Boom-boom Las Vegas

摘要

Home of the annual Consumer Electronics Show, Las Vegas is both the glitz capital of the US and according to many reports also the foreclosure capital, with as much as 40% of available housing in receivership. But despite current economic fluctuations, multiple large-scale building projects are progressing unimpeded. Both drinking and gambling are recession-proof pursuits. Las Vegas is still a boom town. It's a boom town in another sense too. Each year the decibel level rises a few more notches. Las Vegas has always had an annoying amount of noise, but over the past year it's become unbearable. Las Vegas Boulevard assaults the ears. Hidden in every ersatz palm tree are loudspeakers blaring nasty thumping music or exhorting the intemperate to part with their money as quickly as possible.