MIDDLE EAST
Build ‘em up, knock ‘em down
The UK media’s Dubai-bashing stance illustrates the crass art of the nation’s newspapers
THERE HAS been much writ- the “build ’em up, knock ’em UK tabloids for years. way we here in the UAE are
ten in recent months—by the down” mentality has been Unfortunately for Dubai perceived to treat our Asian
likes of Germaine Greer and rife throughout Fleet Street. Inc. there is little, if anything, employees. Many of the ar-
Simon Jenkins (both in The It’s the same with Dubai— that can be done to avoid such ticles in the UK press are
Guardian) and Johann Hari coupled with a bit of deflec- treatment by the UK press. critical of the working con-
(The Independent)—giving tion. The British public need
what can only be described their attention taking away
as a thorough Dubai-bashing. from the utter doom and
For years, Dubai has been the envy of
You’ve probably read these gloom that is engulfing the every reader of the UK tabloids.
articles by now, so I need not nation. Madonna not being
stoop to explain them here. able to adopt another baby Dubai did what it needed to ditions here in Dubai. But
But we must ask: why does the isn’t really going to distract do in courting the attention if—and it’s a big ‘if’—one of
UK press seem to be so vehe- Steve Lee the good people of Middle of the international media to these journalists wants to do
mently against Dubai, which Chief operating officer England from the new 50 boost its ambitions in proper- a balanced piece on working
has been the darling of the 7DAYS per cent tax law. But the at- ty sales and tourism. It is now conditions here, they should
dailies for so long? tempted destruction of Du- experiencing the unpleasant also visit the home coun-
To understand this you royal family or, indeed, newly bai’s reputation has people side-effect of this. try of the people they inter-
must first look at the way the formed cities and countries believing that their little lot But one thing that con- view. If they did that, it may
British press has historically trying to develop as fast as the in life ain’t so bad. After all, cerns me is that many people help give some perspective
dealt with rising stars—be price of oil was rising. Since the Gulf city has been the who have read these articles and promote more balanced
they actors, footballers, the the inception of the tabloids, envy of every reader of the are now up in arms at the journalism, for once.
JUDGE DREAD
The best ideas are often the ones that take a while to impress, after initially leaving us cold
A MUCH SMARTER ad guy than me ing about the future of the PC, said, cial backers and spent every penny
once said the million-dollar skill in “I think there is a world market for his family had. He even sold his chil-
the ad business is to be able to rec- maybe five computers.” He was the dren’s schoolbooks to help fund his
ognise a great idea when you see it. chairman of IBM. dream. But with only the support of
That was back in the 90s, so it must Sometimes it’s the market that his wife, and thanks to a lucky acci-
be a multimillion-dollar skill by doesn’t spot the potential of a great dent on the kitchen stove, his idea of
now. Ideas are like people. Some idea. Take the dot flops of the late vulcanised rubber became reality.
you meet and take an instant shine 90s. Computer geeks who saw the fu- There are many motivations for
to. Others you’re indifferent about ture of the internet teamed up with pursuing an idea—money and fame
but you grow to appreciate them. moneymen who saw a future filled
Peter Vegas
being two of the most obvious. But
And some you dislike with a passion with cash and the dotcom boom
Creative director
often there’s also a strong underly-
only to later find you have done a was born. Problem was, Joe and
Impact BBDO, Abu Dhabi
ing need to create. A drive to bring a
180-degree turn. Jane public didn’t have their heads concept to life. Goodyear only lived
could have done that.” Or “If only I 16 years after his invention and al-
Ideas are like people. Some you meet and take
had been one of the YouTube inves- though he saw his rubber applied
tors.” But here’s a question. If, back to several hundred uses and lodged
an instant shine to. And some you dislike with a
in 2004, a young, nerdy college guy another 60 patents himself, he never
passion only to later find you have done a 180-
had asked you to invest a big wad of made a lot of money. He died a poor
degree turn.
cash in a website that allowed people man. But in his book—which was
to stick their movies on it, would you printed on gum-elastic sheets and
have recognised the huge potential? bound in hard rubber—he said, “The
Alexander Graham Bell thought around the online world yet. Ten The ideas people I really admire writer is not disposed to repine and
the telephone would be used prima- years on, the public are up to speed are those visionaries who believe in say that he has planted and others
rily as a way for people on different and dotcom business is booming. their idea so much they are prepared have gathered the fruits. The advan-
floors of the same building to be able And some of the simplest ideas are to invest everything to make it hap- tages of a career in life should not be
to communicate. Maybe that’s why doing the best. pen. The people who put their mon- estimated exclusively by the standard
he offered his invention to Western Take YouTube. There’s no amaz- ey where their mouth is. of dollars and cents, as it is too often
Union for only $100,000. ing breakthrough there. The world In the 1830s, Charles Goodyear done. Man has just cause for regret
In 1947, Thomas J Watson, talk- must be full of people thinking, “I was deserted by three different finan- when he sows and no one reaps.”
10 MAY 2009 / 11
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