Modern Development & Progress

Walking around the historic part of Southlands, St. John's (goes back around 10 years, pretty sure it was before Windows XP came out), and into the new phase development, you notice what is typical of new home constructions and neighbourhoods. The homes are pretty roomy these days and packed densely.
Perhaps the sense of community is very high, because homes are so close that you can pass the potatos to your neighbour from one dining room window to another.

Another thing you will have noticed, and this has been going on for, well only the Big Guy or Gal knows, is that virtually every living growing thing has been obliterated from sight. It was pulled, hauled, scraped or burnt to make way for modern living and to get rid of any sign of a natural evergreen, that though free - through its natural growth, is not considered valuable. The replacement trees will come from a commercial establishment. Now, that's progress!

It appears development plans don't call for natural evergreens to be on lawns. It's certainly possible to leave them alone, and save the homebuyer some time, energy and coin. But then again, what kind of message would that send to people? "Not supporting the economy!"; "Can't afford farmed trees?" Well the message it sends to business is "Tree sales are going to grow! People have decided to start over." That's the way developers want it to be - rootless.

Oh yeah, getting back to the near conjoined houses. What gives with the property sizes? Many lots are so small, that if you wanted to play mini-golf, you'd be trespassing. How about snow in that short stint of winter! How many stories are people supposed to pile it before the inevitable avalanche buries the neighbour's and your driveways? But it's silly to mock progress. In fact, progress can be funny. Read the sign on this tree. Crack you up wouldn't it!