Blogging Social Difference in LA: Week 4

As I first stepped on the #1 Blue Bus
(Prior to the screaming man)

For this week's adventure, my friend and I took the Big Blue Bus to the Santa Monica 3rd Street Promenade and pier. I rarely venture anywhere by bus, and this was probably my 3rd or 4th time I've ever been on one. I had always heard bus horror stories and about the strange people that ride on them, but I had also heard that busses in the UCLA area are safe and mostly consist of students. However within the first 5 minutes of my ride, a man carrying a bicycle ran into the middle of the road and stopped in front of the bus as it was taking a right turn. The driver and screaming bicycle man then proceeded to have a 2 minute yelling match while blocking traffic. The man wanted to get on the bus in the middle of the intersection, but the bus driver continued to yell at him to move unless he wanted to be run over. I was quite horrified and ready to get off the bus when I noticed a man talking to himself, another man staring at my friend and I, and then my thoughts wandered back to the last time I had been on a bus and had seen someone vomit. I've decided that it is true that busses may be a melting pot of diversity and interesting individuals, but it is definitely not somewhere I would like to be.

Bus systems and transportation led to the decentralization of the concentric ring model, and created the ability to have a personal center (such as the home). However, it also creates a difference in physical access in regards to urban mobilities - those who can afford to have a car and drive, in comparison to those who must take public transit (or those who strive to be green and eco-friendly). Busses and public transportation may have become known for its negative aspects rather than the positive due to the difference in classes and people that use them. [added 12/9 - transportation seems to be another type of cultural or floating signifier; those who have wealth and status would never use public transportation. Since public transportation may symbolize low-income as a signifier, many cities do not offer busses or trains. For example, my home city of Camarillo does not have public transportation, and I rarely see taxis or shuttles either. It prevents those who cannot afford cars or means of their own transportation from moving into, or living near our city - a form of restricting physical access as discussed in the 'Theorizing Socio-Cultural Difference' lecture]

But to discuss my destination on the bus; Santa Monica is a popular destination for many people - shoppers, tourists, college students, couples, etc. It's a beautiful place to explore, especially on a sunny afternoon with its close proximity to the pier, beach, outdoor mall, and restaurants. It's an area perfect for a day out, a nice location to visit but not necessarily to live in. The traffic is bad, there is little parking, rent and living costs are high, and some streets don't seem too safe either (I would not want to walk around by myself at night). 

Blogging Social Difference in LA: Week 3

Reply to Antonio Figueroa:

http://afigueroageography151.blogspot.com/2012/10/social-difference-in-l.html

Tony discusses his exploration of Korea Town - eating Korean BBQ, walking, and driving around the area. He describes the unity he saw within the people and businesses, and how they worked together to help each other out.

I too sometimes venture to Korea Town for BCD Tofu House, KBBQ, Miss Coffee, Boiling Crab, or other cafes for desserts! I completely agree with Tony's post and how Korea Town is a densely populated yet surprisingly united area of Los Angeles. It probably has the most cooperation and pride than any other place in LA I've heard of - and is commonly known for their food and nightlife (karaoke, bars, etc). 

However, I feel like Korea Town may still be a primitive society in some ways, as it displays aspects of mechanical solidarity. Although people and jobs are differentiated, these jobs are still in the same genre (they don't span as widely as sky scrapers and businesses to agriculture for instance). Those that live or work in Korea Town share similar lifestyles, backgrounds, culture, as well as religion. They come together due to similarities and therefore feel comfortable being surrounded by what is familiar - especially after emmigrating from their home country. I feel as if this area will eventually spread out and differentiate someday; Durkheim predicted that with increasing density comes competition and later differentiation to succeed. If Korea Town is so united and almost primitive, it may not remain that way for long - especially if immigration rates decrease and generations move to other areas.

As Tony writes, "You might ask yourself why is it that in ktown, all of the businesses seem so united, for example, in the galleria. Businesses share spaces with each other and help each other out. They are competing but they also know that they could possibly use each other for the future." Based on this description, I wonder what would happen if density were to increase, the economy worsen, and competition become vital to the survival of businesses. Would they continue to unite and help each other? At some point these similar venues (nightlife, food, cafes, markets) must step up their competition or branch off into other areas. Without further differentiation, businesses would have less chance of survival, as well as less unity. 

So my main thought is, will this unity and close knit aspect of Korea Town last? How much can it undergo? How far can mechanical solidarity go until it must merge to organic solidarity?

Blogging Social Difference in LA: Week 2

According to Emile Durkheim, the division of labor brought societies together and began the gradual change from mechanic to organic solidarity. Organic solidarity is the basic cohesion for more advanced societies; integrated groups specialize and rely on each other to fulfill needs. As this differentiation increases, density increases and contributes back to the division of labor - creating a cycle. In The Blackwell City Reader, Ernest Burgess describes, "Interrelated with this economic division of labor is a corresponding division of social classes and into cultural and recreational groups" (342). 

Based on this thought, I decided to explore one of the most popular and well known areas of Los Angeles - Beverly Hills. Beverly Hills seems to have a culture of itself, acting as a homogenous city of social class and wealth. It reminds me of the topic of stratification, as if the city itself is an undifferentiated centralized area of power. Over time, maybe this power will again create differentiation based on Durkheim's idea - due to the increase in density and demand for land. (ex. Watts - used to be affluent area over 100 years but no longer is)

I used Simply Maps to further ameliorate my idea - Beverly Hills is shown to have the highest income (similar to Bel Air Area), lowest crime rate, most luxury items sold, and a significant white population. 

Crime Rate Lowest in Beverly Hills Area

Family Income Highest in Beverly Hills Area

Driving to Beverly Hills, I observed wider well-maintained streets, large sidewalks, attractive landscaping, upscale restaurants and stores, and overall a safe atmosphere. I walked a few blocks around Beverly Blvd - looked at expensive boutiques, bought macarons from Lette, and ate lunch at Urthe Cafe. Although the area allows easy pedestrian access for shopping and eating, this quality and atmosphere comes at no low cost. Parking was scarce (restricted by 'permit only' or metered spaces) and food was upscale and expensive. I paid $1.70 per macaron at Lette, and a total of $19.70 for a salmon bagel and tea latte at Urthe Cafe. Simply glancing at the name 'macarons' or 'salmon platter' hints that these items are not your typical lunch, especially the way they are perfectly plated/packaged and presented to the consumer. Although the food was tasty, specialized pastry shops such as Lette would not survive in other cities - and even a cozy cafe such as Urthe would go bankrupt with overpriced portions as well. Not only were the costs of these items high, but no affordable (at least on a college student budget) food could be found. The Beverly Hills community is definitely geared toward the affluent and those who can afford a lifestyle of luxury.  

PS - Even the fire hydrants are silver instead of a traditional yellow!

Macarons from Lette - $10.50

Lunch at Urthe Cafe - $20 per person

Blogging Social Difference in LA: Week 1

Wanderlust, noun /ˈwändərˌləst/ : Strong longing for or impulse toward wandering

Wanderlust is a word often used to describe one's love for adventure, traveling, and new experiences. As a college student, I hear 'wanderlust' brought up every now and then, especially when referring to the ventures of studying abroad or those strongly desired summer vacations. Coming from a military family as well, these discussions of new places are quite familiar to me. However, over time, I've come to believe that everyone has this sudden urge to escape, travel, and start over new - except for me. Like many, I don't enjoy change; I like words such as constant, routine, schedule, normal, safe, familiar, and most importantly, home. I'm not sure how others overcome these feelings - maybe mine are just on another, higher level. Of course I experience stressful moments when I wish I could run away and hide (such as midterm and final seasons), but I would never actually act upon them. Many students and faculty tell me that study abroad is an incomparable experience, and I honestly wish I could see and understand what they speak of, but I know the moment I were to step foot in that new place, country, or school, I would have the urge to turn around and come right back. It's not just that I don't like unfamiliar areas, I believe I'm quite afraid of them. 

Now that I've discussed my fears of change and new places, I'd like to take a step forward in explaining what I hope to learn in Geography 151: Cities and Social Difference. Through this course (and hopefully along with my own exploration and experiences) I'd like to understand how and why each city and area differs - how is it that we can travel such short distances, yet arrive in a completely different, unfamiliar place? Not only may the scenery differ, but so may the people and cultures that comprise these places as well. For example, although my family is less than an hour from UCLA, the difference between my home city and Los Angeles is surprisingly vast. It's amazing how large the difference really is - and because of this change in atmosphere, I feel as if I'm farther away than I really am. At times I stop and consider that if distances so small can differ greatly, how can one comprehend all the differences between counties, states, or even countries? I definitely do not expect a straightforward simple answer, but I would like to learn more about these differences, and hopefully as a result learn about myself and my own fears. 

Most importantly, I want to face these fears. Through this blog and my new travels to come, I would like to try and welcome the word 'wanderlust' into my life for the first time.