I once heard [Gerald] Feinberg suggest that many of…
![“I once heard [Gerald] Feinberg suggest that many of Manhattan's 1970s social problems could be solved by forbidding anyone who earned less than, say, $10,000 per year to live there. It had not occurred to him, apparently, that this excluded many of the people who worked at the university.” quote by Emanuel Derman](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/c28/emanuel-derman-55414_columbia-university_i-once-heard-gerald-feinberg-suggest-tha_2322215.jpg)
““I once heard [Gerald] Feinberg suggest that many of Manhattan's 1970s social problems could be solved by forbidding anyone who earned less than, say, $10,000 per year to live there. It had not occurred to him, apparently, that this excluded many of the people who worked at the university.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote sat that simplistic income thresholds ignore the complex reality of who actually lives and works in a city, especially those tied to local institutions.
In simple terms: Income caps miss essential workers.
Key Takeaway
Consider broader criteria beyond income.
Themes
urban policy
economic inequality
housing
labor markets
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
observational
commentary
When to use this quote
- city planning
- university housing
- affordable housing debates
Key Concepts
social stratification
public policy analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- How can policies balance income thresholds with essential worker needs?
- What alternative metrics could better capture community contribution?
A Different Perspective
Policy based solely on income can exclude vital community members.