A review of City of Quartz: Excavating the Future of Los Angeles, by Mike Davis (1990)
Chanda Burrage | October 5, 2022
As I prepare for my Ph.D. comprehensive exam, today is a good day to discuss the book City of Quartz by Mike Davis. This book is about the city of Los Angeles and how it came to be the way it is today. In particular, Davis focuses on the socioeconomic disparities between different groups within Los Angeles.
Mike Davis’s 1990 book, City of Quartz, is often cited as one that helped shape sociological thinking for decades. With its examination of architectural design and how it reflects society at large–the tone becomes something worth considering today more than ever before!
As leaders, I think it’s vital that we know these issues to better fight for equality and justice in our communities.
City of Quartz
Throughout the book, Davis argues that L.A.’s unique geography and history have resulted in a city marked by stark socioeconomic disparities. For example, he points to the fact that many wealthy Angelenos live in gated communities that are cut off from the rest of the city by freeways— effectively creating two separate societies within L.A. Additionally, Davis argues that L.A.’s large immigrant population has contributed to a feeling of paranoia and distrust among many native-born residents.
Paranoid Spatiality
In Southern California, people are obsessed with surveillance and controlling the bodies that inhabit their land. From downtown architecture to Westside lawns, “Armed Response” signs abound in this territory which breeds democracy but offers only dark models for what could be considered democratic totalitarianism.
L.A. is a city that is constantly in flux, with new people and new ideas always moving in. This makes it a hotbed of creativity and a place where many people feel rootless and disconnected. Davis argues that this feeling of disconnection has contributed to a sense of paranoia and distrust among many Angelenos.
Despite its challenges, Davis ultimately argues that L.A. is a place full of potential. He describes it as a “city of the future” that has the potential to become a model for other cities around the world.
Aesthetics of Violence
The city’s landscape is further complicated by what Davis calls the “aesthetics of violence.” He argues that many Angelenos have come to accept violence as a normal part of life and that this acceptance is reflected in the city’s architecture. For example, he points to the fact that many buildings in L.A. are designed with security in mind— featuring things like bullet-proof glass and barred windows.
The Power of Community
While most of Davis’ book details the decay and destruction that came with L.A.’s decline as a manufacturing city, he also pays attention to how various social classes were knit together by their daily interactions. He describes this bond best through an examination of space–specifically, street corners where people would gather around about noon time for food before heading back home after lunch; churches that served not just religious purposes but also humanitarian ones during times when there wasn’t much else to rely on; and supermarkets which became the new community centers.
The way that Davis discusses space is important because it showcases how even though there are socioeconomic disparities within L.A., there are also ways in which different groups are brought together. It’s important to remember this when fighting for equality because, although we may be divided by our different circumstances, there are also ways that we can come together and support each other.
The Impact of City of Quartz
City of Quartz was published to both critical acclaim and controversy. Many reviewers praised Davis for his insight into the social problems plaguing Los Angeles. However, others critiqued him for what they saw as his overly pessimistic view of the city.
Despite the mixed reviews, City of Quartz profoundly impacted sociological and cultural studies. The book is credited with helping to launch the field of “urban geography,” and it remains an important text in courses on Los Angeles history and sociology.
In conclusion, Mike Davis’s City of Quartz is a complex and nuanced examination of the city of Los Angeles. It is a book that is as relevant today as it was when it was first published.
If you’re interested in learning more about City of Quartz or Mike Davis’s work, I highly recommend this book and checking out the City of Quartz website.
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