Slashdot Mirror


Carbon-Neutral Ziggurat Could House 1.1 Million In Dubai

Engadget is reporting that a new pyramid-shaped city of the future, dubbed a "Ziggurat," is being touted by Dubai-based environmental design company, Timelinks. Claiming that their design allows for an almost self-sufficient energy footprint and, obviously, economy of space, the real trick would be getting 1.1 million people to live in such close proximity. "Martijn Kramer, managing director of The International Institute for the Urban Environment told WAN: 'As a general reaction the Ziggurat Project is viable from a technical point of view. However reflecting from a more sustainable holistic approach we do wonder if the food supply and waste system are taken care for, as the concept seems rather based upon carbon neutrality and energy saving.' Kramer's initial reaction to 'Ziggurat' also raises a very important issue: are people willing to live in a mega building of 2.3 sq km? Will the thought of living in a machine comfort people?"

22 of 393 comments (clear)

  1. Let's find out. by morgan_greywolf · · Score: 3, Funny

    Will the thought of living in a machine comfort people?

    Let's find out from some people who live in an actual machine. Morpheus, what do you think?

    Morpheus: The Matrix is a system, Neo. That system is our enemy. But when you're inside, you look around, what do you see? Businessmen, teachers, lawyers, carpenters. The very minds of the people we are trying to save. But until we do, these people are still a part of that system and that makes them our enemy. You have to understand, most of these people are not ready to be unplugged. And many of them are so inured, so hopelessly dependent on the system, that they will fight to protect it.

    for an opposing viewpoint, let's ask Cypher. Cypher?

    Cypher: You know, I know this steak doesn't exist. I know that when I put it in my mouth, the Matrix is telling my brain that it is juicy and delicious. After nine years, you know what I realize?
    [Takes a bite of steak]
    Cypher: Ignorance is bliss.

    and, finally, for another insight, we'll ask Agent Smith:

    Agent Smith: Did you know that the first Matrix was designed to be a perfect human world? Where none suffered, where everyone would be happy. It was a disaster. No one would accept the program. Entire crops were lost. Some believed we lacked the programming language to describe your perfect world. But I believe that, as a species, human beings define their reality through suffering and misery. The perfect world was a dream that your primitive cerebrum kept trying to wake up from. Which is why the Matrix was redesigned to this: the peak of your civilization.

    1. Re:Let's find out. by Chris+Burke · · Score: 5, Funny

      You forgot to get the opinion of the savior, The One himself, as to what he thinks of these Ziggurats.

      Neo: Whoa!

      So there ya have it.

      --

      The enemies of Democracy are
    2. Re:Let's find out. by Mesa+MIke · · Score: 3, Funny

      > You forgot to get the opinion of the savior,
      > The One himself, as to what he thinks of these Ziggurats.

      Why should the people of Dubai care what Senator Obama thinks?

    3. Re:Let's find out. by ZedmanAuk · · Score: 4, Funny

      See, and here I thought Obama was more like Morpheus, who would lead the revolution and find The One, but that ultimately the Real Deal would be a pasty white guy who honestly isn't nearly as cool.

      Biden?

      --
      -ZA
  2. Re:Ziggurat by mcpkaaos · · Score: 4, Funny
    Or one step closer to training Abominations.

    Summon more ziggurats!

    --
    It goes from God, to Jerry, to me.
  3. Obligatory, Warcraft by SlipperHat · · Score: 4, Funny

    "My life for Aiur! ... Uh I mean Ner'Zhul."

  4. Re:right up till... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Ok, ok, we'll build a fence around it. Sheesh!

  5. Re:Ziggurat by everphilski · · Score: 4, Funny

    Once you turn to the dark side, forever will it dominate your destiny! and your dental plan ...

  6. Re:Ziggurat by oldspewey · · Score: 5, Funny

    Take off every Ziggurat! Move Ziggurat for great justice!

    --
    If libertarians are so opposed to effective government, why don't they all move to Somalia?
  7. Re:Where does the food come from? by ScentCone · · Score: 5, Funny

    Where does the food come from?

    You know those people that live on the bottom floor? They're soylentalicious! Now that's thinking green.

    --
    Don't disappoint your bird dog. Go to the range.
  8. Re:Cool! by TinheadNed · · Score: 4, Funny

    Massive massive props to them. I could never get the population up high enough in Sim City 2000. What was it, about 90000 required before you could build them?

    Give them 10 years and they'll get bored and turn the disasters back on.

  9. One word by AshtangiMan · · Score: 4, Funny

    slides.

    1. Re:One word by TheGreatGraySkwid · · Score: 4, Funny

      Napoleon, is that you?

      --
      The Humblest Mollusk on the Net
  10. Re:Ziggurat by uberjack · · Score: 5, Funny

    dental plan ...

    Lisa needs braces

  11. Re:right up till... by rmadmin · · Score: 3, Funny

    A white picket fence? And we'll lock it from the inside!!! BRILLIANT!

  12. Re:Ziggurat by kdemetter · · Score: 3, Funny

    I wonder if these houses can also be upgraded to towers :-)

  13. Worst Cruiseline ever? by xactuary · · Score: 5, Funny
    "... and, while on cruise, there is no chance for a change of scenery whatsoever."

    My advice: Try taking a cruise on something other than a docked riverboat casino.

    --
    Say hello to my little sig.
    1. Re:Worst Cruiseline ever? by KDR_11k · · Score: 3, Funny

      Join the Navy!

      --
      Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
  14. Re:Easy target by Tom · · Score: 5, Funny

    but I am pretty sure a pyramid can be easily unbalanced.

    Actually, I think they intend to build this one broad side downwards. :)

    --
    Assorted stuff I do sometimes: Lemuria.org
  15. Re:Ziggurat by joeman3429 · · Score: 5, Funny

    dental plan ...

    Lisa needs braces

    dental plan

  16. Re: Creation vs destruction by icebrain · · Score: 3, Funny

    Or to put it another way:
    -You must play the game.
    -You can't win.
    -You can't break even, except on a very cold day.
    -It doesn't get that cold.

    Thermodynamics FTW

    --
    The meek may inherit the earth, but the strong shall take the stars.
  17. Re:Ziggurat by aliquis · · Score: 4, Funny

    Imagine how fucking awesome it would be when they build a black citadel nearby :)

    1.100.000 people with an average life spann of 80 years = 37.6 deaths / day, at 8 corpses / meat wagon that makes for 5 meat wagons per day!