The Cross Cultural Diwaniya have a discussion coming up this Wednesday on Kuwait’s urban infrastructure. It’s a perfectly timed discussion after all the chaos that occurred last week because of the rain. So if have an opinion or want to hear other peoples opinion on this subject, register for this event. For more info, click [Here]
18 replies on “Kuwait’s New Urban Infrastructure: Benefit or Inconvenience?”
What is the definition of “New Urban Infrastructure”? If it means new roads and bridges without that we would only have more traffic. I don’t understand how that could be termed as “inconvenience”.
If your not an engineer (civil or any other field related to infrastructure to be exact) your opinion honestly doesn’t matter or mean shit with this topic.
I usually like their topics and find them intriguing, but this is just beyond the scope of people who havent studied about it. Maybe they should have added some politics or about unpreparedness of governmental sectors
Sorry, but if you think other people’s opinions don’t matter or “mean shit” just because they’re not engineers, you’re actually the one whose opinion doesn’t “mean shit.”
The idea that only engineers can get us out of this mess is ludicrous. I’d venture to say that it’s these same engineers who got us into this mess in the first place. Let’s hear everyone’s ideas. That is the whole point of this undertaking. Why you have to silence people before they even open their mouths is bewildering.
Food for thought: Some of the world’s greatest inventions came from people with no education whatsoever. Did their ideas not mean shit? I’d let you find out, what, exactly, I’m talking about on your own, but something tells me you won’t do that, so let me do the work for you.
Garret Morgan: American, child of former slaves, invented the traffic light. Also invented early versions of the gas mask.
Michael Faraday: British, no formal education, experimental genius who revolutionized our understanding of electricity, invented early versions of electric motor and generator, Bunsen burner, electrolysis and electroplating. Also discovered electro-magnetic induction and benzene.
Gregor Mendel: Czech, uneducated monk, discovered everything we now know about genetics.
These are just 3 individuals off the top of my head. What would our society look like today without their contributions? If people like you told them their ideas didn’t mean shit because “they didn’t have degrees”? I could go on but I think I’ve proved my point, and hopefully swayed you from your position about the ability of individuals without degrees – degrees which we are increasingly understanding as totally useless and not indicative of a person’s ability or intelligence.
you are right, I should have said people who know what their talking about (legit knowledge) and have experience with this (actual work)
I still dont give a flying fuck to people who lack those two things
Do engineers solve problems only for other engineers? Does every engineer out there already know the entire list of problems that need solving? The input of the lay public is required to get a feel of not only what the problems are, but what they see as priorities. If they also provide suggestions, with all good intentions, nobody’s forcing the engineering authorities to accept them. But they have to at least listen to them before deciding (as experts) which ones are worth (or not) considering further.
In hindsight I shouldn’t have used engineer, just people in charge of this issue…
“The input of the lay public is required to get a feel of not only what the problems are, but what they see as priorities.” I agree
“ If they also provide suggestions, with all good intentions, nobody’s forcing the engineering authorities to accept them. But they have to at least listen to them before deciding (as experts) which ones are worth (or not) considering further.”
All I’m saying is that I dont care about any suggestions cause it’s beyond their scope, that’s it. On some issues what u said can (and should) be done by the experts. But this isn’t, thats it. And btw I’m not an expert nor an engineer, and I can fully say any suggestion I give on this problem shouldn’t be taken seriously. Just like the entire CCD discussion.
“Gregor Mendel: Czech, uneducated monk, discovered everything we now know about genetics.”
That’s a bit of a stretch…
Wikipedia: “From 1840 to 1843, he studied practical and theoretical philosophy and physics at the Philosophical Institute of the University of Olomouc…When Mendel entered the Faculty of Philosophy, the Department of Natural History and Agriculture was headed by Johann Karl Nestler who conducted extensive research of hereditary traits of plants and animals…He became a friar in part because it enabled him to obtain an education without having to pay for it himself.”
He was well educated in his field, and while he did discover the field of genetics, not “everything we now know about genetics” comes from him. Just go on google scholar and search for ‘genetics’, you’ll see a lot of new research on genetics that is not directly attributable to him.
Dude just friendly advice – spreading misinformation takes away from your credibility.
I am not an engineer and I work in financing sustainable infrastructure in some of the worlds biggest and most populated cities that have of the harshest climate factors.
What I can tell you, most people with engineering degrees are to blame for what happens when natural disaster hits. What happened in Kuwait is insignificant and could have easily been avoided if engineers lives up to the hype you are giving them.
Im not trying to defend them… im just saying this is an argument that would be coherent between people who know what they are talking about
I would go there but would be asked to make tea and coffee coz I’m an expat and my opinion wouldn’t matter 😛
With an attitude like that you probably should..
Sure, Ashraf will not be asked to make tea and coffee. But would his opinion really matter? Its a question worth asking. individuals who spend their entire life in this country, some even without their families don’t have basic rights ( There is a clear differentiation between Rights and Amenities).
I hope these kind of forums are a step towards the right direction and are beneficial for the country and its residents ( Both nationals and Expats included).
Only then I see this country progressing.
It’s the expats fault that it rained and flooded so now all must be deported!
Sure, Ashraf will not be asked to make tea and coffee. But would his opinion really matter? Its a question worth asking. individuals who spend their entire life in this country, some even without their families don’t have basic rights ( There is a clear differentiation between Rights and Amenities).
I hope these kind of forums are a step towards the right direction and are beneficial for the country and its residents ( Both nationals and Expats included).
Only then I see this country progressing.
Jeez, expat comments in here are super weird. It’s called a cross-cultural diwaniya for a reason; it accommodates, acknowledges and discusses the opinions of several nationalities living in Kuwait who are dealing with these issues. It’s not just for Kuwaiti people. Why come on here and make jokes about being a tea boy instead of going to a platform where your opinion can be heard? Just seems so immature.
Perhaps its too little too late.
A “Cross-cultural diwaniya” is a great outlet, but probably should have been there 40 years ago.
It is hard to take initiatives like these seriously when there are people currently sitting in parliament who spew venom and nonsense like taxing expats for using roads and breathing the air, without any repercussions. This gives a feeling that perhaps those thoughts are endorsed by the higher ups.
I don’t feel invested in the country anymore to care. I have long moved out. The only thing still tying me is my the my place of birth listed as Kuwait in all official documents.
I totally understand and agree – I’ve checked out of what little patriotism I had for Kuwait ages ago. But, it does not negate the fact that these platforms exist now. Whether they should’ve existed decades ago or whether they actually make a difference is besides the point. They exist now and if they continue to exist and challenge the regressions we live with, they might eventually hold their weight and make a difference. All I’m saying is that we need to cut initiatives such as these some slack. At least they’re doing something and involving everyone!