Comments on: Homeless http://www.themotorlesscity.com/2011/03/05/homeless/ Rantings and photos of Metro Detroit in a post-industrial era. Fri, 18 May 2012 01:56:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: Carol Ott http://www.themotorlesscity.com/2011/03/05/homeless/#comment-321 Carol Ott Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:16:48 +0000 http://www.themotorlesscity.com/2011/03/05/homeless/#comment-321 I don't think "ruin porn" shines a spotlight on a city's flaws -- I think it shines a spotlight on what once made a city great, and what could make that city great once again. I love Detroit, and am looking forward to a visit once the weather isn't so cold -- same with Cleveland. Seeing a city's "ruins" makes me feel there's potential for these cities to be great once again -- it's cities like mine, that destroy what once was -- those are the cities that are demolishing not just the old beauty, they're demolishing the reminders of what made the city great. Detroit folks, you've got an amazing city -- don't forget that. I don’t think “ruin porn” shines a spotlight on a city’s flaws — I think it shines a spotlight on what once made a city great, and what could make that city great once again. I love Detroit, and am looking forward to a visit once the weather isn’t so cold — same with Cleveland. Seeing a city’s “ruins” makes me feel there’s potential for these cities to be great once again — it’s cities like mine, that destroy what once was — those are the cities that are demolishing not just the old beauty, they’re demolishing the reminders of what made the city great.

Detroit folks, you’ve got an amazing city — don’t forget that.

]]> By: admin http://www.themotorlesscity.com/2011/03/05/homeless/#comment-297 admin Fri, 25 Mar 2011 02:56:31 +0000 http://www.themotorlesscity.com/2011/03/05/homeless/#comment-297 Thanks Kana. I appreciate hearing your perspective. I think that often the assumption by some Detroit boosters is that anyone who sees photos of abandonment and decay can only possibly have one thought come to mind (that Detroit's the worst place on the planet). Therefore without the photos outsiders would have more positive thoughts, and possibly move to Detroit. So in essence photographers are at least partially to blame for Detroit's current decline, which it turns out is approximately 250,000 over the last decade. I wonder how many of those I'm responsible for... Thanks Kana. I appreciate hearing your perspective.

I think that often the assumption by some Detroit boosters is that anyone who sees photos of abandonment and decay can only possibly have one thought come to mind (that Detroit’s the worst place on the planet). Therefore without the photos outsiders would have more positive thoughts, and possibly move to Detroit. So in essence photographers are at least partially to blame for Detroit’s current decline, which it turns out is approximately 250,000 over the last decade.

I wonder how many of those I’m responsible for…

]]> By: Kana http://www.themotorlesscity.com/2011/03/05/homeless/#comment-296 Kana Wed, 23 Mar 2011 22:20:02 +0000 http://www.themotorlesscity.com/2011/03/05/homeless/#comment-296 For an "outside" perspective, as a HI/AK resident, I stumbled upon your blog BY looking at your pictures, and thought, "Oh COOL look at those awesome old houses," not "Gosh all of Detroit must be like this, I will think of these when I think of Detroit." The naysayers may feel tired of seeing photos of their city in this light, but for those of us further abroad it is beautiful, stigma free and - as you said - compelling. Plus, congrats! Your pictures come up on Google Images, and are beautiful! For an “outside” perspective, as a HI/AK resident, I stumbled upon your blog BY looking at your pictures, and thought, “Oh COOL look at those awesome old houses,” not “Gosh all of Detroit must be like this, I will think of these when I think of Detroit.” The naysayers may feel tired of seeing photos of their city in this light, but for those of us further abroad it is beautiful, stigma free and - as you said - compelling. Plus, congrats! Your pictures come up on Google Images, and are beautiful!

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