Cecilia > Recent Status Updates

Very interesting point by Suenn Ho: despite lacking hygiene/water/sunlight/structural planning, the inhabitants in the Kowloon Walled City were generally healthy. This was probably because of the abundance of (unlicensed) doctors and dentists, and a strong sense of community (free schools, food sharing, and volunteers cleaning the streets).

About HK Characters: A chapter that reminds me to slow down and appreciate the art and calligraphy in signs. Growing up in the fast-paced city, I have not paid them the attention they deserved. Bring neon signs back. Say no to LEDs.

About Streetscape: More than a record of how the city has evolved. A reminder that urban designs should draw inspiration from community-based, grassroot designs rather than relying solely on top-down gentrifications. Interestingly highlights the local wisdom embedded in HK’s East-meets-West designs in response to the geography and colonization—a fusion that resulted in walkable and resilient cityscapes.

- First impression: Impressive attention to detail in publication as an art form. The heavy-weight glossy paper has no glare, the colors in the pictures are beautiful, and there are fold-out pages. Even as a paperback, it lies completely flat when opened. The dust cover has artwork on the inside too. A thoughtful preservation of history and a book lover’s dream.

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Hugo name-dropping a character he wrote in another story might be the first product placement I’ve read. Then the way he immediately launches into a rant about the prison system and human nature is hilariously relatable. “Can the heart grow deformed and develop incurable ugliness and infirmities under the pressure of inordinate misfortune, like the spine under too low a vault?” (p.85) is an absolute banger.

“i dont no what sience is but they all keep saying it”