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| http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/dispatches/features/2011/kazakhstan_rising/nazarbayev_u.html |
Roman Mars, in his podcast 99% Invisible, takes the listeners through a brief history of palm tree transplantation. Perhaps most interestingly are the recent decisions by many cities like Los Angeles, although they claim the palm tree as a symbol of their city, to not replant the trees that are dying of old age and fungus. Palm trees, which can cost up to $20,000 each, only live to 60-70 years, and don't provide very much shade or oxygen.
Unfortunately, the palm trees in the atrium don't look like they will live that long. A quick glance around the edges reveals dying palm trees and yellow fronds. Can you read our palms and see the fate of our atrium? Which is bigger, the cost of the trees or the benefit we get from them? What should our institution base its reputation on, the constructed symbolism of our trees or the quality of our graduates?
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| http://vk.com/nu_sg?z=photo42925596_347943155%2Fwall-42151373_617 |
Thank you for laconic and interesting post concerning exotic trees in NU. I think it is another action of kazakh to show off. May be palms are supposed to be the symbol of wealth and exoticism, but it is hard to think so about NU palms. You could recognise and write what people notice every day passing near those "barely breathing" palms. the prestige of the university should't be associated with palms, but with a quality education. What is the connection of palms with Kazakhstan? NO connection at all. I think if you want to surprise people, foster not a palm but a knowledgeable "student", who in future will be able to investigate something better than palms.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first saw these palm trees, I was wondering if these palm trees were real ones. Although I have seen conditions of trees, I have never thought about palm trees as a waste of money. Thanks to your post to informing us about palm tree business. Post reveals rather controversial truth. On the one hand, it’s big amount of money thrown away. On the other hand, it’s dying palm trees. There is no use of keeping dying trees around if there is no benefit. No that much shadow or oxygen from palm trees; from ecological perspective, it is the damage to trees. Though, new innovative university’s first appearance with palm trees around the atrium did its part. One of the unique features or symbols of university are those palm trees. Nevertheless, it is not worth to keep these expensive accessories. The main thing is quality of education over anything.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Diyara and Asha that there is no need to keep these trees taking into consideration financial, environmental and symbolic factors mentioned above. I personally feel very sorry each time when I see these trees, as for me they symbolize waste of resources. I think money spent on having the palm trees in our campus could have been spent for more useful things associated with educational activities, such as student and faculty research development, undergraduate and graduate program’s enhancement, and many others. I understand the important symbolic role of the palm trees, but I believe that some kind local tree which would survive the weather conditions here might have well served this mission.
ReplyDeleteWhy not to grow our local fir trees and decorate the atrium with them? It would be less expensive because fir trees grow in Kazakhstan if only the university does not decide to bring fir trees from the Alps. Fir trees also create the atmosphere for relaxation by cleaning the air in the atrium. I do not think that palm trees could do the same thing; they are only used as decorations and nothing more. Hence, artificial palm trees might replace them if they do not clean the air.
ReplyDeleteI do not agree that the University should rid of the trees completely, because the atrium was designed to be a cozy place for resting during studying process and without a piece of nature in it, it will lose its function.
Therefore, as an alternative for the expensive palm trees, our local fir trees may be used which build a unique atmosphere in the University.
These are all great points. Thanks for your comments.
ReplyDelete