…there exist these opulent gardens

With flowers as large as trees, wilting, of course,

Very quickly, if they are not watered with very expensive water. And fruit markets

With great leaps of fruit, which nonetheless

Possess neither scent nor taste. And endless trains of autos,

Lighter than their own shadows, swifter than

Foolish thoughts, shimmering vehicles, in which

Rosy people, coming from nowhere, go nowhere.

Excerpted from Bertolt Brecht’s Contemplating Hell, featured on Literary LA.

The proposed LA Streetcar would provide carbon-emission free transportation in Downtown LA, home of the soon-to-be newest member of the Ace Hotel family. We can tell you that we love our streetcars in Portland and Seattle. But you have to make up your own mind. If you’re a resident of Downtown LA, there’s a Q&A about the project — going to vote by special ballot in November — October 17. Next stop on this trolley, Informationville.