THE SPEED OF CHANGE
Almost overnight the cultural fabric of Qatar shifted. One hundred years ago, Qatar was obscure and life was simple. Pearl diving was the way of life. In the 1930s, Japan introduced cultured pearls. In the 1940s, Qatar discovered oil, and in the 1970s, natural gas. Life would never be the same. A Princeton study suggests a direct correlation between economic growth and individualism[1]. Qatar was once collectivistic – exhibiting camaraderie, greater religiosity, and national pride. As Qatar grows wealthier, it is losing its community orientation. A retired pearl diver in a Doha market said, “Those were better days. We knew each other…