Cat x da Cat

 

Brinetopia is currently having a population explosion with all manner of carbon-based bipods converging on  the relatively few pristine parts of what is largely a hot, barren island. Real estate barons and building companies reap a fortune as cashed up newcomers tear down our "quaint" local architecture to be replaced by faux-Tuscan look-a-like McMansions.

Our politicians propose ever more clever ways to move this burgeoning populace around - toll tunnels and toll bridges and lots of road construction. But it just results in more traffic snarls, more drop-ins, more agro in the line-up. Less koalas, less fish, less fresh water to drink, less time to think and laugh and love.

I'm reminded of the words of the two greatest Cats of the 20th century - Dora and Stevens.

"Anyone who believes 

exponential growth 

can go on forever

in a finite world 

is either a madman 

or a politician"

Miklos Dora (da Cat) quoted in Let My People Go Surfing, by Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, Penguin Books 2006.

"When you crack the sky, scrapers fill the air

Will you keep on building higher

'til there's no more room up there?

Will you make us laugh, will you make us cry?

Will you tell us when to live, will you tell us when to die?

"I know we've come a long way,

We're changing day to day,

But tell me where will the children play?"

exerpt from Cat Stevens Where Will the Children Play? 1970

Photo of Cat Stevens in concert by Caloundra resident, Alan Ebert shot on Kodachrome in 1974. Ironically, this venue has now been torn down and replaced with.....an inner city apartment skyscraper.