Comments on: Who was this peripatetic observer of suburbia that I heard on NPR so long ago?

Question: Who was this peripatetic observer of suburbia that I heard on NPR so long ago?

jquinby — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:29:15 -0800

I heard a story on NPR some time ago, and am having no luck finding it now. It was about a man, possibly a professor of architecture, who taught students how to mindfully walk and study the suburban landscape. Who was this person?

...and when I say 'some time ago', either on Morning Edition or All Things Considered.

My google-fu has failed me, as has a search of NPR's site. The story seemed specifically about these walks he would make with his students, pointing out things in the landscape and visible infrastructure that might be otherwise missed.

In one case, he pointed out some interesting things about the overhead power/phone/cable lines.

In another example, he pointed out that surveying flags were starting to pop up alongside old railroad lines and in other areas. From this he made some predictions about future development of these (apparently) long-neglected areas.

Does this ring any bells with anyone? Who was this man, and where can I learn more about him? Was it possibly Christopher Alexander? My impression from memory was that interviewee was somewhat older, and I don't recall him speaking with any sort of accent. He may have been either a professor of architecture, or possibly urban planning.

It seems to have been one of those stories that stuck with me for a long time, because it has since changed the way I observe the man-made objects in my local area - overhead wires, pipelines, rail lines, oddball antennas, and so on. It's gnawed at me since that I don't know who this was.

By: occhiblu

occhiblu — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:35:41 -0800

John Stilgoe?

By: occhiblu

occhiblu — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:36:12 -0800

(Stilgoe's website)

By: jquinby

jquinby — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:42:47 -0800

Damnation, I think that's him. And he has books to boot!

By: jquinby

jquinby — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:45:36 -0800

Moreover, this might have been the story. Thanks, metafilter!

By: Forktine

Forktine — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:48:43 -0800

I've also heard James Kunstler being interviewed on NPR before. His website is here.

By: occhiblu

occhiblu — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:59:19 -0800

I actually did one of those walks with Stilgoe, though at the time I had no idea who he was. He's the one who taught me the phrase desire lines, which I've loved ever since.

By: languagehat

languagehat — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 14:46:00 -0800

Stiloe sounds fascinating—thanks for asking the question, so that I could find out about him!

By: languagehat

languagehat — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 14:47:03 -0800

Er, Stilgoe, I mean. Pay attention, languagehat!

By: unknowncommand

unknowncommand — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 15:37:59 -0800

Wow, this is great. Thanks for the links.

By: Dillonlikescookies

Dillonlikescookies — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:36:00 -0800

also see Guy Debord and situationist international

and possibly the song Tannhauser/Derive by refused. ;)

By: jquinby

jquinby — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 06:52:42 -0800

For the sake of completeness, here are two books that might aid the mindful (sub)urban observer.

Infrastructure: A Field Guide to the Industrial Landscape
A Field Guide to Roadside Technology

I'm starting to mull over the possibility of a FPP on this topic.

By: Forktine

Forktine — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 07:18:22 -0800

I'm starting to mull over the possibility of a FPP on this topic.

Great topic for a FPP. The infrastructure book you link has been mentioned here before, don't know if it was on MeFi or AskMe.