#citizen jane

[mitjalovse]

Yes, the solo works of the songwriters who work behind the scenes resembles their biggest successes, which is why we shouldn't be shocked about Bernie Taupin's albums sounding like those of his most famous collaborator, i.e. Elton John. However, we mustn't forget Mr. Taupin also cooperated with many 80's pop musicians, so his pieces feel like those typical tunes from the era, which means many gated drums, highly overwhelming synths, intrusive saxophones and strangely calm vocals. The latter remind me, unsurprisingly, of Elton John's a lot, but Taupin sings them in a way that hides the emotions, though I wouldn't call them cold. No, there's a sense of somebody trying to conceal what he feels, but he still lets his true demeanour show.

[themaninthegreenshirt]

“The city planners are ravaging our cities!” 

Advertisement for Jane Jacobs’ book [1961]

[maldita-geni]

“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.”

― Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Cities

[transpondster]

Trailer for ‘Citizen Jane’, a new documentary about Jane Jacobs and her fight to save New York City from city planners determined to destroy it

[ilovetheoryinquiry]

1 (In what ways could Jane Jacobs be considered a designer?): The traditional definition of designer doesn’t really apply here. Jacobs wasn’t making art or graphics or anything like that. However, she had a vision in mind for the city, and through her activism and organizing implemented that idea. In a way she designed in her mind what she wanted the city to look like, based off her interactions with the city and the people within it. She then, through her work, tried to make that vision a reality. The definition of designer here is a much broader one than you might traditionally use, and includes all people who plan things out, create layouts, or have visions for outcomes. Many more people become “designers” through this lens, including Robert Moses in the context of this story.

2 (What were three (3) methods/tactics used by Jane Jacobs in her work to save Washington Square Park?):

- She staged a “ribbon-tying” ceremony with her daughter and another small child, to symbolize the opposite of a “ribbon-cutting” ceremony. It was the symbolic close of that part of the city.

- She collaborated with many other influential people in the city, including Eleanor Roosevelt.

- As a journalist, she wrote many articles on the topic. Namely, in her job at the magazine Architectural Forum.

3 (What is the role of the individual in a democracy?): In a true democracy, the individual has equal decision making power to everyone else. However on the scale of an entire country, or even an entire city, that individual power can sometimes be diminished. The power, also comes with the responsibility of exercising it, if people don’t vote or make themselves heard, the system falls apart. Unless all are participating, it is not truly representative of the people it’s serving. This is a loaded question (especially within this country and this political climate), we weren’t really sure how to approach it, but this is what we came up with.

me (eric), kevin, and jack participated. yuying was planning to be here but unfortunately had an emergency come up at the last minute and was unable to participate.

[ilovetheoryinquiry]

1 (In what ways could Jane Jacobs be considered a designer?): The traditional definition of designer doesn’t really apply here. Jacobs wasn’t making art or graphics or anything like that. However, she had a vision in mind for the city, and through her activism and organizing implemented that idea. In a way she designed in her mind what she wanted the city to look like, based off her interactions with the city and the people within it. She then, through her work, tried to make that vision a reality. The definition of designer here is a much broader one than you might traditionally use, and includes all people who plan things out, create layouts, or have visions for outcomes. Many more people become “designers” through this lens, including Robert Moses in the context of this story.

2 (What were three (3) methods/tactics used by Jane Jacobs in her work to save Washington Square Park?):

- She staged a “ribbon-tying” ceremony with her daughter and another small child, to symbolize the opposite of a “ribbon-cutting” ceremony. It was the symbolic close of that part of the city.

- She collaborated with many other influential people in the city, including Eleanor Roosevelt.

- As a journalist, she wrote many articles on the topic. Namely, in her job at the magazine Architectural Forum.

3 (What is the role of the individual in a democracy?): In a true democracy, the individual has equal decision making power to everyone else. However on the scale of an entire country, or even an entire city, that individual power can sometimes be diminished. The power, also comes with the responsibility of exercising it, if people don’t vote or make themselves heard, the system falls apart. Unless all are participating, it is not truly representative of the people it’s serving. This is a loaded question (especially within this country and this political climate), we weren’t really sure how to approach it, but this is what we came up with.

[creatingcuriosity]

Woman behind me on the sidewalk to friend: You're just salty about Citizen Jane.

Me: *turns around and shouts* I am too!

[totalfanfreak]

Citizen Jane