Opinion
Larissa does New York … and why it matters
Rodney Croome …
The New Out-of-Towners
In its most recent edition, the New Yorker is clearly having a behind- the-hand giggle at David and Larissa Bartlett. The Bartletts’ opponents will say it’s their fault for not being sophisticated enough. Their supporters will condemn the magazine as arrogant. But these are lazy responses. Instead we should ask what exactly is being made fun of?
“Provincialism” is an obvious answer. This is a word New Yorkers use to describe the wide-eyed excitement of all non New Yorkers when they are in Manhattan. By this definition almost everyone in the world is a provincial, which is precisely what most New Yorkers believe.
Worse, because New Yorkers perceive their city to be the centre of the world, the further away visitors live from New York the more “provincial” they must be. Coming as the Bartletts’ do from “an impossibly distant sparsely populated backwater” at “the bottom of the map of the world” these latest Out-of-Towners give the New Yorker an excellent opportunity to exercise an old conceit.
But is New York’s inflated ego entirely to blame? As observed by John Heard, the Melbourne writer who alerted me to the article, it reads like something a European journalist would have written of an American mid-west governor and his wife fifty or hundred years ago. The problem for Europeans, then and now, is not so much the cultural unsophistication of Americans, but their dauntlessly optimistic, onwards-and-upwards view of history. Larissa Bartlett’s official spiel about Tasmania conforms perfectly, and allows the New Yorker to finally get the revenge America deserves. This is why her tick-box “island of the future” rhetoric is quoted at length and why the New Yorker feels the need to insert its own version of a grimmer Tasmania (which is surprisingly detailed given its assertion that “Tasmania’s profile has nowhere to go but up”).
The lesson couldn’t be clearer. If the world is ever to take Tasmania seriously, official versions of our history and our future must weave light and dark together. They must be nuanced. They must show we understand ourselves as more than cardboard cut-outs. This won’t be easy. Narratives about Tasmania are unusually bi-polar – all white or all dark, all reason or all unreason. But we have no choice. We must find a way to bring these two Tasmanian’s together if we are ever to have an island that is something more to the world than a distant, provincial backwater.
The New Yorker article …
Larissa Bartlett, the First Lady of Tasmania, was in New York last week, on a mission to enhance American awareness of her island—a mission that, it might reasonably be thought, can only have a positive outcome. Tasmania’s profile has nowhere to go but up. To the extent that most Americans have any opinion of Tasmania, it is to regard it as the Australia of Australia—an impossibly distant, sparsely populated backwater with spectacular beaches and improbable marsupials, sliding inconsequentially off the bottom of the map of the world.
It was the first visit to New York for Mrs. Bartlett, who is an official spokesperson for Brand Tasmania, a marketing program to promote products native to Australia’s smallest state. The First Lady, who is tall, with blond highlights and an unpretentious manner, was eager to position hers as an island of the future. “Tasmania’s been going through a bit of a renaissance,” she explained as she sat in a suite at the Sofitel in midtown. (Through the window, she could see what she had to be reminded was called the Chrysler Building.) She enumerated Tasmania’s industries: hydropower, mining, telecommunications, boatbuilding. “We have agriculture, aquaculture, and produce production,” she said. Tasmanian sheep, she explained, provide some of the finest merino wool in the world—although, sheepish herself for a moment, she admitted that the red knit shrug she was wearing over a plum-colored dress was not of Tasmanian origin. “And we have the whole Southern Hemisphere’s production of saffron, which is literally worth its weight in gold,” she said. “I think there are two shoeboxes full that come out of the state.” Tasmanian wine, she added, is another high-quality product, though only fifteen per cent of it is exported, much of the rest presumably being consumed by the Renaissance men and women of Hobart, the capital city. Tasmania also has the cleanest air in the world, according to measurements taken at the discouragingly named Cape Grim.
Bartlett, who is forty-one years old, was born in England but moved to Penguin, Tasmania, as a baby; she fled the island for the more cosmopolitan precinct of Sydney after graduating from college, only to return in 2001. “I left pretty much as soon as I could,” she said. “Very often, if you grow up on an island, you leave—you kind of need to, in order to appreciate where you come from. But then you want to go back and look after it—preserve it, but grow it.” These days, she is happy to be an ambassador for a place hitherto most often associated with transported convicts, the near-obliteration of its indigenous population, and a scavenging, doglike marsupial named without the aid of a branding consultant. (Turns out there are distinctively Tasmanian animals other than the notorious devil, including the bandicoot—“It has a little pointy face, pointy ears, a stripy back, and it sort of looks like a cross between a squirrel and a mini wallaby”—and the potoroo, “a miniature wallaby.”)
…
Having left at home their two young children, Matilda and Hudson—the latter of whom was named in part for the Hudson River and in part for Peter Hudson, a well-known Tasmanian football player—the Bartletts were planning to spend a little time exploring the city. Their itinerary was a tourist apotheosis: Central Park, the Guggenheim, a Broadway show, the Statue of Liberty. “We’ll go to Little Italy; I would love to go to Chinatown; we’ll obviously have a stroll down Fifth Avenue at some point,” Mrs. Bartlett said. She was looking forward to dinner in the West Village, though she had not yet picked out a restaurant. “It’s a neighborhood that I had heard of more than I had heard of others,” she explained. “I understand there are a lot of places to eat, and you get really good coffee there.” On Sunday morning, an outing was planned to the Abyssinian Baptist Church, in Harlem. “This type of church doesn’t exist in Australia,” she said. “We’re not necessarily going for worship purposes. It’s more for absorbing part of this vibrant, diverse culture that we don’t have.”
What the Premier said about the visit:
Tasmania’s Broadband Advantage Promoted to the World
Friday, 23 July 2010
The Premier, David Bartlett, today released a comprehensive summary of events on his nine-day trip to the United States.
The travel diary shows almost 40 events in nine days, and several follow-up opportunities for Tasmania.
“These have been some of the most intense and rewarding days in my political career,” Mr Bartlett said.
“I’m delighted to have met so many influential and innovative players in the U.S. government, media, and IT industry, and convinced them of Tasmania’s incredible potential.
“Tasmania will be the most connected place on the planet by 2014. This trip has ensured the IT world knows it.
“Anyone who labelled this “light on” or “a junket” is clearly wrong, and has damaged their credibility.
“They also clearly don’t care about selling Tasmania’s imminent and unique IT advantages to the world, and therefore creating new jobs and new opportunities.
“While the opposition grabs a cheap headline, the Government will work hard, and take responsibility for ensuring Tasmanians have a bright, dynamic future in the new digital economy,” Mr Bartlett said.
Monday 11 July, Washington DC
1. Australia America Leadership Dialogue – U.S. State Department Reception.
U.S. Government Official Function (Larissa Bartlett in attendance for formal State function.) The Australian American Leadership Dialogue is the private bi-partisan diplomatic initiative which brings together Australian and American leaders to help review and refine the parameters of the bilateral relationship and look for mutual investment and trade opportunities with leaders of business and Government.
2. Meeting with Merdad Baghai, Managing Director – Alchemy Growth Partners. Opportunity to follow up: possible partnership to provide online and real programs for student development in Tasmanian schools.
3. Meeting with Dr. Lesley Russell, Menzies Foundation Fellow and Visiting Fellow at the Centre for American Progress, George Washington University.
Opportunity to follow up: to share progressive online health strategy.
Tuesday 12 July, Washington DC
4. Australia America Leadership Dialogue – Breakfast Briefing on U.S. Political Status.
5. Australia America Leadership Dialogue – U.S. State Department Briefing, including briefing from Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, on U.S. Australian and global issues.
6. Meeting with Larry Irving, Vice President – Global Government Relations, Hewlett Packard.
Discussed NBN roll out in Australia.
Opportunity to follow up: Larry Irving to visit Tasmania to discuss HP involvement in innovative NBN applications.
7. Larissa Bartlett, as Brand Ambassador, interview with Food and Wine Magazine editor.
Opportunity to follow up: Information from DEDTA to be provided for further articles.
8. Australia America Leadership Dialogue – Library of Congress Reception for Bipartisan Australian Members of Parliaments and Bipartisan U.S. Members of Congress. (Larissa Bartlett in attendance for formal State function.)
9. Australia America Leadership Dialogue – Co-present with Professor Larry Smarr and Senator Stephen Conroy on NBN rollout, and potential in Tasmania and Australia, to a session of delegates to the AALD.
Opportunity to follow up: 15-20 business contacts to be followed up by Premier’s Office, DEDTA and DPAC.
Wednesday 14 July, Washington DC
10. Australia America Leadership Dialogue – Breakfast Briefing on U.S. Economic Status.
11. Meeting with Patrick Dewar, Corporate Vice President – Lockheed Martin. Discussion on Lockheed Martin’s investment in innovative large scale renewable energy projects globally.
Opportunity to follow up: Invite Lockheed Martin representatives to visit Tasmania with potential investment.
12. Meeting with Bruce Wolpe, Senior Advisor to Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Discussion on U.S. renewable energy investment policy and industry assistance models.
13. Meeting with Indigo Telecom USA – CEO, Matthew Freedman. Discuss provision of services for regions beyond fibre reach of NBN.
Opportunity to follow up: Invite Indigo’s Australian start-up office to Tasmania.
14. Meeting with Leonard M. Harlan of Castle Harlan Inc.
Discussion on import of Tasmanian Fine Furniture.
Opportunity to follow up: Potential for Design Centre to follow up.
15. Australia America Leadership Dialogue – Briefing and side meeting with Daniel Poneman, Deputy Secretary – US Department of Energy.
Discussion on U.S. renewable energy investment policy and industry assistance models.
16. Visit to residence of Australian Ambassador to the U.S., Hon. Kim Beazley AM. Discussion on Ambassador’s potential role for Tasmania in “G’day USA” events. Discussion on U.S.-Australia trade and investment with focus on NBN and renewable energy. (Larissa Bartlett in attendance for formal State function.) Opportunity to follow up: Tourism Tasmania to follow up with Embassy regarding Tasmania specific event to be held at the residence.
17. Meeting with U.S. Education Secretary, Arne Duncan.
Discussion on online education, connected classroom policy and opportunities.
Opportunity to follow up: Connected classroom opportunities between U.S. and Tasmanian schools specifically in Australian Smart Towns and U.S. equivalents.
Thursday 15 July, Washington DC – New York
TRAVEL TO NEW YORK FROM WASHINGTON DC – 5 HOURS
18. Interview with Fast Company Magazine in New York. Magazine dedicated to reporting about how the “fast companies”, entrepreneurs, and cutting-edge are doing what they do.
Opportunity to follow up: Premier’s Office to follow up re. Smart Grid Tasmanian opportunity story and detail.
Friday 16 July, New York
19. Meeting with Beth Noveck.
Beth Simone Noveck is the United States Deputy Chief Technology Officer for Open Government, and leads President Obama‘s”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama>’s Open Government Initiative >. Based at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy >, she is an expert on technology and institutional innovation.
Opportunity to follow up: Multiple policy opportunities for Tasmanian Government in online service delivery, transparency and policy formulation. Invitation to Beth Noveck to visit Tasmania in the coming months, to work with Government.
20. Interview with New York Times former Australian Correspondent.
21. Interview with the Infrastructurist – a global online publication focussed on major infrastructure sustainability and innovation around the world.
22. Meeting with Steve Hasker, President Media Product Leadership. Discuss online media, entertainment opportunities and like proponents for Tasmania.
Opportunity to follow up: Invitation for Hasker to strategically advise on element of NBN exploitation strategy.
23. Australia America Leadership Dialogue Conclusion.
Briefing from Terrance Checki – Deputy Chief, U.S. Federal Reserve, on Economic prospects and implications for global economic recovery.
Saturday 17 July, New York
23. Larissa Bartlett, as Brand Ambassador, interview with Travel and Leisure Magazine, Senior Editor.
Opportunity to follow up: Information from DEDTA to be provided for further articles.
24. Larissa Bartlett, as Brand Ambassador, interview with The New Yorker Magazine.
Opportunity to follow up: Information from DEDTA to be provided for further articles.
25. Meeting with Matt Leavy, CEO – Pearson e-College. Pearson is an international media company with world-leading businesses in education, business information and consumer publishing. Pearson have recently made a major investment in a Tasmanian e-learning company. Discussion on potential expansion plans in Tasmania as part of Pearson e-College global network of online education development shops.
Opportunity to follow up: Invite Matt Leavy to visit Tasmania in the next few months and work to assist expansion plans for company in Tasmania.
26. Meeting with Clinton Moloney, Managing Consultant – Blu Skye Sustainability Consulting >. Tasmanian Alumni with global experience in sustainability advice for major corporates and government.
Monday 19 July New York – Seattle
27. Meeting with Mark Habner, Managing Director – SSA&COMPANY. Tasmanian Alumni with global experience in development. Brand Tasmania advocate in New York with connections to media, publishing and finance.
LARISSA BARTLETT DEPARTS FOR TASMANIA
TRAVEL TO SEATTLE FROM NEW YORK – 5 HOURS
28. Meeting with Nigel Warren, Consul General for Australia (West Coast, U.S.A.). Discuss investment and trade strategies and brief Consul on Tasmanian opportunities.
Opportunity to follow up: Several areas for follow up by DPAC and Premier’s office, with particular reference to Silicon Valley companies, NBN, “G’day USA” Innovation events.
Tuesday 20 July Seattle
29. Meeting with Alex Steffan, Executive Director – World Changing (www.worldchanging.com >). Their blurb: Worldchanging.com is a non-profit media organization headquartered in Seattle, WA, that comprises a global network of independent journalists, designers and thinkers. We cover the world’s most innovative solutions to the planet’s problems, and inspire readers around the world with stories of new tools, models and ideas for building a bright green future.
Opportunity to follow up: Major opportunity for Tasmanian articles in a significant global online publication on renewables, water, sustainability and optic fibre. Invited Alex Steffan to visit Tasmania – potentially January – for a focus on Tasmanian sustainability opportunities.
30. Meeting with Tim Harris, Business Development Director from Microsoft. Discussion on online Government, “town hall” applications and “Citizen at the Centre” strategies.
Opportunity to follow up: Significant opportunity to trial citizen engagement tools in Smart Towns and further across NBN. Microsoft and DPAC to work together on potential pilots.
31. Meeting with Steven Walzer, Business Development Manager – Health Solutions Group from Microsoft. Discussion on Health applications, with specific emphasis on citizen at the centre strategies, for engagement in self management of chronic disease, online health monitoring, home-based online health solutions.
Opportunity to follow up: Significant opportunity to trial Health tools in Smart Towns and further across NBN. Microsoft, DPAC, DHHS to work together on potential pilots.
32. Meeting with Brendon Lynch – Chief Privacy Officer from Microsoft, as well as other executives. Discussion and demonstration of Microsoft Hohm products, and their application in high-speed broadband communities.
Opportunity to follow up: Significant opportunity to trial applications in Smart Towns and further across NBN. Microsoft and the Premier’s office to work together on potential pilots.
Wednesday 21 July Seattle – San Jose – Silicon Valley – San Francisco TRAVEL TO SEATTLE – SAN JOSE – 4 HOURS
33. Meeting with CISCO Executives.
Strategic briefing on networking technology futures, and discussion on broadband applications in Tasmania. Discussion on process for driving innovation from the “ground up” in NBN smart towns.
Opportunity to follow up: A range of areas with regard to Smart Town technologies.
34. Meeting with Paul De Martini – Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Smart Grid Technology, CISCO.
Discussion on smart grid technology application and potential pilot site for smart grid, smart building technology in Tasmania.
Opportunity to follow up: Major opportunity for CISCO (and other technologies) trials in Tasmania. Vice President open to visit Tasmania in the coming months. Follow up with local CISCO in the interim.
35. Meeting with Meebo.com executives. Meebo is a fast growing Silicon Valley company that partner with a development team in Tasmania and are looking to expand access to Tasmanian skills.
Opportunity to follow up: Work with MEEBO.com in the short term to grow Tasmanian connections.
36. Meeting with Managing Partners of Tasmanian development firm Secret Lab, in Silicon Valley. Discuss opportunities for growth in jobs in Tasmania via partnership in Silicon Valley.
Opportunity to follow up: Very good prospects for jobs growth in mobile phone applications development. Work with Secret Lab and other Tasmanian companies to enhance links into Silicon Valley. Develop strategy to skill-up Tasmanian developers in this area.
37. Meeting with Andrew Lacy – Co-Founder and CEO of Tapulous. Tapulous Inc. is an American > software > and video game > developer > and publisher > headquartered in Palo Alto, California >. It had recently been acquired as a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company > as part of the Disney Interactive Media Group >. The company’s most profitable products are the Tap Tap > series of music games, which has surpassed over thirty-five million downloads Opportunity to follow up: Founder Andrew Lacy is Australian and is keen to work back in Australia mentoring young development companies. Premier’s office to follow up with Andrew Lacy on development strategy for Tasmanian start-ups in this area.
38. Meeting with Senior Executives of Google including Larry Alder – Product Manager, James Kelly Systems Product Manager; Matthew Bye – Competition Counsel, Nicklas Lundblad – Head of Public Policy. Google are deeply aware of and interested in the NBN roll out in Tasmania. They currently have a corporate strategy to create a number of U.S. smart towns similar to the roll outs in Midway Point, Smithton and Scottsdale.
Opportunity to follow up: Major opportunity to engage Google in a sharing partnership on the roll out and application of NBN. Google executives to potentially visit Tasmania in the coming months.
39. Host a Reception for 20-30 Silicon Valley start-ups, company executives and industry bodies including Spikesource, Juniper Networks, Cloudshield, Ambature, Stridus and many more.
Opportunity to follow up: Follow up each company through Consulate for partnering opportunities with Tasmania – particularly in smart grid technology and applications development.
TRAVEL – SAN FRANCISCO TO TASMANI