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I think China is coming close, of course they have a lot more backing than Dubai. I read somewhere that China has 70% of all the worlds cranes, busy putting up

I think China is coming close, of course they have a lot more backing than Dubai. I read somewhere that China has 70% of all the worlds cranes, busy putting up buildings. (yes, could be completely wrong, how does one go about finding that statistic out anyway).

jonknee 16y ago
China also vastly larger than Dubai.
- joezydeco 16y ago
  But exactly what are people doing in Dubai? What holds up the economy? Is there manufacturing? R&D? A healthy financial district? It seems like it was all built for "something" to show up, and it never did. So everyone is just busy hustling each other. A city full of nightclub owners.
  - hugh3 16y ago
    Las Vegas, on the other hand, does quite nicely as a city full of nightclub owners. There's definitely a future for Dubai as the Las Vegas of the middle east, if that's where they choose to go.
    - joezydeco 16y ago
      Las Vegas is Las Vegas because it has the perception that "anything goes". So far Dubai has no casinos, a no-skin dress code, no alcohol in public, and they're cracking down on kissing. I'd say Vegas is safe for now.
    - elblanco 16y ago
      I wonder how long it'll be before the decision to go that direction is made?
    - siculars 16y ago
      Vegas isn't in any danger of being replaced by Dubai of all places. Vegas is vegas in part because it is shielded by the laws of the USA. Unlike Vegas, Dubai is controlled by the laws of Sharia as interpreted by the ruler of the day.
      - hugh3 16y ago
        Well, it doesn't have to be the Las Vegas of the world, just the Las Vegas of the Middle East. But yes, obviously religion is the factor that holds it back. If the emirs (correct title?) can get it into their heads to let money beat religion, though, they have a huge opportunity.
  - elblanco 16y ago
    Dubai was trying to buy and monopolize the luxury market. Yachts, planes, real estate, jewelry, fashion, etc. They were simply trying to divert all of the world's luxury consumers to one place (Dubai) instead of other places (Paris, Monaco, New York, etc.).

jonknee 16y ago

China also vastly larger than Dubai.

joezydeco 16y ago
But exactly what are people doing in Dubai? What holds up the economy? Is there manufacturing? R&D? A healthy financial district? It seems like it was all built for "something" to show up, and it never did. So everyone is just busy hustling each other. A city full of nightclub owners.
- hugh3 16y ago
  Las Vegas, on the other hand, does quite nicely as a city full of nightclub owners. There's definitely a future for Dubai as the Las Vegas of the middle east, if that's where they choose to go.
  - joezydeco 16y ago
    Las Vegas is Las Vegas because it has the perception that "anything goes". So far Dubai has no casinos, a no-skin dress code, no alcohol in public, and they're cracking down on kissing. I'd say Vegas is safe for now.
  - elblanco 16y ago
    I wonder how long it'll be before the decision to go that direction is made?
  - siculars 16y ago
    Vegas isn't in any danger of being replaced by Dubai of all places. Vegas is vegas in part because it is shielded by the laws of the USA. Unlike Vegas, Dubai is controlled by the laws of Sharia as interpreted by the ruler of the day.
    - hugh3 16y ago
      Well, it doesn't have to be the Las Vegas of the world, just the Las Vegas of the Middle East. But yes, obviously religion is the factor that holds it back. If the emirs (correct title?) can get it into their heads to let money beat religion, though, they have a huge opportunity.
- elblanco 16y ago
  Dubai was trying to buy and monopolize the luxury market. Yachts, planes, real estate, jewelry, fashion, etc. They were simply trying to divert all of the world's luxury consumers to one place (Dubai) instead of other places (Paris, Monaco, New York, etc.).