Friday, February 5, 2010

Implications of tall buildings?

I'm reading Robert Silverbergs "The World Inside". It describes a society where there are many more billions if people and where people live in vertical cities of 1000 stories with 800k people in them. They don't go outside. They live all inside. Sex is free and "nightwalking" encouraged. Removes tension from people. Making more lifes (babies) is the "God bless" purpose of life.

Now at the same time I'm reading Daniel Quinn's "Beyond Civilization" that talks about how our meme currently is to spread. Like some religions. It may not be sustainable. We will slowly change.

The question is what we may become. How many people do we need. One alternative maybe a "one child policy" like China. But I'd expect them to try to get rid of that. When they get more mechanized farming. The question is where they'll go. As obvious in many parts of China. They'll go "up" - vertically. Like is already evident in Beijing and Hong Kong and most Chinese cities.

And it makes sense. Its more  environmently efficient. Less harm. But in long term its just paving the road for more.

One nice thing however is that the do practice urban planning in China. Its not like New York where there are only tall building. Only. Instead they build with space. Parks. Plentiful of Parks. When is the last time San Francisco tore down some blocks built new buildings and also built a humongous park.

One could say that China cares about people. Not individuals. They're not "rich" enough yet. But they build spaces for people. Public spaces on San Francisco aren't friendly. Doesn't allow for life. The city and police prefers people to be indoors and spend money in establishments. Even marketplace are private - mallls. You'd think a rich society could build spaces for people. But sadly enough. US is not a rich society. Its only has many rich individuals. The homeless are the only ones who seem to be allowed to "inhabitate" public spaces. And they are often seen as nuisances. But in fact they may be the ones who are really alive. They may understand our society better than most of us.

So where do we go from here? Up?

Well I think I may go up! Up in the Chinese mountains for a while. The opportunity is imminent.

Yours.

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