE YE T I N CH IN A , WID E T HE LY- M D IFF O GOV EREN E R NM NITOR E D CE B SYST E NT ET W WILL KEP T EM I NOW S A M E E N T HE A POLI CLOS CUR AT TE CE T E EY R E NT R OF HE M E ON HIGH V SELV ISIBI IT S C LY- C E S IN LIT Y. IT I Z E E NSO WHE A NA N S RED F RO M T ION RE O A ND NCE WID E BE HI T HE SOC N D T HE IAL P CUR A NO TAIN P T IC , IT S ON. CIT

higher end of everything to which their less trustworthy neighbors have limited access.

The exact point system has yet to be devised, but a number of pilot systems currently exist that offer incentives for better scores, but do not yet require punishments on the lower end. It’s currently a voluntary system that is reminiscent of Amazon Prime discounts and Facebook likes.

The People’s Banks of China initially planned to license eight private companies to compete for a pilot program that will be taken over by the government in 2020. That licensing plan has since been delayed, but it’s interesting to note the kind of companies the government has chosen to design its new system.

Among the two most capable candidates are China Rapid Finance (the owners of the social media platform Tencent and developer of the massive messaging app, WeChat), and Ant Financial Services Group, which has access to resources of online retail giant Alibaba (the current program even offers credit for Alibaba’s website as a reward).

There is one thing these companies have in common which makes them ideal candidates to develop a social credit system. They both have access to a massive trove of personal information, from shopping habits to one-on-one interactions, known as Big Data.

To Western observers, a social credit system is understandably an alarming leap toward dystopia. Yet in China, the difference between the current highly-censored and widely-monitored system is a matter of visibility. Where once the government kept a close eye on its citizens from behind the curtain, its citizens will now police themselves in a nationwide social panopticon.

What ought to concern those on the outside looking in, is how closely the structure of this Social Credit System resembles our own online community.

If the private companies primed to create a dystopian surveillance system in China are that country’s equivalent of Facebook and Amazon, it’s worth considering if Big Brother is a little closer to home than we think.

Would companies that rely so heavily on voluntary consumers be able to get away with participation in wide-scale government surveillance? After all, while Edward Snowden showed us that tech giants like Google routinely engage in government contracts, they are also built on altruistic slogans like, “Don’t Be Evil.”

It’s likely that the political culture of the West and public image-based marketplace limits the most visible tech companies from descending into an Orwellian nightmare. In Western democracies, the more likely candidates, as Amnesty International suggested in early 2017, “are companies you probably haven’t heard of – although it’s their business to know you.”

These companies fall through legal loopholes, which allow them to sell private information to anyone who can afford it. “It’s a little bit of the Wild West over here,” an employee who wanted to remain anonymous told Amnesty International during an investigation.

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This includes companies like Cambridge Analytica, a data mining and analysis firm employed by the Brexit and Donald Trump campaigns.

“We have somewhere close to four or five thousand data points on every adult in the United States,” CEO, Alexander Nix, boasted at the 2016 Concordia Summit.

Palantir Technologies, which keeps the names of its customers confidential and has received over a billion in federal contracts since 2009, would also fall under the same umbrella. As The Intercept reported in early 2017, those investments have given Palantir a key role in providing data to an alliance of intelligence agencies – from the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand – known as Five Eyes.

In standard techie fashion, Palantir derives its name from an all-seeing stone in J.R.R. Tolkein’s The Lord of the Rings. In fiction, it’s used by an evil sorcerer to spy on and manipulate people from afar, but the company’s website says that its focus is, “protecting our fundamental rights to privacy and civil liberties.”

It’s founder, Peter Thiel, has said otherwise, “I no longer believe that freedom and democracy are compatible,” Thiel wrote in the journal Cato Unbound in 2009, explaining why he’s chosen to stay out of politics.

Still, Thiel spoke at last year’s Republican National Convention and is currently an advisor to President Trump.

At a time when the leader of the free world is openly discussing immigration bans and a “Muslim registry,” the ease of access governments and Big Data have to citizens’ most private information is worrying and go beyond shadowy companies like Palantir.

Little-known firms like ExactData.com are just a Google search away and offer information on nearly 2 million American Muslims, whose data could be purchased and registered without their knowledge.

Though companies like ExactData never sell the names of individuals, the data provided can be narrowed to a level of detail that would make identifying any individual as easy as a Facebook search. For a category they call “Unassimilated Hispanic Americans” they boast having over 600,000 email records, access to 1.7 million social media accounts and 3.5 million postal records.

Only a few versions of Bentham’s panopticon ever made it into the real world, and fewer still hold prisoners today, but the idea of a self-imposed prison has endured. With the comforts free market democracies have to offer, the dangers of dystopia can seem like they are a world away. But with an ever-connected online community and our personal lives etched daily in permanent ones and zeroes, Big Data has made for a small world.

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BUSINESS

Op-Ed: Canada is Ripe for Investment WRITTEN BY BRUCE CROXON

In 2013, John Eckert, Scott Pelton, and I founded Round13 Capital with the goal of helping high-growth, high-potential startups scale. Along with our fourth partner, Craig Strong, we have a combined 45-plus years of investing experience and 25-plus years of startup experience. We recently closed our first round of funding at $95 million and are excited to continue to grow our portfolio of strong Canadian investments. When we founded Round13, we made the commitment to invest exclusively in Canadian companies. One of our main goals is to help solidify the country’s reputation as a global technology leader, something that is only possible by supporting local entrepreneurs and technology talent.

The Canadian startup community is ripe with innovation and there are many worthy Canadian entrepreneurs to back. Incredibly, there is still a funding gap at the growth stage of development for these companies versus companies with proven products, existing customers serving big markets.

This is a gap that Round13 is keen to help fill.

There exists a myth that investing in Canada is difficult because there isn’t enough talent here at home. That simply isn’t true.

We have the best engineers in the world and the number of second and third time entrepreneurs is growing quickly.

Investing at home makes sense for a number of reasons. First and foremost, local investors get more bang for their buck.

The Canadian dollar hasn’t been on par with the American dollar in years which means that Canadian investors need to pour extra money into American companies for (potentially) less return. That’s a lot more risk for less reward. By keeping Canadian funds in Canada, not only does venture 42 BAYSTBULL.COM WINTER 2017

capitalist (VC) capital go further, investors can also build stronger relationships with the startups they support because of their close proximity. Putting money into homegrown talent is not only safer and easier, it’s more strategic.

On the other hand, as a founder with high hopes for your startup, American capital can be incredibly enticing.

Big-name funds with impressive portfolios can help your company grow to exit or IPO. But getting funds from US investors is no easy task; it requires relationship building, a great deal of travel, and a lot of time spent away from the business – something that founders of growth-stage companies simply cannot afford because it distracts from their core business. In addition, startups raising their first or second rounds of financing don’t necessarily need funds from big-name VCs quite yet. And when they do, local investors have global networks and can make those intros easily, saving founders time and money.

For Canada to solidify its place as a global technology and innovation leader, we need to be more committed to our growth internally. We also need to capitalize on the fact that as investors and as startup founders and staff, right now Canada is the place to be.

Last year, World Bank rated Canada the third easiest place in the world to start a business. Around the same time, a Statistics Canada study found that immigrants are more likely to start their own businesses than Canadianborn citizens. Combined, these findings confirm what we at Round13 have always known – that there is more than enough opportunity and talent to foster here at home. Since then, the United States elected a new president who does not take kindly to immigrants, and Canada implemented the startup visa program, making it easier for highly skilled immigrants to move here for work. Now the opportunities at home are even greater.

As investors, we have a responsibility to the Canadian economy and to our talent to continue providing support, be that in the form of funds, mentorship or guidance. We’ve seen the payoff of this at Round13. We’re not signing cheques and walking away from startups; we’re working closely with them day in and day out to ensure that they have the resources necessary to make the most of their business.

We built our team to include serial entrepreneurs who have a desire to be hands-on with their investments, who recognize that Canada is ripe with talented individuals looking for the funds and mentorship needed to take their business to the next level.

We feel strongly that the next decade will be an incredibly impactful one for Canadian technology companies and their backers.

Bruce Croxon is the Managing Partner at Round13 Capital.

He spent the first half of his career piloting Lavalife from infancy through to its sale in 2004 for $176 million. Following his three-season stint on CBC’s hit show Dragon’s Den, Bruce co-founded Round13 to help fund Canada’s most promising growth-stage digital companies. He also currently hosts a weekly show on BNN and CTV called The Disruptors.

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TRUE NORTH, STRONG & FRENZIED: THE YEAR IN CANADIAN REAL ESTATE WRITTEN BY KRISTIN REED AND CHRIS METLER

Throughout 2017, one conversation heavily debated at dinner tables, nation-wide, has been that of real estate.

For better or worse, Canadians continue to wrangle over whether or not the constant media coverage centred around this hot-button topic – heck, it gets borderline sensational – is painting an accurate landscape of the Canadian housing sector.

Before we accelerate into 2018, we thought it might be worth taking a look in the rearview mirror – and to recap a few of the most pivotal events that unfolded within the Canadian real estate market this year.

THE FAIREST HOUSING PLAN OF THEM ALL?

AN AFFORDABILITY ISSUE

INNOVATION BREEDS CREATION

Ah, Ontario’s Fair Housing Plan – a comprehensive package of sweeping measures introduced in April, intended to cool surging home prices, increase supply, put the brakes on accelerating rents and stabilize the real estate market throughout the province. Stricter rent control guidelines, standardized lease agreements, new vacancy taxes and a five percent Non-Resident Speculation Tax (following B.C.’s introduction of a foreign buyer tax) were all part of the ambitious initiative, which critics warned wouldn’t actually bring down costs.

Others worried it might dissuade builders from putting up contemporary rental housing. They weren’t necessarily wrong. Prior to the government legislation, 28,000 purpose-built rental units were in the pipeline. But since the policy landed, a thousand have been cancelled or converted to condominiums.

Although the long-term impact of this Fair Housing Plan remains to be seen, it’s obvious that Ontario must create more viable solutions to address crucial housing inventory in short supply.

This past July – for the first time in seven years – the Bank of Canada raised the interest rate, hiking it from 0.5 percent to 0.75 percent. Then, in September, they did it again! Yikes. It now stands at one percent. Couple this with recently tightened mortgage eligibility rules – in the form of a new minimum qualifying rate, or stress test, for uninsured mortgages – and it would certainly appear our country is not only motioning toward a higher rate environment, but a completely different lending one, too.

Consequently, Canadians should expect their cost of living to go along for the ride. Buckle up!

This year saw the arrival (or impending materialization, at least) of two cutting edge projects in Toronto, both of which are primed to forever change the landscape – and skyline – of the city. In October, Mizrahi Developments officially launched THE ONE Bloor West, Canada’s first billion-dollar superstructure. At 85 storeys, it will combine a 175-room hotel, 416 units of condo apartments (yes – a self-aware nod to the 6ix) climaxing in multilevel penthouses and, finally, seven levels of retail and restaurants. Oh, and just a day later, Google’s parent company, Alphabet, announced plans to construct Toronto’s neighbourhood of the future – a connected waterfront community called Quayside.

Conceived as a mixed-use district with a digital technology design, Quayside promises new public spaces, the inception of advanced infrastructure for Toronto’s booming tech industry, as well as residential and commercial buildings.

Taking into account all these circumstances – and more – the year in Canadian real estate ultimately reflected something of a mixed bag. While consumers may have forged through frenzied market conditions at the beginning of 2017, as its closing months creep up, they can collectively breathe a sigh of relief – thankfully, the market looks primed to settle in for a winter under much more stabilized conditions.

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Good Guys Gone Harvey Weinstein was a bad guy, but what about all the nice guys? A look into the psychology behind why likeable men continue to get away with sexual assault WRITTEN BY SABRINA MADDEAUX ILLUSTRATION BY JOHN HOLCROFT

Bad

Most people can agree that Harvey Weinstein is a bad guy. In recent months, allegations of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and bullying have piled so high it’s become hard to keep track. The allegations span decades and include a running list of Hollywood’s most recognizable names, like Rose McGowan, Ashley Judd, Angelina Jolie, and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Weinstein’s fall from grace has been relatively swift compared to other men accused of similar crimes and transgressions. Within days he was fired from his eponymous namesake business, publically denounced by his peers, and generally treated like a pariah. In the wake of the claims, The Weinstein Company has lost much of its financial backing and is considering a complete rebranding – including a name change – to distance itself from its disgraced founder and avoid a complete public relations disaster.

Most men accused of sexual harassment or assault suffer minute consequences in comparison – if any at all. Claims against the likes of Woody Allen, Ben Affleck, Casey Affleck, Bill Clinton, Kobe Bryant, Louis C.K. and more typically result in little more than hushed whispers of disapproval and maybe an unfavourable headline or two. Rarely are these men’s careers or lifestyles affected. Even those like Jian Ghomeshi and Bill Cosby, who do see the inside of a courtroom, rarely see the inside of a prison cell or abandonment by their legions of loyal fans.

So what’s the difference between Weinstein and the scores of other men accused of victimizing women? It’s not the number of allegations. Clinton, Cosby, Ghomeshi – and let’s not forget President Donald Trump – also have

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@BAYSTBULL 51

52 accusers well into the double digits. It’s not the severity or shock value of them, either. The most notable difference between Weinstein and many of these men is that he’s downright unlikeable. Even before the allegations made headlines, it was no secret that Weinstein was short tempered, volatile, egotistical, and frequently a bully.

(Some may argue Trump’s categorization as “likeable,” but the 45th president of the United States is widely acknowledged to be charismatic and, as a former reality TV star, had to come across as at least somewhat affable for years.)

The chasm between how we respond to accusations against likeable men and unlikeable ones stems from social categorization – something psychologists say we do unconsciously as a mental shortcut. It allows us to infer someone’s qualities and characteristics based on those of others in the same grouping. Once we categorize someone, we begin to think of them in context of a larger group rather than as an individual. This is also the cognitive process responsible for stereotyping.

Problematically, once we psychologically categorize someone as “likeable” we have a hard time reconciling them acting in unsavory ways. John is no longer just “John” – he’s one of the good guys. And “good guys” don’t assault women. When evidence or accusations to the contrary arise, we struggle to separate them from the larger group and throw our entire categorization system into question.

Convicting Weinstein is an easier cognitive process because many people already categorized him as a bad guy. It’s not farfetched that a bad guy may harass or attack someone.

Researchers dub this advantage as a “beauty premium” or the “attractiveness halo” that applies to basically all parts of life.

Disturbingly, being beautiful can also help you get way with predatory behaviour.

Moreover, in a culture that equates thinness, strong jawlines, and full heads of hair with likeability, Weinstein looks unlikeable. It’s noteworthy how many of his accusers and detractors mentioned his physical appearance.

Italian actress Asia Argentno described her assault as “twisted. A big fat man wanting to eat you. It’s a scary fairytale.”

Harvey’s unlikeableness, inside and out, made it easier for people to believe the accusations and root for his downfall. However it’s a different story when a predator is handsome, charismatic and generally well-liked.

Many studies have shown the advantages of being beautiful; it can help you land a job, find a mate, get a raise, and even get elected to political office.

Researchers dub this advantage as a “beauty premium” or the “attractiveness halo” that applies to basically all parts of life. Disturbingly, being beautiful can also help you get way with predatory behaviour.

Unlike Weinstein, Ghomeshi was described as “scruffy and handsome” and “charismatic” in coverage of his trial. Cosby was described as “good-looking,” “handsome,” and “funny.” It’s no big secret that Affleck, Leto, and Bryant are as conventionally good-looking as it gets.

Dr. Gordon Patzer, founding director and CEO of the Chicago-based Appearance Research Institute (ARI), has studied the subject for over three decades and published over six books and 20 peer-reviewed articles in research journals on the subject. He says, “Good-looking men and women are

generally regarded to be more talented, kind, honest and intelligent than their less attractive counterparts.” A 2010 University of British Columbia (UBC) study published in Psychological Science, one of the most influential journals in psychology, backs up his research. UBC researchers found people are hardwired to display a positive bias towards attractive people. We have a harder time imagining good-looking men – particularly white men – doing bad things, and are more likely to believe them when they say they didn’t do it. We give them the benefit of the doubt.

Notably, this doesn’t hold true for women. No matter how likeable or attractive a woman is, she’s never above being labelled a slut, liar, or gold digger when she dares oppose a popular man. Our man-made cultural bias against women is so powerful that it overrides the hardwired instinct to trust attractive women. Unattractive and unagreeable women are even more easily dismissed.

The likeability and attractiveness issue doesn’t just come into play when accusing celebrities, politicians, and CEOs of assault. It also applies to everyday men, like your friendly coworker or socially-progressive best friend.

The Weinstein scandal spurred an online movement where countless women shared their own experiences with sexual harassment and assault using the hashtag #MeToo on social media. It quickly became clear that almost every woman has personally experienced unwanted advances in the workplace: groping, catcalling, flashing, sex acts without consent, and/or rape. Most women had more than one story to share.

While many men commiserated with their female family members, friends, and colleagues, and even expressed outrage, few seemed to have any idea about the prevalence of the problem. Even fewer seemed to know a fellow man who acted inappropriately around women, let alone committed a crime.

Clearly the math doesn’t add up. If almost every woman has been harassed or assaulted, it doesn’t follow that none of the men in their familial, professional, and social circles have been an aggressor or known an aggressor.

Most men aren’t purposefully sheltering abusers or covering up for rapists; rather, they’re letting unconscious biases blind them to the harsh realities of this widespread problem. For the most part, we consider friends, family, and even colleagues to be likeable and trustworthy characters. We categorize them in ways that make it hard to believe they’d do anything wrong.

The phenomenon doesn’t solely affect women, either. Increasingly, gay men are opening up about their experiences with sexual harassment and assault. A recent headline-making example involved Kevin Spacey, one of Hollywood’s most well-liked actors. In his response to initial accusations, Spacey tried to play the good guy card by apologizing and coming out as gay.

Fortunately, his calculation dramatically misfired when fans and Netflix both called BS. For meaningful progress to occur in the arenas of sexual assault and harassment, the focus must move away from solely individual bad men. Rather, a spotlight must shine on the good guys – sometimes the ones closest to us – to spur reflection on why they are given the benefit of the doubt. Society must reconcile that men who are attractive, charismatic, friendly, and otherwise “good” people can and do abuse others.

Men’s actions must be separated from their personas. It’s no longer acceptable to justify doing nothing because a man is otherwise a nice guy or your friend.

The disturbing reality is that most harassers, abusers, and rapists aren’t verbally abusive, mean-spirited outcasts lurking in the shadows. They’re otherwise polite, successful, and charming men that hide in the shadows of the “bad guys”.

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“BE” A “MAN”

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SOCIETY’S IDEA OF MASCULINITY HAS BEEN DETRIMENTAL TO THE MENTAL HEALTH OF MEN FOR AGES. THANKFULLY, THINGS ARE SLOWLY CHANGING AND LIVES ARE BEING SAVED. WRITTEN BY CHRIS METLER ILLUSTRATION BY KATIE CAREY

MAN UP As the Program Director at Next Gen Men – a Toronto-based, non-profit organization dedicated to building better men through youth engagement, education, and empowerment – Jermal Alleyne has asked the question, “What does it mean to be a ‘man’?” on more occasions than he cares to count. Typically, the answers given from the boys and men he works with are quite positive.

Being responsible… Doing the right thing…

Acting as a provider, protector, and role model for family… Displaying strength, toughness, and independence…

It’s only when Alleyne follows with, “Have you ever heard the phrase ‘man up’?” that he, almost always, observes an immediate disconnect from those positive attributes or aspirations.

The truth is, most males associate man up with a deficit. It’s used by the coach who tells his player to stiffen up and play through the pain. It underpins the way they hurl insults like, don’t be a girl. Or pussy. Or fag.

“Don’t show fear, don’t show emotion, don’t make mistakes, don’t show weakness,” Alleyne articulates. “At the end of the day, we are taught that being a man is doing everything to not be perceived as feminine or gay.”

From there, an authoritative model of traditional masculinity begins to reveal itself. A model that, in Alleyne’s estimation, includes meeting conflict

with aggression or violence. A model that, inevitably, manifests itself in detrimental social and psychological effects – particularly stubborn self-reliance, and the stifling of emotions.

PART I: ENDURING NOTIONS OF MASCULINITY BROKEN ARMOUR The Movember Foundation, an independent global men’s charity with the vision to have an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health, states that, across the world, men die six years earlier than women. For largely preventable reasons, too.

Because enduring notions of masculinity routinely characterize it as weakness for a man to admit he has a problem, men are more reluctant to openly discuss their health, or how they feel about the impact of significant life events; more unwilling to speak up when they don’t feel well, physically or mentally; more likely to engage in increasingly risky activities that are harmful to their health.

According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), men are also more likely to develop schizophrenia at a younger age. In fact, approximately five percent of today’s male youth, aged 12 to 19, have experienced a major depressive episode – one in 10 men will struggle

with depression in his lifetime. Additionally, rates of substance use disorder are very high in males – over six percent compared to two-and-a-half percent of females.

And, in a 2017 YouGov poll, one in four young men said they were turning to self-harm as a result of depression, anxiety, and stress – many of them admitting that when they felt under pressure, they would turn to controlled eating, excessive exercise, punching walls, pulling out their hair, abusing drugs, and/or cutting themselves.

Sadly, when men finally do take action, it is often too late.

Suicide rates among males are one tangible metric that can be used to measure this. Last year, the Movember Foundation determined that Canadian rates of suicide increased from seven men a day to eight. Suicide is the leading cause of death for Canadian men aged 15 to 44. It’s a ratio four times higher than that of women.

Worse yet, in the Movember Foundation’s estimation, comprehensive research continues to indicate that behaviour trends linked to traditional masculinity are largely to blame for this.

“IT’S A DOMINANT CULTURE TO NOT SPEAK AND NOT SPEAK UP” As it relates to self-harm, distinctly, a low help-seeking rate is habitually witnessed in both genders. But it’s even more pronounced for men.

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Why aren’t imperiled males seeking the help they need?

“I think when it comes to mental health difficulties for men today, and even just historically, we know there’s a clear stigma unfortunately associated with self-injury, with suicide and, of course, with mental illness.”

So says Dr. Stephen Lewis, an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Guelph, whose personal experiences with self-harm motivated him to work toward helping others facing similar circumstances.

“And that’s just sort of general, across the board, in society today. I think we’ve certainly made some strides in addressing the stigma, and some of the misunderstandings and myths surrounding those concerns. But we still have a ways to go.”

Conversely, men who are confident enough to express themselves more fully in terms of what they are feeling risk ostracism.

“It’s a dominant culture to not speak and not speak up,” adds Dr. John Oliffe, a Professor and Associate Director at the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) School of Nursing. “They’ll often get shut down.”

The founder and lead investigator of UBC’s Men’s Health Research program, Oliffe’s work focuses on masculinities as it influences men’s health behaviors and illness management, and its impact on partners, families, and overall life quality.

“There’s pressure either way: buying into it by sucking it up, or speaking your ideas.”

LIVING UP TO THE CONVENTIONAL MASCULINE IMAGE No doubt, the stigma relating to men’s mental health is very real. And much of what influences it relates to societal expectations, in terms of what it means to be a ‘man’, or what it means to be masculine, where it’s widely viewed as one sort of stereotype. It’s a hackneyed concept of the macho guy who is strong; a strength commonly perceived not just as physical, but in being able to persevere and remain unaffected by life’s stresses, or different types of negative life events.

Dr. Lewis concedes that living up to this traditional masculine image can lead to great internal pressure for some men who have been socialized to not discuss their difficult episodes.

“If people consider the typical ‘man’, in many ways, the first thing that they’re not going to think of is probably a man crying. Or a man showing some sort of emotional vulnerability.”

To repeat, it’s because men have been customarily designated to appear strong and stoic.

Talking about feeling mentally or physically unwell can be perceived as weakness, and thanks to society at large enabling negative and harmful aspects of masculinity to serve as the recognized standard, men feel there’s only one way they can be considered “manly”.

But Lewis maintains it’s okay for men to acknowledge that they do struggle at times, and battle with a lot of the problems that maybe aren’t associated with what’s interpreted to be masculine.

“We do experience anxiety. We do experience depression. We do have thoughts of suicide.

Not everyone, obviously. However, the norm is that you shouldn’t be sharing those things.

That you should not be vulnerable. In many ways, it leads to a lot of men feeling silenced.”

DEFY THE STIGMA So, how do we go ahead and defy the stigma?

Part of it is educational, simply in terms of raising recognition that mental illness, self-harm, depression, and suicide are experienced by people from all walks of life, including men. Dr. Lewis believes that’s one significant piece of the puzzle. Specifically, finding places where men might interact, and ensuring they have access to necessary help-seeking resources.

“Even just showing that these resources are not limited to one demographic. There are actually ones out there specific to men. So making men conscious of them – whether it be a support group for anxiety or depression, or whatever.”

Dr. Oliffe is of a similar mentality.

“Never underestimate getting men into a space to have those conversations,” he says. “Men have a lot of self-stigma because they are beating themselves up for feeling this way. And the key is to give them the ability to talk about it. You can direct them at that point to professional services.”

Awareness and advocacy campaigns can also aid in confronting dated – and dangerous – preconceptions about traditional masculinity, while readily allowing for a recently developed bracket of male narrative to enter the mainstream.

“That’s a crucial part of it,” Dr. Lewis contends.

“It’s not just men having a platform to share their story – which has tremendous value, because that in and of itself can be a cathartic or empowering experience. But making certain there’s an audience, and that those stories are heard.”

He reckons more and more stories, told by more and more men – some of whom might hold prestigious places in society in regards to how

PHOTO BY NRK P3

“…IT’S OKAY FOR MEN TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY... BATTLE WITH A LOT OF THE PROBLEMS THAT MAYBE AREN’T ASSOCIATED WITH WHAT’S INTERPRETED TO BE MASCULINE.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF LULULEMON

they’re judged, like a celebrity, or person of high standing, or government official – can go a long way. Moreover, it can help normalize that this kind of stuff does affect men, as well as convey a sense of hope.

“Being public with it can challenge these expectations around what we should, or should not do, as men. And that it’s okay to be vulnerable and have moments in life where we do struggle.

That’s just a part of the human experience.”

STRENGTH IN VULNERABILITY Make no mistake, men are still on the hook for their behaviour and health management.

Partners, family – they can’t be entirely responsible for the measures a guy takes. He has to practice his own self care. He has to find his own way of making that work for him, no matter how exposed or unprotected it may initially render him.

Although, as Dr. Lewis is quick to remind us, “there’s strength in vulnerability. And that’s often the pathway to feeling more accepted, understood and validated.”

“I mean, help’s out there. It’s a matter of getting it and reaching out for it.”

THE NORM IS THAT YOU SHOULDN’T BE SHARING THOSE THINGS. THAT YOU SHOULD NOT BE VULNERABLE. IN MANY WAYS, IT LEADS TO A LOT OF MEN FEELING SILENCED

Perhaps it’s high time, then, to ditch the tired old clichés of an archetypal man immune to imperfection, in charge. and always at the top. Instead, maybe this is what it really takes to be a man.

PART II: MODERN MASCULINITY I DON’T KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NOW, AND THAT’S ALRIGHT In recent years, there’s been a perceived shift in modern masculinity. Men’s concerns, interests, anxieties, and pride in their own gender roles –

and sexuality – are no longer considered taboo, or an affront to their very manhood. Rather, these are moving to the forefront of individual and artistic expression.

Where better to glimpse this than within a global subculture where masculine ideals are most frequently at the forefront: music. More precisely, rap music.

An avowed hip-hop head, Alleyne has noticed a small shift in performers who are willing to be more conscious of their messaging. In fact, one of his Next Gen Men guest speakers was quite adamant about this stance, stating something to

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the effect that, as a person, one must admit and take responsibility for their mistakes.

“This can be seen with JAY-Z,” Alleyne illustrates, “who in his first years was careless about homophobic and misogynistic lyrics, but matured as an artist as he grew older.”

Ditto for a rapper like Eminem, who once spewed venomous rhymes that expressed prejudice against homosexuals, but has blossomed into a more tolerant emcee, even speaking out in favour of gay marriage.

Similarly, you only have to look at the success of singer-songwriter Frank Ocean, who upon the release of his acclaimed 2012 debut album, Channel Orange, publicly disclosed the unrequited feelings he had for another young man when he was 19 years old. A man he refers to as his first true love.

“I don’t know what happens now, and that’s alright,” Ocean announced in an open letter.

“I don’t have any secrets I need kept anymore. I feel like a free man.”

Members of his industry were buoyant in their response. Iconic Def Jam patriarch, Russell Simmons, even penned a congratulatory editorial, commenting that, “Today is a big day for hip-hop. It is a day that will define who we really are. How compassionate will we be?

How loving can we be? How inclusive are we? Your decision to go public about your sexual orientation gives hope and light to so many young people still living in fear.”

For a genre that originally made its name as the apotheosis of hyper-masculinity, this qualifies as an unparalleled triumph.

“RESPECT – HERE IN MY SPORT, OUTSIDE IN THE STREET” There is also the advancing defnition of modern masculinity in the ‘Sweet Science’ – arguably the toughest, “manliest” sport on earth. Last year, contender Orlando Cruz, who was recently featured in a lululemon campaign, became the first-ever openly gay, top-ranked professional boxer to vie for a world title.

Prior to coming out, a scared and nervous Cruz would go home and cry – before and after training at the gym – broken by taunts that masculinity and homosexuality don’t mix, especially in the ring. Eventually, enough was enough. Cruz may have been gay, but knew he was a man just like any other pugilist. So he divulged his long-kept secret.

“I want respect,” the Puerto Rican native confessed in a 2016 interview on HBO’s Real Sports. “Here in my sport, outside in the street.”

“THERE’S STRENGTH IN VULNERABILITY. AND THAT’S OFTEN THE PATHWAY TO FEELING MORE ACCEPTED, UNDERSTOOD AND VALIDATED.”

Cruz claims he now has that, having transformed into an icon for gay fans of the hyper-macho athletic competition.

“IF NOT US, THEN WHO?” For the onward movement of modern masculinity to soldier ahead, a unique and multi-pronged approach is definitely required. Not just through the inspiring leaps taken by public figures like Frank Ocean and Orlando Cruz, amongst others, but the frontline efforts of organizations like the Movember Foundation, whose approach is one of constructive disruption – which means being prepared to take risks and use novel approaches to solving problems.

Take their annual event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November, initiated to raise awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer and men’s suicide.

“Growing a moustache – and the fun that often goes along with it – acts as a Trojan horse to get men engaged and talking about men’s health,” reasons Mitch Hermansen, Movember’s Development Director.

In a way, it’s a ‘health by stealth’ approach.

Research has indicated that each moustache grown in Movember prompts dozens of shares via social media, email, and messaging. The cause has added up to billions of conversations for men’s health.

Confronted with what many would regard as an impossible challenge, the Movember Foundation has embraced the task, and dedicated itself to designing and implementing an investment strategy that achieves the greatest possible impression.

“If not us, then who? Having an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health will not be achieved through incremental change.”

PROGRESS IN DIALOGUE If this is how modern masculinity is beginning to take shape, the future looks promising.

“Things are changing for the better,” Alleyne opines. “Boys and men want to be the positive things they already believe about being a man, as well as to have emotions, make mistakes. and be vulnerable. We just need to be empathetic and give permission for men to do so.”

For his part, Dr. Lewis agrees that convictions surrounding traditional masculinity have improved.

“We’re talking about it right now. The fact we’re having this dialogue speaks to the reality that we have made progress. Because we would not be having this chat 20 years ago, or 10 years ago.”

Still, he reckons there is a great deal more work to be done on behalf of modern masculinity.

“I hope it becomes more expansive. I hope it becomes more fluid. And I hope it becomes more about being a human being, not so much this categorization of it’s this or it’s that.”

CREATING REAL CHANGE Masculinity is constantly evolving, but it is ambiguous and difficult – if not impossible – to measure. And despite the matter so plainly resonating with the next generation, it remains unclear whether the breakthroughs in modern masculinity will lead to headway in deeper rooted traditional masculine influences.

If we want to create real change – if we truly want to see a reduction in the stigma and shame that men feel when it comes to help-seeking behaviours – it will require the support of many stakeholders, including the clinical community, governments, media, workplaces, and beyond.

All the way down to you and me.

Again, it starts with a conversation.

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BY BY E U TEN TION T I P F P W R ST R A U A ILL H

A CAVEAT Do you think you could describe life in 2017 to someone living in 1967? Would it make sense to them? Things like running shoes with computer chips in them, or fridges that text you when you’re out of eggs? Do you think you could explain any job in Silicon Valley? Even if you could bring 2017 to them, it wouldn’t be any easier. In one of my favourite modern thought experiments, Claire Evans at Grantland asks us to imagine sitting through a screening of Transformers with Benjamin Franklin. Imagine if was someone from 1967 instead. At least they’d be familiar with movies, and yet, they couldn’t possibly process that storm of swirling metal.

It’d be utter sensory overload.

Now, what if you were on the other side of this exchange with a time-traveller from 2067? Their stories may sound familiar, just as someone 50 years ago might recognize shades

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62 of Isaac Asimov or Arthur C. Clarke in your stories of intelligent machines.

But progress doesn’t move at one speed. We’re still at the bottom of the asymptote, and we know for certain that by 2067, parts of daily life – perhaps even something as dumb as a blockbuster action franchise – will surpass the limits of our imagination.

“I think you can make some pretty smart guesses,” says Scott Dadich, “but when I was editor at Wired we tended not to do that because we were usually wrong when we tried to look that far ahead. What used to be a 20-year time horizon in terms of looking at the way the world was changing in 1983 (the year Wired was founded) has sometimes been compressed down to 20 months or 20 weeks.”

So, when we talk about how cities will evolve in the next 50 years, just keep that in mind.

PRAGMATIC UTOPIAN ARCHITECTURE The most obvious place to start would be our skylines, which will be reshaped by new philosophies of urban design and architecture. We may not necessarily build higher but we are going to build differently. Perhaps the most high-profile example of an ahead-of-their-time architect is Bjarke Ingels. He’s known for a concept called “hedonistic sustainability;” buildings that are environmentally sustainable and cost effective, but also enhance the comforts of modern life.

His first project was Copenhagen’s VM House, a structure within which multi-story apartments have been assembled like Tetris pieces. The next were the Mountain Dwellings, a series of homes and private gardens stacked like a great set of stairs. From a distance, the building’s features – the concrete units and the gardens – resemble alpine vegetation on rock. His next was the 8 House, also in Copenhagen, a complex of townhomes and apartments layered over retail spaces, childcare facilities, galleries, and cafes. The structure, which looks like an “8” from above, includes courtyards in the centre and a public path on the roof.

What all these projects have in common is the fusion of two or more incompatible ideas: multi-story units that are more affordable than conventional apartments; living spaces with both penthouse views and a lush

backyard; private spaces that encourage community involvement.

The designs are the beginnings of a new movement called “pragmatic utopian architecture.”

But none of these projects have the same visionary quality as his Amager Bakke, a massive power plant that opened this year in Copenhagen. Next year, the roof will open to the public as an artificial ski slope, above which a smokestack will puff massive rings of pure CO2 and steam generated from the incinerator below. “Instead of having to be far away from it, you can actually enjoy it,” Ingels says in the Netflix documentary series, Abstract: The Art of Design.

Put another way, you can experience “clean mountain air” atop the country’s greatest engine of human consumption.

FOOD In 2013, a man named Rob Rhinehart conducted a 30-day experiment during which time he didn’t eat a single piece of solid food. He consumed only a homemade meal replacement shake that, he claimed, contained every vitamin and nutrient an adult man requires to live well. He called it Soylent, and at the end of the 30 days, he said it improved his energy levels, his mood and his sense of wellbeing. Four years later, Soylent has gone through eight iterations of its formula, and earned more than $70 million in funding from Silicon Valley angel investors. If there’s a precursor to the meal-in-a-pill, this is it.

Rhinehart never claimed to want to replace food (he still eats “real” food, though he views it more as a social exercise) but it seems impossible to think products like Soylent won’t serve some purpose as the global population balloons to 10 billion people, as it’s expected to in the next 40 or so years.

Buy-in hasn’t exactly been widespread though. Most people are about as keen to try Soylent as they are insect protein or petri dish hamburger meat.

As Erin Kim, the communications director at New Harvest, a not-for-profit organization that supports scientific research in cellular agriculture (they made headlines back in 2013 for funding research into the world’s first cell-cultured hamburger) points out, one day we may not always have the same luxury of choice we do today. Meat consumption is expected to double by 2050, which is cause for concern considering 40 percent of all the agricultural output in the industrialized world goes towards feeding the animals we eat (not to mention the enormous impact on water use, and greenhouse gas emissions).

Nobody is more conscious of this than urbanites, and it has already resulted in a number of shifts in the way we eat. The locavore movement, for instance. A logical, but distant, extension of such a movement would be urban agriculture; skyscraper farms where plots of land are stacked atop one another. Structures like this can reportedly produce hundreds of times more crops per acre than conventional farming, and do so twice as fast, with 99 percent less water and 40 percent less power.

But our faith in technologies like this might be misguided because the people who’ll have access to them won’t really need them. As it is, we produce enough food to feed all 7.6 billion people on earth and then some.

The problem is that we lose, according to the United Nations, between 30 and 50 percent of it. In the developed world, we throw away about 220 pounds of food per person per year.

Hunger is primarily a socioeconomic problem. In the next 50 years, the changes that will matter most are less likely to come from a sexy new invention than from changes to our distribution networks and our own behaviours.

63 THE DATA IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE

IMAGE COURTESY OF BJARKE INGELS GROUP

Toronto’s eastern waterfront is one of the largest plots of undeveloped land in any major city in North America. Now, thanks to a partnership between the city and Sidewalk Labs (owned by Alphabet, Google’s parent company), it will be also be one of the first “smart cities” to be built from the ground up.

In a city where real estate is growing unaffordable for so many and cars clog the major roadways, they’re proposing more affordable spaces and a pedestrian-centric street design. Forests of sensors will theoretically allow the infrastructure to adapt in real-time to changes in traffic flow, waste disposal, noise, pollution and lighting. Bryan Smith, the CEO of ThinkData Works, says the spillover effects for the rest of the city will be profound. He believes opening up the city’s data to its population will revolutionize public services.

Consider garbage disposal. Carlo Ratti, the director of the MIT Senseable City Lab, led an experiment to track 3,000 pieces of trash in Seattle. Several pieces travelled not only across around Washington State, but across the country. Some of it was still in transit after two months. The people throwing things away never see this, but you blow that image up on a map and it you might think twice about using a disposable razor that’ll take 12 trucks, 1,200 kilometres and over a month to reach a landfill.

Ratti’s lab has also analyzed the taxi trips around New York in a given year – all 170 million of them – and led another project to map the “green canopy” (i.e., where all the trees are planted) of cities around the world. The applications for such information are manifold, and in a smart city, Smith says much of it (and more) is expected to be out in the open for anyone to use.

“In 2015, mankind produced as much information as was created in all previous years of human civilization,” Ratti said. “We are quickly approaching what Italian writer Italo Calvino presciently called the ‘memory of the world’: a full digital copy of our physical universe.”

The fundamental difference in a smart city, according to Smith, is that the data will be out in the open, allowing the public to see the problems, and startups and businesses to solve them. Toronto has already taken a few basic steps, developing an open-data plan that has led to the creation of hundreds of new tools (see any Toronto transit app), but it’s still lagging well behind the likes of New York, Barcelona, or Singapore.

MOVEMENT Perhaps the most famous example of an open-data collaboration is the one underway to build the fifth major form of transportation. In August 2013, Elon Musk released his blueprints for the Hyperloop and since then, several groups from around the world have begun work on their own designs. On the off chance you’re unfamiliar, Hyperloop is a system of massive inter-city pneumatic tubes. Inside pods carrying people and goods travel through a near-vacuum at speeds of over 1,000km/h. The consensus amongst people who know about these things is no longer whether such a method of travel will become a reality, but when.

Some estimate that the first tracks will be operational before 2030 and there’s a good chance it may be running out of Toronto. Sebastien Gendron

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PUOB UPSES M R T P AR ES S HE T ST SIN VE L BU SO TO

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There is no single solution to that problem, but the most ballyhooed technological one is the self-driving car. Not only will this drastically reduce the number of cars per capita, ushering in a new era of the sharing economy, but it will also allow far greater numbers of cars to fit on existing roads.

According to one study out of Columbia University, a highway filled to capacity today uses just five percent of available road space. Human drivers need that other 95 per cent as a margin for error. Robots don’t. A highway full of autonomous cars would have an increased capacity of 273 per cent.

Those roads will also be safer. According to an analysis by the global consulting firm McKinsey & Company, widespread use of autonomous vehicles would eliminate upwards of 90 per cent of all auto accidents in the US, prevent $190 billion in damages, and save thousands of lives. Such a reality is, of course, dependent on human drivers staying off the road, or legislation barring them from the road, but we always yield the march of technology. For the generations born in the next 50 years, self-driving cars and city-to-city Hyperloops will be a fact of life – no more objectionable than trains, planes and automobiles of yore.

IMAGE COURTESY OF HYPERLOOP

and his team at TransPod have been working on their designs since before Musk released his blueprints. He points out that all the technology required for Hyperloop – the tubes, the pressurized cabins, magnetized tracks, the propulsion system – already exist, and he tends to agree with Elon Musk’s assessment that the engineering “isn’t that hard” (Musk compared the concept to air hockey in a tube).

While it may not take hold in parts of Europe that have already invested billions in high-speed rail, places like Canada, the US, and Australia have made no such investments. Toronto to Montreal, or Windsor, Chicago, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Calgary and eventually Vancouver. Gendron says in 50 years time, the Hyperloop will connect all these cities, and will do to modern forms of transit what Henry Ford did to the horse and buggy.

Via Rail, CN, CP – all gone. Domestic flights in Canada, dropped to a bare minimum. Millions of trucks taken off the road. When the costs come down, Montreal will be a place that Torontonians can drop in on during their lunch break. Vancouver a destination they can travel to as quickly as an office on the opposite side of their own city. “These cities will be part of the neighbourhood,” Gendron says.

This will create huge changes in our living patterns as well. Already more than half of the world’s population are concentrated in cities and when it takes half as much time to travel to a city on the opposite side of the country as it does to get to a farm out past the city limits, it’s going to drive more people into urban areas.

That’s going to create new challenges. Dadich says that because cities like San Francisco (or Toronto, for that matter) were designed more than 100 years ago, they aren’t really equipped to handle 21st century population pressures. While new technologies can alleviate those pressures, they can also increase them. Uber is a modern example. The ride sharing company opened up entirely new swathes of the city for entertainment, education, and work, which Dadich says is a good thing. But the streets are now gridlocked.

He says the length of his commute doubled in just two years. “There’s a tension, there’s a good and a bad that co-exist with the onset of a new technology,” Dadich says.

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65 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) Taxi, truck and Uber drivers will not be the first to lose their jobs to machines and they certainly won’t be the last. According to a report out of the Brookfield Institute for Innovation, more than 40 per cent of jobs in Canada are at risk of being automated within 20 years. Manufacturing jobs will be hit hardest earliest, but the white-collar job sector is by no means exempt.

Krista Jones works at the MaRS not-for-profit in Toronto studying how the commercialization of AI will affect the future of work. She says virtually all knowledge work today has already been somehow augmented by AI. To name just a few examples, doctors are using the Jeopardy-winning AI Watson to solve especially difficult cancer cases by combing through all the world’s published medical research. Some robots already outperform dermatologists in detecting skin cancer, and others are being taught to find anomalies in x-rays and CT scans. Already, hedge fund managers rely more heavily on algorithms than gut instinct to make money. Abishur Prakash, a futurist and author of the forthcoming book Go.AI (Geopolitics of Artificial Intelligence), points out that Sberbank, Russia’s state-owned bank, will be replacing 3,000 employees with an AI that can write legal claims. “These are people in the law department,” he emphasizes, “these are people with education.”

There are no theoretical limits to automation, but Jones doesn’t personally believe the human workforce will disappear in the next 50 years, or even be significantly cut. She does, however, believe it will stop growing. If a robot can increase your productivity by 200 per cent, you don’t need to hire two more people. What you need are people who can work with whichever machine is doing those other jobs.

Right now, the jobs least likely to be automated are those that require significant or specialized human interaction: kindergarten teachers or nurses, for example. Robots for these tasks require generalized AI, and while the work in this area is still in its infancy even our most modest estimates put its development well within the next 50 years. For perspective, in 2003, famed futurist and author Ray Kurzweil predicted 2045 as the date of the technological singularity, when machine intelligence surpasses the sum total of human intelligence – an event that will remake our world. He predicts that this kind of AI will create things we can’t even fathom, such as nanotechnology that can fundamentally change our biology. We’ll be able to communicate telepathically with other humans, and alter our physical appearance, our cognitive capacities, our memories.

So, if one can envision that, it’s not that hard to see a more conventionally futuristic city where humanoid robots comprise the frontline staff of restaurants and bars, hospitals and banks; a city with virtual brothels; a city where politicians discuss robot rights and human-robot marriage. At that point, AI will be the lifeblood of cities, every bit as essential as electricity is now and even more intimately enmeshed in our lives.

THE DARKER TIMELINE Almost all dystopian scenarios entail a loss of control. The surveillance state, a malicious AI, nuclear war: they’re the culmination of a long series of more innocuous and ignorant action, until we step off the cliff’s edge.

So, it’s worth mapping the cliff’s edge and trying to figure out where we may begin our descent.

Setting aside the possibility that machine intelligence will exceed our own before we’ve prepared for it (a genie that will be impossible to put back in its bottle), the more immediate AI-related danger is growing inequality. In a

future where a single company can lay off thousands of workers without affecting its product or services, the wealth is going to be further concentrated amongst fewer members, leading to increasingly widespread and severe poverty, which beyond the attendant human suffering, could foment revolutions. Prakash mentions a series of unsettling events in Nigeria, where young people who had been fired began blowing up Shell’s oil pipelines as a kind of economic terrorism, retribution for the social and environmental ills the company wrought.

The first domino of environmental collapse was pushed long ago.

Urban sprawl is pushing our cities and suburbs deeper into the wild areas.

Excessive use of antibiotics in both medicine and agriculture is breeding more resilient superbugs, and climate change is affecting the distribution of insects that make us sick. All of it contributes to the rise and spread of new diseases on unfamiliar scales: 10,000 dead of Ebola before it came under control, a Zika epidemic that spread across two continents unmitigated.

Cities, with their dense populations and influx of travellers, are ground zero.

Severe weather events, like the series of category four and five hurricanes that charged through the Caribbean this year, will become more common and will one day reach cities we thought were safe.

By 2020, China will roll out a massive Social Credit System, a means of ranking the “trustworthiness” of all 1.3 billion of its citizens. A number of data-gathering giants have devised a “complex algorithm” (the details of which they will not divulge) based on how they paid their bills, their personal characteristics, their behaviour (how often they shop, play video games, or take part in various activities indicative of their character), and who they hang around with. Those scores can affect their ability to get a loan or a passport, or access public services. “Some of these people become pariahs,” Prakash says. “It raises an enormous amount of questions about how we live as people.” Already, during a trial deployment of this ranking system, scores have come to be seen as social capital. People with high scores tend to talk about them on social networking and dating sites.

We’re only beginning to float solutions to these problems. On the employment threat of AI, politicians and media figures are beginning to think about universal basic income and things like robot taxes. We’re beginning to apply enough pressure that data giants like Facebook have begun to reckon with the ethical dimensions of their operations and their influence on our politics. Companies like Toronto’s BlueDot, formed in the wake of the devastating SARS epidemic, have partnered with governments and the World Health Organization to gather, analyze, and distribute data about infectious diseases with the goal of eventually allowing information to travel quicker than illness. Just this year, Toronto hired its own chief resilience officer whose job it is to address the challenges that will arise from climate change.

— Disasters are inevitable. They’ll probably escalate in intensity and scope but the idea that it will happen while humanity is sleeping may not be totally accurate – especially if they’re byproducts of progress. We went to the moon 48 years ago, but we haven’t been there since. Progress isn’t inevitable, it needs willing actors, people who work for a long time on a lot of very difficult problems, and who do remarkable things when tested. To borrow a phrase from Hemingway, our cities break but afterwards they become strong at the broken places. We should hope, for now at least, the same will be true tomorrow.

On Masai: Suit ($4,100)

by Harry Rosen MTM On Serge: Custom varsity jacket by Roots Canada; turtleneck ($425) by Z Zegna, available at Saks Fifth Avenue; watch ($15,900) by Panerai.

FOR TORONTO RAPTORS’ MASAI UJIRI AND SERGE IBAKA, BASKETBALL IS MORE THAN JUST A SPORT. IT’S A WAY TO EMPOWER COMMUNITIES, LIFT A CONTINENT, AND CHANGE LIVES.

INTERVIEW: DAVID KING WORDS: LANCE CHUNG PHOTOGRAPHERS: SHALAN AND PAUL STYLIST: SHARAD MOHAN HAIR AND MAKEUP: DEMI VALENTINE STYLIST ASSISTANT: CARLO ALFONSO PACHECO

Masai Ujiri and Serge Ibaka greet each other warmly on set as we prepare for the day’s shoot. The two of them are kin not just by the team that they work for – Ujiri is the president of the Toronto Raptors, and Ibaka, a power forward – but from a shared foundation rooted deeply in their homeland.

On a bright Saturday afternoon, a few days before Thanksgiving, and amidst a chaotic scene filled with various members of the production crew and set, the two basketball giants have come together to talk about what they do off the court.

Ujiri and Ibaka are different than their contemporaries in a powerful way.

To them, basketball is not only a passion that has driven them to summit an entire industry, but also something that has afforded them a unique opportunity to use their influence for good via their organizations, Giants of Africa and the Serge Ibaka Foundation.

To understand fully, one must go to their roots to appreciate the contributions they’re making in their communities. Both have their origins in Africa, but the paths that they’ve followed to unite over a common cause have been radically divergent.

68 ANOTHER WAY IN “I remember that I was always happy. Sports made me happy.”

Ujiri grew up in Zaria, a major city in northern Nigeria, and was the son of a hospital administrator and doctor. His introduction to basketball happened when he was 13 through, of all things, soccer.

“My friends and I would always stop by this basketball court on our way to our games on the field, where we’d start throwing the soccer balls into the baskets,” he recalls, a smirk emerging from the corner of his lips. “People started making fun of us for playing basketball with a soccer ball.”

It was on his way to the soccer field where he would meet Oliver B Johnson, an American coach known as OBJ, who would mentor young kids in the late afternoon before meeting with his players. This court, with soccer ball in hand, would be the origin for Ujiri’s basketball story.

The sport would soon consume him, keeping him awake at night as he dreamed of making it into the NBA. “All I had was a passion for basketball. I remember loving the game and being so intrigued with it.”

But his skills on the court wouldn’t be enough, and after six years of playing professionally in Europe, Ujiri would come to the realization that playing in the NBA wasn’t in his cards. Never one to accept defeat, he persisted and instead, diverted his efforts to find another way into the sport.

“I’ve always known how to get people’s attention. When I look back on my life and career, I know that’s helped me become a better leader. It’s about having command and making people believe in what you have to say,” says Ujiri.

That talent is one that aided him in his transition into management, helping him to connect with college coaches and NBA representatives, and eventually landing him his first big gig – as an unpaid scout for the Orlando Magic.

But Ujiri did whatever it took, bringing him to the brink of bankruptcy as he traveled around the world in search of new talent. It was that hustle and relentless pursuit of greatness that would eventually land Ujiri the role of international scout for the Denver Nuggets before ascending to his position as the first general manager (GM) of African descent in NBA history.

WAR AND BASKETBALL Ibaka was born on September 18, 1989, in the capital of the Republic of Congo, Brazzaville. Marked by the stark contrast between its rich culture and war, growing up in the impoverished nation placed many challenges in front of a young Ibaka. Being the son of two professional basketball players (his father played for the Republic of Congo national team, while his mother played for the Democratic Republic of Congo), the game was in Ibaka’s blood the moment he was born.

It was his love for the game that would carry Ibaka through some of the hardest moments of his life.

“Thank God I had basketball,” Ibaka reflects. “Sometimes I would wake up with an empty stomach and nothing to eat. But when you’re playing basketball, you forget about everything. I spent all day on those courts because I loved it so much.”

When he was eight, his mother passed away, and as he turned nine, Ibaka was forced to flee from Brazzaville as the Second Congo War caught fire and would go on to become the deadliest conflict after World War II, claiming more than five million lives. Upon returning to their home four years later, Ibaka’s father would then be captured and imprisoned for essentially being on the wrong side of the war.

“IT STARTS WITH THE YOUTH. IF YOU TEACH THEM TO UNDERSTAND THAT THEY CAN CHANGE THE CONTINENT, THEY WILL CHANGE THE WORLD.” — MASAI UJIRI

Overcoming such hardships can perhaps be attributed to the fortitude and grit that has led Ibaka to becoming a world-class athlete. After the war was officially declared over, Ibaka was able to focus on pursuing his dream.

He would go on to play in a local club team, called Avenir du Rail, before being scouted after his performance at the 2006 U18 African Championships in Durban, South Africa. Doors would open, and Ibaka would leave his support system in the Congo to play as a professional in Europe, eventually solidifying himself as an NBA player – the first to hail from the Republic of Congo – in Oklahoma, and then in Toronto, where he resides today.

Ujiri and Ibaka’s stories show that basketball – and in a broader sense, sports – can have an incredible impact that surpasses any court or field.

If there was any doubt about this, one only needs to look at politics to get a clearer picture.

GETTING WOKE Sports can heal communities. It can mend rifts, strengthen bonds, and cultivate camaraderie; its power to unite a people is undeniable. “[Sports] unites everyone involved towards a common purpose. Just like music, it’s something that makes people happy,” says Ujiri. “On the court, field, or wherever the playground is, it reveals the true impact of human interaction and affects everyone watching.”

But sometimes, in order to heal something, you have to break it. Such is the case of the sporting world’s attitude towards the socially-conscious athlete. Where once, an act of political protest would be considered a surefire way for athletes to exile themselves from the industry (and of their careers), perspectives towards the ‘woke’ sportsperson, general manager, or owner have started to change.

History provides a longstanding record that showcases this evolution well.

The Olympic Games, often regarded as an arena free of politics, have been ground zero for some of the most memorable acts of protest in sporting history. Arguably the best known of the bunch occurred during the 1968 Mexico City Games. Tension was already at an all-time high as society collectively grieved over the tragedies of the ongoing Vietnam War and assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. On the podium, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, two American athletes who had won gold and bronze in the 200 meters, famously raised their gloved fists during ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ as a symbolic protest against the oppression of the black community. For violating the Olympic charter, the two athletes were suspended from Team USA and told to pack their bags, receiving death threats upon returning home. A lesser-known story is that of their podium mate and silver medallist, Peter Norman. In his show of solidarity for Smith and Carlos, the white Australian would become ostracized in his home country, effectively ending his career in competitive athletics, despite being faster than any of his contemporaries.

And then there’s Muhammad Ali. Society often has a short-term memory when it comes to matters that conflict against the image of our idols. People forget that before he was universally celebrated as one of the world’s greatest

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“WE’VE BEEN PUT IN THIS POSITION TO LIFT A WHOLE CONTINENT. THAT CONTINENT HAS TO WIN. AFRICA MUST WIN.” — MASAI UJIRI

Puffer ($1,115) by Moncler; shirt ($500) by Harry Rosen MTM; jeans ($445) by Ermenegildo Zegna; watch and belt, Masai’s own.

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“THANK GOD I HAD BASKETBALL.” — SERGE IBAKA

Suit by Gotstyle Made-To-Measure; t-shirt ($35) by Kotn; sneakers ($655) by Lanvin, available at Saks Fifth Avenue; watch ($27,200) by Panerai.

“I WANT TO KEEP MAKING THEM PROUD. AND WHEN I’M DONE, SOMEONE ELSE WILL COME AGAIN TO MAKE US PROUD.” — SERGE IBAKA

athletes, Ali was shunned for refusing to go to war in Vietnam. More than that, he was sentenced to five years in prison, had his license to box suspended, and was stripped of his championship title.

He famously stated, “Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go ten thousand miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs? …

I have nothing to lose by standing up for my beliefs. We’ve been in jail for four hundred years.”

Since then, attitudes towards the ‘woke’ athlete have inched forward.

Not by a lot – because the risks are still high – but enough, at least, to notice that the tides have started to change. The conscious sportsperson now carefully treads a fine line between becoming the pariah of yesterday and being the vanguard of a new generation of socially aware athletes and fans, further displaying the bond between sports and the community at large.

In 2016, NFL star Colin Kaepernick (formerly of the San Francisco 49ers, and now a free agent) made headlines after he decided not to stand during the US national anthem as a form of protest against police violence towards people of colour, especially those in the black community.

Kaepernick’s defiance, and the movement that followed, was effectively the spark that ignited president Donald Trump’s comments criticizing NFL players and owners saying, “Get that son of a bitch off the field right now, he’s fired. He’s fired!”

Similar to Ali, Kaepernick’s act of rebellion drew the ire of many and seems to have shut him out of his career at the peak of his talents, as he is still not on an NFL roster, and may never be again. But it would also rally others in support and solidarity of his actions. The #TakeAKnee movement would strike a chord with other football players, eventually crossing over to other sports leagues.

While NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver, stated his expectations of the players to stand during the anthem, the league has yet to issue any reprimands for athletes who have raised their voices in support of Kaepernick’s movement, and in a larger way, become activists, themselves.

Golden State Warriors star, Stephen Curry, refused to visit the White House in 2017, a tradition upheld by all professional sports teams after winning a championship. His sentiments were backed by other key members of his team, eventually drumming up the furor of Trump, who later rescinded the invitation in one of his signature tweets. Other athletes would weigh in on the matter, including goliaths of the sport, like Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, and Michael Jordan. Most notable of those who supported Curry was his on-court rival, LeBron James, who would go on to state that the White House tradition was only an honour until the latest Commanderin-Chief moved in and defiled everything it stood for.

It’s a point of contention for Ujiri, who vehemently opposes the thought of using sports to stoke the fires of prejudice and racism. “There is no place for racism in sports. There are no sons of bitches in sports. There are just the sons and daughters of our communities who have come together to play.

As leaders, when we tackle these issues, we should show unity and focus on building harmony.” And boy, has there been unity – a communion of individuals ranging from the upper echelons of the league down to the

71 fans, who have rallied together in support of the standards that sports should represent in the cultural dialogue.

“By acting and not going,” stated Curry, “hopefully that will inspire some change when it comes to what we tolerate in this country and what is accepted and what we turn a blind eye to.”

Later, the NBA Players Association would release its own statement, adding that it, “defends its members’ exercise of their free speech rights against those who would seek to stifle them. The celebration of free expression – not condemnation – is what truly makes America great.”

All of this has gone to show that, yes, the game is important – incredibly, unquestionably, absolutely important. But these events reveal that there is something that transcends it – the bigger picture.

Such notions circle back to Ujiri’s thoughts on the matter. He maintains that the responsibility of those in the professional sports community goes beyond courtside displays or social media chirps afterwards.

“The bigger question is, ‘what are we doing in our own communities?

How are we affecting change?’ At the end of the day, we can use that spotlight to make comments or protest, but it comes down to what we are doing in our local communities.”

He goes on, “That’s why I loved the comments from LeBron, Curry, Kobe, Lowry, etc. because, when you look deeper… they aren’t just talking, they’re living their legacy through their actions and changing the lives of others.”

Sports has, and always will, be a powerful platform to deliver a message and establish values in the community. And that’s exactly what Ujiri and Ibaka are trying to do within theirs.

A GIANT OF AFRICA When he joined as the general manager of the Toronto Raptors in 2013, Ujiri made history by becoming the first man of African descent to hold the position in any North American sports team. It was a big deal. Not just for the industry, but for the countless number of sports fans in the African community.

Now President of the organization, the 47-year-old is quick to remark that having such a legacy doesn’t mean anything if it doesn’t open doors for those that come after him.

“What does it mean? If there is no second or third [African general manager] – if I end up being the only one – it’s a complete failure.”

Therein lies the sense of duty that Ujiri has always felt towards his homeland.

For him, the most important work that he has done hasn’t been managing a roster of elite players, but rather, bridging the NBA to Africa to empower the youth through the sport.

Ten years before he assumed his current position, Ujiri launched his charity, Giants of Africa (GOA), in Nigeria. Back then, he was a scout for the Denver Nuggets and routinely came across a wealth of talent waiting to be discovered and nurtured.

A non-profit, GOA is a basketball camp that provides a safe place for underprivileged children and young adults by giving them access to proper facilities and coaching expertise. Above that, it also gives coaches and athletes an opportunity to get involved and serve as role models for others in the league.

Since its founding, the organization has grown from a single camp in Nigeria to include three more countries in the continent: Ghana, Kenya, and Rwanda.

While GOA functions as a summer youth camp, Ujiri’s intent has always been to use the sport as a vehicle to create lasting change and big dreams, all while cultivating the game in Africa. He recognized that the same principles that a sportsperson bears – those of respect, integrity, and honour – should carry through off the court as well. In his view, they are the traits

that help shape a young mind into a change maker, which is why the skills that they teach outside of footwork and shooting, include more qualitative lessons that emphasize good values and leadership. “[It’s] about life skills. We asked ourselves, ‘How do you shape a 17- or 18-year-old? How do teach them to be honest? To respect women? To be on time?’ I think these are things that are very important and often forgotten by people in this day and age.”

The reality of the matter, however, is that not every camp attendee will go on to play professionally. Not every child will be like Ibaka, have a 7'3 wingspan, or make it into the league ­– those instances are rare. So where do these kids go instead?

“We started teaching [the kids] the things that you can do outside of playing.

If you play with a passion, then how do you channel that passion into something niche, like sports journalism, coaching, or sports medicine? We challenge them to expand their minds.”

“You don’t have to be an NBA player to make a difference.”

THE SON OF THE CONGO No stranger to philanthropy either, Ibaka has also been hard at work to foster change in the communities back home.

Growing up in the Republic of Congo provided a host of challenges that he often found himself having to navigate as a young child. With no food, running water, or electricity at times, and under the veil of war, Ibaka’s reality provided but a small snapshot of what countless children experienced at the time. It is those experiences and hardships that bring the 28-year-old back to Africa every year. But more than that, and similar to Ujiri, it is the potential to build brighter futures that drives him the most.

“Not every kid is going to get into the NBA. I want to help by giving them a better education and resources, something that I didn’t have. I don’t care if you become a basketball star. My job is to give them the opportunity to have a better future. If I can do that, I’m happy,” says Ibaka.

His organization, The Serge Ibaka Foundation, was created to sustainably improve the lives of the youth in the Congo, especially in his hometown, Brazzaville, which boasts a population of approximately 1.8 million people.

By partnering with established organizations aligned with the same vision, the Foundation has made strides in areas where help is needed most, such as children’s health, education, and nutrition.

For instance, working with the Starkey Hearing Foundation. An organization dedicated to providing hearing aids for those in need, Starkey Hearing worked alongside the Serge Ibaka Foundation to tackle the deafness epidemic in the Congo, allowing children to hear for the first time in their lives.

“That day I almost cried,” Ibaka said at a charity gala, remembering the effect that the experience had on him as he witnessed lives being changed.

In 2009, the Serge Ibaka Foundation ignited its relationship with UNICEF, and focused on helping street kids – those without any parents or family – in the Congo. Growing up with 17 siblings, the wellbeing of these children hit close to home for Ibaka. His family was instrumental as a support system growing up, and if he could be the same for these kids, by providing mentorship and improving their education and living conditions, they would be allowed to dream once again, or for the very first time in their lives.

Recognizing his efforts, the National Basketball Players’ Association (NBPA) brought Ibaka onto their Board of Directors in 2017 to serve as a positive example for others in the league.

“Serge’s insights and his accomplishments in international charity and philanthropy complement the wide-ranging work being done by our board president, Chris Paul, and vice president, LeBron James,” said NBPA

“WE STARTED TEACHING THESE KIDS LIFE SKILLS – BEING HONEST AND ON TIME, HAVING RESPECT FOR WOMEN. ALL OF THESE ARE THINGS THAT I THINK, IN THIS DAY AND AGE, PEOPLE FORGET.” — MASAI UJIRI

Executive Director, Sherrie Deans. “With Chris, LeBron, and Serge on our board, we have an even stronger team to help us support and develop the charitable work of our players in the US and around the world.”

Ibaka’s love for basketball is undeniable. You don’t achieve what he has, regardless of height or wingspan, without pure dedication to the sport.

But beyond the court, Ibaka’s true passion lies in emboldening the children of Africa. The career of an athlete is short-lived, but philanthropy is a lifelong endeavour.

“One day I’m going to be 40 and stop playing basketball,” Ibaka said at a charity gala in Oklahoma. “But I want to keep doing this until my last day.”

“AFRICA MUST WIN” Enriching communities has been a virtue of Ujiri and Ibaka’s as they have both ascended to the top of the sporting world.

For Ujiri, as the first GM of African descent in the league, and Ibaka, the first NBA player from the Republic of Congo, the responsibility that they bear is not lost on them. An entire continent regards the two individuals with awe and admiration, living proof that anything is achievable, no matter where you come from.

Such responsibilities are ones that both individuals wear with furious pride.

They embrace a mindset not weighed down by burden, but rather, lifted by the opportunity to impact change.

“We’ve been put in this position to lift a whole continent,” says Ujiri, sitting straight, eyes lighting up. “We carry Africa on our shoulders. This is our responsibility. We must win. Africa must win. We have to figure it out, and that’s by creating opportunity.”

Ibaka is quick to agree. “To me, it’s not an obligation. I have no choice.

[Africa] is where I come from. I know how hard it is. I used to be one of those kids. I know.”

Ujiri continues, “We have to teach Africans to do better because they are great people. They are smart people. And where we can teach, we teach. [That] starts with the youth.”

“If you can teach [the younger generation] that they can change a continent, then they will be able to change the world.”

— In an era where athletes yield more power and influence than ever before, and where social issues are again front and centre in the athletic arena, Ujiri and Ibaka have led the way by showing that we can always do more; that those in power have a responsibility to those who are powerless.

“Your job as a leader is to go and do better. And to teach people to do better,” says Ujiri.

They have confirmed what we have always known: that sports have never been solely about sports. They have been about lifting each other up when we are down, uniting one another, and acting as a VIDEO: Go team – a community – to ensure that everyone is behind-the-scenes taken care of. of our cover shoot The game may be basketball, but the endgame is at BayStBull.com bigger than that. It’s the ability to change lives.

GIANTS OF AFRICA PHOTOS COURTESY OF JAMAL BURGER, KEVINCOULIAU; SERGE IBAKA FOUNDATION PHOTOS COURTESY OF SERGE IBAKA FOUNDATION

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The Big 20 ways to go faster, drink better, travel more, and live fuller.

The end of the year marks a time where many find themselves in the trenches of gifting anxiety.

What do you get the person that’s impossible to shop for this time?

Do you even bother trying to think of something original?

Fret not; we’re here to help.

We’re of the mind that sometimes what’s needed isn’t more, just better. So whether you’re out in search of a gift or simply looking to treat yourself (because damn, it’s been a long year and you deserve it), we’ve come up with a list of upgrades that you can refer to, regardless of the occasion, which include unforgettable experiences down to elevated, everyday items. Enjoy.

WRITTEN BY PASQUALE CASULLO, CHRISTINA GONZALES, JAYNE ASHLEY HEATON, TIFFANY LEIGH

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Learn the Way of the Ninja

Japan is a nation overflowing with culture and perfect for the adventurer in search of an unconventional getaway. Kick off your 10-day trip in the land of the rising sun by learning the alluring ancient disciplines of the ninja – or shinobi – taught by a master sensei (famous for taking on thirteen Yakuzi at once), complete with throwing stars and blowguns. You’ll then head over to a sumo stable and watch the wrestlers undergo their morning training for a behind-the-scenes look. The trip isn’t all high-adrenaline, either. From Tokyo to Kyoto, you’ll stir-up ramen, brush up on calligraphy and flower arranging, master meditation, explore temples, and discover hidden city gems – all while being pampered in Japan’s top hotels for an experience you’ll never forget.

Black Tomato, $14,900 — PQ

Upgrade Get A House for Your Watches

A magnificent timepiece is indeed precious cargo and deserves a secure, cushioned spot while in transit. Louis Vuitton, the OG of luxury luggage purveyors, are the ones to trust for the job. Outfitted in their signature Damier Graphite canvas, with an ‘S-lock,’ your watches will be safe wherever you go.

Louis Vuitton 8-watch Trunk, $7,250 — PQ

Sign Off Like a Boss

A re-interpretation of Montblanc’s first fountain pen model developed in 1906, this precious resin-barreled beauty celebrates the distinguished company’s spirit. With a straightforward operation (no need for dipping into an inkwell), and sporting a snake-head clip with green spinel minerals for eyes, you’ll make a statement with every deal that you sign. Montblanc heritage collection rouge et noir special edition coral ballpoint pen, $680 — PQ

Promote Your Office Look

A trim, espresso-dark, soft-leather tote is a smart substitute for a heavy briefcase.

Featuring Gucci’s signature red-and-green web-detail and antiqued brass hardware, it’s the perfect size for stashing a few files, a laptop and any other essentials needed for your work. And just like a classic Gucci loafer, you’ll use this bag forever. Gucci work tote, $3,465 — PQ

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Rock Out

Made for the individual on the go, these foldable bluetooth headphones are powered by a drive unit as well-crafted as those found in Bowers & Wilkins loudspeakers, ensuring that your music sounds its best even in the worst conditions, from flying in a buzzing plane to strolling in a humming city. With black sheepskin-leather ear pads and a seventeen-hour battery life, you’ll always be listening in comfort, no matter where you’re going. Bowers & Wilkins P7 foldable wireless headphones, $450 — PQ

Commute in Style

For the daily commuter or weekend cyclist who loves style as much as speed, Pierrot’s ultra-chic bicycles are absolute eye candy. Frames come in colours and finishes to suit any rider’s personal style. Punchy coral or neon suits the trendsetter nicely, while always-pulled-together types will love the unique look of the all-black “The Onyx” or mod white “The Mono” frames. Our favourite, “The Chrome”, is a futuristic glimmering number perfect for just about anyone who likes nice things. Pierrot Bicycles Inc., $580-$640 — JAH

Grab Life by the Wheel

Those looking for a winter thrill ride should pay a visit to Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit. It’s a playground for performance driving enthusiasts, and the only motorsport facility that’s open in Canada year round.

Its rebellious, extra challenging tracks, which combine 19 corners, incredible elevation changes (91 metres of changes per lap, to be exact), and an off-roading course, are an adrenaline junkie’s dream. Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit; prices vary. — CG

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Warm Up in Something Other than Canada Goose

Ask your mother: nothing is cooler than keeping warm.

Created with urban living and warm comfort in mind, Moose Knuckles is changing the way we look in subzero temperatures. Constructed with tough workwear fabrics, but tailored for contemporary living, these cheeky jackets (see: cherry-red fox fur hoods) look great worn over a sharp suit or sleek dress. Moose Knuckles Stella canvas parka; $1,895 — PQ

Stand Out on the Slopes

Wagner has no off-the-rack models. Every ski is customised with a unique shape, flex pattern, and material composition for you and your style of skiing. Designed using ‘Skier DNA’ fitting process, it takes twelve-hours and an additional two weeks for one pair to be made. And while a standard colourway may be chosen (the tree-like marble ako is particularly fetching) you can even use a graphic of your own design for your sticks. Wagner Skis; starting at $1,750 — PQ

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Find Yourself

It’s important to know where you come from, and AncestryDNA is here to help.

Discover more about yourself with a DNA test that analyzes your data for 700,000 genetic markers to uncover your ethnic background, and your family’s history and origins. Boasting the world’s largest online consumer DNA database means you’ll uncover tons of living relatives you didn’t know you had. The more participants, the richer the database will grow, so this experience will keep getting better. AncestryDNA, $130 — JAH

Sail the Seas

Exploring the shores of St. Martin, Antigua, French Polynesia, Fiji and more from the deck of a private yacht with only your family and a private staff on board might sound like a treat reserved for the billionaire set, but TradeWinds Luxury Yacht Rentals brings the dream to life for the rest of us. Book a seven-day all-inclusive adventure, and lounge onboard sipping cocktails, or work up an appetite discovering deserted beaches and uncharted shorelines by kayak – a private chef will have dinner awaiting your return aboard. TradeWinds; prices vary. — JAH

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Boost Your Selfie Game

It was Instagram before Instagram – and far more fun. Used in the 1970s by everyone, including photography greats (Ansel Adams, Andy Warhol, Helmut Newton), the reissue of the first instant SLR camera shows that keeping a memory private amongst friends is more special than spreading it across the internet. Polaroid SX-70 camera, $550 — PQ

Espress Yourself

How you start your morning can set the tone for the rest of your day. For some, that means getting in a workout at the gym or a bout of meditation. For others, the trajectory for a successful day starts with that first hit of caffeine.

Coffee culture has grown to staggering heights in recent years, with cafes now offering a dizzying selection of beverages that hardly resemble anything close to the original stuff anymore. From pumpkin spice lattes to charcoal macchiatos, the question begs: what happened to just the old-fashioned, well-made classics?

The good news is that you don’t have to be an expert barista in order to enjoy connoisseur-level coffee at home. Whether for your family or your favourite client (or heck, even yourself), Saeco’s PicoBaristo is the gift that will keep on giving. Enclosed in a contemporary stainless steel body, with an integrated milk carafe and a 10-step grinder for adjustable richness, the superautomatic espresso machine is an upgrade for any discerning kitchen and morning routine. It makes up to 5,000 cups without descaling (low-maintenance is key) and offers 11 beverage options in order to satisfy the preferences of everyone in a household – consider it a workhorse wrapped in a show pony’s body. All this while delivering a consistently high-quality, piping hot cup of beautiful coffee that you can depend on when you need it most.

Saeco PicoBaristo Carafe, $1,800

SAECO & BAY STREET BULL

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Unplug in a Desert Oasis

Found in the middle of the Colorado Plateau, there are over six-hundred acres of protected 180 million-year-old land to explore by foot, helicopter, horseback, or an early morning hot-air balloon ride. Accommodation is contemporary, luxurious and soothing; the desert-view spa, and locally-sourced, seasonal dining may keep you inside, but not for long. Amangiri, Canyon Point, Utah; starting at $1,500 per night — PQ

Treat Your Feet

Whether on a business trip or with the family, you’ll feel a touch closer to home while shuffling around a hotel room wearing these soft, handmade leather slippers by English masters of nightwear, Derek Rose. Add natty striped pyjamas, a plush robe, a fresh-cut cigar, and a Hemingway novel for an extra domiciliary effect. Derek Rose Morgan leather slippers, $165 — PQ

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Take It To Go

Crafted in Italy’s historic Navigli district, this bespoke wine carrier is elegant, functional, and made to last. Made of fine mahogany leather, it’s an ideal gift for wanderlusters and wine connoisseurs need to have a fine glass of red, white, or bubbly nearby. Lorenzi Milano wine box, available at Mr. Porter.com, $3460 — TL

Stay Hydrated

Designed by the iconic Canadian design duo at Yabu Pushelberg, the Avenue Road gin lane bar cart, is all-at-once minimalist and striking.

Made of a smoked brass frame and a Carrara marble surface, it’s the perfect addition for any libation connoisseur who prefers to entertain from home. Avenue Road gin lane bar cart, $7,490 — TL

Step Up Your Staycation

The Adelaide Hotel in Toronto’s financial district is looking to elevate their guest visits by launching Exquisite Experiences. As a series, Experience Number One jetsets you to Niagara-on-the-Lake in 12 minutes. Highlights include intimate tastings with winemakers, a visit to 10 Below Peller Icewine Lounge for martinis, and a wine luncheon with Two Sisters Vineyards founders. The Adelaide Hotel, Exquisite Experiences; pricing upon request. — TL

Elevate Your Top Shelf

The perfect whisky for this winter? Think dark chocolate and spice. That’s what you get when you sip on Bowmore 15 Year Old ‘Darkest’, aged in second-fill bourbon casks and finished in Oloroso sherry casks for three years. The result is a delicious and rich flavour with gentle smoke. If you’re looking for something that will transport you to another world entirely, pick up Bowmore Vault Edition No. 1: Atlantic Sea Salt, the first of four limited expressions. Aged in casks placed close to ocean-facing walls in its No.1 Vaults, this alluring Scotch captures the very essence of the North Atlantic ocean, all within the confines of a beautiful dram.

Bowmore 15 Year Old Darkest, $96.25, and The Vault Edition No. 1 Atlantic Sea Salt, $200.20. — CG

BOWMORE & BAY STREET BULL

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WHERE TO TAKE YOUR CLIENTS

Kissa Tanto Where: Vancouver, British Columbia What: Restaurant; Japanese-Italian “Fix your hair, and wipe the mud from your boots.”

By way of a gold-lettered plaque at the entrance, this playful warning is one’s first greeting into the world of Kissa Tanto, and it certainly sets the mood for what will be a spirited evening.

Up a set of stairs in a faded Chinatown building not too far from Vancouver’s East Hastings neighborhood, the Japanese-Italian restaurant is a chamber of hidden treasures. Behind the bar are stacks of vinyl, and across from the supple banquettes, the turquoise walls are broken by patches of floral wallpaper.

“House of plenty,” what Kissa Tanto translates to in Japanese and Italian, serves a melange of flavours from both cultures. Think: miso and kombu seeped into lasagnas and porchettas.

There isn’t much space in the restaurant. The dining room isn’t exactly tiny, it’s just always full – a consequence of being exalted as one of Canada’s best new restaurants.

Kissa Tanto’s largest table seats six, so if you’re looking to celebrate with a large group after closing a deal, make your plans early.

Nevertheless, there couldn’t be a better setting to woo a new client. After a Singapore sling (or two), plead your case.

Our guess is, you’ll have their undivided attention. — RD 82 BAYSTBULL.COM WINTER 2017

WHAT TO GET YOUR CLIENTS

ROYAL DE VERSAILLES & BAY STREET BULL

Deakin & Francis Cufflinks There’s two things one can do to make a powerful first impression – maintain steady eye contact, and deliver a strong handshake.

It’s a wonderful surprise to catch the subtle glimmer of a cufflink during that handshake. Most times, a lot can be said about one’s personality. Are they quirky? They might be sporting bumble bees. Competitive? A race car would be telling. Or are they dark and brooding? One word: skulls.

Regardless, cufflinks peeking out from under the arm of a suit jacket will always leave a lasting impression.

For seven generations, Deakin & Francis have crafted cufflinks from gemstones set in fine gold and sterling silver. James and Henry Deakin, brothers and current owners of Deakin & Francis, studied gemology and cut their teeth at the luxury English cufflink maker after being mentored by their father.

The brothers work with a plethora of jewellers who mount the stones; enamelers, who create and hand paint the cufflinks; and engravers, who carve out initials and family crests. The hand-crafted designs are made with techniques that date back to the pharaohs of Egypt.

Deakin & Francis is England’s oldest family cufflinks jeweller, and they operate their store just steps from the fabled doors of Savile Row. But if you aren’t on the other side of the pond, our friends at Royal de Versailles, Toronto’s ultimate luxury destination, have got you covered. — RD

EXIT INTERVIEW

AEROPLAN & BAY STREET BULL

much passion and drive as me for our company and clients. The process of hiring new employees in a small, rapidly-evolving business involves trusting that your vision is respected, understood, and shared. When I learned to accept the help of others, I realized our true potential and an entirely new vision for the company.

How have you managed to attract such an elite roster of clientele being a relatively young business?

The honest answer is that nobody is unreachable.

People tend to believe that celebrities, CEOs and billionaires don’t use email, don’t check their Instagram DMs, and aren’t receptive to cold calls. We started the development of our celebrity and high net worth roster with one simple tool – the cold call email. A creative and concise pitch to the decisionmaker of a major company can go a long way.

Ryan Ward-Williams CEO and Creative Director, Ultrabrand When it comes to nurturing talent, they say to start them young. The adage holds true with Ryan Ward-Williams, CEO and creative director of luxury digital branding agency, Ultrabrand. When he was four years old, he asked his parents for a CEO desk and chair, foreshadowing his future as a dynamic, globe-trotting entrepreneur. Since then, Ward-Williams has gone on to work with some of the most influential names and brands in the world, from Kylie Jenner and the Kardashian clan to Harvard University, and credits his ability to travel on a whim as a major influence on the success of his business. Here, the Aeroplan ambassador dives in on how he grew his company, his advice on being an entrepreneur, and how to travel like a boss.

Describe Ultrabrand and what gap it fills in the market.

Ultrabrand is a lifestyle digital branding agency.

We specialize in high-end digital campaign management including website and eCommerce design for the world’s most influential people and top performing brands. The gap we fill is a very unique one. We are pioneers in luxury branding, and our expertise lies in our ability to build unforgettable digital experiences and market luxury products like private jets and extravagant homes to the right audience.

What do you think makes a great brand?

The volume of competition that brands face these days is enormous. Great brands are able to effectively stand out by developing a unique identity and value proposition. They know their target market, how to expertly engage them, and are consistent in their delivery. Storytelling is at the heart of this process and delivering a brand’s story with powerful imagery and messaging helps create a human connection between a brand and its customer.

What is the most important lesson that you have learned about being an entrepreneur?

My business realized exponential growth over the last five years and expanding my team was critical in helping us drive continued success. For a long time, I tried to control everything, do everything, be everywhere. I had to let go, accept the natural course, and believe that my team would have as

How does being an Aeroplan member impact your business?

We treat Aeroplan like we treat our corporate financial account and have strategies in place that help us earn miles quickly. Without Aeroplan our travel expenses would exceed six figures. Our clients expect the highest level of service and having the ability to travel with Aeroplan without blackout dates and hidden fees takes the hassle out of business travel. We also redeem for business and first class seats to ensure that we arrive at our destination well rested and ready to go.

What strategies do you use to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of using Aeroplan to run your business?

I adopt a cashless lifestyle and pay for all my expenses and recurring payments on my Aeroplanaffiliated financial card to maximize mile accumulation. The more I expense on my card, the more miles I earn for my next trip. I also bring my business earning strategy into my personal world by connecting multiple cards to the same Aeroplan account and purchase technology, office supplies and luggage on the Aeroplan eStore, a gateway that earns members at least one mile for every dollar spent. These simple strategies help us quickly build our balance and book flights on short notice with ease. We look at Aeroplan as a partner in our business operations.