#Dubai is where feudal capitalism thrives: built on oil and gas capital, maintained by monopolists and clerks, growing through construction and real estate investment by lazy rentiers. Then there are the expats and tourists who believe in upgrading through affiliation, many embracing fitness and plastic surgery. But you cannot climb into the ranks of the kings. Everyone speeds up though, driving up the energy demand in the name of hope. More is never enough. That’s the home of #COP28.