In Search of a City: A Guest on the Front Porch
Last week I shared my view that blogs have replaced the conversations we used to have with one another on the front porch. I also asked for you to share your thoughts by submitting a guest blog. Eric Davies submitted this blog offering his thoughts on the topic of blogs as a virtual “front porch.” Would you like to join us on the front porch? Send your thoughts to information@downtowncolumbus.com.
In his August 31 blog, Cleve Ricksecker discussed the purpose of his weekly downtowncolumbus.com blog and described it as a virtual “front porch” within the electronic communication medium. I would agree with his assessment, but exercise my endorsement with caution. Electronic communication in any form is ultimately only as authentic as the interpersonal connections we make in our communities.
A few years ago (okay – quite a few), a witty and wise English professor, who taught one of my final courses at Bowling Green State University, was about to leave BGSU to teach at an institution in a larger city. In one of our last classes of the semester, she responded to a student’s comment that suggested her family would buy a large house within a new subdivision in an up-and-coming exurb of the city she planned to call her new home. The professor rebutted this statement by saying, “The only type of house I will buy is one where I can sit on the front porch and have a beer with my neighbors.”
Although suburban and exurban neighborhoods/subdivisions may have strongly connected neighborhoods, the infrastructure on many does not foster interpersonal relations. Traditional, older-style walkable neighborhoods, including downtown Columbus and other neighborhood business districts, are places that encourage social interactions that do not occur in large suburban office parks and isolated cul-de-sac oriented subdivisions.
Similar to neighborhoods, technology also can foster connection or isolation. Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, email, the Internet and cell phones all provide information, education and some level of connection. None of them can provide connection that amounts to the same depth as results from three dimensional community living and conversation, whether it occurs on real front porches or sidewalks, in cafes or living rooms.
Tags: blogs, email, Facebook, Internet, subdivisions, suburban, Twitter, urban
September 7th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Hi Eric,
I see several empty chairs on that front porch pic, so if you don’t mind, I’d like to grab a quick seat (before it gets too hot…)
You wrote:
“Traditional, older-style walkable neighborhoods, including downtown Columbus and other neighborhood business districts, are places that encourage social interactions that do not occur in large suburban office parks and isolated cul-de-sac oriented subdivisions.”
“…do not occur…” is is painting with quite a broad brush isn’t it? In my neighborhood, it is the garage, not the front proch where the socializing occurs, and it is great. Yes, many times it is the man cave, with TV’s and fridges, but it also a neighborhood collector, with kids and wives joining in the fun. Too bad you are haven’t had the pleasure to experience this, or are maybe blind to life outside of the downtown ring.
Regarding office parks, they weren’t built for relationships or communicating…they were built to maximize profit, which may be an ugly word in your dictionary, but something that drives the business world. Yes, there are businesses that will thrive, do well, and are well suited for downtown business, but the reality – in at least cities such as Columbus – downtown is not the optimal place to be.
It’s a shame this blog short sightedly sees the burbs as evil. I see a role for both. Downtown’s struggles are self made, yet, the finger keeps getting pointed at the burbs. Columbus City Council and the mayors of past have done nothing but help the burbs. Government building hog the riverfront nearly eliminating the City’s greatest asset downtown from thriving. But, I digress…
Don’t be afraid of visiting outside of downtown or 5th Ave. We aren’t afraid to visit downtown.