Hong Kong is touted as one of the most efficient cities in the world given it’s high population, high income, high standard of living, and relatively low levels of per capita consumption of basic resources. There’s no question that the government of Hong Kong is wealthy beyond the dreams of most municipalities since tax revenue … Continue reading Hong Kong, Efficiency in Urban Living
I spent time in Kiev last summer and got a feel for the place and its people and it saddens me to see news reports as the central plaza in Kiev goes up in flames. Here’s my interpretation of events. Ukraine has a spectacularly corrupt government. It’s a flat out kleptocracy. There’s essentially no … Continue reading Ukraine: Conflict and Resolution
My last post was about the vulnerabilities that come with being overly dependent on attenuated infrastructure for the basics of life. The situation may seem too big to take seriously. What can an individual do? Erik and Kelly at Root Simple are masters of self reliance on a modest home scale and a tight budget. I filmed … Continue reading Los Angeles Radical Home Economics
The Antelope Valley is a collection of exurban communities in the high desert of eastern Los Angeles County. Many people have relocated to the “AV” in recent years in response to the increasing cost, congestion, and perceived dangers of living “Down Below” in Los Angeles proper. Real estate developers are eager to entice new buyers … Continue reading Antelope Valley, Infrastructure and “Independence”
I recently posted a video about the Plaza Mayor in Segovia, Spain where I showed how a space in an ancient town served many functions for a variety of different kinds of people throughout the day. This next post is about how more mundane locations can implement the same activities with little more than paint, … Continue reading Sunset Triangle Plaza: Los Angeles
This is an introduction to a series of videos I’m working on about the Antelope Valley in California. I’ve chosen this particular area to explore not because it’s unique, but because it’s highly representative of many similar exurban communities all across North America. Continue reading The Future of the Antelope Valley
Granola Shotgun 