Does size matter?

[Ugg]

Originally Posted by citizenzen

I may very well be.

But ...

Many have pointed out that this is essentially a house of cards in the Mideast, and that may very well be true. Is it likewise a house of cards in China and Hong Kong?

A number have pointed out that these buildings were erected using non-native talent, but I don't quite see the point. When you have money you get to hire whatever talent you like. And if these buildings are anything more than futile grasps at greatness, then they indicate who has and will have money for years to come.

The United States was partially built upon slave labor brought in from Africa. Can we not attribute some of America's early development to non-native talent?

The architects are from the west, the engineers are from the west, the inspiration is from the west, etc, etc. You really should read up on Dubai. If you think the US or even Spain overbuilt housing, then Dubai beat us by an enormous margin. As I said before, Burj Khalif doesn't pencil out because it can't. It's too tall to ever make money. I remember seeing what the electricity bill is just to run the elevators and it's insane. Sure, there are American projects that didn't pencil out from the start, but the Burj will NEVER turn a profit much less break even because it can't.

If you want a comparison, this is Palin's bridge to nowhere but at least in the US there is a democratic process that prevents the worst projects from getting off the ground.

China is earning its own money through hard work. I don't know if Petronas makes money but it's been around awhile so it must not be doing too badly. A project like this might make sense in Singapore or Hong Kong where land prices are insane but I doubt Singapore would ever go to such extremes because in the end, they're pretty fiscally responsible.

Sure, the White House was built with slave labor and I'm sure that there are a lot of plantation houses in the south still standing but that ended 150 years ago. Should we be celebrating the enslavement of human beings in this day and age?

[citizenzen]

Originally Posted by Ugg

Should we be celebrating the enslavement of human beings in this day and age?

Was I?

[Ugg]

Originally Posted by citizenzen

Was I?

You're celebrating the achievement of something that was constructed by men in virtual slavery. Can you separate the two?

[likemyorbs]

Originally Posted by citizenzen

The United States was partially built upon slave labor brought in from Africa. Can we not attribute some of America's early development to non-native talent?

All things built in the US by non Native Americans is not native talent...

[Ugg]

Originally Posted by likemyorbs

All things built in the US by non Native Americans is not native talent...

Did you forget to put a snark tag there? I think native in this context means born, raised, educated and employed.

[likemyorbs]

Originally Posted by Ugg

Did you forget to put a snark tag there?

No, my point is that the situation is different in the US. Many of our greatest accomplishments can be attributed to recent immigrants.

[citizenzen]

Originally Posted by Ugg

You're celebrating the achievement of something that was constructed by men in virtual slavery. Can you separate the two?

I'd suggest that I'm trying to engage in a discussion.

Where do you come up with the idea that I'm "celebrating" anything?

[heehee]

China is building a 220 stories in 90 days.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sky_City_(Changsha)

[WestonHarvey1]

Originally Posted by citizenzen

I'd suggest that I'm trying to engage in a discussion.

Where do you come up with the idea that I'm "celebrating" anything?

You aren't allowed to like some old thing if its origins are linked to an institution currently deemed unacceptable.

And since all institutions will eventually be deemed unacceptable at some future date, you may as well future proof yourself and just stop liking everything new, too. That way future generations will look back and think highly of you, which is, of course, what we should all strive for.

Nothing is more important than what people who haven't been born yet will think of you long after you are dead.

[hulugu]

Originally Posted by heehee

Its insane to build towers that high. I work on the 47th floor and its no fun walking down the stairs when there is a fire drill or false alarm. I had to do that twice this year and it takes over 30 minutes because there is always a traffic jam in the stairwell.

Repelling gear.


In all seriousness, a friend of mine works in a large tower and he has a climbing bag full of rope, a harness and ascenders/descenders in his office. His theory is, in a serious emergency, he's taking the express route either through the stairway or out a window.

[DakotaGuy]

Why did I think this thread was about something else when I saw the title?

[iJohnHenry]

Originally Posted by DakotaGuy

Why did I think this thread was about something else when I saw the title?

Because that was the intent.

I leave you with 2 words; Towering Inferno.