11/24/99

Coming home tonight on the 5 freeway North I was drawn to this image of the lighted company buildings on the mesa tops in Sorrento Valley. I focused first on the SAIC military technologies headquarters sign backlit and corporate blue. They suddenly all looked like fortifications, city -states with their own flags, glowing from spotlights, planted on the rim of the dark canyon wall. A full moon added effect to the surrounding landscape. Each one looking out at one another over the canyon, each viewpoint the same brag. For a moment they seemed absurd like children's fortresses readied for playtime. Then I came back to earth and saw them as they see themselves: As competitors in the great public relations image war, each creating the effect of being an important company and presence in the community.

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