Ideas worth spreading

The ghastly tragedy of the suburbs

2,265,296 views | James Howard Kunstler • TED2004

In James Howard Kunstler's view, public spaces should be inspired centers of civic life and the physical manifestation of the common good. Instead, he argues, what we have in America is a nation of places not worth caring about.

In James Howard Kunstler's view, public spaces should be inspired centers of civic life and the physical manifestation of the common good. Instead, he argues, what we have in America is a nation of places not worth caring about.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

About the speaker

James Howard Kunstler

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James Howard Kunstler may be the world’s most outspoken critic of suburban sprawl. He believes the end of the fossil fuels era will soon force a return to smaller-scale, agrarian communities -- and an overhaul of the most destructive features of postwar society.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.