Tuesday, April 24, 2018

                       Boundary Lines Wanted
Lately they've been tearing down long-standing structures and erecting elaborate multi-functional apartment buildings in their place---the kind with luxury units that go for $1500/mo and up, obviously catering to the upper crust of the citizenry.

And every one of these grandiose structures include commercial establishments on the ground-level floors---fast-food restaurants (like Wendy's, White Castle, Popeye's Chicken); department stores (like TARGET); service stores (like STAPLES, AMAZON); pharmacies (like Walgreens, CVS)
...you kind of get the idea.

Now, without making any statements or comments about how catering to the better-off of society displaces those of us on the lower level of the totem pole, I will mention how uneasy I am by the "run on" mindset so prevalent in today's society.  The disregard for sensible and sacred boundaries.  The way everything under the sun is available on one's smartphone, from music to shopping to withdrawing money from one's bank account, all online.  The way one can't even take a city bus ride from one end of a metropolitan area to another without being bombarded by commercials for online colleges and financial institutions offering "special rates on home refinancing".  As if television and radio is no longer sufficient for these shameless advertisers.

Things were much better when each business and institution had their own structures from which to operate.  When shows came on television, when music was enjoyed on the radio or home stereo or by singing or playing a musical instrument.  When one had to pick up a book, magazine, or newspaper in order to have something to read (outside of billboards, store fronts, and matchboxes).

Everything in their proper place.  None of this "all eggs in one basket" in a "one size fits all" social climate like we have now.  It's all become too much like the sound of the upstairs tenant's stereo or TV bleeding through into your unit (whether because of high volume level or the walls and ceiling being too thin).

Everywhere you go it's all multi-function, unrelated elements all thrown together.
No-one or nothing are allowed their own rightful place anymore.

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