hocus-pocus |ˈpōkəs|
noun:
meaningless talk or activity, often designed to draw attention away from and disguise what is actually happening
• a form of words often used by a person performing magic tricks.
• deception; trickery.
Sysiphus Shrugged
Atlas shrugged, but what if Sisyphus shrugged? Sisyphus meaning those whose work makes day to day living possible. The ones who work, in good faith, toward that mountain peak called the "American Dream", only to realize that there are major forces at work pushing back in the other direction, undermining their efforts. What if they, one by one, resigned? Just Google "NYC sanitation strike" or "NYC transit strike" for a small glimpse, or just use your imagination. Then, try to imagine the possibility of self sustaining communities of professionals, artisans, workers, who provide for their own shelter, food, water, renewable energy etc., along with bartering and the use of legitimate currency. Imagine a rational community of responsible, intelligent and hard working citizens who use their minds, and who work to the best of their ability. The only thing they would probably need would be some way of defending themselves from the IRS agents, or some other group of thugs, that would eventually come storming in at some point, to get their share. Hey, didn't this happen before about 200 years ago?
On Architecture:
It's a dreary landscape out there, except for those rare and stunning architectural achievements that have been made real. Too soon forgotten are the visions of the cities and communities that could be. Remember all those futuristic urban planning "Cities Of The Future"? Haven't seen one of those in a while.
Sisyphus
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
James H Kunstler dissects suburbia | Video on TED.com
"In James Howard Kunstler's view, public spaces should be inspired centers of civic life and the physical manifestation of the common good. Instead, he argues, what we have in America is a nation of places not worth caring about."
"In James Howard Kunstler's view, public spaces should be inspired centers of civic life and the physical manifestation of the common good. Instead, he argues, what we have in America is a nation of places not worth caring about."
ReplyDelete