Like many Friday mornings, we spent it down at Lake Virginia swimming Caspian, Sydnie running on the dock, etc. From time to time there are other people swimming their dogs as well. Today we ran into a gentleman and his Black Lab who we've chatted with before. Him and I eventually launched in to a conversation about the "culture" of Orlando/Central Flordia. He is an independent filmmaker. His wife is the curator of a local museum. Within two minutes of conversation you felt his warmth as well as his intelligence. Prior to coming to Orlando they had spent the past few years in Europe. They seem to have run in some very cultured, creative circles. He had some interesting impressions about Orlando culture (he's been here less than a year). I don't want to bias your thoughts, so I will just pose some questions and I would love some feedback. So whether you are a native, a transplant or an occasional visitor, I want your thoughts...
- Is Orlando just Disney and tourism?
- Is Orlando high culture?
- Is Orlando folk culture?
- Is Orlando nothing more than plastic, teal and other bad colors?
- Is Orlando a creative center?
- What exactly is the culture of Orlando?
- Are we liberal? Are we conservative?
- Are we more pop culture or indie culture?
- What is our culture of education like?
- How are we defined recreationally?
- Are we pre-modern, modern or postmodern?
- What do we value?
- Are we "Christian?" Are we post-Christian?
Obviously the above questions are random and offered more to get your thoughts going. I also realize there are different pockets of our city that would be defined differently. But just give the generalizations. Give the view from 30,000 feet. Go ahead and stereotype. Broad brush. Okay, had enough cliches?
It's all glitz and glam, man.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, all I have ever known of Orlando is Disney. But I am from the North, so I don't know crap.
Well, looking at Ashley's prom pictures, I would say it must be pretty dang hot down there already since some girls were wearing hardly anythign at all! Ashley looked very pretty, CLASSY, and grown-up!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of grown-up...Happy 2nd Birthday to Sydnie! Natalie and Amy send their birthday wishes (and kisses to her and Caspian too).
Disney and tourism? Yes
ReplyDeleteHigh culture? NO WAY
Folk culture? No
Nothing more than plastic, teal and other bad colors? Yes
Creative center? U must be kidding
Culture of Orlando? Undefined
Liberal or conservative? More conservative
Pop culture or indie? Pop
Culture of education like? Sucks
Defined recreationally? Laid back
Are we pre-modern, modern or postmodern? 40/60 mod & post
What do we value? Good question
Are we "Christian?" Are we post-Christian? Maybe both
"MercyNow"
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments. I have a couple questions about your comments. Can you elaborate on why you say "U must be kidding" when asking about Creative Center? Also, culture of education...why does it suck? Love to hear your thoughts. I'm not in disagreement, just wondering.
I know that Orl has been trying to have a creative side to it, one example is creating an arts center by Church St, but it just can't get enough support and the avg person here simply doesn't care. People here do what's popular. They go to the Winter Park Festival cuz it's popular but very few show up at the local museums to see original works. Disney is creative but it's only one company plus it's their job to be original. When I think of "creative center", I think of a place where there are innovation and originality. Ashville is creative as far as arts go. Silicon Valley is creative as far as technology goes. Hollywood is creative in movies while NYC is in the arts and business.
ReplyDeleteAs far as education culture, FL does not rank well in the nation. Orange County is not recommended by realtors when it comes to schools (except for Winter Park). Seminole County is better though. Gov. Bush is trying to do better by having the FCAT but there are big disagreements about that. However, the NE has a much better school system than down here.
In the end, it really has to do with FL being a transient state. People move in and people move out. When it's a temp place, people don't invest time or money into the area. There are no roots. Then there are the snow birds who are here for half the year. I'm glad they are here but they are not the ones who would encourage creativity nor education, they just want to relax.
It also doesn't help when the majority of jobs here is in the service sector. This means people work hard just to put food on the table. The result is not enough time to learn about culture, help their kids w/ school, have time to think of creativity or encouage their kids to do so. I'm not saying there are no creativity or exceptional educated people here cuz there are, it's just that we as a city or the tri county area, is not that.
background of my answers: I live and spent most of my life in Chicago. I work in LA (and Orlando sometimes). I lived in Orlando for 2 years and attended Orangewood while I lived there.
ReplyDeleteIs Orlando just Disney and tourism? yes
Is Orlando high culture? no
Is Orlando folk culture? no
Is Orlando nothing more than plastic, teal and other bad colors? yes
Is Orlando a creative center? no
What exactly is the culture of Orlando? tourism - it brings in the most money. it caused the greatest growth of the city. before Walt Disney arrived, no one knew Orlando existed.
Are we liberal? Are we conservative? conservative (relatively)
Are we more pop culture or indie culture? pop culture
What is our culture of education like? i do not have enough context/background to adequately answer
How are we defined recreationally? at the 30,000 foot level, Orlando recreationally is Disney
Are we pre-modern, modern or postmodern? modern
What do we value? I haven't seen a consensus. the answers are too individual
Are we "Christian?" Are we post-Christian? Christian
Again, as asked for, my responses are broad-brush stereotypes. Part of what defines a city is how its visitors view it. Other exemplifications of the culture: hang out at the airport and notice who's flying in and out; try to do a business trip out of Orlando; try booking a hotel in Orlando in March.
I enjoy when work takes me to Orlando, but that's only because I have friends there. None of my colleagues enjoy it, and I can understand why. As an example, yesterday I spent 2 hours trying to find a hotel near Disney World (for work) for next week.
Orlando business and culture = tourism; it's an in-escapable reality.