Quote from: Ian AbsentiaAnd you're, what, two, maybe three generations removed from being a dirt-farmer?

I'm not toppling walls on homosexuals or executing rape victims. More importantly, neither is my country.

Quote from: Ian AbsentiaAw, now you're getting personal.  Please, fuck yourself.  And I mean that in the most polite and helpful manner possible.

Well, crass and imperialistic are hardly compliments. Not usually, at least.

Quote from: WerekoalaI'm not toppling walls on homosexuals or executing rape victims. More importantly, neither is my country.

We've had our turn at the wheel, too, and we still have a ways to go.  That's another discussion.

QuoteWell, crass and imperialistic are hardly compliments. Not usually, at least.

You're right -- I did fire off the first round of personal invective.  Consider myself self-fucked as well.

Really, though, I'd have thought that the more readily managable criticism of this wild-ass development of Dubai would be their treatment of the foreign workers who are building and running this national fantasy amusement park.  I mentioned the prostitution up-thread, and you can bet that those aren't locals selling their wares (and very likely doing so against their will).  And even Dubai's treatment of well-educated, highly-paid western contract workers is open to criticism.  And the menial laborers imported from developing nations?  Sheesh.  Hey, but money talks, and they have lots to say, apparently.

!i!

Quote from: Ian AbsentiaDubai is one of the two major hubs (along with Tel Aviv) of prostitution in the Middle East.  The City of the Future is a hotbed for the world's oldest profession.

!i!

That and the food was why it made for a good liberty call.

Quote from: Ian AbsentiaReally, though, I'd have thought that the more readily managable criticism of this wild-ass development of Dubai would be their treatment of the foreign workers who are building and running this national fantasy amusement park.  I mentioned the prostitution up-thread, and you can bet that those aren't locals selling their wares (and very likely doing so against their will).  And even Dubai's treatment of well-educated, highly-paid western contract workers is open to criticism.  And the menial laborers imported from developing nations?  Sheesh.  Hey, but money talks, and they have lots to say, apparently.

Do they treat people that way because of their sudden wealth, or their culture and social structure? Which came first?

Money is just a huge magnifying glass - if you're an asshole when you're poor, you'll become a huge asshole when rich. Same goes for countries, I imagine.

Thank god I'm barely middle-class, eh?

Hey, Koltar -- thanks for the Traveller handouts, my man!

Quote from: Dr Rotwang!Hey, Koltar -- thanks for the Traveller handouts, my man!

Um...okay ... You're welcome.
 (Was that in this thread? Or did I miss a PM?)


- Ed C.

Quote from: KoltarHow did it get so controversial over on the tbp??

I think it was something about an asian guy getting busted for dirt in his sneaker treads. Plus Balbinus posted about a lack of culture and some clueless guy went on and on trying to get his head around it (or not trying maybe?) while pretty much everyone else got what Balbinus within a post or three.

I worked on a class project with a woman from Saudi Arabia.  She had very different cultural values than me, but she was very intelligent, quite worldly and had a lot of reasonable interesting perspectives and arguments about things like the veil and arranged marriages.

One thing about the wealthy arab states, they are educating their people.

Quote from: flyingmiceThe money in Dubai is not primarily oil money. That was their foundation, but they used that to build up an entire trade/manufacturing/tourist economy that now is far larger then the oil money.

And that's a smart move so long as the Wahhabists don't move in.  

Don't forget what Lebanon was once like before the PLO started operating out of it.

That thread over on rpg.net was hilarious!  Especially when that guy got into talking about how people should have clean shoes when they fly.  Awesome randomness.

I still just enjoy the "What the Fuck?" of it all.

Even if it is taking place in Dubai - its a nice reminder that the world can be wonderfuly weird and over the top at times.


- Ed C.

Quote from: KoltarI still just enjoy the "What the Fuck?" of it all.

Even if it is taking place in Dubai - its a nice reminder that the world can be wonderfuly weird and over the top at times.


- Ed C.

It almost sounds like you don't like Dubai, if so then why?

Quote from: jeff37923It almost sounds like you don't like Dubai, if so then why?

I don't like or dislike the country.
I've never been there....yet.

Its just people started putting these comments in about Dubai - like it should be called dubious or something.


You sound like you had a good time there - so there some positive points in their favor.

Quote from: KoltarI don't like or dislike the country.
I've never been there....yet.

Its just people started putting these comments in about Dubai - like it should be called dubious or something.


You sound like you had a good time there - so there some positive points in their favor.

Oh.

I don't think people realize just how westernized Dubai is.

Quote from: jeff37923I don't think people realize just how westernized Dubai is.

Which would be my primary concern.  With those tall buildings and its geographical location, it seems like it's optimally positioned for a 9/11 style attack.  

The pics look really cool.