close but no cigar, technology
Congestion
is obviously a problem. It is defined as something negative. We may accept the
challenge or see past the negative connotation, but it clearly is an issue of
overpopulation. Congestion in New York robbed the human experience
of the natural. Congestion led to technology and innovation, which led to the
metropolis and a change in a vertical direction but never fully recovered the
human interaction with nature.
Koolhaas
is describing a new metropolitan New York, evolved into a new mechanism, fueled
by technology and mass human interaction. Koolhaas doesn’t seem fully convinced
that technology is connecting the human to nature despite his countless examples, nothing truly competes with the human experience
in nature. Humans travel to great lengths to connect at an existential level.
Technology’s
attempt to recreate these moments is clever, metaphoric & often successful
but the purity of nature and its organic roots (no pun intended) is undeniable.
Whether religious or not, the creation of the natural environment is not man
made, so it’s connection to the human is unique and invaluable.
I disagree with the idea that congestion robbed the human experience of the natural. If anything, the connection to nature still exists, and maybe considered celebrated due to the uniqueness of it. Central Park, the High Line, and Bryant Park are all examples of nature within the very dense New York City. They also tend to be famous tourist destinations probably due to the fact that they are integrated into the built environment so well. The nature still exists, but the city is now this beautiful juxtaposition of natural and man-made elements, making parks and greenery even more special.
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