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Will Qatar Always Be Rich?

foreignpolicy.com

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Re: Will Qatar Always Be Rich?

#11

Post by iancmceachern »

Solucity wrote: post #8

I will never understand why oil rich Arab countries build massive glass greenhouses(skyscrapers). Can you imagine how beautiful some of the cities could have if instead of spending trillions on these generic tall skyscrapers that they built their cities in traditional Arab architecture? It would be a sight to behold.

This is one of the reasons that New Mexico is so beautiful. Many of the buildings are built in traditional Adobe architecture, even big ones, and they just seem to blend into the landscape beautifully. I agree, they should have gone thr traditional route, not glass skyscrapers.

Re: Will Qatar Always Be Rich?

#12

Post by LarsDu88 »

Solucity wrote: post #8

I will never understand why oil rich Arab countries build massive glass greenhouses(skyscrapers). Can you imagine how beautiful some of the cities could have if instead of spending trillions on these generic tall skyscrapers that they built their cities in traditional Arab architecture? It would be a sight to behold.

Iconoclasm is one of the early precepts of Islam, especially the Wahhabi doctrines pushed by Saudi Arabia.

This is why the Saudis destroy old buildings and are building a giant ugly clocktower hotel in Mecca.

Buildings that are too iconic, even "earlier gen Arab buildings designed to diminish iconography" can become too iconic in their own right.

Generic glass skyscrapers are totally fine (for now).

Re: Will Qatar Always Be Rich?

#13

Post by entropicgravity »

The "age of combustion" is very quickly coming to a close. The middle east will see a very different economic landscape and, is in fact, already seeing it with constant shrinking of the enterprise value of fossil fuel producers.

Will the middle east be able to turn their current mountains of cash in to a functioning economy without oil? My guess is no, primarily because their current cultures are not well adapted to thriving in a complex economy with many human resources that can't just be pumped out of the ground.

It will take extraordinary leadership for any of the gulf states be successful post combustion. Oman though, is a model that might make it and lead others. But it's not the way to bet.

Re: Will Qatar Always Be Rich?

#14

Post by ss108 »

LarsDu88 wrote: post #12
Solucity wrote: post #8

I will never understand why oil rich Arab countries build massive glass greenhouses(skyscrapers). Can you imagine how beautiful some of the cities could have if instead of spending trillions on these generic tall skyscrapers that they built their cities in traditional Arab architecture? It would be a sight to behold.

Iconoclasm is one of the early precepts of Islam, especially the Wahhabi doctrines pushed by Saudi Arabia. This is why the Saudis destroy old buildings and are building a giant ugly clocktower hotel in Mecca. Buildings that are too iconic, even "earlier gen Arab buildings designed to diminish iconography" can become too iconic in their own right. Generic glass skyscrapers are totally fine (for now).

This is a somewhat ignorant (though I don't think bad faith) comment.

Muslims historically (and now too) took great pride and put great effort into architecture and calligraphy. Gulf Arab leaders are idiotic noveaux riche on steroids, and the only thing their building plans have to do with Islam is that they evoke Islamic eschatology, which predicts that towards the end of times, "shepherds will compete to build black towers" or something like that.

Re: Will Qatar Always Be Rich?

#15

Post by i13e »

greggarious wrote: post #7
i13e wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That reminds me of Godwin's Law: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin%27s_law

Why does it remind you of that and why was I flagged for citing my argument? I’m sorry if being succinct appears rude but your nonsensical reply under a flag gives me an unwelcome and uneasy feeling.

I upvoted your comment and they remind me of each other because they are both internet "axioms" of behavior. Sorry for any confusion!
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