Dubai is nuts [Archive] - Kiwi Biker forums

PrincessBandit

18th February 2008, 21:37

15 - 25 % of all the worlds cranes - how greedy can you get??? Then they couldn't even let NZ have 2 islands (sorry Stewart Is.), we just look like part of the border around the pretty map!
Seriously, isn't it a bit rich that America gets such a bad rap for hoarding money, resources rah rah rah when so much of the world is in economic poverty.....the UAE are obviously not interested in easing the struggle against global hardship as all that construction and development isn't paid for with air!

Finn

18th February 2008, 21:50

hazard02

18th February 2008, 22:03

Does it worry anyone else that these epic feats of engineering are being constructed by what is essentially slave labour? Maybe its just me, but I'm a firm believer in 'you get what you pay for.'
In saying that, the pyramids of Giza were also constructed with slaves, and they still stand after 3000+ years.
Fucked if I'm going there though (http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23436226-details/Briton+jailed+in+Dubai+after+officials+find+cannab is+weighing+less+than+a+grain+of+sugar+under+his+s hoe/article.do)

Steam

18th February 2008, 22:09

This is the high-point, the glory of Rome.
Now for the fall...

Wiki Drifter

18th February 2008, 22:25

Burj Dubai ranks No.2 in my favourite evil architectural monstrosities, right after the Ryugyong Hotel

Conquiztador

18th February 2008, 22:28

You are just jelous!

I for one have plans of one day being there and working. If for nothing else, then for the experience!

Here the proposed bridge:

Dubai is the Tetsuo of cities, expanding so fast it's on the verge of creating of its own universe. And architecture that looks like it's from the 22nd century only adds to the sheer grandeur of its growth—this bridge, envisioned by NY architecture firm Fxfowle, will be the largest and tallest arch bridge in the world, at one mile long and 670 feet tall. Construction starts next month and is due to wrap up in 2012 after running some $900 million dollars. World's first vacuum tube mass transit system will launch in Dubai shortly thereafter.

Livvy

19th February 2008, 06:35

I've been to Dubai Airoprt before and that's just as "bad" as the rest of the place. It took us twenty minutes walking PLUS a busride to get to our plane for our transfer, and that wasn't even from one end to the other of the airport...

We flew out during the day so I saw Dubai from the air and it looks amazing. I'd definitely go back there, to visit, or as Conquiztador says, work.

But screw being on the top floor of some of those hotels when you're staying there. The elevator ride would take friggin' forever! The view would almost be worth it... But imagine if you'd finally got down to the foyer, then realised you'd left your sunglasses on the bed... You'd want to kill someone. Probably the architect.

jrandom

19th February 2008, 07:23

Does it worry anyone else that these epic feats of engineering are being constructed by what is essentially slave labour?

Eh?

As far as I recall, it's mostly Indians working on those projects, and they're being paid well enough to pack their bags, leave home for months on end, and travel all the way to the middle of the desert to swing hammers and drive cranes.

Dangerous, unpleasant work, sure, but not slave labour.

Finn

19th February 2008, 08:08

Does it worry anyone else that these epic feats of engineering are being constructed by what is essentially slave labour?

It's called capitalism. Dubai's residents don't really need to get their hands dirty because their Government looks after them so they hire a workforce from a country who's doesn't. They work there voluntarily.

The ignorance and small mindedness of the average kiwi astounds me. It's little wonder NZ is quickly working its way to the bottom of the OECD pile.

PrincessBandit

19th February 2008, 08:26

Oh for fuck sake. Get a life.

Aaaaah Finn, you just crack me up. :msn-wink:

Badjelly

19th February 2008, 08:27

The ignorance and small mindedness of the average kiwi astounds me.

Why you! ... Oh, it's OK, you said "average". It doesn't apply to me, I'm above average.

Finn

19th February 2008, 08:29

Aaaaah Finn, you just crack me up. :msn-wink:

I was expecting you to put up more of a fight. Damn it.

PrincessBandit

19th February 2008, 08:32

I was expecting you to put up more of a fight. Damn it.

Ha ha, put up ya dukes then.....must have caught me at a :mellow: moment.

hazard02

19th February 2008, 08:35

It's called capitalism. Dubai's residents don't really need to get their hands dirty because their Government looks after them so they hire a workforce from a country who's doesn't. They work there voluntarily.

The ignorance and small mindedness of the average kiwi astounds me. It's little wonder NZ is quickly working its way to the bottom of the OECD pile.

By 'slave labour' I didn't mean literal slave labour, it was a slight exaggeration on my part. Opinions on the issue of working conditions for foreign labourers are divided, but articles like this (http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/3B7DA6A5-F782-4C0A-A19B-FD4EEB0C23AE.htm) and this (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7074917.stm) certainly add some credit to my previous post.

Finn

19th February 2008, 08:46

By 'slave labour' I didn't mean literal slave labour, it was a slight exaggeration on my part. Opinions on the issue of working conditions for foreign labourers are divided, but articles like this (http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/3B7DA6A5-F782-4C0A-A19B-FD4EEB0C23AE.htm) and this (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7074917.stm) certainly add some credit to my previous post.

If they don't like it, they can always go back to Bumbuddybah.

Dubai is not my cup of tea but I really admire what they're doing. Progress without deadbeats and Government holding everything up. Meanwhile, back in NZ, we can't even build a fucken proper stadium for the World Cup.

mynameis

19th February 2008, 10:45

If they don't like it, they can always go back to Bumbuddybah.

Dubai is not my cup of tea but I really admire what they're doing. Progress without deadbeats and Government holding everything up. Meanwhile, back in NZ, we can't even build a fucken proper stadium for the World Cup.

Too much PC bullshit that's why.

UAE government have got it right. There's nothing wrong in using foreign workers, they'd be doing bugger all back home anyway and they are treated reasonably.

Coyote

19th February 2008, 11:05

In saying that, the pyramids of Giza were also constructed with slaves, and they still stand after 3000+ years.
They now think they were made by people that were working for their god, and were well looked after.

But screw being on the top floor of some of those hotels when you're staying there. The elevator ride would take friggin' forever! The view would almost be worth it... But imagine if you'd finally got down to the foyer, then realised you'd left your sunglasses on the bed... You'd want to kill someone. Probably the architect.
If you were on the top floor, you'd be rich enough to buy another pair downstairs.

TOTO

19th February 2008, 13:44

They now think they were made by people that were working for their god, and were well looked after.

If you were on the top floor, you'd be rich enough to buy another pair downstairs.

yea I agree.

If I had an apartment on the top floor, or had my office there, I would also have a parachute handy and would know how to use it :blink:

Livvy

19th February 2008, 16:08

If you were on the top floor, you'd be rich enough to buy another pair downstairs.

Good point. Mind you, it being Dubai, you probably wouldn't want to leave the hotel until it was evening and not blisteringly hot.

yea I agree.

If I had an apartment on the top floor, or had my office there, I would also have a parachute handy and would know how to use it :blink:

Base jumping!

Marmoot

19th February 2008, 16:27

the pyramids of Giza were also constructed with slaves, and they still stand after 3000+ years.

Dangerous, unpleasant work, sure, but not slave labour.

Then it wouldn't last 3000 years. What a pity....

Livvy

19th February 2008, 16:49

Then it wouldn't last 3000 years. What a pity....

Good point.

And they could also pay them in turnips.

Do you think turnips would grow okay in Dubai?

Timber020

19th February 2008, 20:44

I dont think Dubai has a long term future, well not in the way or scale they want it. Its an attempt to create an "after oil" plan for the area. Big money trying to suck in more big money and hoping it sticks. One terrorist strike and it will empty of non arabs faster than a free for all at a camel brothel.