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Not sure why one would willingly subject themselves and their families to sprawl... Perhaps it has something to do with overvaluing personal space.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HeavenWood
People moved out to the suburbs (sprawling or otherwise) for a variety of reasons both "legitimate" (fresh air, open space, good public schools, etc.) and "illegitimate" (racism, elitism, etc.). That's why many people go there to stay, not because they're molly-coddled by the boob tube.
And what does "overvaluing personal space" mean? Is it morally unacceptable for a family of four to want something bigger than a 1,200 square foot townhouse?
And what does "overvaluing personal space" mean? Is it morally unacceptable for a family of four to want something bigger than a 1,200 square foot townhouse?
Not sure where your getting morals.
I simply mean that an emphasis on the size/newness of a home is so grossly and disproportionately valued as compare to objectively more important factors such as proximity to employment, vitality, cultural amenities, safety, raising children in a stimulating environment, etc.
I take it the OPs premise is that TV, like religion, is an opiate of the people that allows them to tolerate the otherwise intolerable.
You mean like Sean Hannity and Honey Boo Boo?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Komeht
I simply mean that an emphasis on the size/newness of a home is so grossly and disproportionately valued as compare to objectively more important factors such as proximity to employment, vitality, cultural amenities, safety, raising children in a stimulating environment, etc.
Say what? Often times when people move to the 'burbs it is for reasons of proximity to employment (not everyone works downtown), safety (no explanation needed; not saying many city 'hoods aren't safe so don't get your dander up), vitality (community and school events, festivals, etc.) , and raising children in a stimulating environment (better schools). Those reasons don't trump a bigger or newer house?
Not sure why "cultural amenities" are so important; one can always drive to the opera, can't one? No doubt most of the city folk who attend opera drive as well. That's why there are all those a big ol' parking garages next to the concert halls ...
I simply mean that an emphasis on the size/newness of a home is so grossly and disproportionately valued as compare to objectively more important factors such as proximity to employment, vitality, cultural amenities, safety, raising children in a stimulating environment, etc.
Nope, actually these just sound like your opinions.
Nope, actually these just sound like your opinions.
Clearly they're more than just my opinion. Looking at typical real estate prices alone one can easily see people put quite a premium for living in the central city (maybe not Detroit, but most other cities not in collapse are experiencing tremendous demand. People demand and are willing to pay extra to live in something that is not sprawl (honestly, no surprise there), yet large numbers of people continue to opt to live in places they hate or merely tolerate. I guess they tell themselves that the imoressive two story foyer and great room are worth it.
But back to the OPs point, what allows then to stay year after year? Distractions by TV is an interesting theorem...I think it's a bit larger than that. People end up loving their personal space (the double stair case at entryway, the media room, the bonus room lovingly turned into a child's den) but either dispise (or are blind to) the hostile brutal world existing just outside their little piece of sprawl. So yes, to the OP, TV in a sense makes them numb to the reality of day-to-day existence, but I'll posit its the entire home, from the oil rubbed bronze hardware, to the three car garages that creates a pocket of unreality that allows them to forget what's just outside their windows.
Also outside of a spattering of sun belt and major cities, cities fail to command a premium value over suburbs. Incomes lag suburbs and crime is two to three times higher in cities per capita. Happy to provide numerous sources in the event the "Interweb" is confusing.
Propel end up loving their personal space (the double stair case at entryway, the media room, the bonus room lovingly turned into a child's den) but either dispise (or are blind to) the hostile brutal world existing just outside their little piece of sprawl.
Also outside of a spattering of sun belt and major cities, cities fail to command a premium value over suburbs. Incomes lag suburbs and crime is two to three times higher in cities per capita. Happy to provide numerous sources in the event the "Interweb" is confusing.
Austin is absolutely home to horrific amounts of sprawl. I wouldn't call it the Mecca of sprawl (Houston, Atlanta and Phoenix can vie for that ignominious crown.) But life choking sprawl of the worst kind exists here.
I also happen to live in a central city neighborhood a few minutes from the heart of the the incredibly vibrant and always lively CBD - this week it's SXSW filling our streets with visitors from all over the world! I rarely venture north of 45th, south or Oltorf or west of Town Lake or east of 183 unless I'm going someplace else.
Each time I do, I'm reminded why I'm both so thankful to live in my central Austin urban home and aghast at the horrors that surround me and the people who must live suck lives of quiet desperation out there.
Last edited by Komeht; 03-13-2013 at 09:28 AM..
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