I live in Dubai for years. It’s an interesting mix of people, but the population skews towards Southeast Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines - that makes up about 75% of the population) once you step out from the hotels, malls and galleries. It still feels artificial (well, it is, everything is built here, except the desert) and there are only two narratives about the place: we are the world’s greatest place (the government and true believers - they do exist) and the hell-hole one. The truth is in the middle.
It’s volatile and transitory, but with good infrastructure and security: there are little protection (of jobs, environment, mental health, you name it) but physically very safe. People come and go and the permanent population is about 15-20% (locals and lifelong expats). So there’s always new blood and new hustle, but very little shared values or narrative, except the “oh, you’re new here.” This is probably why there’s not a lot of recognizable culture.
Not sure about the light - the mix of the fine desert sand and pollution makes for an interesting filter. The sunsets are great though .
Disappointing. I'm a huge WITI fan but this has me considering unsubscribing. Dubai is a hell-hole of human rights violations. Was this post paid for by the Dubai tourism board?
I live in Dubai for years. It’s an interesting mix of people, but the population skews towards Southeast Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines - that makes up about 75% of the population) once you step out from the hotels, malls and galleries. It still feels artificial (well, it is, everything is built here, except the desert) and there are only two narratives about the place: we are the world’s greatest place (the government and true believers - they do exist) and the hell-hole one. The truth is in the middle.
It’s volatile and transitory, but with good infrastructure and security: there are little protection (of jobs, environment, mental health, you name it) but physically very safe. People come and go and the permanent population is about 15-20% (locals and lifelong expats). So there’s always new blood and new hustle, but very little shared values or narrative, except the “oh, you’re new here.” This is probably why there’s not a lot of recognizable culture.
Not sure about the light - the mix of the fine desert sand and pollution makes for an interesting filter. The sunsets are great though .
Disappointing. I'm a huge WITI fan but this has me considering unsubscribing. Dubai is a hell-hole of human rights violations. Was this post paid for by the Dubai tourism board?
Funny to have read this first https://www.profgalloway.com/the-mother-of-all-pivots/
Money can buy anyone ,or anything .
“It is a place where, I would imagine, someone landing in California in the 90s might have felt.”
Somewhat more slavery than California in the 90s, though, no?