The Monocle Minute

When US political operatives now talk of information flows, as some do with annoying regularity, they are referring not only to the one-way influence of mass media but also to the unpredictable person-to-person vectors of social media. Major news stories are increasingly shaped by conspiracy theories (such as the persistent QAnon narrative) and online jokes (for example, Tim Walz’s reference to JD Vance’s supposed copulation with a couch) that originated in obscure corners of the internet. If you want to know what will be talked about on CNN, leading The New York Times tomorrow or mentioned by your political rival on a debate or rally stage, you need to know what’s bouncing around social media and group chats today.

Political operatives have been forced to adjust. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee now instructs its local organisers to join community Whatsapp groups and Facebook pages that are otherwise closed to outsiders. “Strategies have to prioritise digital communication and content because that’s how and where opinions about everything from politics to ice cream are being formed,” says Democratic consultant Michael Halle, who oversees Pete Buttigieg’s political operations. During Buttigieg’s presidential campaign, his team invested heavily in so-called “relational organising”, which trained supporters to persuade friends and family rather than having volunteers contact strangers. Other candidates, including Kamala Harris, have been turning to individuals with significant online followings to amplify and spread their chosen messaging. In their Chicago convention hall this summer, Democrats cleared out writing desks to make room for such “influencers” and “creators”.

Some of this thinking would not be unusual in large swaths of the world where rumour and a partisan press have always been major drivers of political communication. But in the US, which stood out throughout the 20th century for a centralised media that aspired to a neutral authority, this demands a whole new mindset. It also requires humility. While politicians are practised at trying to shape what shows up on nightly newscasts and front pages, no one can ever fully control word of mouth.

Sasha Issenberg is Monocle’s US politics correspondent. For more opinion, analysis and insight, subscribe to Monocle today.

Turkey’s foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, is in Egypt today in a bid to normalise ties between his country and the Arab League for the first time in 13 years. Foreign ministers of 22 Arab nations are gathering in Cairo for the 162nd regular session of the group, which includes Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Syria. This week’s discussions will focus on regional issues that require joint action, such as the conflicts in Yemen and Gaza.

Turkey’s concentrating on the latter. Despite Ankara’s strained relations with several members of the group as a result of its military involvement in Syria, Libya and Somalia, it is calling for a united Islamic front against what it calls the “Israeli expansionism threat”. Whether this will help normalise Turkey’s severed ties with the rest of the Arab world remains to be seen. In recent years the Nato nation has made a significant push towards joining other alliances, expressing interest in being part of the EU, the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation and the Brics bloc, led by Russia and China.

For more on Turkey’s visit to Cairo, tune in to ‘The Globalist’ on Monocle Radio from 07.00 London time.

The US’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train is coming to southern California early next year. The $20m (€18m) Zemu (Zero-Emission Multiple Unit) train will shuttle passengers over a nine-mile rail line, connecting the cities of San Bernardino and Redlands. As a major distribution hub, the region’s air quality is among the country’s worst. Instead of producing damaging emissions, the new train’s hybrid hydrogen fuel cell and battery system will only release water vapour.

Despite concerns over the efficiency of hydrogen as a fuel source, Californian private and state investors are already betting billions on propping up the infrastructure. Speedy developments are needed, not least ahead of 2028 when motor-vehicle-loving Los Angeles has boldly promised a “car-free” Olympic Games. Given the amount of progress to be made, that might sound like an optimistic claim. But that same year, the first planned releases of hydrogen cars from the likes of BMW and Toyota will be rolled out. Assuming these companies’ confidence is warranted, the age of hydrogen might well be fast-approaching.

Venture capitalist-turned-hotelier Keisuke Yui reinvented the concept of urban accommodation when he launched the first 9h Nine Hours capsule hotel in Kyoto in 2009. Now, Yui has pushed the brand even further with a new opening in Tokyo’s Shinagawa in partnership with NTT Data. Each of the 70 capsules in the men-only hotel is equipped with a ‘9h sleep fitscan’ that can analyse guests’ sleep patterns.

NTT Data plans to use the information to develop new food and medical products to improve the quality of rest. Sensors, infrared cameras and microphones in each of the cabins will monitor metrics such as how much a person snores or rolls over during the night. The move also represents a broader ambition by NTT Data to increase its healthcare revenue to ¥30bn (€189m) by 2030.

Stefano Canali is the third-generation leader and CEO of family-owned luxury menswear brand Canali. Founded in 1934, the group recently celebrated 90 years of immaculate Italian craftsmanship. To mark the occasion, Monocle Radio caught up with Stefano to discuss the secret behind the brand’s success, the importance of physical retail and the mysticism of the “Made in Italy” tag.

Tell us about the brand’s values and ethos.
There are two basic, founding principles for the brand: respect and responsibility. These allow people to do the right thing for both the planet and themselves. Showing respect and responsibility means the artisans’ knowledge is transferred from one generation to another and that there is shared wealth with the community you work with. As far as the consumer is concerned, these values ensure that the final product will be high quality.

What does “Made in Italy” stand for today?
It is a very effective way to summarise what the country stands for as far as cultural taste is concerned. I’m often asked this question and I always refer to the beauty that surrounds us. It’s important for a person outside of Italy to spend time here surrounded by art, masterpieces and the result of different layers of cultural cross-contamination that have occurred over the past centuries. This ongoing inspiration is what enriches the “Made in Italy” product, whether it’s a garment, a recipe or a piece of modern art.

Why are physical retail shops important in this day and age?
It is very important to have a physical presence as a luxury brand. For instance, the Canali Lab initiative is our way of educating our sales staff to offer consumers a fully fledged experience of the whole brand. We managed to further enhance this experience at our shop in the centre of Milan by creating a special VIP lounge for customers, which features a private garden. These experiences enable leisurely discussions with customers that strengthen their relationship with the brand.

For our full interview with Stefano Canali, tune in to episode 665 of ‘The Entrepreneurs’ on Monocle Radio.

Robert Bound is joined in the studio by writer and Monocle on Culture regular Will Hodgkinson to discuss his new book, Street-Level Superstar, A Year With Lawrence. The book tells the story of Lawrence, the founder of the band Felt, and later, Denim. Is he the greatest pop star that never was?