Not-So-Smart Cities

   This article quickly grabbed my attention because it involves cities completely run by robots. "Smart Cities" as coined in article are "life-size laboratories" that companies, universities, and government agencies to test "smart power grids, cyber security, and intelligent and surveillance systems". The article describes how cities are comparable to complex systems, like the weather.These complex systems are "governed" by feedback loops that are understood but are impossible to replicate. Author Greg Lindsay makes it clear how ridiculous and flawed this idea is, "To the folks at Living PlanIT and Pegasus, such programs are worth it because they let planners avoid the messiness of politics and human error. But that's precisely why they are likely to fail." I completely agree with Greg because he is right, how can you calculate the complex web of interactions created by humans? Even though how it could "possibly" be calculated by algorithms, no math in the world will be able to predict the exact orbital of human nature and furthermore how we interact and coincide in society. Lindsay finishes his argument saying "... that the smartest cities art the ones that embrace openness  randomness, and serendipity- everything that makes a city great." I also agree with what Lindsay says because he is right, smart cities make calculate how to run a city perfectly but that's flawed because what truly defines a "smart" city is it's ability to accept, coincide peacefully, and interact with one another.
   Lindsay does an excellent job in alluring the reader and giving a critical argument against these smart cities: "Despite it's superior computing power and life-size footprint, Pegasus' project is hobbled by the equally false assumption that such smart cities are relevant outside the sterile conditions of a computer lab. There's no reason to believe the technologies tested there will succeed in cities occupied by people instead of The Sims." Lindsay persuades the reader into believing his opinion of this by pointing out how a humans environment isn't controlled and precise like in a laboratory and therefore these smart cities are far from accurate in calculating the perfect means of controlling a human environment through computer models. Lindsay develops ethos in his article by citing credible smart city companies like Living PlanIT and Pegasus who are legitimately making smart cities. In doing so the reader is likely to believe what the author is saying and further understand his point of view of these companies and smart cities in general.

Article By: Greg Lindsay
Published: September 24,2011
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/25/opinion/sunday/not-so-smart-cities.html?ref=opinion