I recommend all to read an article published in today's Globe. Many on this board have rued the changes that have happened to Boston neighborhoods, and to cities in general. The vanishing of niche bookstores from Harvard Square, record stores, delis, cafes, and gay bars (the focus of the article, but it goes beyond gar bars) - the overall diminishing of the character of place. This article does an excellent job at describing why these changes have occurred - the solution is quite simple...it's the internet. Even the very online community of architecturalBoston has its hand in diminishing the city around us! Instead of meeting at coffee shops, book shops and dusty bars to discuss urbanity, we do so anonymously over the internet..
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2007/12/02/last_call/?p1=MEWell_Pos1
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2007/12/02/last_call/?p1=MEWell_Pos1