I’ve always thought a bit radical that New Urbanism and Smart Growth be equated to “communism”.
I have come to fear communism not because of bike lanes but because of shortages, secret police, re-education camps and absolute lack of freedom.
I have come to fear communism not because of bike lanes but because of shortages, secret police, re-education camps and absolute lack of freedom.
https://twitter.com/ad_mastro/status/1417271216553988102
The assumption that everything must be read in terms of asymmetrical relationships and assuming ill will, yet solved by the biggest asymmetrical relationship of them all, and by folks who magically surrender their ill will is naïve, to say the least.
Marxian analysis is deeply embedded in the culture. Especially in some areas, like architecture and planning. Using its words and imagery might prove useful to see the world, but there’s something that doesn’t add.
We create metaphors to live by. We see the world around us with hope or with fear, and act accordingly.
Now we even know what types of built environment are conducive for happiness and which breed fear and distrust.
And that is what we keep building.
Now we even know what types of built environment are conducive for happiness and which breed fear and distrust.
And that is what we keep building.
If we frame the world in asymmetrical terms we create a world of fear, distrust and winner-take-all attitude.
If we frame it collaboratively, trust goes up.
Both alternatives replicate themselves and grow. Each creates an opposing model.
Would you rather live in fear or hope?
If we frame it collaboratively, trust goes up.
Both alternatives replicate themselves and grow. Each creates an opposing model.
Would you rather live in fear or hope?
Forcing collaboration doesn’t add. Shaming into collaboration doesn’t either. There’s a voluntary component that marks the rift between both world views:
•using the threat of political power to force everyone to live by our assumptions
•building the world to seek mutual benefit
•using the threat of political power to force everyone to live by our assumptions
•building the world to seek mutual benefit
City building was voluntary. Selfish builders would use existing walls to build their houses and in doing so made both his and the neighbor’s house tougher and easier to heat. Opportunist shop owners tucked their stores in impossible corners. We thrived despite asymmetries.
Using imbalances to explain urban interactions emphasizes the selfishness of the builder and tries to correct it by forcing compliance.
Rather, celebrating the outcomes instead builds trust.
High trust societies hope and grow. Low trust societies fear and wilt.
Rather, celebrating the outcomes instead builds trust.
High trust societies hope and grow. Low trust societies fear and wilt.
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