Comments on: Applecare good. Urban sprawl bad.

By: Rene

Rene — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 02:54:05 +0000

I loved living in compact cities where I didn’t have to drive, biked my errands, and lived lighter than someone in a McMansion. The problem with cities though, is that when people are so densely compacted into one place, we start to feel like rats in a cage, and tend to act like them after a while. I think it’s just human nature.

Just because a lot of people might live in one big apartment building, does not mean that they know their neighbors and act neighborly. In our experience when we lived in San Francisco for a number of years, we never knew our neighbors in the building in which we lived. Nobody was all that friendly, and most people were just downright suspicious of one another.

When Jim and I moved to small town America, we finally experienced a real sense of community and people caring for one another. So just based on our own city dwelling years, I can’t say for sure that just because urban planners cram people into one tight space, does that make for a great community. I wish it did.

I wish I knew the answer. Suburban sprawl is NOT. But neither are megalopolis cities either.

By: Jim

Jim — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 00:42:58 +0000

Yes, smart in-growth with walkable town centers and bike friendly communities would be a really good thing. Sadly , I was referring to the vast developments we’ve seen all across the country where residents have been happy to tell us their own little slice is “near everything you need” … and from the looks of things, by “everything” they mean a WalMart Supercenter, a Texas Steakhouse, Lowes, Bojangles, Target, Panera and of course Starbucks.

By: G

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 19:24:03 +0000

I think the problem is more a lack of population density, than too much density. The unreal and irresponisble sense of entitlement people have about owning their little slice of the postwar suburban American dream has manifested itself in endless placeless sprawl, destroying both a sense of community and natural openspace at the same time. If people started living in more compact, walkable neighborhoods, like those of Europe, we would not only increase the amount of open land for all to enjoy, but feel more connected with our neighbors and community.

By: akc

akc — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 22:25:07 +0000

That is a great campsite! Plenty-o-garbage to burn, just stay upwind so the fumes dont knock you on your ass!

Jim did ya have to use Rene’s PC while your mac as at the hospital? Man I bet you had withdraws…

By: Jim

Jim — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 02:00:35 +0000

Oops! My bad. Thanks for the clarification. (I’ve already corrected my original post if anyone is wondering what the heck we’re talking about.)

By: Ariadne

Ariadne — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 01:14:16 +0000

Hey, gentle reminder here … … it’s U.S. Forest Service, NOT U.S. Department of Forestry! Remember, the Six Rivers National Forest Headquarters is there in Eureka!

The Forest Service is part of the Department of Agriculture. Other Natural Resource Agencies are part of the Department of Interior. DH worked for the Forest Service for 32 years, but retired after six years with the Park Service (Redwood), and I worked for the Forest Service for 10 years. We both have very green blood … still …

… and in case the subject ever comes up, it’s Smokey Bear, NOT Smokey “the” Bear!