Re: (Fwd) Level of Discussion Sinks

Nidhip,
I'll bet you're one of Steve's folks! If you've only been here a week, I
think you've dropped in during a lull---it happens here just like in any
other relationship. Sometimes the list  goes hot and heavy, sometimes
it's pretty---what, simplistic? It's fine either way; just stick around
a while!

I'm betting you're from Steve's class due mostly to the quality of your
post; I enjoyed your observations on archie-speak and I feel they're
right on.

If only we knew how to build as well as we talk! I think part of this
self-perceived need to hyperverbalize comes from our basic insecurity---
how do we set ourselves apart from the non-architects of the world? (Here,
I mean architect strictly in the professional sense). Most people believe
architects to be stylists and, in real terms, superfluous. Go look in the
bookstores (Rizzoli and Borders and Prairie Ave. don't count!) In what passes
for an architecture section you'll see books entitled _Be Your Own Architect_,
_Design Your Own Home_ and stuff like that. What does this tell people about
what architects do? What do WE tell people what we do, especially as the
profession has allowed itself to be popularly perceived as stylistic in nature?

It doesn't help at all that, as John as observed, the noisiest and most
visible architects behave like a bunch of spoiled artistes, sucking heiney or
worse of overly-monied and under-responsible patrons.

Anyway, by use of contorted and esoteric language, we can assure ourselves
that we are keepers of a special kind of knowledge, that only a few can
attain, even while we distance ourselves from those whose health, safety and
general welfare our licenses oblige (or will oblige in my case) us to protect.

Sometimes, the words are used to prop up weak buildings. The best buildings
need no explication; they stand there and ring clear in all directions.

And when you ask what archie education is for, I have to answer sadly that a
large part of it is initiation into the _culture_ of architecture that breeds
all this weird behavior in the first place, and teaches us it's the way it
ought to be, everything from verbal contortion to charrette mentality.

Don't give up the ship, though!

Mark