Culture

A lot of people in society understandably want to feel important, and one of the ways you do this is to show people how busy you are… and one of the ways you show people how busy you are is to describe how little time you have for sleep.

Sleep scientist and author of "Why We Sleep

The luxury industry is built on heritage, craftsmanship and relationships – we have spent a decade building those relationships and nurturing and caring for the brands' heritage.

Founder and CEO of Farfetch, luxury fashion e-commerce platform

I dreamt of Farfetch for the love of fashion. I was absolutely determined to create something in the intersection of both fashion and tech – my two passions. I think the idea really came when I was in my showroom in Paris during fashion week and I could see all these boutiques who were just not going to survive as the internet and e-commerce really started to change the fashion industry.

Founder and CEO of Farfetch, luxury fashion e-commerce platform

Slowly, over the course of a decade, we built relationships by proving we weren't there to destroy luxury's heritage and its 'unspoken codes of conduct,' but actually to protect them and enable this industry to thrive. We were fashion insiders, and we just happened to be coders too!

Founder and CEO of Farfetch, luxury fashion e-commerce platform

The mythology tells us that you come to the valley and forge your own path, but in reality young people come here and are asked to essentially create careers that are a daisy chain of gigs on mini-innovation projects within large corporations.

Elizabeth Holmes is the product of a culture that has brought up young entrepreneurs to say, and believe, that 'moving fast and breaking things' is cool, that disrupting now and worrying about the consequences later is fine and that breaking laws and regulations is something to be proud of.

Investigative journalist who exposed Theranos fraud through Wall Street Journal reporting

People think that life inside Silicon Valley firms is like life under an orange tree, where you suck on the oranges and everyone treats each other perfectly – but that's not quite right… people are ruthless, competitive… human.

Editor-in-Chief of Wired Magazine & Cybersecurity Expert

Our thought was simple; why don't' we send ill-informed comedians to look at these social issues? And that turned out to be the magical idea – because people were used to experts and journalists, talking in terms of agricultural yields and geopolitics… we sent out normal people, who were very well known, to talk about human issues and human problems.

British Film Director & Screenwriter of Romantic Comedies

I was raised in a really unique way, and it gave me a different view on gender and, in some ways, race. I was raised in a commune, and I grew up without mirrors- without vanity. To be without mirrors growing up means that there's no real defined sense of self based on the external. When I came into America however, I was told I was a girl, and this is what you can and can't do… it really is cult like thinking, and gender is a cult, and it's so dull… it's not what we are, it doesn't encompass what we are.

Actress & #MeToo activist who exposed Harvey Weinstein harassment

In my own experience, I have realised that diverse groups perform better and tackle challenges far more effectively than homogeneous teams. Contrary to what is happening in many parts of the world, the UAE firmly believes in and celebrates the principles of tolerance and diversity.

Founder and Chairman of Damac Properties, major UAE real estate developer

The UAE has a rich history of trade and has, for centuries, offered fertile grounds for dreamers to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations. The UAE also has a history of opening its home to people from all over the world, and this diversity brings with it a unique opportunity of creating new markets and businesses.

Founder and Chairman of Damac Properties, major UAE real estate developer

written word is the base of culture, the spine. The other limbs and torso that attach to the spine, still depend upon the spine. Without the written word, there can be no other form of communication….

Renowned poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist; author of "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

art has always played a role in revolution, evolution and change. Art has always been a great changing force, the great common denominator, and a force to help people understand the world we live in, and the people within that world.

Member of hip-hop group The Roots; drummer and co-founder

We're also at a time where political culture has become popular culture – in other words, it's become a central talking point for everyone… it's become the water cooler conversation – and political comedy and satire have really come to the fore.

Comedian and former Daily Show correspondent known for Netflix special "Patriot Act

Growing up, I was a speech and debate kid – and I realised that anytime I made the judges laugh, I would automatically get 10-15 points higher on my final score! Comedy, and making people laugh, has the power to engender empathy and to make people like you.

Comedian and former Daily Show correspondent known for Netflix special "Patriot Act

Comedy chips at people in power, particularly those who use tyrannical power. It strips their fake respect, and destroys the fake fear they create; and these are people who rely on being respected, and being feared. Comedy and satire make the emperor look naked.

Egyptian comedian and political satirist known for "The Daily Show" parody