First Salon: Streetcar edition

WHEN: May 3, 2007; arrive between 6PM – 7PM, talk begins at 7PM sharp (more details here)

WHERE: Sycamore Place (Sycamore & 7th), 2H (map)

SPEAKER & TOPIC: As a former senior communications specialist and strategist for Transport for London (London’s public transportation body), Antoine Clarke has been deeply involved in the public consultation for initiatives such as London’s traffic congestion charge and the Thames Gateway Bridge. Drawing on his experience and knowledge of global public transportation, and in light of Cincinnati’s developing plans for a municipal streetcar and/or light rail system, Antoine will be talking about how various world cities have approached similar endeavors. What works? What doesn’t? What should taxpayers demand of public transportation? Antoine will tell us, and tailor his remarks with regard for the plans currently underway in Cincinnati.

BIO: The international editor of the weekly magazine Pharma Marketletter, Antoine Clarke is a former senior communications specialist for Transport for London and several London boroughs. Previously a political and economic strategist to the finance minister of the Slovak Republic and member of the prime minister’s policy unit, he additionally served as deputy editor of Conflict International magazine. He is also a contributor to the Centre for the New Europe’s online publications dealing with healthcare, the environment, and global competition policy. A frequent commentator on British television and in the press, Antoine presents at corporate and think-tank events around the world, most recently at Johnson & Johnson’s Global Communication Technology Conference in Philadelphia and What MySpace Means, the Putney Debates, and Liberty 2006 in London.

(Antoine is also my fiancé, and so has kindly offered to shoulder the burden of being our guinea pig first speaker. Thanks, Antoine!)

“What’s up with this?” you may ask…

When I moved to Cincinnati last month, one thing I missed most immediately about London were the salon-style gatherings, hosted by various friends, which are held several times a month in that city. Whether it was hearing an African immigrant’s perspective on Live8 and getting to pick his brain afterwards, or discussing the topic “What is consent?: Sex, consumer society, tedious jobs, taxes and bad government, did we always really say ‘yes’?” with philosophers, historians, and plebs like myself, I always had a blast. That I also learned something and engaged in truly thought-provoking conversation was pure gravy.

Washington, D.C. economist Dan Mitchell speaks on “The Moral Argument for Tax Havens” at Christian Michel’s 6/20 salon, London, September 2006

While a powerful, knowledgeable speaker is important, equally as integral to a good salon is the mix of people who gather to consider the speaker’s words and to question him or her – quite rigorously if need be – and one another on the topic at hand. I have made some of my best friends through salons, and never fail to be amazed at the fruit of such a laidback yet challenging event.

Paul Coulam, Amoy Ing, and Dr Jan Lester enjoy a drink and a chat after Dan Mitchell’s talk

The salon format works as well in cities like Mumbai, New York, and Rio as it does in London. I’m guessing it will work pretty well in Cincinnati, too. Let’s see for ourselves, shall we?