I don’t think we appreciate the Industrial Revolution enough. You hear it over and over again, but you need a global and historical perspective to understand the ludicrously rapid advancements that took place during that time. So much of the foundation of our daily lives began to take shape at the turn of the 20th century.
The other side of the coin is that these rapid advancements lead to serious pollution and destroying our earth.
Europe has ancient cathedrals and medieval castles. America has rusted factories with blown out windows. We don’t pay these sites very much attention. I think in part because of the sadness that they hold. These places are reminders of the horrible unregulated working conditions and also the fact that “we used to make shit in this country”. Sometimes it’s easier to look away until we can stare and realize the significance.
I will soon be re-watching The Wire –
Frank Sobotka: You know what the trouble is, Brucey? We used to make shit in this country, build shit. Now we just put our hand in the next guy’s pocket.
Frank Sobotka: For 25 years we’ve been dying slow down there. Dry docks rusting and piers standing empty. My friends and their kids like we got the cancer. No life line got thrown all that time. Nothing from nobody. And now you want to help us? Help me?
Taken with NEX-5n in Bayonne, NJ. January 4, 2015.