Singapore in the Desert

"Singapore in the Desert" is a short essay by Karl Jones.

Singapore in the Desert

I was not unaware that Dubai is a city (not enjoying sovereign status) within the Emirate of Dubai. Nor was I careless with my words.

My original take on the matter was that Dubai is effectively, if not formally, a global city-state — Singapore in the desert, with an Emirate in the background.

(Or for that matter Vatican City in the desert, with ultra-modern designer monuments replacing the ancient glories of Mother Church. )

All very post-nation-state, which is an easy fictional trope in the William Gibson era.

But on reflection (you can take partial credit for this) I have decided to play it more real-world with "Emerati-American."