I'm glad to see after reading the entire thread, that someone actually got Malvina's point...and the photo almost says it all. What she was saying was that despite the color of the houses, they are a way of homogenizing people...communities that sprang up like these...developments...and not for the poor. The trend toward suburbanization - where everyone has to blend...back in the 50's that included the perfunctory cocktail(s) before dinner. I think the ticky-tacky aspect refers to both the flimsy pretense on which these communities are based and to the tackiness of them as well. I actually remember seeing Malvina Reynolds on television...another somewhat tacky development of the 50's. I now understand after reading that they dozed areas, and probably clear-cut, to build these edifices of conformity. I don't know which bothered her more. I always pictured Levittown when I heard "Little Boxes." I do remember thinking how simple a song, yet amazing subversive, at the time, yet appearing to be quite innocent. Well, that's my take on it. :)