IP: more on Some background on -- NEW INFO AGE - UN summit in Paris

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

> X-Sender: nward () pop artic edu
> Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 09:17:36 -0500
> To: farber () cis upenn edu
> From: nward () artic edu (nat)
> Subject: Re: IP: Some background on -- NEW INFO AGE - UN summit in Paris
>
>
> great article but when speaking of France vs. U.S.A. but the following
> metaphor is a little off.
>
>
> > > of order, structure, the proper
> > > measure. That's seen in everything from education to entrepreneurism. Take
> > > public parks -- nature in an urban environment -- for example: American
> > > gardens are typified by the raw jungle of NYC's Central Park; France has
> > > sculpted gardens with trees in perfect alignment and flowerbeds in complete
> > > symmetry.
>
> Actually most American parks of the early 19th Century, Central Park in
> particular, were an example of total iron-fisted control by man in an
> effort to simulate the chaotic perfection of nature in a romantic vein.
> While the meandering paths, hills and valleys of Central Park evokes the
> imperfection of nature the entire park was designed and crafted from a
> blank slate to assure perfect views and seclusion.  (Except I suspect those
> lovely rock ridges which were excavated to appear weathered).
>
>
>         Nathaniel Ward
>
> (p.s. I'm a preservationist by trade, old buildings etc)