(no subject)

[left-unsaid.livejournal.com]

Hello,

Am I the only one who thinks that white lights strung up on the trees of the Square year-round looks really tacky?

Waiting for a late bus this afternoon, I counted over half of the trees had blown-out strands, so a good portion of the branches were merely wrapped with unlit wires...not to mention the ugly white tubing up against each trunk and held in place by three or more thick white plastic bands. I also noticed a lot of broken branches held in place by the wires.

I'm all for the natural beauty of a picturesque tree-lined square. Who decided this artificial look is better? I'm sure the electricity costs aren't that significant, but I believe this money would be better spent elsewhere....

Comments

[talonvaki.livejournal.com]

I like lit up trees...but I do think they should fix the lights that are burned out.

I like the lights

[cthulhia]

I've found them especially endearing right when it's warm enough out that antonio's starts serving outside again.

I'd prefer them better maintained.

Re: I like the lights

[poseidons-tearz.livejournal.com]

I agree. If your going to go through the production of putting up lights at least maintain the damn things.

My 2 cents. Take it for what it worth.

[amethystmoon.livejournal.com]

another vote to keep the lights, but maintain them better

[overstim.livejournal.com]

I think its insane that people put lights up in november/December, and take them down in January right after Christmas- jsut in time for the longest, coldest, darkest time of the year, when we could use some cheering up. Im for leaving them awhile longer, but you gotta take em down when the trees start to come abck to life.

[perspicuity.livejournal.com]

it would be nice if it were darker at night, everywhere. light pollution sucks.

it's kinda ironic that people move to the country, because it's not like the city, and then seem to turn it into the city they just left - street lights being a prime example.

remember the stars?

#

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

I really enjoy the lights....

[enochs-fable.livejournal.com]

Except of course for the fact that people need street lights to see the road and walk or bike safely.

[easy-wind.livejournal.com]

Free the trees from their wired enslavement!

[purpleglitter.livejournal.com]

the lighted trees are one of my favorite things about Davis Square. i always look forward to seeing them when i drive up to the square at night.

they should definitely be better maintained though, if there are lots of them out.

[hrafn.livejournal.com]

Cars have lights on them for a reason. Bicycles can have lights added to them. And people can carry flashlights. It's what people out in the uncivilized countryside do, after all. Street lights are more about feeling safe from criminals than lighting streets for traffic safety. Having said that, I hate when people have permanent lights on their own property, that go on as soon as it turns dark, and don't turn off until it's light again, whether it's in the city or country. It's so unnecessary.

[enochs-fable.livejournal.com]

Your point about bikes and cars is well taken. But requiring people to carry flashlights to navigate in a city seems a stretch. Lit sidewalks arent just 'about feeling safe' from criminals - proper and non-wasteful lighting does tend to reduce crume. There's certainly a lot that could be done to fix extant lighting to make it less wasteful and more effective, no argument there.

[ron_newman]

I'd love the idea of each city or town having a "see the stars" night -- one night a year when all street lights, traffic lights, etc. are turned off citywide. I don't think it's practical, because the electrical systems for street lighting probably aren't separated from the electrical systems that feed individual houses and businesses.

[twe.livejournal.com]

I love the lights too.