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)
>