Standing on the Sun

Introduction

The center of capitalism?

In the central market in Phnom Penh, the smell of sweet pork sausages on street vendors' grills hangs in the humid air, and the sound of merchants and motorbikes is a constant buzz. Inside the huge, domed bazaar and surrounding awning-covered stalls, it's easy to lose your bearings; around the next corner you might find silver jewelry, vibrant silks, $20 knockoffs of vintage Movados with movements made in Russia. On a recent visit, Chris, traveling with family, edged past an eight-foot pile of hoodies and was confronted by a table of Hollywood films at roughly 50 cents per DVD.

He wasn't surprised; it's what one has come to expect in a country that is not itself a significant producer of intellectual property. ...