Arcosanti: Neccesity, Pretentious Science, or 'Brave New World' smoke in your eyes?

(click on the pic)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcology

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcosanti

http://www.arcosanti.org/

Ok, has anyone heard of this place in Arizona called Arcosanti?  When you read about the concept, it sounds like an urban development chocolate cake of sorts... But the fact that approximtely only 100 people can be caught 'living' there at any time (when it was originally conceived for 3000+ persons); the fact that they haven't produced many scientific results/observations/upbuilding-trends over the years since its initial developement - to further buffet overpopulation problems (including the fact that it may take several decades to complete construction); and the fact that they use MACs... all lead me to critically scrutinize what's going on at this place. 

My second thoughts are that this little village (built for studying urban issues) is cranked up for sophist-minded sociologists/scientists who think they've created an socialistic 'eco-ivory tower' of sorts for themselves (basically, an upscale commune). 

Does this place grow its own food? Because where do they 'renew' all of the water that they use to keep biological lifeforms perpetuating themselves (in the middle of a god-forsaken desert)?

One thing is for sure, I plan to visit the physical site, if I'm ever in Arizona again (which would be a waste of this author's time if I were there for any other reason than visiting a national park/monument area).  I'll make a whole new category for the blog, just for that trip - entitled: The Strange and the Superfluous.

But oh well...  When I read their 'job opportunites' section for a network administrator, I was suspicious of their true scientific credulity when I saw that MACs were the primary OS!

To learn more about Arcosanti theory, read this clip about SOFT!

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What is School of Thought?
It is a weekly open dialogue with Dr.Paolo Soleri examining his writings and philosophies. The main purpose of School of Thought (SOFT) is to study and seek to define "The Lean Alternative", especially as it manifests itself in Arcology Theory and Soleri 's hypotheses. It is also intended to provide both people passing through and those living and working at Arcosanti with a foundation to think about and discuss Arcosanti, Arcology, and Paolo Soleri. The ongoing nature of SOFT will allow the group to cover a range of topics, return to central ideas on a regular basis, and delve more deeply into these dense and complex concepts and writings by Soleri. The continuing exchange with Dr. Soleri will provide clarifications for what is being attempted at Arcosanti.

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Hmmm, the whole concept of SOFT is starting to sound like bologna to me.. gourmet bologna.

For further tangent thoughts, check out what the Japanese are cooking up:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sky_City_1000

Comments

[Professor Xavier]

Are they SOFT on crime?

[texasyankee]

Yep typicall Hippie crap. Let me preface this by saying... I hate Baby Boomers.
Hmm Lets see... I am bored with my hippie life and my Crackberry is shut down. Lets see...I got it. I will build a Sim City in the Desert!! Yes, and we will be self contained. And only trade with each other. WHERE DO THESE IDIOTS GET THEIR WATER!!