Placing Words: Symbols, Space, and the City

摘要: The meaning of a message, says William Mitchell, depends on the context its reception. "Shouting 'fire' in crowded theater produces dramatically different effect from barking same word to squad soldiers with guns," he observes. In Placing Words, Mitchell looks at ways which urban spaces and places provide settings for communication how they conduct complex flows information through twenty-first century city.Cities participate production by providing populated objects words refer to. Inscriptions these (labels, billboards, newspapers, graffiti) another layer meaning. And today, flow digital -- one device scene creates network that also exists physical space. Words examines this emerging system spaces, flows, practices series short essays snapshots city century.Mitchell questions necessity flashy downtown office towers an age corporate Web sites. He casts shocked-and-awed Baghdad as contemporary Guernica. describes architectural makeovers throughout history, listing Le Corbusier's Fab Five Points difference between new old architecture, discusses architecture Manolo Blahniks. pens open letter Secretary Defense recommending features include torture chambers. compares Baudelaire, Parisian flaneur, Spiderman, Manhattan traceur. iPod-like galleries renovated MoMA recognizes camera phone latest step process image mobilization began when artists stopped painting walls making pictures small pieces wood, canvas, or paper. endless information, makes clear, is not only more pervasive efficient than ever, it generating cultural complexities.