The utopian character of Dubai, it must be emphasized, is no mirage. Even more than Singapore or Texas, the city-state really is an apotheosis of neo-liberal values.

Dubai is the new most interesting place on earth. I blogged this before reading it. Mike Davis provides an interesting bladerunnerish dystopian perspective on the modern world. This is one take on Dubai you won't read anywhere else. The writing is peppered with a number of ignorant quips such as as the idea that the Cato institute would applaud indentured servatude and that businessmen only travel to Dubai because of the prostitutes. However, it also reveals some troubling realities under the surface of the place that are likely to be at least somewhat true. Its certainly an interesting read.

TomDispatch - Tomgram: Mike Davis on a Paradise Built on Oil