If L.A. is "fake" then what cities are "real"? (Los Angeles: fit in, theater)

[Rebelution]

Originally Posted by The_Rambler

One of the major complaints I hear frequently concerning Los Angeles is that it is "fake" or "plastic". What does this mean, really? And if this is the case, then what city would be the antithesis of L.A.? What city do you people who feel L.A. is fake do you think is the most "real" or genuine, and by what standard do you measure this?

I don't mean this to be inflammatory, I'm just honestly a bit confused by it and would like to open up a discourse as to what it really means.

Thanks!

"Real" cities.....hmmm... how about a city where peoples facial features don't melt off if they stand out the sun for too long.

Just kidding. I don't think that LA is "fake", and I have no problem with it. I'm from the east coast, and I can tell you personally that many people say it's "fake" by what news comes out from there (Celebs, Gossip, Etc.)

I would love to visit there some day.

[Scott5280]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

Certainly didn't p*i*s*s (damn nanny filter) me off. I simply can't understand how one can pass judgment on a huge city of 4 million people in a county of 10 million people because of the type of people he runs into on the Westside (the L.A. epicenter for plastic people) while working in an industry known for plasticity of the first order of magnitude.

Are you familiar with the old saying "Don't tar with too wide a brush"?

You do have a valid point however I tend to travel with a very large brush in my back pocket..many might even say BROAD.

[californio sur]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

Certainly didn't p*i*s*s (damn nanny filter) me off. I simply can't understand how one can pass judgment on a huge city of 4 million people in a county of 10 million people because of the type of people he runs into on the Westside (the L.A. epicenter for plastic people) while working in an industry known for plasticity of the first order of magnitude.

Are you familiar with the old saying "Don't tar with too wide a brush"?

I guess people who work in fashion\ entertainment are automatically "vapid" The comments of some out-of-state posters reveal a provincialism that is cute as in naive. Many in the entertainment industry just performed a concert that CNN\ Larry King televised to raise money for the people being effected by the oil spill in the Gulf. There are so many other examples of how wealthy people have a conscious. And just because a person is middle-class doesn't make them a saint either.

When others who claimed to have once lived in California start in with all the old cliches one wonders if they actually ever lived here in the first place. All the California experts living in the Midwest!!

[Bunjee]

But you did vet yourself, by offering your experience in the music and fashion industry. I think it's important to know where people are coming from when they make really broad statements. Professionally it sounds like an expansive, quintessentially L.A. life, but make no mistake that it was a small one. My life is a small one too so that's no dismissal. It's just that to think your experience of a city is so comprehensive is...in your own words, you have got to be kidding. Myself, I could throw around some heavy blows at San Francisco, Colorado, even New York City, based on limited experience and call it valid. But I know I'd sound silly.

BTW, the woman beside me two days a week who's been volunteering for the past 6 months is almost 50, has been out of work for 2 years, and is trying to convince anyone she can that she would be a viable employee even at minimum wage. She remains cheerful but she's not really thinking about the weather or photo shoots too much.

[Scott5280]

I have volunteered here in Colorado for the past few years..I lived in a city (Aspen) way more wealth and more expensive than any where in LA( even Malibu) than LA per capita...LA struts wealth and fame...name dropping..So Cal Bros... other places like Aspen..not soo much..Yes, Aspen is in your face...LA..is just ridiculous.

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by californio sur

I guess people who work in fashion\ entertainment are automatically "vapid"

No, not necessarily the worker bees, but the people for whom those industries exist tend to have that reputation. Hence the lie down with dogs comment.

Come on, pay attention over there. Jeeze.

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by Bunjee

But you did vet yourself, by offering your experience in the music and fashion industry. I think it's important to know where people are coming from when they make really broad statements. Professionally it sounds like an expansive, quintessentially L.A. life, but make no mistake that it was a small one.

Might as well give it up. He's bound and determined to wield that big, wide brush.

[Scott5280]

I will add that LA posters get so mad when you say LA is Fake...No LA as whole isn't fake, but other cities claiming to be in the running should give up now. LA is the best of the best, the worst of the worst, and everything in between..

[californio sur]

Originally Posted by Scott5280

I will add that LA posters get so mad when you say LA is Fake...No LA as whole isn't fake, but other cities claiming to be in the running should give up now. LA is the best of the best, the worst of the worst, and everything in between..

I truly think you should stay in Colorado. Another California wannabe who has to praise his\her own state to feel any self-worth is an ego too shallow for California. Haters on the loose!

How many Californians even bother to post on the Colorado forum? NONE [does that tell you anything?]

[Scott5280]

Another California wannabe? So you pay over 50k in real estate taxes alone in California? I have owned real estate in California for years little buddy...[mod cut: no personal attacks]