Evil Paradises, Sand, Fear and Money in Dubai - By Mike Davis

Sand, Fear and Money in Dubai compared with A Home in the Neon is quite a contrast, two places that appear similar from the outside but are yet vastly different by virtue. Dave Hickey has a clear love and affection for a place he labels as ‘home’, where as Mike Davis has a clear distaste for Dubai and what it represents...as do I. There is no doubt that Dubai, as a concept, is based upon the Vegas model desperately trying to imitate its playful gigantism by investing huge amounts of capital in replicating global iconic structures such as the Taj Mahal and the Pyramids. Purposely built and marketed to an elite demographic across China, Russia, UK and US, Dubai is all about status and monetary seclusion. Everybody that occupies this apparent architectural phenomenon, as I’ve had it once described to me, is so blighted by the own hedonic addictions that they are so blind to see that they are infact trapped upon an hedonic treadmill whereby one shall never be satisfied. There is always a new car to purchase, a new handbag to wear, a new building to occupy and someone always richer than you. But that's how get ya. Dubailand is no Vegas and is certainly is no home.