Road as a metaphor

Roads are no longer just a "passage between two places," instead they make up both a national and regional network that leads to every conceivable destination. The destination itself has multiple routes to reach the same goal, which compels us to make choices. Robert Frosts poem "The Road Not Taken" informs us of choices and the individual experiences that each offer. "TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood / And sorry I could not travel both / And be one traveler." Roads don't just lead us to our destinations, they are places themselves that offer privacy, reflection, social gathering, new awareness, self-discovery and a sense of freedom. Hitting the road is sometimes the only way to get away from everything as you are no longer at home or at your destination but rather in-between, which gives one time to think. Although roads offer a peaceful place to reflect they also can disturb the tranquillity of people living near them. Sound barriers offer a compromise between the individual needs of highways and neighborhoods. Roads are essential to a places infrastructure as they promote growth and distribution. The study and science of roads is called Otology, which calls attention to the cultural, economic and spiritual meaning of roads on a place. Roads also determine the orientation of homes and businesses. The front yard of a house for example is always the yard facing the road, while the backyard is concealed behind the house away from public view. By constricting the movement of automobiles to roads, it has effectively allowed advertisers to reach consumers in bulk. The importance of roads are so great that they have become a metaphor for human life, which tell of adventure, memories, hope, danger (as in the expression "don't go down that road"), choices and much more.

What's wrong with the identity

1. The identity only uses green, the garden hasn't bloomed
2. Lack of visible gardens or garden motifs
3. Lack of understanding of what the garden state symbolizes, possibly because of the lack of application
4. The identity doesn't apply to all of the state (some areas appear left out - How to include them?)
5. Lack of differentiation/contrast from NYC and Philadelphia
6. Needs to include technology in its identity to separate itself from farming and gardens to separate itself from the city.
7. Geometric shapes are emphasized over organic shapes

Why I believe as I do

Here is a new list of ten reasons why I think NJ ought to be "The Garden State."

1. It symbolizes an alternative lifestyle to the city and farm, which was the intention of the suburbs.
2. Gardens are characteristically therapeutic. I must admit when I moved from Brooklyn to NJ it was because I wanted trees and grass.
3. It brings simplicity to the complexity of NJ, under the intention of an alternative lifestyle.
4. It encourages desirable behavior and an appreciation to the environment, which is a global issue.
5. The value of a garden symbolically is upheld/appreciated around the world and NJ does business globally
6. It softens NJs hard image.
7. "The Garden State" suggests it promotes health and well-being
8. Gardens offer a stark visual contrast to the city, which could help differentiate NJ from NYC
9. Update NJ from an industrial to a post-industrial identity (possibly re-brand recycling).

Possible change

From the research I've done, I'm starting to become convinced that "The Garden Sate" is surprisingly a worthwhile identity for the state. From an argument point of view, it might be more interesting to argue for the side of The Garden State. I already have a good argument set up against myself as to why its not an appropriate identity and would be fun to challenge my previous opinion. I would reconnect people with the roots of the states intentions, which are becoming lost and bring this identity into full bloom.

Characteristics you'd expect of the Garden State

The identity of "The Garden State" refers to the state as a whole. The identity of the state therefore ought to be based on adding organic shapes and earthy colors. The best gardens are filled with a verity of rich colors and not just green. In fact, the two colors used for the Garden State Parkway are an obvious choice but lack the presence of a colorful blooming color. Green is the color of grass or the stems of flowers, not exactly the red of tomato or the yellow of a flower. The identity hasn't bloomed, which makes for a boring garden. The intention of The Garden State as an identity is to call attention to an alternate lifestyle of living besides the city or a farm. NJ has become confused of its own identity (or what makes it special) as it is being swept up in the urban fabric of modern life. Visit any shopping mall in NJ and you will see trees integrated into the design of parking lots (different than New Mexico), this indicates that the value of using nature as an accent is still present. Still there are not enough visible gardens to make the identity genuine and credible. Perhaps the best reason/argument for this identity is the potential of symbolism as an alternative lifestyle.

Celebration of the artificial/man-made

Technology is capable of nurturing the body, soul and environment. Recycling is an artificial process that is different from decomposing and provides an alternative to landfills. Designer drugs such as Prozac, Viagra are artificial non-herbal remedies, which affect how we feel and perform. Technology can teach us skills that are everyday such as how to tie a tie, how to fix a running toilet or how to cook a new recipe. The internet can teach us a hobby such as how to play the guitar or the game of backgammon. You can find a mate on the internet or just stay in touch with friends. Connectivity has brought forth efficiency and self-empowerment. NJ offers all kinds of relaxation and activities such as video games and is by no mean limited to gardening (but gardening offers a strong contrast to the city). Electronically transmitted entertainment that includes text messages and GPS swim through NJ. More and more their is a separation from the natural world. NJ is not a simple but rather a place filled with complexity.

Character of a Garden

What do your senses tell you when standing in a garden? What sensory data are you confronted with that you're able to describe? The shapes found in gardens are organic. They are harmonious and consonant. The colors found in a palette of garden colors are are described as earthy. Gardens absorb light and use it to make food. Gardeners tend to them while it's light outside. Flower gardens create an atmosphere of leisure. They are usually grown in either a fenced in area or around the front yard of the house. Gardens are simple when compared to the complexity of NJ. "The Garden State sounds utopian. It's makes sense to want to encourage gardening. Gardens can influence behavior and are often used for therapy or self expression, which is desirable. But NJ has a well known night life that shouldn't be overlooked when redefining its identity.