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What a difference: Columbia, KY vs. NY, NY

The Modern Columbia
- sonnet in imitation of Emma Lazarus' The New Colossus celebrating the friendly atmosphere toward modern gadgets on the square in Columbia, Kentucky
Not like the brazen New York houses famed
With conquering coffee now in hand,
Here on our square, awash with thought does stand
A place where conversation daily flamed
By modern gadgets fancifully named
is lighting up our own beloved land
which glows a world-wide welcome to demand
Acceptance of the new computer framed

"So keep, commercial greed, your clutching key
To profit only. Give us yearning poor,
the disconnected masses seeking free
the entire world though on this inland shore
Send hungry for both food and thought to me,
I lift my cup in greeting at my door."

- Robert Stone, 12 February 2011
Mary Keltner sent a link to story in NY Times which fairly screams for a comparison between these two greatest American Cities.



In NYC, many coffee houses not only frown on the use of any battery powered device, even a Kindle, but have also banned them.

On the other hand, Columbia's Cafe on the Square actually welcomes loafers and encourages the use of its excellent free Wi-Fi service, spec'd to handle up to 100 devices. There are even plug ins by every table to save customer's batteries.They don't require any purchase, but most of us think it is only fair to make a purchase leave a tip, and most using the service, apparently think so, too.Mary Keltner sent a link to the story in the New York Times Magazine, dated February 11, 2011. To read about the outrage, click to Table Disservice.

The article traces the history of coffee houses as centers for the study of great ideas, even great writing. What a difference in two of America's great cities! On this one, Columbia, KY trumps NY, NY, as decidedly friendlier to great culture.


This story was posted on 2011-02-12 08:52:39
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