2 ms·

One problem is that the islands are eroding [1], so any property built on them is doomed. You can delay the inevitable for a little while by pumping more sand i

One problem is that the islands are eroding [1], so any property built on them is doomed. You can delay the inevitable for a little while by pumping more sand in, but sand is running out [2]. More abstractly, The World really reminds me of the semi-serious "skyscraper index": the idea that big skyscrapers break ground right before a recession starts. The last time anyone cared about something as silly as The World was the eve of the Great Recession, and with renewed interest just as the warning signs are flashing that the bull run of the last 7 years is ending, this looks like irrational exuberance rather than sound investment. But hey, maybe this time will be different. [1] https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/dubai/8271643/The-World-is-sinking-Dubai-islands-falling-into-the-sea.html https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/dubai/... [2] https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/05/29/the-world-is-running-out-of-sand https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/05/29/the-world-is-r...

gwern 9y ago
All property is 'doomed', though. All beachshore property will inevitably become either (a) water or (b) not beachshore. (And probably more the former than the latter.) Doesn't make them a bad idea. Even if it's not near a beach, the house will wear out and either need to be replaced piece by piece or in its entirety. And sand may get more expensive, but it's never going to 'run out'. The World may have high maintenance costs, but most mansions, yachts, and private jets do too. If you're rich, you can afford it.
- sbierwagen 9y ago
  All property is doomed, but some properties are more doomed than others. 2 metres of sealevel rise won't be kind to The World, plus a projected wet bulb temp over 35 C by 2100 in that part of the world. https://www.nature.com/articles/nclimate2833 https://www.nature.com/articles/nclimate2833 Even the very rich might prefer to not live on a sinking pile of sand, where an air conditioning failure results in death within hours.

gwern 9y ago

All property is 'doomed', though. All beachshore property will inevitably become either (a) water or (b) not beachshore. (And probably more the former than the latter.) Doesn't make them a bad idea. Even if it's not near a beach, the house will wear out and either need to be replaced piece by piece or in its entirety. And sand may get more expensive, but it's never going to 'run out'. The World may have high maintenance costs, but most mansions, yachts, and private jets do too. If you're rich, you can afford it.

sbierwagen 9y ago
All property is doomed, but some properties are more doomed than others. 2 metres of sealevel rise won't be kind to The World, plus a projected wet bulb temp over 35 C by 2100 in that part of the world. https://www.nature.com/articles/nclimate2833 https://www.nature.com/articles/nclimate2833 Even the very rich might prefer to not live on a sinking pile of sand, where an air conditioning failure results in death within hours.