One Man’s Urban Woes

Stein has my sympathy. His lament on modern “barbarism” may be joined by all of us who consider ourselves “civilized” (we read The Times, after all).

The question is, though, what is walling us in, or out? The automobile that Stein must lock--hasn’t that become a (mobile) prison? The CD that might be stolen--could that be an impediment to freedom? All the noise and filth and haste and lusts and “barbarism” spawned in modern cities may be a result of everyone’s greed and need to possess machines and other toys.

Maybe we need to modify our system of government and economics so as to penalize materialism and promote civilization and conservation. Good luck L.A! Mr. Stein! All of us.

DR. JAMES R. STONE

Fresno