Great piece - really resonates! I go to Miami Beach a few times a year to visit my dad. While I'm there, I enjoy the palm trees and good weather *and* I always have to put forth additional effort to stay relaxed and not get too bogged down (and depressed) by just how much it embodies this exact description: "frivolous, regulation-free, climate-doomed tax haven dominated by hot microcelebrities." There are still some authentic people and things to enjoy on South Beach, like this longtime streak runner (https://www.ravenrun.net/), and places like the Bass and Wolfsonian Museums which are lovely. But then I'll be asleep on the beach and wake up to an airplane flying by advertising Lock & Load Miami, with a huge picture of a machine gun on it, encouraging people to go and shoot some guns(!!!) and my restful enjoyment of the beach seems to suddenly vanish!
This truly articulates the essence of what I always just thought of us the Miami “ugh” factor. Great analysis and very interesting questions to ponder. I think you’re really getting to the heart of some very core principles re: location, identity and place that we have to re-examine in the context of modern culture. Thank you!
"People’s physical location is decreasingly an indicator of where they do business or what they’re experiencing on a daily basis.‘’ This is such a wild reality and massive shift in how we navigate our days.
Can't forget Miami's position as the financial, cultural and sometimes political capital of Latin America and the Caribbean... also often a type of part-time resident (political exile, business exec). Cf the massive Venezuelan community in Dorval. Also, have been to and purchased books en français from Libreri Mapou! Vive le Petit Haïti!
Great piece - really resonates! I go to Miami Beach a few times a year to visit my dad. While I'm there, I enjoy the palm trees and good weather *and* I always have to put forth additional effort to stay relaxed and not get too bogged down (and depressed) by just how much it embodies this exact description: "frivolous, regulation-free, climate-doomed tax haven dominated by hot microcelebrities." There are still some authentic people and things to enjoy on South Beach, like this longtime streak runner (https://www.ravenrun.net/), and places like the Bass and Wolfsonian Museums which are lovely. But then I'll be asleep on the beach and wake up to an airplane flying by advertising Lock & Load Miami, with a huge picture of a machine gun on it, encouraging people to go and shoot some guns(!!!) and my restful enjoyment of the beach seems to suddenly vanish!
This truly articulates the essence of what I always just thought of us the Miami “ugh” factor. Great analysis and very interesting questions to ponder. I think you’re really getting to the heart of some very core principles re: location, identity and place that we have to re-examine in the context of modern culture. Thank you!
So glad you enjoyed it! I love thinking and writing about these topics.
"People’s physical location is decreasingly an indicator of where they do business or what they’re experiencing on a daily basis.‘’ This is such a wild reality and massive shift in how we navigate our days.
Can't forget Miami's position as the financial, cultural and sometimes political capital of Latin America and the Caribbean... also often a type of part-time resident (political exile, business exec). Cf the massive Venezuelan community in Dorval. Also, have been to and purchased books en français from Libreri Mapou! Vive le Petit Haïti!