Altered Mobillity

EPISODES #18 AND #19: 

Explore the history of Hong Kong and its public transportation as we delve into the movie Love Is a Many Splendored Thing and the bestseller book that preceded it. In Part 1, we start with the movie and then look at Hong Kong's history and explosive population growth before discussing public transportation. In Part 2, we delve into the history of the amazing Hong Kong subway system, its rail-plus-prop...

The story of the gondolas of Medellin, Columbia, is the history of Medellin itself. We explore how Medellin went from Spanish colonial mining town to industrial city and then, via building a robust public transportation system - and in particular the gondolas - Medellin transformed itself from a murder capital to a tourist-magnet destination. Medellin took a no-wrong-door, holistic approach to its many problems. In the pro...

In this episode, we cover You’ve Got Mail, a film from 1998 set in Manhattan, in New York City. The movie features Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan as the romantic leads, who, as in many a romantic comedy, loathe each other before realize they are in love. Supporting actors shine brightly and they include Jean Stapleton, Dabney Coleman, Parker Posey, Dave Chappelle, Greg Kinnear and Steve Zahn. Nice appearances also by Jane Adams, V...

We are exploring in a three-episode series two First Ladies, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Lady Bird Johnson, who made their marks in the 1960s and 70s. Warning: We will be discussing some matters in these three episodes that could be upsetting or inappropriate for children or individuals with triggers due to mentions of violence or inappropriate behavior in relationships.

These two First Ladies each had a significant affe...

We are exploring in a three-episode series two First Ladies, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Lady Bird Johnson, who made their marks in the 1960s and 70s. Warning: We will be discussing some matters in these three episodes that could be upsetting or inappropriate for children or individuals with triggers due to mentions of violence or inappropriate behavior in relationships.

These two First Ladies each had a significant affe...

We are exploring in a three-episode series two First Ladies, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Lady Bird Johnson, who made their marks in the 1960s and 70s. Warning: We will be discussing some matters in these three episodes that could be upsetting or inappropriate for children or individuals with triggers due to mentions of violence or inappropriate behavior in relationships.

These two First Ladies each had a significant affe...

Episode 12

Movies - West Side Story – Original movie made in 1961 & remake made in 2021

These two movie versions of West Side Story offer poverty, gangs, and a disappearing neighborhood as a backdrop for beautiful retellings of Romeo and Juliet. But these films are also excellent prisms through which to view attitudes about city neighborhoods and urban spaces from two different periods of time. 1961 was the heyday of sub...

Because of all the twists and turns before Moynihan Train Hall was finally built, there is lots of repetition in this episode about delays, plans and funding looking good before hitting a wall, and outsize personalities putting themselves ahead of the public good. This is a long episode! 

In episodes 10 and 11, we dive into the history of Moynihan Train Hall or, as it’s actually known, Moynihan Station. We cover:

1. A very ...

In episodes 10 and 11, we dive into the history of Moynihan Train Hall or, as it’s actually known, Moynihan Station. We cover:

1. A very brief history of the original Penn or Pennsylvania Station in NYC and its destruction.
2. History of the building in which Moynihan Train Hall is situated and its original purpose.
3. Who was Daniel Patrick Moynihan that we have a train station named after him?
4. How Moynihan Train Hall came to be b...

While discussing our two movies – The Fugitive, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – we'll talk about the Chicago River, the bridges, the L, and parades made famous in those movies. So lots of fun stuff in this episode.

A very quick rundown of these movies: The Fugitive is an excellent film, a thriller mystery, from 1993 starring Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones. Ford plays a doctor wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife an...

Notes for episodes 7 and 8
American College and University Campus

In episodes 7 and 8, we look at the history of the American college and university campus from the commencement of British American settlement through modern times. The open and public spaces of campuses, as well as the design of buildings and overall layouts, reflect societal trends, philosophies, and prejudices as much as the changing purpose of higher e...

Notes - Episodes 5 and 6

Colleges and common space

In episodes 5 and 6, we look at the history of the American college and university campus from the commencement of British American settlement through modern times. The open and public spaces of campuses, as well as the design of buildings and overall layouts, reflect societal trends, philosophies, and prejudices as much as the changing purpose of higher education itself. We...

Resources

Movie

Roman Holiday, Wikipedia (Updated Oct. 9, 2022) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Holiday

Maksym Chornyi, Roman Holiday' Filming Locations, Follow Your Passionated Movies (Nov. 16, 2019) - https://www.recenzent.org.ua/roman-holiday-filming-locations/

Mark Cartwright, The Arch of Septimius Severus, Rome, World History Encyclopedia (June 29, 2013) – https://www.worldhistory.org/article/502/the-arch...

Our foundational texts, legends and tales have a lot to tell us about ourselves and how we as a society see the world. We have inherited a particular tradition that views good and bad – or evil – in ways that give transportation, design of public spaces, and even the prospect of grave danger to our planet, a free pass. 
I’m going to do a grave injustice to Gilgamesh (because there are lively disputes about whether this ...

Notes for Episodes 4 & 5: Blaise Pascal and the First Modern Omnibus Transit Network

Episodes 4 dives deep into the life of Blaise Pascal. In Episodes 5, we look at Pascal's friend, colleague, and benefactor, Artus Gouffier (the Duc de Roannez) and we discuss the omnibus system that the two friends created. 

Sources for more information:

Please note that the newspaper articles are available for free through many p...

Notes for Episodes 4 & 5: Blaise Pascal and the First Modern Omnibus Transit Network

Episodes 4 dives deep into the life of Blaise Pascal. In Episodes 5, we look at Pascal's friend, colleague, and benefactor, Artus Gouffier (the Duc de Roannez) and we discuss the omnibus system that the two friends created. 

Sources for more information:

Please note that the newspaper articles are available for free through many p...

Episode 2: Funiculars

In this episode, we define the term funicular and quickly delve into its history, with odd characters, wealthy businessmen, and marketing gurus along the way. We also talk about where funiculars can be found today as well as many that only exist in the pages of history.

What is a funicular? Basically, a funicular is one of a paired set of carriages that use a cable or rope in order to be moved up or dow...

Poetry on Transit is a story that starts with American moxie, in combination with quality British public transportation and literature. Poetry on transit begins with a native Brooklynite, who was living in London and sitting around a table with a group of friends. The idea was embraced by the London Underground and soon spread in Europe and across the US, with drama along the way. Poetry on transit has lasted and it has ev...