This week’s editorial musings
from magpie’s nest<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The quote:<\/mark><\/strong> Admire more, most people don\u2019t admire enough \u00a0\u00a0| Vincent Van Gogh<\/em> …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aaaand \u2026 we\u2019re back<\/mark><\/strong><\/mark><\/strong> after two weeks of unpicking stuff the bad folk did to our website and then patching up the patches that inadvertently muddied the waters further. SO here\u2019s a bumper edition of the comment section<\/strong> …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hear history<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0Sharjah Art Foundation\u2019s\u00a0Radial Histories: Art and Exchange in Sharjah 1960s-1980s<\/strong>\u00a0is a six-part podcast series on the history of visual art in Sharjah and the UAE up to the early 1990s. It mixes oral histories, archival recordings and scholarly commentary; episode one is an explainer, but the other five do get meaty on the what, when and why of the early contemporary arts scene here. On\u00a0Apple Podcasts<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0Spotify<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0Anghami<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and other major podcast platforms. Recommended …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Safe and sound<\/mark><\/strong> The UAE has been climbing steadily up the\u00a0Internations Quality of Life Index<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0to rank 2nd for 2025 (as rated by expats, though we don\u2019t know how many contributed).\u00a0Personal safety<\/strong>,\u00a0political stability<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0dining options\u00a0<\/strong>were rated highly; even the UAE\u2019s worst-performing subcategory in the index receives an above-average result \u2013 20th (out of 46 destinations included) for\u00a0Environment & Climate<\/strong>. Spain topped the overall list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And for nationals, the\u00a0UAE passport<\/strong>\u00a0has retained its top score in Arton Capital\u2019s\u00a0Passport Index<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\u2013 its total of 182 is the\u00a0highest score in the Index\u2019s history<\/strong>. The Index effectively measures ease of access to other countries, such as visa-free entry\u00a0…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Opps 1<\/strong><\/mark> A raft of\u00a0Dubai Design Week<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0applications \u2013 deadline\u00a015 June<\/strong>\u00a0for\u00a0Abwab<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Urban Commissions<\/strong><\/a>open calls,\u00a031 July<\/strong>\u00a0for\u00a0installation<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0proposals,\u00a015 Aug<\/strong>\u00a0for\u00a0activations<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and applications to the\u00a0UAE Designer Exhibition<\/strong><\/a>. All listed on the\u00a0Opportunities<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0page\u00a0…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Opps 2<\/mark><\/strong> Third edition of Art Jameel\u2019s\u00a0Research and Practice Platform<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\u2013 grants of AED 10,000 to help creatives through current troubles; no deliverables required. Deadline 31 July; info\u00a0here<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Opps 3<\/mark><\/strong> ArtDep<\/strong>, which curates art events and projects \u201cdesigned to bring art closer to everyone\u201d, is looking for new speakers<\/strong><\/a> (art historians, lecturers) for upcoming events. CV and short intro to prartdep@gmail.com<\/strong><\/a> …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Opps 4<\/mark><\/strong> Sharjah Architecture Triennial<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is looking for six\u00a0interns<\/strong>\u00a0to work on the upcoming third edition of the Triennial (opens Nov). Start date now, duration six months; there\u2019s a stipend (amount unspecified). Deadline to apply\u00a014 Jun<\/strong>. Info\u00a0here<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Write on<\/mark><\/strong> paperdiwan has just started a\u00a0Slow Sundays<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0meetup for writers \u2013 10am-12pm at\u00a0Spill the Bean<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0in JVC, every Sunday to 20 Aug: \u201cpull up a chair and start writing. Don\u2019t forget your pen & paper\u201d …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read on<\/mark><\/strong> We\u2019ve been reading the inaugural print version of\u00a0Wired ME<\/strong><\/a>, The Connection Issue, and it\u2019s good \u2013 makes the most of the good graphics they commissioned, lots of regionally-oriented material (we were expecting more reprinting from Wired USA), most of it commendably thoughtful about where technology is taking us: particularly good articles on Drake (and others)\u00a0appropriating Arabic culture<\/strong>, and how Arabic is helping creators\u00a0bypass AI-powered content moderation<\/strong> online …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learning the orchestra<\/mark><\/strong><\/mark><\/strong> The\u00a0UAE National Orchestra<\/strong><\/a>has introduced\u00a0Tashyeed<\/strong><\/a>, a first step in its wider learning and community mandate: it\u2019s a 13-month part-time programme that will support professional development of 17 Emirati musicians. Participants have already been selected through \u201ca focused evaluation process\u201d. More initiatives are promised for the development of Emirati composers, schools outreach, and international collaboration\u00a0…<\/p>\n\n\n\n VR trip extended<\/mark><\/strong> Louvre Abu Dhabi has extended the run for its Quantum Dome Project<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 a clever\u00a0collective VR adventure from\u00a0Imperial Rome through Medieval Baghdad to Mughal India: adults AED 40, under 18s AED 20\u00a0\u2013 to the end of the year …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read on<\/mark><\/strong> We\u2019ve been reading the inaugural print version of\u00a0Wired ME<\/strong><\/a>, The Connection Issue, and it\u2019s good \u2013 makes the most of the good graphics they commissioned, lots of regionally-oriented material (we were expecting more reprinting from Wired USA), most of it commendably thoughtful about where technology is taking us: particularly good articles on Drake (and others)\u00a0appropriating Arabic culture<\/strong>, and how Arabic is helping creators\u00a0bypass AI-powered content moderation<\/strong> online …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Good looking<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0The UAE\u2019s top portrait snapper\u00a0Waleed Shah<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0has reactivated his clever Covid-era\u00a0Mowjood<\/strong><\/a> proposition: \u201cI\u2019m out of work and probably so are you. So if you can afford to put food on my table please do\u201d. Have a photo session with him at his house in Reraam for just AED 50 (\u201cliterally just to keep it real and not to get fake bookings\u201d) and he\u2019ll make you look like a rockstar. Then you and he post and write about it \u201cand hopefully someone will notice for when work starts coming back\u201d. Call him on\u00a0+971 50 614 2063<\/strong> …<\/p>\n\n\n\n What Uber has<\/mark><\/strong> The Uber Lost & Found Index<\/strong>\u00a0for Dubai is headed by the obvious stuff \u2013 phone, luggage, wallet, headphones \u2013 but of course there are the amusing oddities: a full-sized massage table<\/strong>, boxing belts <\/strong>and ski goggles<\/strong>, and a TV remote control<\/strong> (who needs to take one for a ride?) …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bye bye Barasti<\/mark><\/strong> Barasti<\/strong><\/a> is closing this month for a six-month redevelopment<\/strong><\/a>, returning in 2027 as \u201ca fully reimagined beachfront destination\u201d with \u201cmultiple zones catering to different moods and audiences\u201d (we remember it when it was just a bar). A day-long Last Orders<\/strong><\/a> celebration on 21 June<\/strong> is AED 150 to include 3 food items and 5 drinks, which looks a good deal …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kids’ writing<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0ELF\u2019s competitions for kids are now open with the theme Heroes<\/strong>.\u00a0The Letter Writing Competition<\/strong><\/a> invites a letter to someone \u201cyou wanted to thank, honour, or better understand\u201d as a hero; entries should be handwritten on a single side of A4 (\u201ctry using your best handwriting”), submitted in the appropriate age category (8-10, 11-13, 14-18); deadline 8 Jan 2027<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And the OUP Story Writing Competition<\/strong><\/a> asks \u201cwhat does a hero look like to you?\u201d Stories in English or Arabic, again submitted in age category (11 and under: 500 words max, 12-14: 1,000 words max, 15-18: 1,500 words max). Deadline 10 Dec<\/strong>\u00a0…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Spider’s Web casting<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0H72 Productions is auditioning<\/strong> for Agatha Christie\u2019s Spider\u2019s Web<\/strong>, second only to The Mousetrap as her most successful play. Sarah Potter directs, it\u2019s showing in September, and there are eight adult roles to be filled. Auditions 13 and 14 June<\/strong>, 4.15-6pm at The Junction Academy, Al Moosa Tower 2<\/strong><\/a> on SZR; info here<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n More laughs<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0There\u2019s yet another new regular comedy gig<\/strong><\/a> in Dubai \u2013 this one\u00a0in Bur Dubai on Sundays, promising “a lively mix of fresh stand-up comedians, crowd interaction, open mic moments, and occasional performances by popular comedy acts”. No word on who’s on the bill, but (a) it’s free and (b) there’s 30% off on F&B and 40% on spirits. First outing is this Sunday<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Permissions to play<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0Vinyl Souk<\/strong><\/a> is looking for input on how to improve the local music ecosystem: if you work in hospitality, events, music, culture, or entertainment and have experience navigating artist permits, they\u2019re interested in your views on permit structures<\/strong><\/a> and their impact across different parts of the sector\u00a0…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Doomscroll 1<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0The number of UAE companies planning to cut\u00a0staff numbers<\/strong> has more than tripled to 25%, up from just 7% three months ago, says\u00a0a ManpowerGroup survey<\/a><\/strong> of 546 employers. Geopolitics and economic uncertainty were the reasons most cited\u00a0<\/strong>…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Doomscroll 2<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0Saudi authorities expect to spend $16bn canceling NEOM contracts <\/strong><\/a>over the next five years, says Semafor (reporting \u201cpeople familiar with the matter\u2019).\u00a0The kingdom has reportedly spent $64bn <\/strong>on NEOM so far, with little to show for it apart from bits of the OXAGON industrial city (where the port has gained significance given the closure of the Strait of Hormuz) …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Doomscroll 2<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0Saudi authorities expect to spend $16bn canceling NEOM contracts <\/strong><\/a>over the next five years, says Semafor (reporting \u201cpeople familiar with the matter\u2019).\u00a0The kingdom has reportedly spent $64bn <\/strong>on NEOM so far, with little to show for it apart from bits of the OXAGON industrial city (where the port has gained significance given the closure of the Strait of Hormuz) …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Made in the UAE<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>JD Malat<\/strong><\/a>\u2019s Made in the UAE open call<\/strong><\/a> attracted 300+ applicants. The lucky few are Ahmed Emad, Elizaveta Pugacheva, Samo Shalaby, Anila Ashraf, Sasan Nasernia, Camelia Mohebi <\/strong>and Yousif Albadi<\/strong>; their exhibition<\/strong><\/a> opens today …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not so bad \u2026<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0The Microsoft Work Trend Index<\/strong><\/a> suggests that decision-making is now the biggest workplace AI use case, accounting for nearly 28% of AI activity \u2013 people increasingly rely on AI for analysis and judgment<\/strong> rather than simple automation. The data suggests AI is evolving from a productivity tool into a thinking partner, while human-centred tasks like coaching, advising, and relationship-driven work remain less affected …<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 but take no chances<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0Give AI chatbots<\/strong> as little as possible by turning on temporary chats <\/strong>or incognito mode<\/strong> \u2013 that way chats won\u2019t be saved and won\u2019t be used to train the models. ChatGPT<\/strong>: look for the Temporary Chat toggle in the upper-right corner of the app or website. Claude<\/strong>: Tap the little ghost in the upper-right. Gemini<\/strong>: tap the pen icon at upper-right\u00a0<\/strong>…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beautiful eateries<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0The Prix Versailles<\/strong><\/a> people have unveiled their list of the world\u2019s 16 most beautiful restaurants<\/strong><\/a> for 2026. Dubai scores via Nobu One Za\u2019abeel<\/strong><\/a>, with \u201ca monumental custom lighting system\u201d and \u201cunbeatable views\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cruisin\u2019<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0Drive around a foreign city, listening to a local radio station and watching local dashcam footage with Drive & Listen<\/strong><\/a>. Dubai<\/strong>\u2019s included; Delhi <\/strong>and Havana<\/strong> are\u00a0recommended\u00a0<\/strong>…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Useful app of the week<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0PawPause<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is a macOS menu bar app that detects when your cat is walking across the keyboard and pauses input system-wide\u00a0before it posts gibberish or fires a shortcut. Essential stuff.\u00a0Find it here<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Something for the weekend<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0Eyeball<\/a><\/strong> is a simple and fiendishly addictive game:\u00a0click the\u00a0point on a horizontal line where exactly you think the number sits.\u00a0
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