Peter Gould (1) (1932–2000)

You know that New Yorker cover that shows a Manhattanite's view of America? Manhattan looms large in the foreground, while the middle of the country is all scrunched up until you reach California? According to this book, that image, while funny, is more true than one would think. People's perceptions of space and desirability are greatly shaped by what they know (or think they know) about the place, and that MENTAL distance has as great, if not a greater, influence upon people's perceptions of a place than does physical distance. In my own experience, although Pennsylvania is way closer to me, I have a much more positive view of Seattle. I've been to both, but I have spent more time in Seattle, and viewed it as a destination rather than a place to pass through. I am not unusual, apparently. I'd love to see an updated version of this, since people from such disparate places congregate on the internet now. I've conversed online with many people from Finland, for example. I would never have been interested in visiting Finland 20 years ago, now, I find it fascinating.… (mer)