I attended the 1st hour of Kunstler presentation on Th night on rural towns.
I was standing in the hall and did not get a good look at a lot of
the slides. However, from what I heard, Kunstler is very good at
criticizing the development of Saratoga Springs, NY since 1945. He is
quite systematic in pointing out what is wrong with the changes in
development styles in the past 50 yrs. He had lots of examples.
I kept waiting for the other
shoe to drop. For example, what were the forces that caused these
type of changes rather that maintaining the status quo. What was the
thinking. What can be done to avoid these problems?
One theory offered was that the country suffered a
collective community design stroke after WWII. Funny? Yes. Helpful?
Well, I am not so sure.
Perhaps the solutions Kunstler is suggesting were implicit in the
criticism. I would like to have had them made more explicitly. To me,
criticism is an easy game to play. We can all get a good laugh at the
boobeoisie. But after we are done laughing and feeling smug, then
what? It seems like we are left feeling more alienated than before w/
no greater understanding or plan of action. Who needs that? I'll pass.
Others reactions?
Steve Cooke
> Dear Susan and Visionaries:
> Mea culpa. Who'da thunk it--Jazz feastival and an overflow crowd! The
> Jazz fest folks were probably wondering where all those people were.
> This was only the second SRO crowd we've ever had for a lecture--Susan
> went to the other one, Steve Badanes. I wish there was a great and large
> lecture hall on campus. Any suggestions?
> I hesitate to review the lecture, I kinda have an insider's
> perspective--I'd enjoy someone else's view.
> Bruce
>
> On Fri, 23 Feb 1996, Palmer Susan wrote:
>
> > Many of us we unable to get into the SRO "How to Mess Up a Town"
> > presentation last night...even county planning commission members!
> >
> > So, would anyone who DID get to hear the presentation provide a summary
> > to the list? I don't know if the local media were there to cover the
> > program.
> >
> > To the Architecture Dept.: Although I don't know the seating capacity
> > of the Forestry room, past experience coupled with last night indicates
> > that during the school year, your programs are successful and well attended.
> > I know it's Jazz Festival week, but future programs may require greater
> > seating capacity, yes? Or perhaps compiling a video library of the
> > programs?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Susan
> >
> > *---------------------------------------------------------------------*
> > | |
> > | Susan Palmer Education Programming |
> > | Phone: 208-885-6616 Coordinator |
> > | FAX: 208-885-9494 Women's Center |
> > | E-mail: susanp@osprey.csrv.uidaho.edu University of Idaho |
> > | Alias: Auntie Nuke Moscow, Idaho 83844-1064 |
> > | |
> > | "People convinced against their will, hold the same opinion still" |
> > | |
> > *---------------------------------------------------------------------*
> >
> >
> >
>
>