Be inspired by this video of the Landfill Harmonic Orchestra. It shows people's amazing drive and creativity constructing something good out of a bad environment:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/aei-ideas/posts/~3/RVIxuzmrMHk/
Imagine the many ways Portland government would stop or impede such constructive behavior.
Obviously these musicians are rooting around in garbage which is unhealthy. The search and re-use of landfill stuff here is prohibited as unsanitary. They are building home made musical instruments. Here such a business requires a business license to operate; at the rate Oregon is moving toward occupational licensing, they may soon be required to be trained and licensed in musical instrument services. Of course they are playing musical arrangements that here require payment of royalty fees. And here, since volunteer work playing for an orchestra might be considered unfair labor or even exploitation, they will be required to join the union and be paid a livable, minimum wage. And of course, over here if their orchestra is more than 50 people, they must be provided with health benefits.
But where exactly to perform within Portland's urban growth boundaries since land is so expensive? Perhaps they will have to move outside Portland, probably back to Paraguay.
This little thought experiment may perhaps lead to thinking more deeply about government's relationship to society. How does government help or hinder the development of the social good?
About Me
- Richard Meinhard
- I came up through the elementary and middle school teaching ranks in Iowa and California to land in degree programs at the U of California and U of I. My Ph.D. is in developmental psychology and cognitive systems theory. After teaching at the U of Portland in math and teacher ed, I began my own organization to bring research into the public schools. I also have worked for policy changes such as chartering that would open opportunities for change oriented educators.
