I have always felt an antipathy to technology, and was clearly born in the wrong century. Seldom a day goes by when I do not feel the violence of the technical world, an almost visceral terrifying darkness.
Some thoughts on the Cumby/Delson condo project
Based on the rendering, the building is, in my opinion and many others, a monstrosity, an architectural misadventure. At the very least the architectural plan needs a major revision; the best outcome would be to scrap the project completely and leave the current streetscape intact.
In the “Philosophy of Right” (1821), the philosopher Hegel famously wrote, “The owl of Minerva takes flight only with the falling of dusk.” Dusk has fallen; there is little time left for wisdom to show itself before a dark night engulfs us.
Signs don’t speak for everyone
Walking around Swarthmore, I notice lawn signs cropping up which read: “Together We Will See It Through.” I’m sure the intention is to lift the spirits and convey hope. However, that is not my reaction.
The ethics of mask-wearing
At age 75 I do feel more vulnerable than I did twenty years ago. Therefore, when I go out for a walk or to the Co-op I feel reassured that many now wear masks. The mask protects others and is a sign of caring and respect for all in our community. It is an ethical statement. It is heartening that the Co-op now requires everyone to wear a mask in the store. There are a number of situations however that I would like Swarthmoreans to consider…
A dark foreshadowing
It is difficult not to feel despair over recent events. An image that of late has been in my mind is Canadian artist Greg Curnoe’s 1972 India ink on paper drawing, “Map of North America,” in which the United States is entirely eliminated, leaving only Canada and Mexico.
I chortled, more chuckled when I read Jim Riviello’s letter (Swarthmorean, June 21). I thought: “Whoa, that is some fine ironic writing. We all know that no Swarthmore residents including the June 21 letter writer could, in actuality, possibly support a racist and misogynist President.”
When you rise in the morning, is the first thing on your mind how to curate the day? If not, you are in all likelihood making a colossal blunder. Without careful curation the day will most probably go off the beam. It’s a ticket to chaos and confusion, to being surrounded by molecules of disorder.