The central thesis in this argument claims that socioeconomic status between two different groups is indicated in the type of landscape they display. James Duncan Jr. also claims that “one should be, therefore able to identify different socioeconomic groups on the basis residential landscapes.”
This argument is very evident throughout the U.S. and England. I have always noticed that the landscapes of those who are perceived to well off are similar to each other in that thier landscapes seam to say “look at me, this is my status, this is how I perceive my self to be.”
I also found it interesting that the so called “Alpha” area had a deep desire to live the pastoral lifestyle. The pastoral lifestyle to them meant keeping everything as close to the original as possible. Change, is a word I will use to describe why I think it is hard for people to let “newcomers” enter, in fear of changing what they had come to love. I totally agree with the “Alpha’s” position in this case. That is not to say I don’t recognize the “newcomers” position either.
I live in Salt Lake City, Utah and currently reside on the East side of the valley on the bench of the Wasatch mountains. The Salt Lake Valley has a mammoth segregation with a fine line of demarcation running from the North to the South. The West side of the valley is looked upon as the lower economic status faction, and the East side is looked at as a more affluent economic group. The same thing is happening in Salt Lake City that is happening in this argument; it may not be as abrupt but it is evident. There is no pastoral lifestyle left in Salt Lake City but what is hear now is protected by the ancestry of those who may have had a pastoral bliss at one moment in time. The neighborhood that we are living in now is riddled with members of the same families that have lived hear for generations, they may not all have the same Landscape but they probably should, at least for James's sake.
What I am trying to say is this; whenever you have groups of people with different opinions on how we should experience or live life there is going to segregation I am not saying that segregation is right, it just seems to be the response that people have as a way of protecting what they believe is right and good. I believe that everyone has a God given right to pursue happiness in this life, however, if in that process we make someone else’s life less meaningful or happy then I believe it would be impossible for us to happy. No matter where we live or regardless of or socioeconomic status we should never trod anyone under our feet because of their economic status.
This was a great reading; if I was to apply it to myself I would say that I am definitely not living in the “Alpha” or the “Beta” but somewhere in Omega, if I wanted to change my status I know it will start with the landscaping.
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3 comments:
One of the most interesting ways to find out what the "rules" are is to break the rules. Living in the Alpha landscape and putting up a pink flamingo would mark you pretty quickly as someone who didn't "belong there."
If you can get enough people to break society's rules, that would be a great catalyst for change. If one person breaks the rules-it's considered an act of violence. If one hundred break the rules-it could be considered a revolution. I am painting with a very broad brush here .
I agree with you on those who feel the need to flaunt how far they've come. I've been to Salt Lake and I know what you are describing but its interesting to hear it from someone who lives there.
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