'Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.'—the DNA of Urban Succession

Don't design for the climax condition if today's marketplace supports something less—and other urban succession ideas.

1 minute read

April 14, 2015, 6:00 AM PDT

By Scott Doyon


"Steve Jobs ended one of his memorable speeches with, 'Stay hungry. Stay foolish.' He was quoting the message on the final page of the final publication of The Whole Earth Catalog, Stewart Brand’s version of pre-Google, assembled with typewriters, polaroid’s and scissors. Jobs’ point for me was to realize that the hunger for knowledge is not neediness, powerlessness, or weakness, but rather is a transformational driver of change and growth. An essential part of wellbeing."

"With the beginning of springtime, I’ve felt the need to return to the yoga mat to offset the effects of running again – and aging! Although I used to teach yoga long ago, after not practicing regularly for 8 years, I feel like I know nothing. That experience of 'the beginners mind' of hungering for knowledge is delightfully poignant and pertinent to many of the community conversations we have here. While the Hindu and Buddhist teachings that guide yoga may encourage us to let go of need and desire, the 'Stay hungry, stay foolish' message is a different sort of force that keeps us returning to the mat with a beginners mind."

Hazel Borys goes on to review a week's worth of work with Andrés Duany, quoting him on Lean Urbanism and ideas of urban succession.

Image credit: Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company

Monday, April 13, 2015 in PlaceShakers

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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