Zombie spa? 202 Pearl Street LLC needs to speak with Google, lest there be any misunderstandings.

Um, we thought that whole "spa" thing was in the past. Anyway, Phil's back in fashion, so here's Genesis with a big hit from 1980 ...

Google New Albany? We'll just have the same architectural firm build another pole barn and stick it on a hill by State Street.

It's easy to be skeptical of such a vision, and Google's initial efforts were rejected by local planning authorities, although there has been movement recently toward a resolution: Google Might Build Its North Bayshore Campus After All.

Still, words and phrases jump out at you: Historic city models ... buildings that use less energy and water ... a humanistic spirit ... working with nature ... how transit will look in the future ... the undermining of quality of life owing to the needs of cars.

Ideas (useful or otherwise) cannot grow without passing into common currency, and they'll never become widespread without being mentioned aloud and discussed. Whether Google succeeds or not, the ideas are in the public domain at Mountain View.

In New Albany, we keep them imprisoned in Redevelopment. What we get is Summit Springs and rotary dial, not North Bayshore and Google.

Some afternoon porno irreverence.

No doubt with Reclaim Our Culture Kentuckiana's recent propaganda barrage ringing in his ears, one of my friends posted this comment on Facebook:

According to google, Louisville is number one, two years running, when it comes to internet users searching for porn! As a former Louisvillian, I have never been more proud!!!

I replied:

Finally, some recognition. The flip side of it is that many of us hereabouts are so backward, we didn't actually FIND any of it.

I say: Keep it local. Makes you wonder why people bother with the Internet when Cleopatra's is right down the street ... and on the way to the boat.

Previously: C-J: "New Albany again rebuffed in battle against adult bookstore."