cmpuppies’s Recent Comments

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  New Urbanism's Nemesis

  The design principles of new urbanism are inherently undermined by the "American dream" of owning a big house on a large lot, driving an SUV everywhere, and dealing with neighbors as little as possible. In a survey undertaken by the Washoe County (NV) Parks Department, one of the highest-rated priorities indicated by respondents was "providing activities to interact with neighbors and area residents." Sadly, we have gotten away from the 1940's-style natural community fabric of a more intimate, higher-density neighborhood (ala N.U.) and look to government entities to provide ways for us to talk to each other instead.On Casinos and high-rises battle trolleys and bike lanes for the Gulf Coast future posted 3 years, 7 months ago 7 Responses

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  Long journey

  I find it compelling that 70% of Grist readers voted for the "doomsday" scenario in the poll associated with the Kuntsler article. A major factor that, ironically, was not discussed in the interview is the condition we have put the planet in, let alone the fact that cheap oil is on the way out. Over the past 100 years, humans have not only depleted resources, but have done irreparable damage to natural ecosystems that make the earth's closed system operate. A dramatic reduction in the burning of fossil fuels may help mitigate global warming, but some studies and scenarios suggest that we may already be too far down the road toward catastrophic feedback mechanisms that could produce anything from another ice age to even more widespread droughts and wildfires. Religious fanatics secretly throw up their hands and say, "Oh well, Armageddon may be upon us, but if so, it is God's will, there's nothing I can do about it except pray for salvation."  That kind of pervasive mentality, along with the fact that many of us are running out of steam from banging our heads against the wall trying to make real changes in lifestyle and attitudes, is what the Long Journey is really about.On An interview with doomsaying author James Howard Kunstler posted 4 years, 5 months ago 25 Responses