even 10 years ago, it was impossible to get around d.c. without having to stumble through the reams of tourists scrambling to get their photo-op at every monume

even 10 years ago, it was impossible to get around d.c. without having to stumble through the reams of tourists scrambling to get their photo-op at every monument. i think the culture of personal brands has simply expanded what those same people perceive as monuments and things that would've been stumbled upon by a handful have become must visit sites even though they were never designed to deal with that kind of traffic. travel is still an incredibly powerful thing but the experience is only as valuable as what you do with it.