I'm not an urban planner, but I guess a lot of them would relate to visionaries and activists (like Jane Jacobs). Maybe it's particularly important to frame our own stories when we're telling stories to frame a world an audience can only imagine. Perhaps it's bit like Jesus's parables about the kingdom of God--fresh ways of thinking about the future. To react to naysayers' stories keeps us and our listeners in familiar worlds.
And for the sake of argument, once you go on the offensive, are you ready for those who say you are the nanny state incarnate, or are imposing your values on them?
When I hear that, my instinct is to frame it as giving more choices to people (safer walking, cycling, AND driving) because that’s what true freedom is about. Someone without a car forced to cross a 4-lane stroad is certainly being forced to live within the frameworks of a set of values: values that force a blanket lifestyle choice and price of entry for everyone living there, lest they endure second class citizenship.
Great comparison of the two positions!
Great reframe on those points you listed, this was helpful, thanks Andy!
Practice practice practice
I'm not an urban planner, but I guess a lot of them would relate to visionaries and activists (like Jane Jacobs). Maybe it's particularly important to frame our own stories when we're telling stories to frame a world an audience can only imagine. Perhaps it's bit like Jesus's parables about the kingdom of God--fresh ways of thinking about the future. To react to naysayers' stories keeps us and our listeners in familiar worlds.
Advice I take to heart. Except I replace offensive with “honest.”
And for the sake of argument, once you go on the offensive, are you ready for those who say you are the nanny state incarnate, or are imposing your values on them?
When I hear that, my instinct is to frame it as giving more choices to people (safer walking, cycling, AND driving) because that’s what true freedom is about. Someone without a car forced to cross a 4-lane stroad is certainly being forced to live within the frameworks of a set of values: values that force a blanket lifestyle choice and price of entry for everyone living there, lest they endure second class citizenship.
True. It's not as though framing the discussion means you won't receive critique. (And we should be critiqued.)