Post: #1

My laptop died on my awhile ago. And as such I lost my bookmarks collecting all the books I was going to check out.

Anyway - one of them was by an American social theorist. He is not famous today - but he was briefly fashionable in the late 70's/early 80's.

He seemed to tackle subjects relating to public schooling and transport. I think he was interested in the way that as society is shaped by the demands of cars - it creates a form of oppression for the people who live in them.

I know it is not much to go on. But - I am sure I can track him down. Which would be nice since I want to check out some of his books.

Anybody have a clue who I am thinking of????

Post: #2

Lewis Mumford?

Post: #3

Not what I am looking for. But he seems an interesting guy. Thanks for the tip!

Post: #4

Okay - it was Paul Virilio I was looking for.

He is French - for some reason I thought he was American!

Thanks anyway!!!

[EDIT] Actually - Paul Virilio is not who I was looking for! I am so confused. Anyway - it is definitely an American I am looking for. Man - these critical theorists just blend into each other.

Post: #5

No idea but for some reason your post made me think of this 1930's poem by Sir John Betjeman:





Captures the emptiness of suburbia perfectly.

Post: #6

Sir John Bejteman was a legend. He was the very best type of English gentleman veering into eccentricity.

In an interview before his death he was asked if he had any regrets.

'I wish I had more sex', was his response.

'Slough' is his most famous poem. But this is my favourite. It is read by Bejteman and was set to music for an album he made. It captures the innocence of an English childhood amongst the upper middle classes. It is a world which is slowly being lost. But I saw glimpses of it at my grandmother's house when I was growing up.

Post: #7

I couldn't find the footage of David Brent reading 'Slough' - but I love the way he tries to tear apart the poem.

Here is a fan video made from the audio of David Brent giving his rendition of the poem.

Post: #8

Christopher Lasch?

Post: #9

Nope!