What in Seattle actually qualifies as "World Class"

[geoffloftus]

Cities are ranked as alpha cities, beta and so on. There are two alpha++ cities: New York and London. There are eight alpha+ cities which include Chicago as the only US city. Then there are 18 alpha cities, 19 alpha- cities, and 16 beta+ cities. There are 19 beta cities of which Seattle is one. Other beta cities include, for example, Beirut, Budapest, Cape Town, Ho Chi Minh City, Minneapolis, Montevideo, and Oslo.

I'd, somewhat arbitrarily, consider alpha++ and alpha+ cities to be "world-class."

[RMacherat]

I was hoping GL would type in. Issue settled imho.

[Seattlelife]

WORLD Class:

Central Library, UW, Amazon, Boeing, Starbucks, egos

USA Class:

Ferries, I-90 floating bridge, Pike Place Market, CLink, Safeco Field, Space Needle, food/wine,

NOT World Class:

Transit, roads, above grade wires, basketball/multi purpose arena,

[jessejb]

Yards close to downtown are fine. Saw lots of those in Reykjavik. Wait, isn't Reykjavik a Seattle sister city? What the hell is a sister city anyway?

[mhays]

Originally Posted by geoffloftus

Cities are ranked as alpha cities, beta and so on. There are two alpha++ cities: New York and London. There are eight alpha+ cities which include Chicago as the only US city. Then there are 18 alpha cities, 19 alpha- cities, and 16 beta+ cities. There are 19 beta cities of which Seattle is one. Other beta cities include, for example, Beirut, Budapest, Cape Town, Ho Chi Minh City, Minneapolis, Montevideo, and Oslo.

I'd, somewhat arbitrarily, consider alpha++ and alpha+ cities to be "world-class."

Oh, the GAWC stuff again. It's BS.

Well, it's probably accurate in what they measure -- the presence of certain accounting firms, advertising firms, and a few other things. But that's all the measure. It's only one small facet of how cities can be ranked. So no, it's not a measure of what's world class.

[Bond James Bond]

Here are a few things which make Seattle truly world class.

No, I take that back - universal class! Or at least galactic class. Our greatness knows no bounds because of this stuff. We are just so super-duper, fantastically awesomely deserving of worship because we've got stuff few cities - or even no cities - anywhere in the galaxy have.









So THERE! Take THAT all you poor, pitiful, podunk places with not even an interesting place to piss!

[alexjonlin]

I would say our ferries are world class, not just "USA class." It's the third-largest ferry system in the world.

[cameronrex]

I grew up in Seattle and had never heard of that chewing gum wall until a couple of months ago. Walked past and thought it was disgusting. But Bond is right.... Not aware of any other place that has one.

[seapug]

That's funny, when I moved to Seattle the gum wall was so small and not many people knew about. Every time one of my friends would visit downtown and ask for a tour I would show them the gum wall. They were always shocked, and we were usually alone in the alley. Recently I walked down there for the first time in years, and the gum wall is huge now. There were also at least 20 people taking pictures.

[Phriggin' Ogre]

I'd say that Seattle's liberalism and video game industry are definitely world class and often under looked.

Its scenic beauty is also something to consider. If only the city had better adult night life.

[CrazyAboutCities]

Seattle has some world class services also.

I am not sure if some of you guys are aware of this. Seattle has world class service for Blind/Deaf-Blind population.

[M'sFan]

Originally Posted by CrazyAboutCities

Seattle has some world class services also.

I am not sure if some of you guys are aware of this. Seattle has world class service for Blind/Deaf-Blind population.

I did not know that. That is cool! On that note, Seattle's medical infrastructure and care is nearly second to none. Truly, that could be our most world-class attribute.

[mhays]

London's Sunday Times once had a big feature on the best place in the world to have a heart attack -- thanks to King County's Medic One service. Apparently it's rare to have that level of medical expertise in aid cars.

[RMacherat]

Originally Posted by mhays

London's Sunday Times once had a big feature on the best place in the world to have a heart attack -- thanks to King County's Medic One service. Apparently it's rare to have that level of medical expertise in aid cars.

That may have been true some years ago.

[D Green]

I don't know about US-class wine designation, we have some wine varietals that are very comparable if not competitive with international ones. Not to say the whole wine scene is world class, but we can make some damn good Merlots, Chards, and Cabs.

[Joosanova]

Originally Posted by D Green

I don't know about US-class wine designation, we have some wine varietals that are very comparable if not competitive with international ones. Not to say the whole wine scene is world class, but we can make some damn good Merlots, Chards, and Cabs.

So can Prison inmates

[D Green]

The only wine I'm familiar with that puts prison and wine in the same sentence is Orin Swift Cellar's red blend, but to cut you off (regrettably), the most fascinating wines are made by those who have received "world class" (aka European) training. And we've got a few of those vintner's around, so I'll stick to those.

[Joosanova]

Originally Posted by D Green

The only wine I'm familiar with that puts prison and wine in the same sentence is Orin Swift Cellar's red blend, but to cut you off (regrettably), the most fascinating wines are made by those who have received "world class" (aka European) training. And we've got a few of those vintner's around, so I'll stick to those.

DUDE, It was sarcasm

[jessejb]

Originally Posted by D Green

I don't know about US-class wine designation, we have some wine varietals that are very comparable if not competitive with international ones. Not to say the whole wine scene is world class, but we can make some damn good Merlots, Chards, and Cabs.

This is fact. Washington makes my favorite wines. If Red Mountain was a woman, I'd impregnate her.

[Rogue Linguist]

Originally Posted by jessejb

This is fact. Washington makes my favorite wines. If Red Mountain was a woman, I'd impregnate her.

I'd rather do her hair.