tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9991864.post5299471338850528241..comments2023-08-10T05:24:20.775-04:00Comments on Razing the Bar: Death by SuburbAndy Whitmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04010130934552315074noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9991864.post-13012826806389125432007-05-03T21:03:00.000-04:002007-05-03T21:03:00.000-04:00Ok. I did re-read it a couple times, but didn't s...Ok. I did re-read it a couple times, but didn't see it. Got it now. Thanks.Pilgrimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13263860830512792429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9991864.post-34974609654191995842007-05-03T11:06:00.000-04:002007-05-03T11:06:00.000-04:00Julana, the "both" refers to engaging suffering in...Julana, the "both" refers to engaging suffering in 1) suburbia, and 2) in places like homeless shelters and nursing homes for the destitute. Doing that in both places is good and appropriate.Andy Whitmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04010130934552315074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9991864.post-27156468967685544722007-05-03T10:29:00.000-04:002007-05-03T10:29:00.000-04:00When you say "both are good," what is "both" refer...When you say "both are good," what is "both" referring to? Living in the suburbs and being destitute?Pilgrimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13263860830512792429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9991864.post-3840816211493764732007-05-02T08:16:00.000-04:002007-05-02T08:16:00.000-04:00Are we talking about the older "suburbs" or these ...Are we talking about the older "suburbs" or these new Dominion-Centex-MI/etc., moneypit/cookiecutter scourges?<BR/><BR/>Took the long way back to Athens last night (is there any other way?), and coming down the hills back of Lithopolis I looked down into the valley west of Lancaster and north of 33. It reminded me of a smaller version of Denver, or the West side of Columbus.<BR/><BR/>My first thought was, "Dear Lord". My second thought was "fly - run for your life". Then it went behind the hills and I turned up the everybodyfields and headed toward the Mayberry part of my existence.jackscrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16163915446151636189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9991864.post-17487392816874064792007-05-01T11:23:00.000-04:002007-05-01T11:23:00.000-04:00Having spent pre-school, elementary school and hal...Having spent pre-school, elementary school and half of middle school in 'urbia,' and high school and college in 'suburbia,' and having moved to and from and to the city again as an adult, I think I agree with pretty much everything you just said.<BR/><BR/>Especially this: "What is unique about suburbia is the degree of self-deception that often accompanies the lifestyle choices. Life in the ‘burbs is all about controlling what can be controlled – relative safety, retirement investments, the quality of our childrens’ educations, dandelions and grubs. And because people are more apt to function believing that they are in control, the degree of shock when it all falls apart may actually be greater in suburbia than in places where chaos and lack of control are woven into the daily non-routine."<BR/><BR/>I think one could also posit a similarly functioning psychological suburbia (called "Evangelicaville?") which often overlaps and intertwines with actual geographical suburbs. The same observations apply.<BR/><BR/>I'd love to hear Andy Taylor's thoughts on this as well. To what extent is suburbia a state of mind, and how does that jive with the actual landscape and urban architecture of the suburbs?<BR/><BR/>I'm also interested in the upcoming "Cutting Edge" magazine which addresses the differences in planting a suburban, a rural and an urban church.<BR/><BR/>Good stuff.John McCollumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14757876504958350010noreply@blogger.com