Read the Sharon Zukin profile in the Times and watch the Big Think interview with her. Also read the Schwartz article. Think about how you would describe the “soul” of your neighborhood – its authentic identity.

• How does Zukin’s definition of the “soul” of Brooklyn compare to the “soul” of your neighborhood? Do you define your neighborhood’s core identity the same way Zukin defines the identity of Brooklyn?
• What do you think about Schwartz’s criticism of Zukin and Jane Jacobs? Do you agree or no? Why or why not?

P.S. You are under no obligation to say positive things about the soul of your neighborhood. Maybe your neighborhood has an unfriendly or boring soul… maybe it has no soul at all… be creative and answer the question honestly. (We won’t tell your neighborhood what you think of it.)