I grew up in L.A., was born there in early 50s and as soon as I saw that "giant shoe" I thought WTF? Haven't been to L.A. for at least 30 yrs but WOW it's really changed.
So well said!!! The building looks like an abandoned shoe or spoon rest. The issues they will have with that rooftop landscape will be an ongoing maintenance disaster. Seems like Los Angeles deserves it.
You've got it. If it doesn't become a homeless shelter (how many can Los Angeles afford?) it may have a new lease on life as Dr. Scholl's Museum of Foot Comfort.
“The Star Wars saga is largely incoherent and has only gotten worse with each iteration.”
Oh my goodness I couldn’t agree more! Except for the very first one which really was groundbreaking, I’ve been saying Star Wars sucks for freakin’ years, and 80% of the time I get hostile sideway glances. Probably by all the same people who are quadruple vaxxed.
The cinematography and special effects of Star Wars: A New Hope were groundbreaking. The story itself was an "homage" (rip off) of Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress and the Flash Gordan serials.
I decided to check it out on Google Streetview and it looks much worse from the sidewalk. Clown World is pervasive. I'm getting sick of so much modern design looking like something a precocious 11 year old boy doodled.
The Christ of the Living God instructs His followers not to store up treasures on earth, where they are vulnerable to destruction by moths and rust, and where thieves can break in and steal. Instead, He commands them to store up treasures in heaven, where such decay and theft do not occur.
This teaching is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing a shift in focus from temporary, earthly possessions to eternal, heavenly investments. The phrase "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" highlights that one's priorities and affections are revealed by where they place their resources. The concept of storing up treasures in heaven is not about rejecting material possessions entirely, but about prioritizing spiritual and eternal values over worldly wealth. Acts of generosity, secret prayer, fasting, and living a life of sincere devotion to God are seen as ways to accumulate such heavenly treasures.
Well said! This is further amplified by another part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount: "Give not thy gifts to the dogs. Neither cast thy pearls before swine, lest they trample them, and then turn and rend you." Matthew 7:6
Matthew 7:6 uses vivid imagery—"dogs" and "swine" (pigs)—to represent those who are unreceptive or hostile to Spiritual truths; as both animals were considered unclean in Jewish culture. The "holy" and "pearls" symbolize sacred or deeply valuable things, such as divine teachings, wisdom, or the Gospel.
The verse warns that sharing such treasures with those who cannot appreciate them results in two dangers:
1. They will trample the pearls—rejecting or defiling what is holy.
2. They may turn and tear you to pieces—responding with hostility.
This teaching follows Jesus' instruction on judgment (Matthew 7:1–5), emphasizing discernment. It does not forbid sharing the Gospel broadly, but advises wisdom in how and with whom deeper spiritual truths are discussed. It encourages believers to recognize when continued effort may be futile or even harmful, preserving both the message and the messenger.
The quotation is enjoined at the phrase "No one comes to Me except invited by the Father" (John 6:44) emphasizes that coming to Jesus is initiated by God the Father's divine drawing. This "drawing" is not coercive but a powerful, internal work of grace through the Holy Spirit, which enlightens the mind, inclines the will, and removes spiritual resistance. It aligns with human freedom, making a person willing to respond to Christ, yet ensures the result according to the Father's will.
This divine initiative is necessary due to humanity's spiritual blindness and moral opposition to YHVH/God, and it is consistent with Jesus' statement in John 12:32 that He will "draw all men" to Himself. The process involves both God's sovereign grace and the individual's responsive faith.
I like your interpretation of Matthew 7:6, it works well with his other teachings. Given the tenor of the times and Roman oppression, I've considered another more earthly interpretation and warning. Dogs and swine refer to Rome and to all things Roman. Rabbi Jesus spoke these words knowing Rome sent spies to gather information about him, and his teachings to large crowds of Jews. Rome knew Jews showed antipathy and potential rebellion towards Rome, so he foresaw his later punishment by Rome and Rome's eventual destruction of Jerusalem and massive slaughter and enslavement of Jews in 70 CE and 120 CE. Roman spies in the gathering no doubt relayed these words to Pontius Pilate and Rome saw Rabbi Jesus as a person able to rally large crowds, and a potential threat to Rome. Thus the words they inscribed over his body during the crucifixion, "King of the Jews."
Billionaires, in general, who were wildly successful (and lucky) in one specific niche of one kind of business, invariably think they are therefore experts in everything else.
Bullshit. Musk is into colonizing Mars, having robots everywhere, amd neurolink shit. And the Starlink crap (all on your dime). You’ve been bamboozled. Wake up.
Mr. Kunstler, I couldn't agree more with you re: STAR WARS and LORD OF THE RINGS movies and their creators. I never liked either of those movies and wondered why anyone did. Mostly it seems like the kids liked them. I'm old enough to remember when they first came out and after all these decades, I still don't understand why anyone thought they were such great movies. Thank you for saying what needed to be said!
Same here. I only watch the old films on TMC, the only TV channel with no commercial interruptions during the movie. I believe that’s due to the fact that Ted Turner makes plenty of $ and doesn’t need the ads? My only problem with this is that I’ve watched them all by now. Oh well…so many books to read from the library.
A very worthy winner of an eyesore award. Also mindsore if that is a real word. I am proud to be the only person I have ever met that never watched a single Star Wars movie or TV show.
My eyes tell me he kinda missed on the futuristic-side. The "thing" looks like a mollusk. And, the definition seems to fit.
"...most mollusks include a mantle with a mantle cavity used for respiration and excretion, a muscular foot, a radula (a rasping feeding organ) in most classes (except bivalves), and a well-developed nervous system..." All of Los Angeles appears to be an over-developed nervous system these days. Sigh.
What, it's just modeled after a giant shoe comfort insert. Nothing wrong with that. 🤷♂️
Or a giant panty liner
I grew up in L.A., was born there in early 50s and as soon as I saw that "giant shoe" I thought WTF? Haven't been to L.A. for at least 30 yrs but WOW it's really changed.
saralane5367.substack.com/p/unreal
That was exactly my first thought!
Yessss thought the very same thing!
So well said!!! The building looks like an abandoned shoe or spoon rest. The issues they will have with that rooftop landscape will be an ongoing maintenance disaster. Seems like Los Angeles deserves it.
Abandoned shoe- that was good, Susan ("There was an old fucker who lived in a shoe,
He had so many billions, he didn’t know what to do; so he made up some plots without any bread, and whipped up some movies to put us to bed")
You've got it. If it doesn't become a homeless shelter (how many can Los Angeles afford?) it may have a new lease on life as Dr. Scholl's Museum of Foot Comfort.
“The Star Wars saga is largely incoherent and has only gotten worse with each iteration.”
Oh my goodness I couldn’t agree more! Except for the very first one which really was groundbreaking, I’ve been saying Star Wars sucks for freakin’ years, and 80% of the time I get hostile sideway glances. Probably by all the same people who are quadruple vaxxed.
P.S. Just think of all the homeless tents that can be fit on top of the living roof, too.
All those trooper clacking around in PVC was soooo distracting!
The cinematography and special effects of Star Wars: A New Hope were groundbreaking. The story itself was an "homage" (rip off) of Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress and the Flash Gordan serials.
Except who knew that the vacuum of space was so noisy?!
CGI is groundbreaking? Nah.
A New Hope wasn't CGI, it was practical effects.
I decided to check it out on Google Streetview and it looks much worse from the sidewalk. Clown World is pervasive. I'm getting sick of so much modern design looking like something a precocious 11 year old boy doodled.
It seems fitting as I imagine George Lucas is of the age that he needs orthotics.
The Christ of the Living God instructs His followers not to store up treasures on earth, where they are vulnerable to destruction by moths and rust, and where thieves can break in and steal. Instead, He commands them to store up treasures in heaven, where such decay and theft do not occur.
This teaching is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing a shift in focus from temporary, earthly possessions to eternal, heavenly investments. The phrase "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" highlights that one's priorities and affections are revealed by where they place their resources. The concept of storing up treasures in heaven is not about rejecting material possessions entirely, but about prioritizing spiritual and eternal values over worldly wealth. Acts of generosity, secret prayer, fasting, and living a life of sincere devotion to God are seen as ways to accumulate such heavenly treasures.
Well said! This is further amplified by another part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount: "Give not thy gifts to the dogs. Neither cast thy pearls before swine, lest they trample them, and then turn and rend you." Matthew 7:6
Matthew 7:6 uses vivid imagery—"dogs" and "swine" (pigs)—to represent those who are unreceptive or hostile to Spiritual truths; as both animals were considered unclean in Jewish culture. The "holy" and "pearls" symbolize sacred or deeply valuable things, such as divine teachings, wisdom, or the Gospel.
The verse warns that sharing such treasures with those who cannot appreciate them results in two dangers:
1. They will trample the pearls—rejecting or defiling what is holy.
2. They may turn and tear you to pieces—responding with hostility.
This teaching follows Jesus' instruction on judgment (Matthew 7:1–5), emphasizing discernment. It does not forbid sharing the Gospel broadly, but advises wisdom in how and with whom deeper spiritual truths are discussed. It encourages believers to recognize when continued effort may be futile or even harmful, preserving both the message and the messenger.
The quotation is enjoined at the phrase "No one comes to Me except invited by the Father" (John 6:44) emphasizes that coming to Jesus is initiated by God the Father's divine drawing. This "drawing" is not coercive but a powerful, internal work of grace through the Holy Spirit, which enlightens the mind, inclines the will, and removes spiritual resistance. It aligns with human freedom, making a person willing to respond to Christ, yet ensures the result according to the Father's will.
This divine initiative is necessary due to humanity's spiritual blindness and moral opposition to YHVH/God, and it is consistent with Jesus' statement in John 12:32 that He will "draw all men" to Himself. The process involves both God's sovereign grace and the individual's responsive faith.
I like your interpretation of Matthew 7:6, it works well with his other teachings. Given the tenor of the times and Roman oppression, I've considered another more earthly interpretation and warning. Dogs and swine refer to Rome and to all things Roman. Rabbi Jesus spoke these words knowing Rome sent spies to gather information about him, and his teachings to large crowds of Jews. Rome knew Jews showed antipathy and potential rebellion towards Rome, so he foresaw his later punishment by Rome and Rome's eventual destruction of Jerusalem and massive slaughter and enslavement of Jews in 70 CE and 120 CE. Roman spies in the gathering no doubt relayed these words to Pontius Pilate and Rome saw Rabbi Jesus as a person able to rally large crowds, and a potential threat to Rome. Thus the words they inscribed over his body during the crucifixion, "King of the Jews."
I thought it was the new Nike headquarters at first glance.
Yup, first thing that came to mind was…..shoe! It’s upside down though, the grass should be underneath.
Spaceship!
Just proves our moral and intellectual superior "Betters" are really dumb as a rock.
Billionaires, in general, who were wildly successful (and lucky) in one specific niche of one kind of business, invariably think they are therefore experts in everything else.
And yes, I’m looking at you, too, Elon.
Mr Musk may be the rare exception. Otherwise, the observation applies to athletes, actors, "musicians," and a host of others.
Bullshit. Musk is into colonizing Mars, having robots everywhere, amd neurolink shit. And the Starlink crap (all on your dime). You’ve been bamboozled. Wake up.
https://english.elpais.com/technology/2024-01-17/the-failure-of-the-hyperloop-elon-musks-dream-of-traveling-at-1000-kmh-by-train-that-is-fading.html?outputType=amp
Mr. Kunstler, I couldn't agree more with you re: STAR WARS and LORD OF THE RINGS movies and their creators. I never liked either of those movies and wondered why anyone did. Mostly it seems like the kids liked them. I'm old enough to remember when they first came out and after all these decades, I still don't understand why anyone thought they were such great movies. Thank you for saying what needed to be said!
I’ve learned that movies are like mountains. People pay money to go see them simply because ‘they’re there’. No matter how crappy the movie is.
Agreed. I haven't been to a movie theatre in decades. They have nothing I want to see.
Same here. I only watch the old films on TMC, the only TV channel with no commercial interruptions during the movie. I believe that’s due to the fact that Ted Turner makes plenty of $ and doesn’t need the ads? My only problem with this is that I’ve watched them all by now. Oh well…so many books to read from the library.
Hollyweird and La La land. What could go wrong?
Modern day wasteland.
Of course they have to put it next to the coliseum and try and to make it look out of place.
Please tell me that building is AI and doesn't really exist.
I think it looks cool.
Me too, Fred. What's wrong with us?
(I do wonder where the closest free parking may be!)
A very worthy winner of an eyesore award. Also mindsore if that is a real word. I am proud to be the only person I have ever met that never watched a single Star Wars movie or TV show.
My eyes tell me he kinda missed on the futuristic-side. The "thing" looks like a mollusk. And, the definition seems to fit.
"...most mollusks include a mantle with a mantle cavity used for respiration and excretion, a muscular foot, a radula (a rasping feeding organ) in most classes (except bivalves), and a well-developed nervous system..." All of Los Angeles appears to be an over-developed nervous system these days. Sigh.
But your lowly clam or oyster scuttles the brain once it assumes its sessile form. The brain goes out the window as an unnecessary luxury.