$20 million worth of fireworks in five minutes

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around a lavish fireworks display in Dubai that cost $20 million, celebrating the opening of a new luxury hotel. Participants explore the implications of such extravagant spending in the context of economic conditions, cultural values, and the future of Dubai as a tourist destination.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express that the expenditure on fireworks is excessive, especially given the current lower oil prices.
  • Others argue that Dubai's culture is centered around wealth display, questioning the practicality of spending on humanitarian efforts versus luxury events.
  • A participant notes that the scale of the fireworks display is difficult to appreciate from the ground, suggesting it is both awe-inspiring and somewhat sad.
  • Another viewpoint suggests that Dubai is aware of its limited oil wealth and is investing in tourism to secure its future as a resort destination.
  • Some participants humorously comment on the choice of sirens used during the display, likening them to fire alarms or air raid sirens, which may not be suitable for a resort setting.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express disagreement regarding the appropriateness and implications of the extravagant spending, with multiple competing views on cultural values and economic strategy remaining unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants do not fully explore the economic implications of such spending or the potential social responsibilities associated with wealth in Dubai, leaving these aspects open for further discussion.

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DUBAI (AFP) — Shrugging off the global financial crisis, Dubai overnight toasted a new luxury hotel with a 20 million dollar bash attended by film stars and sporting greats and marked by a spectacular fireworks display...
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jLy5JmQO0rujtgIhagTrOSwBRkfg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHAIItGzjRw
 
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That's a little excessive.

Someone should remind them that the price of oil is a third of what it was.
 
LowlyPion said:
That's a little excessive.

Someone should remind them that the price of oil is a third of what it was.

Its Dubai. Their entire culture is based on havnig large amounts of money and letting everyone else know it. What do you think they would do with all that cash, give $20 million to the red cross or use it to fund research to help cure diseases? :rolleyes: Only stupid saps like us spend money on such practical things.
 
It is off the scale - it is a phenomenon that cannot be properly appreciated.

Fireworks seen from the air defeat the purpose and lose their awe and majesty. Yet the display is far too large to be appreciated from the ground (since it obviously spans the entire Palm Dubai, an area of 25 square kilometers).

That, in itself, is kind of awe-inspiring and kind of sad at the same time.
 
It's more than just showing off. They know their days as an oil-rich nation are limited - something like twenty years, IIRC - so they have invested tremendously in a future of tourism. They are trying to position themselves as THE resort destination in the ME.
 
When the sirens when off at the end, all I could think of was "fire alarm!" like they had caught the new hotel on fire.
 
turbo-1 said:
When the sirens when off at the end, all I could think of was "fire alarm!" like they had caught the new hotel on fire.

Heh, I was thinking that air raid sirens may not be the best choice for a ME resort.