Just in need of a better writer, perhaps.
In response to criticism of their initial public statements (which called for taking over a scruffy neighborhood and kicking out the icky poor people so they could open entire blocks worth of late-night poetry-slammin' coffeehouses), Jon says didn't mean to come off as a goateed Dr. Evil; he's changed the goal to reflect a more moderate idea of just making the Boston area more, well, Bohemian:
... Support and foster the growth of diverse, multicultural and artistic areas of Boston. Promote the development of neighborhoods that support artistic expression, and openness of attitude. Do this in partnership with existing communities. The goal here is to promote Boston's feeling of diversity and freedom. We don't want to end up with a neighborhood where the population becomes homogeneous and/or unwilling to interact with its neighbors. ...
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Comments
I guess this is a well-meaning endeavor,. . .
By Marilora
Tue, 08/02/2005 - 1:12pm
but misguided. I think that by definition a manufactured Bohemia is no longer bohemian. It's like Boho-Disney.
Definitely misguided
By Josh
Tue, 08/02/2005 - 1:50pm
I second what Marilora says. If folks really want to make the place where they live more bohemian/artsy/avant garde, they should just do lots of art and writing and coffee-drinking and all that, and hope that it catches on. SoHo, Barcelona, Paris, etc. didn't get to be the stylish meccas they are through clever civic planning or formulaic concerted private action; it was historical accident + inspired individualism.
"Misguided" seems too kind
By Jonelle
Tue, 08/02/2005 - 3:46pm
The undercurrent of the whole thing is so harsh -- it doesn't feel misguided so much as unconsciously judgemental. They may have toned the mission statement down but it's still focused on prizing one very specific kind of neighborhood over another. And damned if I can figure out the criteria for making the "Real Deal Boston Guide" (http://mysite.verizon.net/willywonka88/realdeal.html) other than "not a Starbucks."
Maybe we can give them a little piece of Boston to work with if they promise to leave the rest of the city alone? I'm thinking Newsteade Montegrade.
Noooo!
By adamg
Tue, 08/02/2005 - 3:49pm
You leave our Newstead Montegrade alone! It's perfect as it is!
Come on now
By Jonelle
Tue, 08/02/2005 - 4:30pm
That place is just crying out for an art gallery and an independent coffee shop. :)
Maybe we can get Brandwashed to whip up some "Defend Newstead Montegrade!" t-shirts while we're at it.
It's all a game
By adamg
Wed, 08/03/2005 - 9:28am
Hipster Bingo.
Real Deal
By Ron Newman
Tue, 08/02/2005 - 4:27pm
Well, I submitted about 2/5 of the Real Deal Guide entries. My criterion was simply "a locally-operated, non-chain venue". So...
yes to West Newton Cinema, no to Circle and Chestnut Hill.
yes to Someday and Diesel, no to Starbucks
yes to Brookline Booksmith, no to Barnes & Noble
yes to Carberry's, no to Au Bon Pain
you get the idea.
Real deal
By Jonelle
Tue, 08/02/2005 - 4:42pm
I have no problem with a list of independent establishments... the tone of the commentary just seemed a little silly to me. "But with the right group of people, this place could be a great place to hang out"? Ugh.
Don't they know any better?
By Aqua
Wed, 08/03/2005 - 3:13am
We're Bostonians... We like our property overpriced and human contact at a minimum. We're bitter and road-rage-infused... Don't go trying to make us hug eachother....