Talking with Dr. Chong

[nfotxn]

I will confess that I am an urbanite wannabe presently exiled in the suburbs...

But the more I explore larger cities the more I become aware of the prevalent attitude that suburban dwellers are regarded as real philistines with out any sophistication. And to a degree that's true but despite selfish attitudes in the burbs art, diversity and culture still exists. It's a little more hidden but no less pertinent than that which exists more fabulously in metropolitans around the world. Even without being within walking distance to faux-50's diners, minimalist post-modern cafés, independent art galleries, leather bars and chic-chic home interior stores.

My point being is that it's not where you live but what you make of it. Even stinky old Hamilton has a lot to offer me presently. Sure I could do a lot better in a bigger city but I'd best finish my work here then graduate.

Literally and figuratively.

Comments

[plaidninja.livejournal.com]

Most of that inner city "culture" is just mindless distractions.
I've lived here for three years now and what do I do that's "cultured"? Nothing, that's what.

Just cause you aren't bored doesn't make you cultured.

[tcbear.livejournal.com]

I'd not call Hamilton a suburb bud...its a good sized city..it has 500,000 people in it..its own communities, its own town centre..it isn't dependent on Toronto for attractions or culture, or infrastructure. Its just got different overtones than Toronto has ...not necessarily worse...just different.

I come from a smaller town..something that you could very well truly describe as a suburb because it is just barely self sufficient and not at all when you consider culture or entertainment. Yes...sometimes I do feel deprived culturally or socially...perhaps often I do.

I might lack sophistication, eloquent speech, cultural identity, variety of viewpoints.

What I don't miss that seems so prevalant in the "big city" is willful self centredness, cynicism, jaundiced self interested viewpoints and distraction instead of depth.

Since we don't have these luxuries available in the small towns, we need to develop as people who can afford perspective, optimism, brotherhood and neighborliness.

As dismissive as some people are of that, I'm willing to believe a lot of them wonder privately where they lost it.

[funkybearmartin.livejournal.com]

Arnt'cha glad I made you take that "mean" photo?

[jwall.livejournal.com]

Big city doesn't mean shit. Plenty of dense urban areas are culturally lackluster. More important than size is demographic makeup -- move it around a bit.

Atlanta has a metro population of almost 5 million, but it's about as "suburban" as you get. Lots of rich white people, and lots of poor black people. By contrast, Seattle only has a metro population of around a million (maybe less), but it was far more developed/"urban" with a legit 24-hour downtown.

[cartmatt.livejournal.com]

Even without being within walking distance to faux-50's diners, minimalist post-modern cafés, independent art galleries, leather bars and chic-chic home interior stores.

Ick! (Well, maybe except for the leather bars!) I grew up in Podunk, Indiana, and when I moved to the big city, I realized what I'd been missing -- really good record stores and every concert worth going to stops in your city. Oh, and great Mexican food. Oh, and comic book stores! Oh, and also movies that you see reviewed in the NY Times actually are available for you to see in the theater as opposed to waiting for the videocassette.

And anyone who likes White Stripes is BY DEFINITION not a philistine... :D