Friday, July 15, 2005

URBAN ECOLOGY 101–by Steve Nadis

Overheard on the mean streets of Cambridge, Mass… Man1: “Do you know what this is?” he asked, pointing to a cluster of black splotches on a sidewalk across from the high school. Man2: “H-m-m-m,” he said thoughtfully. “Too big to be gum.” Man1: “It is gum!” he replied emphatically.

I was just a passerby, trying to mind my business. But I think Man1 might have been on to something. There are black splotches all over our city sidewalks and they very well could be small pieces of gum that get flattened and stretched out, the more people step on them. At the same time, they get darker and darker from all the grit and grime that continually collects on them. You’ve walked over these spots every day, perhaps without noticing them or stopping to consider what they were from. If Man1’s theory is correct, our cities may soon be covered with one big, continuous, grimy, black splotch of gum.

Tread with caution, dear pedestrians, or you too may get stuck in a giant gummy patch. Over time, you will get flattened and black, becoming part of the dark film that’s gradually coating our urban landscape.

Posted by Snake at 17:18:35
Comments

4 Responses to “URBAN ECOLOGY 101–by Steve Nadis”

  1. Burt says:

    I’ve got two words to say about this one and everyone else seems to agree: No comment.

  2. Snake says:

    You’re absolutely right except for one small point, if I could be so bold as to interject: You said "no comment," but I think this is, in fact, a comment.

  3. CheneyLover says:

    I just got back from walking to Central Square. I will never look at the sidewalk the same way again. It’s interesting to note where the heaviest deposition of gum is - outside Dunkin’ Donuts.

  4. Snake says:

    Thanks, CL, I’ll give it a look. In the meantime, you should check out the sidewalk in front of the convenience store across from the Cambridge high school.

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