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Buildings are alive like flames. They are living manifestations of a culture. The Cathedrals stand because they have been maintained by each generation -- and
by FooBarBizBazz 6y ago
Buildings are alive like flames. They are living manifestations of a culture.
The Cathedrals stand because they have been maintained by each generation -- and each generation has added something: a chapel, a statue, a ceiling boss. To this day you will often find them surrounded by scaffolding. It detracts from the view but it's as much a part of the process as the stone.
Angkor Wat is no older, yet it has crumbled. Its maintenance ceased for generations. The difference is stark.
(Angkor is now seeing something of a revival. Restoration work has occurred over the last two or three generations, and more will happen now as the Khmer people become wealthier again.)
These buildings are a reminder that there are long-term dynamics of birth and death and reproduction that outlive the individual.
- yosito 6y ago> one of the things that's wrong with North Americans Why do you have to make this about something being wrong with a group of people?
- bpodgursky 6y agoCountries fixate their national pride on what they have. If they don't have the dynamism, economy, or youth of other countries, they fixate on what they do have — buildings which are faded memories of the cultures which built them.
- FooBarBizBazz 6y agoThere is also a more positive side. Angkor is a symbol of pride for a (demographically) young, growing, and optimistic nation.
- FooBarBizBazz 6y agoYou're right. The post is better without that final tag. I've removed it. But for honesty's sake, I will note here that, originally, I ended the parent post: > Maybe the absence of these reminders is one of the things that's wrong with North Americans. I do think there's a problem to do with being historically adrift, but I won't belabor it here.
- deleted 6y ago[deleted]