Saturday, November 1, 2008
Luxury Over Necessity?
It is incredible how quickly we are improving our lifestyle with the help of technology. Before, technology was used to make living more convenient. However, today it seems technology must not only be convenient, but also appealing in design. With the technology we have today, people are reaching even farther into their imaginations to create something new and innovative to stand out. In the past, people invented to make life easier, and then when life got easier there was free time which led to progress in entertainment, and today we have moved on to heighten the quality everyday tools. Cars are modeled to look elegant and chic. Buildings today are no longer rectangular, but built with a certain style in mind. In the past, objects and buildings had designs, but were very simplistic because inventions were created for use not looks. Objects more appealing to the senses, especially to the eye are revered as more luxurious. Today it seems flair is as equally important as function. We now live in an age where we do not create for only improvement, but also luxury. Inventions are no longer for necessity. An example would be the construction of a “moving” skyscraper in Dublai (http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=85195). Designed by David Fisher, his idea was apartments with a 360 degree view of the city at all times. The construction costs about 700 million dollars and is supposed to be finished in 2010 (Wikipedia). The apartments themselves are “expected to cost about 3.7 million dollars to 36 million dollars” (Wikipedia). It is not necessary to live in a revolving apartment especially with such a high price attached to it. This building is innovative and a great step towards the future, but in the end when so many countries have been rocked by natural disasters or civil war does the construction of a moving skyscraper necessary? There are plans to construct other moving skyscrapers in other cities such as New York if the one in Dublai is successful. The design is beautiful and definitely a monument of man’s progress, but again, the costs of the construction and the living costs is just so over the top that it makes you wonder what improvements that 700 million dollars could amount to. The idea of constructing one of these great structures in New York is bothersome to me especially since cities such as New Orleans is still recovering from devastating natural disasters. The 700 million dollars could easily be used to fund those who have lost their homes or even be used to help rebuild the city itself with jobs and new homes. Even with the completion of the moving skyscraper, I feel that it will be a trend for the rich to spend their money on. Even though, the building uses a wind turbine system to create energy allowing the building to spin at all times, the construction of the building is not efficient unless architects find a way for the building to save energy to save money in order to even out the construction costs. Until then, in time, necessity will prove that such a creation is a waste of time and money.
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5 comments:
I agree that these days, people are trying harder and harder to out do other people, rather than how it was earlier when people had to compete to survive. These days, everything is so easy. I think that has something to do with the obesity problem that the US faces. In the old days, people had to run and jump in order to get their dinner. These days, people dont even have to get out of their cars when they order their "big mac with fries". Although these buildings and wonders of modern technology and are pushing the limits of what is thought to be possible, it has become a race to build the biggest and the best rather than build what they need. People who have extra money will always buy things that they dont need. In a relative scale, people like you and I may buy things that some people in third world countries may consider extravagant and unnecessary. Thats just the way it is, and as more and more developing countries get richer and richer, there will be a great deal more waste throughout the world.
I agree 700 million dollars is a lot of money, however, who are we to decide how others use their money? Imagine if you bought something you really cherished and you argue it’s a necessity but I say it’s not worth it. It wouldn’t be my place to decide how you spend your money and that’s exactly what’s going on in Dubai. Dubai is a place for the rich; they have everything from man-made islands that is in a shape of the world or a plant to moving towers. In fact, I heard a couple days ago they plan to build a Jurassic theme park but all the dinosaurs would be robots. Is that really necessary? Probably not, but they have the money to do it. The billionaires had the latest trend of building the largest Yacht- in fact the current largest yacht is owned by the Sheikh of Dubai. But it would be beaten in December of this year when Roman Abramvich finish his yacht called the Eclipse. I wouldn’t be surprise it that gets beaten in a couple month/years. Now is it really necessary to have a yacht that has a helicopter landing spot, a miniature submarine, anti-missile technology…etc. Probably not, but they see it as a need rather than a luxury. In my opinion, let them spend all they want, it puts more money back out into the market that might help our economy.
I couldn't agree more. Nowadays, money needs to be spent on the necessaries not the luxuries. Granted, it is aesthetically pleasing and captivating to create a princely, visually enchanting hotel like the one in Dublai. But much of the world needs help. Like you said Hurricane Katrina and overseas, global poverty and starvation is plaguing our world.
However, a part of me tells me that we should let evolution take its course. Let the world filter out the weak and poor and let only the strong survive. If this is the case, America and many other countries will have a budget surplus in which apartment homes such as the one in Dublai can be built.
I can relate to this article in many ways. I am a simple guy. I don't like to buy things I don't need. I like to purchase and invest in things I think can improve me as a person, whether it's physically, mentally, and emotionally. Books, exercise equipment, insurance class and what not. Luxury is honestly not necessary it is simply a way of displaying wealth and the rich. I think we need to preach our future children that there is a fine line between luxury and necessity. Many have it skewed and spoil themselves with Gucci purses and humvee cars. I mean come on...does your dog really need a 100 dollar haircut? Do you really have to park valet, can't you just walk an extra 100 ft from the parking lot? Live simple. Live happy.
A moving skyscraper is a major advancement in the construction and architectural world. Yes it does cost a lot of money to build, but if you have the funds, spend your money how you want to. If you feel like you need a 360 degree view at all times and you have millions of dollars, more power to you. I will spend my money the way i want, and i'm not going to judge how someone else spends their money. I believe with the economy the way it is, we should really think about what we want, and what we need. We should really budget our money, but if you are fortunate enough to be wealthy, then you have more freedom to have what you want.
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