IS METAL THE INGREDIENT FOR HUMAN ENHANCEMENT ?

So everyone knows who’s Iron Man right ? Basically this guy named Tony Stark built his own super high-tech armor suit to save the world. This is where a normal man’s fragile body becomes one with a more solid and resistant material : metal.

This fictional character is the starting point of this thought. Before starting, keep in mind that this article is meant to give a simple perspective and in any case is NOT (yet?) proven scientifically. But hey, freedom of speech right ?

The concept of Iron Man is not only just this image of a superhero wearing an armor suit saving everyone and damsels in distress. When you dig deeper there is another meaning to this story that probably didn’t cross your mind yet.

First thing first. What gives Tony Stark power ? His intelligence ? Well… Yes because otherwise how would he built that kind of armor suit if he only knows how to count until ten. What we really want to emphasize here is the core and physical element of Stark’s armor, metal. That’s what’s keeping his superpower system together,

Now that we’ve introduced the idea, keep in mind that this could apply into our reality too.

If you think of it, metal products are the component of everything you can possibly think of. In your pen, in transportation, buildings, computers, furniture… Oh and also in that smartphone of yours. We are not fused with metal (yet again?) but one thing’s sure we do interact with this material in our everyday life.

Especially ever since the boom of smartphones. Can we say that this small object also partially made of metal, has in fact enhanced our life or ourselves in various matter ?

We have access to knowledge, information, communication and pass on. Our social borders also expand with social media platforms. Not only that, smartphones are devices which help organizing, reminding and other little useful things to make life easier but wider.

Like Iron Man’s armor suit, our smartphones’ component are often made of metal (and lots of technology behind of course). Different realities perhaps but same outcome : metal enhances human capacities. One single element can help magnify and improve one other being.

Hence we still can’t fly across the world like Iron Man or beat the bad guys but progress and technology is a field that is still expanding quickly in our age and which knows no borders. Metal products will surely stay in the game because without them humanity would probably be very different than what we have now.

Simple elements like metal can contribute to improving one self and achieve bigger dreams. That is what Shanghai Metal Corporation can provide you !

As representatives of the metal industry, Shanghai Metal Corporation is one of the leading businesses in the manufacturing of metal quality products in the global field. As a major producer of stainless steel, copper, aluminium, shipping containers and other metal products and service, we essentially are committed to the universal use that metal can offer by delivering overseas and promoting environmental sustainability.

To know more about our company please visit our website. Also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. You can also download our new mobile application by scanning the QR code below.

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Maria // SMC Editor

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HIGH SHANGHAI : SKYSCRAPERS IN THE BIGGEST CITY OF CHINA

China is the biggest expanding country in the world right now. With it’s population of over 1.35 billion, this ever-growing country has also BIG DREAMS to fulfill.

Literately, these dreams are made of metals. Lots and lots of metal are needed to build SKYSCRAPERS.

Especially in Shanghai, skyscrapers have an imposing figure in the city. You could even consider it’s main symbol  as an urban landscape view of buildings and skyscrapers.

The Bund, Shanghai (as seen on Google Images)

Therefore skyscrapers are not just basic human construction, they are symbols of economic success and prosperity of one’s city and country. Some people think that buildings mean a realized and achieved dream.

This building, called the SHANGHAI TOWER, is the tallest one in China and second world’s tallest with it’s 600 meter height and 128 floors.

As cited from dznworld.com :

As the skyline’s most prominent icon, the tower’s transparent, spiral form will showcase cutting-edge sustainable strategies and public spaces that set new standards for green community. Shanghai Tower will house Class-A office space, entertainment venues, retail, a conference center, a luxury hotel and cultural amenity spaces.

Like we said before, skyscrapers are synonym of economical success. The very name of this supertall skyscraper confirms it all : SHANGHAI WORLD FINANCIAL CENTER, is the second tallest building made in Shanghai.

China’s architectural design are known for it’s originality too. The Oriental Pearl Tower, with it’s famous shape is very well-known in the city and by others who have visited the city of Shanghai.

Closer look on the Pearl Tower

“The Golden Prosperity Building” also known as the Jinmao Building or Jinmao Tower again, reflects this idea of success in the city. 

There it is, Shanghai as China’s biggest city, offers also the tallest skyscrapers in the world. An international city like this one has to show the world and it’s people that it can keep up with everyone’s expectations. These skyscrapers are known worldwide for their outstanding height, as China’s economical situation and influence keep on growing to have higher goals in the future.

Simple elements like metal can contribute to achieve bigger dreams and that’s what Shanghai Metal Corporation can provide you !

As representatives of the metal industry, Shanghai Metal Corporation is one of the leading businesses in the manufacturing of metal quality products in the global field. As a major producer of stainless steel, copper, aluminium, steel and other metal products and service, we essentially are committed to the universal use that metal can offer by delivering overseas and promoting environmental sustainability.

To know more about our company please visit our website. Also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. You can also download our new mobile application by scanning the QR code below.

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Maria // SMC Editor

#AddingValueAcrossTheGlobe

Maria // SMC Editor

“GUNS, GERMS AND STEEL”: A PERSPECTIVE OF PROGRESS BY JARED DIAMOND

Guns, Germs and Steel is a famous Pulitzer Prize-winning book written by Jared Diamond, an American scientist and author of other well-known science books like The Third Chimpanzee (1991) or Collapse (2005).

Guns, Germs and Steel serves to answer to why some civilizations, like the Europeans, have survived and conquered others.  Jared Diamond explains that this hegemony is primarily based on their technological and intellectual superiority. To sum up everything, the success of a civilization is essentially a question of environmental luck.

The title of this book sums up the general theory of Diamond’s ideas: farm-based societies conquered and spread influences on other populations of other areas and maintained their dominance. By using weapons and technology (guns), these elements serve immediately as a form of military superiority. Diseases (germs) – can be seen indirectly as a form of biological weapon- weakened and reduced local populations, therefore making it easier to maintain superiority over them. The last “ingredient” of power concerns steel which means the development of basic infrastructures and transport and therefore enabled imperialism.

Hence according to Jared Diamond, the success or the fall of human societies are determined by geographical luck and it’s technological means. The ideas written in this book essentially describes different factors that could contribute to a better development of any civilization. Although this book provides a different perspective of development, it is also subject of various critics.

As an international corporation, we too share the same idea that steel is an amazing material that contributes to the development of every progressing society. It is both economic and sustainable. Steel for a very long time, is a material that represents progress and innovation. Shanghai Metal Corporation manufactures and distributes a large range of Steel products of high quality all over the world. For more information, you can visit the company’s website or contact us for any inquiry.

Let us know your opinion about this famous book by Jared Diamond.

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Maria // SMC Editor

Key facts about the world steel industry // Stay tuned with SMC!

Steel: A key driver of the world’s economy

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  • The industry directly employs more than two million people worldwide, with a further two million contractors and four million people in supporting industries.
  • Considering steel’s position as the key product supplier to industries such as automotive, construction, transport, power and machine goods, and using a multiplier of 25:1, the steel industry is at the source of employment for more than 50 million people.
  • World crude steel production has increased from 851 megatonnes (Mt) in 2001 to 1,607 Mt for the year 2013. (It was 28.3 Mt in 1900).
  • World average steel use per capita has steadily increased from 150kg in 2001 to 217kg in 2012.
  • India, Brazil, South Korea and Turkey have all entered the top ten steel producers list in the past 40 years, while China definitely holds  the leading position.

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Safe, innovative and progressive steel

Steel is an innovative and progressive industry committed to the safety and health of its people.

  • The industry is committed to the goal of an injury-free workplace.
  • The lost-time injury frequency rate has decreased from 5.1 in 2004 to 1.41 in 2012.
  • The number of worldsteel member organisations participating in the annual safety metrics survey has increased from 46 in 2005 to 89 in 2012.
  • The steel industry globally spends more than €12 billion annually on improving the manufacturing process, new product development and future breakthrough technology.
  • New lightweight steel is dramatically changing the market. In 1937, 83,000 tonnes of steel were needed to build the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Today, only half of that amount would be required.
  • Vehicles structures using Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS) weigh up to 35% less than those made with former conventional steel, substantially reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.

 

Laura C. // SMC Media Editor