Gary Davis and the World Passport: How One Man Challenged National Boundaries and Championed World Government

Gary Davis was an extraordinary figure and one of the most important pioneers of post-nationalism in the 20th century. As a former Broadway actor and World War II pilot, Davis was profoundly impacted by the horrors of war, prompting him to renounce his American citizenship in 1948. He famously declared himself a “citizen of the world” and, in a bold move, interrupted a United Nations General Assembly session to advocate for world government and the idea of global citizenship.

Davis didn’t stop there. He created the “World Passport,” a speculative document for those who identify as global citizens. Surprisingly, despite its unconventional nature, this document has been accepted by some countries, allowing people to cross borders with it. Davis also played a pivotal role in founding the World Government of World Citizens, striving to transcend national boundaries, and built a coalition of cities to support this vision.

For those interested in his fascinating life and contributions to the post-national movement, I highly recommend the documentary The World Is My Country, which delves into his life’s mission and his ongoing influence on global citizenship movements. It’s one of the most exciting documentaries I’ve ever seen. #postnational

Why You Should Stop Using Spotify: The Truth Behind Low Artist Pay and Questionable Ethics

As someone passionate about both art and business, I've become increasingly concerned with Spotify's impact on the music industry. If you care about supporting artists, it might be time to consider switching to another platform. Here's why:

🎵 Spotify Pays Artists LESS Than Almost Any Other Platform

Artists fuel the entire music industry, yet Spotify consistently pays them the least. Recently, they've even cut payments further. If you care about musicians being paid fairly, this is a serious problem.

😒 Spotify's CEO Is Out of Touch

Daniel Ek, Spotify's CEO, once said that the cost of creating music is "close to zero." If you know anything about making music, you'll understand how ridiculous that statement is. It takes years of dedication to develop skills to make something good. His comment shows a complete disregard for the creative process.

📉 New Policy Hurts Indie Artists

Starting in 2024, Spotify won't pay royalties on tracks with fewer than 1,000 streams per year. This affects around 86% of the content on the platform, mostly indie and emerging artists. Imagine putting your heart and soul into music and not getting paid for it. Unacceptable!

💣 Military AI Investments?!

Ek also invested €100 million into a company that develops AI for military defense. If you're concerned about ethics, this raises big questions about Spotify's values and priorities.

So, what's the alternative?

Almost any other streaming service is better for artists than Spotify. Apple Music pays nearly 4x more per stream. But if you want to truly support artists, I recommend buying music on Bandcamp or attending live shows.