Firstly, I found both pieces of writing this week, Wolfe and Hickey, very enjoyable to read and definately did not hurt my head as much as last weeks piece.
This week I choose to write my own 'Paul style' x number of points list as I read Wolfe's piece, so here it is...
My 5 points on Vegas;
1. Signs as architecture - The triumph of adverting.
Ducks and decorated sheds, I remeber this from my theory lectures at degree level, my theory tutor had a soft spot for Vegas too actually, maybe this is a necessaity in becoming one?Hmm
"Ducks" are buildings whose very shape are meant to portend the activity carried on within."Decorated sheds" are fairly unexciting structures (hotels, restaurants, casinos, gas stations, etc.) where large-scale decorations, either as text (e.g., "McDonalds") or as obvious symbols (e.g. the Mcdonald's golden arches) tell the quickly-moving passerby what's within.
2. Original casino's built on ganster-financing.
A trend repeated in the future with Dubai
3. Las Vegas v. Monte Carlo
Vegas never quite matched Monte Carlo, it evolved into its own individual image. Is it now Las Vegas v. Dudai?
4. "Don't make me go to bed attitude"
Vegas is America's adult playground, anything and everything seems to go in Vegas, sex, gamlbling and drugs.
5. The darkside to Vegas
Near the end of Wolfe's piece he shows the extent to which over exposure to Vegas has a negative impact on civilisation.
My personnal favourite bit within both the piece's has to be Hickey's comparison with Vegas to the America as a whole. The point that "Vegas cheats you fair, the payoffs are posted and the odds easily calculatable", I think this is still apt today, wouldn't the world be so much better off if this was the case in everyday life... you'd still be screwed over by the goverment, your employers, but at least you'll understand why...
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