RE: SBH Royal Auto Gallery Abu Dhabi: PH Photo Gallery
Discussion
je777 said:
Utterly futile, as others have said - and all built on money gained by keeping huge numbers of people in poverty and depriving them of their human rights.
And no, the west isn't much better - we also run our countries for the benefit of the ultra-rich and to the detriment of the majority - but there is a difference: our poor are not as poor, our human rights are not as bad, our governments don't torture as many people, our governments are not as totalitarian. All of which is damning with faint praise to say the very least, but there can be no doubt that there are different levels of hideousness when it comes to regimes.If you're in any doubt, ask yourself this, would you rather be in the poorest 25% in UAE or in the UK?
sidesauce said:
Bottom line is, from a moral standpoint the West is no better than the UAE.
Utter b
ks. If we wanted to, we could vote in Corbyn or some other Marxist to change things. We get a say in the balls up we make of our country (Brexit).The fact that we get to vote in proper elections puts us morally way ahead of the UAE.
je777 said:
je777 said:
Utterly futile, as others have said - and all built on money gained by keeping huge numbers of people in poverty and depriving them of their human rights.
And no, the west isn't much better - we also run our countries for the benefit of the ultra-rich and to the detriment of the majority - but there is a difference: our poor are not as poor, our human rights are not as bad, our governments don't torture as many people, our governments are not as totalitarian. All of which is damning with faint praise to say the very least, but there can be no doubt that there are different levels of hideousness when it comes to regimes.If you're in any doubt, ask yourself this, would you rather be in the poorest 25% in UAE or in the UK?
shirt said:
hondansx said:
Oh please, that is incredibly naive. Half of the UAE population earn less than £130 a month.
I very much doubt that (source?) but even if true, that in itself is 4-5times the salary of over half the global population. Apples:Oranges http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/health/do-wealthy...
I did not mention global averages, only you have.
I stated I thought this was a waste of time and verging on the obscene to hoard and not use. On reflection I know more why this is even more of a waste. If you are fortunate enough, visit the Petersen museum in Los Angelis. This is the history of the car displayed with real passion.in a stunning architectural dream. One mans passion of a collector for the history and provenance of cars through the ages with real meaning, from early to modern and displayed so you can touch and look at them. The staff are knowledgeable and passionate and other collectors are invited to share their treasures and collectables. Thats the difference between collecting cars for what they were built for and represent and a rich mans technology car park that looks like an owners club meeting on every turn. Ultimately boring, oh look theres another Ferrari, great as they are.!
je777 said:
Utterly futile, as others have said - and all built on money gained by keeping huge numbers of people in poverty and depriving them of their human rights.
You do realise the UAE isn't Saudi Arabia right? I know they both have sand but there is a difference between the places.
hondansx said:
I did not mention global averages, only you have.
my meaning that was it is easy to compare apples to oranges, much like everyone always does whenever the uae is mentioned on this site. i'm well aware of the reality of living in the emirates and i've seen far worse injustices than those in your article both in the uae and abroad. i merely find it interesting that those at home in the west like to condemn such places whilst ignoring the equally large imbalances and injustices that are prevalent around them.
The difference, for me, is that this article endorses (i'm sure unwittingly) the inequality. I haven't seen many posts on the car collections of African War Lords, and I imagine that is because any casual observer would have a moral issue with showing approval.
In the case of some of the ridiculously wealthy in the Arab states, the way they rule is conveniently excused because (when it suits them) they have become Westernised, have great influence on the West, and perception has changed as a result. Now they're just 'car guys', and this has proliferated because expats mix with them, endorse them - because on the surface they're just 'car guys', after all.
Just because people (including myself) view this degree of wealth and the means as vulgar, does not instantly mean jealousy. I'm perfectly happy with my self worth.
In the case of some of the ridiculously wealthy in the Arab states, the way they rule is conveniently excused because (when it suits them) they have become Westernised, have great influence on the West, and perception has changed as a result. Now they're just 'car guys', and this has proliferated because expats mix with them, endorse them - because on the surface they're just 'car guys', after all.
Just because people (including myself) view this degree of wealth and the means as vulgar, does not instantly mean jealousy. I'm perfectly happy with my self worth.
Edited by hondansx on Friday 15th December 14:39
Edited by hondansx on Friday 15th December 14:39
Not my cup of tea. I get it. I get the whole "works of art" thing. And I also appreciate that it means they are being preserved for the future (although that point is immediately rendered moot if it's not a public display). But art is art, and cars are built to be driven, and cars like these built to be enjoyed at speed.
This here is EXACTLY why I have so much respect for Jay Leno. The guy has an incredible collection where every single car gets used. And I have to say that his broad and sometime eccentric taste is massively more interesting to me than any number of super/hyper cars built in the last 20 years.
To answer the question in the article though, if it had to be just 1........the EB110 all day, no question about it.
This here is EXACTLY why I have so much respect for Jay Leno. The guy has an incredible collection where every single car gets used. And I have to say that his broad and sometime eccentric taste is massively more interesting to me than any number of super/hyper cars built in the last 20 years.
To answer the question in the article though, if it had to be just 1........the EB110 all day, no question about it.
GarageQueen said:
one thing thats strikes me is, it must be hard work finding the very best examples of each marque, in perfect condition etc
I doubt that. They have the money to employ people to hunt them down (much like a head hunter), plus in our internet age finding anything is much easier now. And of course, for any new cars they'll be well known by the manufacturers and at/near the top of all waiting lists, and notified of any upcoming special editions, and that's probably been the case for years. 
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