Philadelphia: The Great Experiment is a multi-format historical documentary television film and Internet project that presents the story of Philadelphia, the single most compelling stage for the unfurling and testing of American ideals. William Penn’s city was the first in the world to codify freedom of religion, individual rights, trial by jury, and a democratic assembly as the pillars of a constitution amendable by the people.
Since then, ideas of equality and tolerance, public good and private enterprise, freedom and subjugation, have been continuously measured against each other and Penn’s own vision. The documentary explores America’s first city from its pre-history and then across nearly four centuries, as the nation's laboratory of ideas, a place of continuous innovation, exploration, and inquiry.
A primary goal of the film is to give the viewer a better understanding of the origins and development of American ideas and ideals and the American character, through the lens of the Great Experiment. The story of democracy, the Constitution, civil rights, religious freedom, and of pluralism originates in Philadelphia. By using Philadelphia as an outstanding example of the urban crucible, viewers will not only understand Philadelphia better, but will appreciate the meaning of being American more fully. It is also a crucial point in the history of participatory democracy in America. Vitally engaging civic projects such as this one are therefore necessary. The film acknowledges the fragile and contested nature of democracy and engages the viewer with ideas, people, and places. By attaching the ideas of democracy, freedom, and tolerance to the specific location of Philadelphia, the viewer engages with four centuries of history, finding new ways to understand the challenges facing America and its cities today.
...some great footage in the one we watched last night...nice to feel Philly proud yo'....
Philadelphia: The Great Experiment is a multi-format historical documentary television film and Internet project that presents the story of Philadelphia, the single most compelling stage for the unfurling and testing of American ideals. William Penn’s city was the first in the world to codify freedom of religion, individual rights, trial by jury, and a democratic assembly as the pillars of a constitution amendable by the people.
Since then, ideas of equality and tolerance, public good and private enterprise, freedom and subjugation, have been continuously measured against each other and Penn’s own vision. The documentary explores America’s first city from its pre-history and then across nearly four centuries, as the nation's laboratory of ideas, a place of continuous innovation, exploration, and inquiry.
A primary goal of the film is to give the viewer a better understanding of the origins and development of American ideas and ideals and the American character, through the lens of the Great Experiment. The story of democracy, the Constitution, civil rights, religious freedom, and of pluralism originates in Philadelphia. By using Philadelphia as an outstanding example of the urban crucible, viewers will not only understand Philadelphia better, but will appreciate the meaning of being American more fully. It is also a crucial point in the history of participatory democracy in America. Vitally engaging civic projects such as this one are therefore necessary. The film acknowledges the fragile and contested nature of democracy and engages the viewer with ideas, people, and places. By attaching the ideas of democracy, freedom, and tolerance to the specific location of Philadelphia, the viewer engages with four centuries of history, finding new ways to understand the challenges facing America and its cities today.
My second cousin is in the band Great Elk. They're playing in Philly this Friday, if anyone is interested in seeing them.
2 Philly bands. 2 New York bands. One night of good times and good music in good ol' Philadelphia! Sliding-Scale admission: $5-$10, Sliding-Scale of fun: Rad-Awesome. (1918 S. Bancroft)
Location: i believe, i believe, it's silly, but I believe Gender:
Posted:
Sep 8, 2012 - 11:55am
olivertwist wrote:
Back in college, I recall reading a book by Lewis Mumford and he mentioned the construction of a highway that destroyed some of Philly's most historic neighborhoods. Not sure if this is the project he was referring to in that book, but clearly a lot of buildings had to be razed for that parkway.
Back in college, I recall reading a book by Lewis Mumford and he mentioned the construction of a highway that destroyed some of Philly's most historic neighborhoods. Not sure if this is the project he was referring to in that book, but clearly a lot of buildings had to be razed for that parkway.
Two Minutes with the Delaware River Waterfront Corp.'s Rebecca Yamin
Samantha Melamed
City Paper
Dating to 1676 and hidden under a parking lot just north of Vine Street for the past 24 years, the West Shipyard is being unearthed for just two weeks, in an archaeological dig open to the public July 19-20 (see westshipyard.wordpress.com). The Delaware River Waterfront Corp. commissioned the dig, on which Yamin’s a consultant.
