The Scottish Parliament has given the go ahead for a new crossing over the Forth. Nobody has decided if it’s going to be a bridge or a tunnel, but I hope it’s a bridge. Both of the existing bridges are beautiful in their own ways: let’s have more!
Bridges are awesome constructions that fill one with pride in human ingenuity, and to me they symbolize freedom and interconnectedness. I’m not sure of the relative engineering merits, but a tunnel is a dismal affair in comparison, worming its way unseen and shameful. I’d much prefer the crossing to soar above the waves and merge with the land in a stunning, beautiful, innovative structure.
If that’s a load of romantic twaddle, then so be it.
Scotland being the distinctly unromantic, mean little country it is at the moment, there has been little in the way of celebration and excitement. Writing in November, journalist Iain McWhirter says it’s going to have a bad impact on the environment, and that the plan’s based on assumptions which “are a threat to civilization itself”. I think this is silly, but I agree that public transport should be getting more investment: we need massive investment in both road-building and the railways.
The other issue is how much it’s going to cost, which is to do with how long it’s going to take and how well it’s going to be managed. Bureaucracy will probably hold things up in the beginning. They’d better get a move on because the existing road bridge may have to be closed to HGVs in 2013.
But that’s all rather dull. All I have to say is that the experience of the Scottish Parliament project leads me to hope for two things:
That politicians are not given direct control over the project, as they were for the parliament: as this is not a structure intimately connected with Scottish politics we can be hopeful that it will be left to the engineers;
That the Scottish media do not repeat their gleeful, carping cynicism and lazy journalism;
Building new and stronger bridges can help us both cross over this void to whatever awaits on the other side.
Friendship –
There when I need you
no question or delay
Understanding without need for explanation
Knowing me in every way.
Drying my tears and calming my fears
Telling me all will be fine
I just want to say thank you to you dear and true friend of mine.
That’s all very nice, but I ain’t gorra lorra time for that philosophy keek. Owzabout you go out an akshually make something. That’s wot makes the world go round.
You don’t av to be a karpenter.
And anyways. What am I missing. What’s with the fourth crossing. I thought there was only two.
I stand to be corrected.
Thanks for the comment dlessups. Is it fair to infer from your utilitarian position that you think we should consign art and music – as well as philosophy – to the dustbin? Or is the difference that philosophy does not apparently produce anything, unlike art and music?