Let’s explore!
One of my major takeaways from the June election—and especially the rancorous debates that led up to it—is that we all need to get out more! Both metaphorically, because many of us spent too much time on social media and message boards arguing minutiae about topics perhaps best left to the professionals. And also get out more literally, as in open the front door, walk outside and bike, walk or drive to an Irvine neighborhood not our own.
We need to get to know our city better, and the people who live in other villages and parts of town. Let’s all wander around, try a different restaurant, check out the homes and parks in an unfamiliar neighborhood, and maybe even speak to someone who lives there.
Why, you ask? Because I fear we’re getting too insular in our activities and our opinions, and thus too easily swayed by fake news and less-than-true facts. I saw far too many folks posting things online that weren’t factual during the last election cycle. Not to mention just plain mean spirited.
An example? No, the golf course at Strawberry Farms was never suggested as a site for the veterans cemetery! And neither FivePoint nor the Irvine Company are active builders of condos and apartments in the Irvine Business Complex, despite both being blamed for traffic on that side of the city. And those are just two examples of locals not really knowing as much as they should about where we all live.
We all need to get out of our shell, and see what’s happening all across our great community, especially if we’re forming opinions based on biases rather than actually seeing and experiencing the people and places that make Irvine so interesting.
To help inspire some of the spirit of exploration and openness, this issue includes a feature story suggesting dozens of “hidden” places around the city. Pick a few that are unfamiliar, and go give them a try.
You and your city will be better for it.
We need to get to know our city better, and the people who live in other villages and parts of town. Let’s all wander around, try a different restaurant, check out the homes and parks in an unfamiliar neighborhood, and maybe even speak to someone who lives there.
Why, you ask? Because I fear we’re getting too insular in our activities and our opinions, and thus too easily swayed by fake news and less-than-true facts. I saw far too many folks posting things online that weren’t factual during the last election cycle. Not to mention just plain mean spirited.
An example? No, the golf course at Strawberry Farms was never suggested as a site for the veterans cemetery! And neither FivePoint nor the Irvine Company are active builders of condos and apartments in the Irvine Business Complex, despite both being blamed for traffic on that side of the city. And those are just two examples of locals not really knowing as much as they should about where we all live.
We all need to get out of our shell, and see what’s happening all across our great community, especially if we’re forming opinions based on biases rather than actually seeing and experiencing the people and places that make Irvine so interesting.
To help inspire some of the spirit of exploration and openness, this issue includes a feature story suggesting dozens of “hidden” places around the city. Pick a few that are unfamiliar, and go give them a try.
You and your city will be better for it.