Obviously the Gold Brothers pose an imminent threat to the character of the Royal Mile...that documentary about the World's Great Streets had EmmyLou Harris doing a very good tour of the RM and it may become a relic of a bygone age by the sound of things.

Money changes everything. A big threat to the culture and character of places all over the world is the homogenization of them by commercial interests; notably developers and world-wide chains of businesses that run out the native mom-and-pop businesses. Chicago has suffered because of this attitude. Sections of State Street, that "Great Street" in the song, have been torn down to make way for high rise condo buildings to accommodate the sudden influx of people who, after having avoided Chicago's Loop for years because it was "too dangerous", now want to live there so they can be in the center of the action. Believe me, they are paying DEARLY for that privilege.

Several years ago, I heard a reporter opine that it was no fun to go anywhere in the USA anymore because, thanks to Appleby's, Bennigan's, McDonald's and Starbuck's, everywhere looks the same and there are no unique shops or restaurants left to pique the curiosity.

This is the way the world ends...not with a bang...

We are trading charm for convenience.

Best

AA