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I'm currently stuck in Riga's airport, and from this perspective, the definition of success in architecture is an interesting question. There is a clear politi
by mbrock 10y ago
I'm currently stuck in Riga's airport, and from this perspective, the definition of success in architecture is an interesting question.
There is a clear political vision in Alexander's work, one whose basis is participation and non-alienation. This is at odds with modern capitalism, which prevents its success.
The free software movement, too, is in a sense unsuccessful, despite a loyal and tenacious following. Still, it's worth fighting for and preserving.
Software has been in an acknowledged crisis for decades. Ordinary folks I know aren't thrilled about contemporary architecture.
Also, Alexander emphasizes that his "prescriptive" works, such as A Pattern Language, are made as examples of how grassroots human knowledge can be conceptualized and presented in a certain composable form.
- icebraining 10y agoThere is a clear political vision in Alexander's work, one whose basis is participation and non-alienation. This is at odds with modern capitalism, which prevents its success. In what way? I mean, in practice?
- mbrock 10y agoFor just a very basic example, you would never see an Alexandrian pattern language that recommends the horrendous environmental practices of modern capitalism, which are literally destroying the world.