We live together in large communities that in some ways have a life of their own. The ways in which we collectively interact with our fellow citizens reflects on who we are as individuals. I personally believe that there are members of the community who look but do not see, use but do not contribute, and drop their wastes as though the world were their limitless trashcan. I want to make the point that those persons in political office have a responsibility to work toward an environment that is nurturing to its citizens. Currently the focus of those in power appears to be punishment (and money raising for the city) for "crimes" such as parking too long at a meter, having a broken tail light, and skateboarding or bicycling on the sidewalk, while turning a blind eye to the businessman who sets down his Starbuck's cup on a park bench and simply walks away, or a school-kid who eats an ice cream and drops the wrapper where she stands.
I'm not intimating in any way that we will end up like this:
...but the fact is that when the inhabitants of a city stop seeing what is all around them that does not mean that the effect of what has been done and is the constant process of being done isn't affecting them. The video above clearly shows that the people in this city, Kathmandu are all too aware of what is going on. I see no particular reason why it needs to come to such an exaggerated state to gain awareness. This film is one of many that I will be appropriating for my project and I expect that as I move along I will be learning many things, some of which I would rather not know, but this is a personal issue for me something that I see as one of the few drawbacks to this city. Somehow other big cities manage to keep themselves clean. An animal that does not clean itself has given up. What the hell does that say about NY?
I grew up in Los Angeles where every child is indoctrinated into the idea that littering is a bad thing. It's simple and effective. If one is made aware of the issue that means that in this particular area of life - a person is made conscious. And consciousness is contagious. I simply cannot help myself - I am bringing my LA consciousness to New York. I do not want to see streets awash in trash. I do not want to anyone trashing our city.
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