Howard Aiken – computer pioneer 1900-1973
By “giving the idea away”, as I am with this website, my hope is to establish contact with individuals who share my vision, but who also possess the drive, contacts, public speaking and writing skills, and the wherewithal to get everyone talking about the Oasis-City concept.
Collaborators sought…
These website chapters contain a wealth of material for an inspirational book with the captivating title, or sub-title – “The Shape of Cities to Come”. Unlike a transient website such as this, which can disappear overnight without leaving a trace – a book, even if it sells only a thousand copies, will live on and even end up in a library or two. Having no previous books to my name, I feel I need a co-author with the right credentials for this topic. At the very least the endorsement of a well-known personality, ideally someone with environmental and/or architectural credentials. Also, in order that the idea gets the widespread publicity it so deserves, it is vitally important that the book be reviewed by the right people in the right places,. Considering the potential implications for the future of mankind and civilisation itself, the Oasis-Cities idea deserves much better than a simple paperback or e-book. Ideally a “Coffee Table” book rich with drawings, diagrams and colour illustrations, etc. Obviously this quality of publication would be expensive to produce and, were I to self-publish, might become a vanity-publishing white elephant.
Perhaps the most effective way to promote the Oasis-City concept would be via an international public-speaking road show, a la Al Gore. This would require someone with good public-speaking skills, ideally someone well-respected in the environmental movement. Al Gore, should he be reading this, might wish to apply for the job because Oasis Cities have the potential to ameliorate EVERY ONE of the problems highlighted in “An Inconvenient Truth”.
video introduction inspired by “2001 A Space Odyssey”
SPECIALIST ADVICE
Any helpful comments or advice from professionals such as Architects, Engineers, Economists, Construction cost estimators, Landscape designers, Website Designers, etc., would be greatly appreciated. Email me directly – spesbona@adept.co.za
SUGGESTIONS & CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM
I welcome all arguments and objections, provided they are constructive, so please don’t offer banal platitudes like “its an old idea” or “it will never happen”.
[stextbox id=’info’ caption=’OasisCities – the Holy Grail of enviro and societal problems..?’] Due to a huge reduction in carbon emissions and all forms of consumption, OA-Cities will have a much gentler eco-footprint than OB-Cities. But the advantages are not limited to the environment, as OA-Cities have the potential to solve – or greatly ameliorate – or, as I like to say, FINESSE virtually every problem you can think of..! So whenever TV talking heads are pontificating and agonising over the latest enviro or social-issue crisis, I always want to SHOUT AT THE TV… [/stextbox]
“If we had Oasis-Cities, this problem you are discussing – and most of the others too – would simply disappear..!”
OA-Cities are a GAME-CHANGER which would bring about a quantum-leap improvement in all aspects of civilised life – economics, education, child-rearing, food production, renewable energy, nature conservation, aesthetics, politics & society, and so on. I believe OA-Cities have the potential to ameliorate virtually every environmental and social issue that can be named. Obviously such a big claim will bring forth many doubters. Great..!
Finally, if anyone can think of some useful angle I have omitted which they think would enhance the concept, please submit your idea for possible inclusion on the website. Unless anonymity is requested, I will byline the author’s name, but I reserve the right to edit any such submission.
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