"The virtual wealth of the internet billionaires has great power to make physical change on the landscape, but also—(perhaps more concerning)—it has the power to abuse our cultural heritage."
from "Sperry Peninsula and the Seed of Magical Activism," by Carter Brooks
In the context of my life, Sperry Peninsula was always my most sacred ground. The place I would go to regerate my strength. Now a microsoft metaverse has deleted my lanscape of being. My homeland has been invaded by a virtual reality.
For 50 years Sperry Peninsula was home to Camp Nor'wester. In the brochures Camp Nor'wester was described as a summer camp for boys and girls 9 to 16. But Camp Nor'wester was, in reality, a complex community brought together in stewardship of an historical landscape. In 1995, Chuck Curran, a man by virtue of his ownerhip entrusted with the home of this community, sold Sperry Peninsula to Paul Allen, Bill Gate's lesser known, but still pretty damn rich partner, Paul Allen.
Along with his sister, Jodie Allen Patton, Paul Allen managed to ignore the Washington State Historical Board, 100s of letters from children, front page New York Times articles, and an otherwise general outcry to save Sperry Peninsula for Camp Nor'wester. Shielded by spokespeople, security guards, and lawyers they have never had to face the emotional impact of their actions. They have never born witness to the rage unleashed by their childishly irresponsible ignorance.
These may seem like harsh words. But it is enough to make one question the whole notion of property ownership.
other Nor'wester Links...