If the bells were replaced with a recording, it would be another instance of gutting the city of meaningful history or sense of past achievement. In this case, we're talking about technical achievement in architecture and a memorable part of the urban experience. When that's gutted, our standards for what we do in the present are lowered, because we always think of ourselves as some provincial city until recently, and that only now we have an opportunity to build a sophisticated city. With this pathetic and flawed realization, we come to think that we can only take baby steps in that direction, with a moderate and gradual approach, making bold and impressive projects less likely.
In reality, Toronto's past offers a lot of sophistication and accomplishment, but with a lot of that destroyed already or significantly compromised. We and subsequent generations think less of the city for every such instance of destruction. To preserve the bells in this landmark National Historic Site is par for the course in any fine metropolitan city, and it's damn time we start acting like one, rather constantly undermining the great things we have.
To even consider something so stupid is outrageous. We need some sort of public realm awareness and lobbying group to prevent such embarrassing ideas from even being floated. The only good thing to come of this proposal is that Rob Ford can remember his decision on the bells.