Canada and Denmark have placed ads on Google’s network regarding ownership of an island.
“We saw it first before you saw it first!” goes the argument between fishermen from different countries over a newly-risen island in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld Novel, “Jingo.” Being a fantasy novel, neither of the home nations of the two fishermen and their sons has anything like Google (though the metropolis of Ankh-Morpork has a magical library and a remarkable Librarian.)
In the real world, countries don’t resort to name-calling when disputes over land arise. They resort to diplomacy, which is name-calling done in a polite and formal manner. Or they send in the armies to discuss the matter over a fusillade of gunfire and air strikes.
Fortunately, Canada and Denmark haven’t resorted to either tactic yet. Hans Island measures roughly half a square mile in size and rests between Canada’s Ellesmere Island and Greenland, which Denmark controls. According to CNET News, ownership of the island has been disputed.
Apparently neither country cared a whole lot about the place until recently. Canada’s Defense (or do they spell it “defence”?) Minister Bill Graham visited the island last week. Denmark said on Monday it would send a letter of protest in response. Pointed letters are certainly preferable over pointed bayonets.
A Toronto man named Rick Broadhead found a Google ad linked to the Danish Foreign Ministry. The ad said “Does Hans sound Canadian? Danish name, Danish island.” He purchased a Hans Island ad in response and linked it to a web site he created, complete with a waving Canadian flag and a sound file of ‘O Canada’ playing.
Perhaps this could be a prototype for settling disputes of the future. Nations with issues can establish web sites, purchase advertisements, and let bloggers expound on the matter until a resolution can be reached. Ad proceeds could be contributed to global charitable organizations.
David Utter is a staff writer for Murdok covering technology and business. Email him here.
