For the most part, this week’s list shares the same theme as last week’s, at which time I had not yet made it to Straphanger’s conclusion. The last couple of chapters were extremely interesting and I really enjoyed the quotes below so I decided to go for it and share them. I promise next week’s source(s) will be different. I’m hoping to make a dent of my growing pile of fiction novels as I enjoy the beautiful scenery of Niagara-on-the-Lake, where I’m going for a mini little getaway.
“Just as shopping malls killed main streets and sidewalks, and gated communities replaced real neighbourhoods, the private automobile usurped the social space once shared on subways, buses, and trains. When a society eliminates public space – when your only contact with your fellow citizens happens at 55 miles per hour, separated by layers of glass – it stops knowing itself, and can start believing the most outrageous lies: that crime is rampant, that people have no shared interests, that races and classes have no common ground.” – Taras Grescoe, Straphanger.
“[The motorcar] exploded each city into a dozen suburbs, and then extended many of the forms of urban life along the highway till the open road seemed to become non-stop cities…Streets, and even sidewalks, became too intense a scene for the casual interplay of growing up. As the city filled with mobile strangers, even next-door neighbours became strangers.” – Marshall McLuhan, Understanding Media, 1964.
I found this one to be especially interesting because my interaction with neighbours on my cul-de-sac street almost always originates from passing them on the sidewalks as one of us makes our way on foot to do any number of activities, from grocery shopping, to going for a run, to going for a bike ride, to walking to school or walking/biking to work. Indeed, if my street was wholly dependent on cars, and not foot or bike, to get around, I would know and see my neighbours far less than I do. I love my street and I love that many of the people living on it are committed to remaining single car families.
My last quote is not about automobiles or transit; however it is great advice that will hopefully increase people’s awareness about the negative effects of light and brightness on sleeping patterns. So many people suffer from an inability to sleep or sleep well. Luckily, I am a mostly peaceful sleeper however I found these tips to be interesting in light of insomnia’s impact on society.
“Work-hard, play-hard cultures both prize the hours stolen from the night. The question is how we manage our health in a 24-hour society. If we know how much light we need and make sure we get it, we may live better, longer and more happily.
Light Up Your Life: 12 tips for a better day’s light and a better night’s sleep
1. Get up and go to bed at the same time every day, even at weekends
2. Open your curtains each morning and embrace the day, not your privacy
3. Spend time outside by day
4. Don’t draw the blind – move your desk
5. Try to work by a window – a room with a view isn’t just a good novel
6. Play video games by day, not at night
7. Buy an extra desk lamp
8. Have a romantic dinner with the lights dimmed – every night
9. Don’t use your computer or tablet for two hours before bedtime
10. Install f.lux software on your computer
11. Make your bedroom dark or sleep in a face mask
12. Turn off the light half an hour earlier. It could save your life.”
– Rosie Blau, The Economist, June 14th-20th.
That’s all for now. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week!
Jenn's Thoughts 