The following text is an excerpt from an article entitled “EVALUATION CITY: Post Industrial’s Most Valuable Urbanism” that has been recently published in the latest MONU magazine.

To aid in the surplus of stressful societal situations that face the modern female, the 21st century woman can rely on a handful of helpful journals such as “Cosmopolitan” and “Glamour” to evaluate any relationship or affirm all major life decisions.  These lifestylist magazines will argue that there is no unique set of conditions, no singular relationship, and no unusual characteristics that can’t be quantified.  In support of these sweeping generalizations, many of the articles summarize their theories by incorporating a simplified quiz, a minimal test that helps the reader judge themselves, another human being, and the future success of their relationship.  Within a few short minutes, the contemporary lady can create her own personal compass to help guide her through modern relationships: whether that relationship is with her current spouse, potential boyfriend, frustrating boss, or annoying mother-in-law.

“How compatible are you and your spouse in bed?”
“Is he going to marry you?“
“Should you leave your job?“

Ironically, these outrageously simple evaluation techniques are also commonly used to stereotype other modern conditions.  As seen in a plethora of media outlets, the “most livable city” is a ranking system usually completed by an accounting or financial firm that evaluates international cities against a series of pre-set criteria.  Each city is judged using their past year’s statistics, appraised, and then ranked against one another.   Depending upon the media’s audience, intentions, and desired outcomes, these standards vary slightly, factoring unique priorities into an otherwise biased economically-based set of standards.  In one example, Forbes combined income, crime statistics, unemployment, housing markets, and college graduate statistics with amicable weather AND professional sports team winnings to result in their list of “Top 10 Best Places to Live in the US.”  Simultaneously, Forbes also published the “Top 10 Worst Places to Live in the US” using the same questionable data combinations. (more…)