Discussion Question 2

Well, maybe you are not completely done with the readings for this week--yet.  In that case, perhaps this Discussion Question will catalyze you into reading them, and re-reading them.

Now, a couple of things I need to remind you about how to frame your responses:
Make sure you DO NOT alter the subject of the email--simply hit reply and continue the conversation
DO NOT email your response to me--it needs to be sent to the entire class
Too short a response almost always suggests that you have not given the question enough thought.
Finally, include appropriate evidence from the readings to support your view.  By the same token, DO NOT include a couple of sentences from the readings simply because ....

Ok, finally the question itself:
As you read through the first two chapters from the book, I am sure you have picked up on a few reasons for why cities came into existence.  After all, not too long ago humans were in rural, agrarian societies.  (BTW, we have reached a milestone now, with more than half the world's population now living in urban areas.  Hence the relatively lighthearted usage of homo urbanus)
So, as you chew the metaphorical cud over the reasons why historically cities came into existence, I want you to then think about the two readings from last week also--you know, the ones from Dissent and the WSJ. 
As you overlay a lot of history ending up with projections into the future, what strikes you as stark similarities and differences?

I look forward to your responses and rejoinders.