3 ms·

I don't see the problem. If a building is damaged we should not reconstruct it? I'd much rather see the Colosseum in its original state, covered in marble, than

by cm2187 1y ago

I don't see the problem. If a building is damaged we should not reconstruct it? I'd much rather see the Colosseum in its original state, covered in marble, than the current state, after centuries of neglect and looting from the italians.

snickerbockers 1y ago
That's still not the original state. In addition to not always knowing what exactly it was supposed to look like, using non-authentic materials and methods (power-tools) will effect the final outcome. If people are more interested in the experience than the genuine artifact, full-scale replicas can be created offsite without damaging ancient artifacts (BTW there's a 1:1 Parthenon replica in Tennessee, ive never been but I hear its impressive). Also, the article barely mentioned this but the biggest source of damage to these specific ruins actually isn't being adjacent to major battles in two modern conflicts, it's Saddam-era "restorations". The reason why the zigguraut looks so much more pristine than any other ancient ruins is that what you're looking at was built in the 80s on top of the actual ancient ruins. It wasn't a particularly accurate restoration either; they used concrete and Saddam even made them stamp his face on some of the bricks so future generations would associate him with nebuchanezzar.
mulmen 1y ago
The value of ancient buildings is in what we learn from whatever survives. How can we rebuild the Coliseum to its original state without first learning what that state was? The Coliseum was operational for centuries and underwent constant modification. Which period should it be restored to, and to what end?
- lukan 1y ago
  "Which period should it be restored to, and to what end?" Rome at peak power around year 100. And why? To finally see the gladiators Zuckerberg vs Musk celebrity deathmatch obviously.
  - FirmwareBurner 1y ago
    >To finally see the gladiators Zuckerberg vs Musk celebrity deathmatch obviously. NGL, would love to see techbros battle to the death for our entertainment. Hey, if we're already near the fall of the empire, we might as well get some bread and games out of it. Though Suck and Bezos would easily kill Musk since Zuck is a martial arts expert and Bezos is roided out of his mind, while Musk is kinda doughy like a human slug monster.
    - mulmen 1y ago
      I really hate the “end of the empire” or “late stage capitalism” attitudes. They’re ignorant and self-fulfilling. If you really believe it then please go out in the world and engage people in a positive way. Go do some volunteering. Not to make a change in the world but in yourself. If you don’t believe this and are just repeating a meme for clout or whatever then just stop. It’s toxic and unfunny. Like “locker room talk” or whatever other lame justifications are offered for people to say gross things nobody needs to hear.
      - FirmwareBurner 1y ago
        >I really hate the “end of the empire” or “late stage capitalism” attitudes. They’re ignorant and self-fulfilling When you put down all the dots and they form a line that trends in one direction, it's just reality. Ignoring it and calling it "self fulfilling" as if it's a thing that you personally have control of, IS what's ignorant. >If you really believe it then please go out in the world and engage people in a positive way. Go do some volunteering. Not to make a change in the world but in yourself. Being a decent human being does not undo the politically induced global economic issues related to the "late stage capitalism" you mentioned. It's two orthogonal things that are unrelated.
        mulmen 1y ago
        I’m not ignoring anything. What I hate about these tired memes is that they suggest there’s nothing we can do to move those dots. We do still live in a functional democracy regardless of what internet commenters suggest. It is possible to make changes. Saying otherwise is ignorant (of our own power) and toxic (by perpetuating the wrong belief that we are powerless).

by cm2187 1y ago

snickerbockers 1y ago

That's still not the original state. In addition to not always knowing what exactly it was supposed to look like, using non-authentic materials and methods (power-tools) will effect the final outcome. If people are more interested in the experience than the genuine artifact, full-scale replicas can be created offsite without damaging ancient artifacts (BTW there's a 1:1 Parthenon replica in Tennessee, ive never been but I hear its impressive). Also, the article barely mentioned this but the biggest source of damage to these specific ruins actually isn't being adjacent to major battles in two modern conflicts, it's Saddam-era "restorations". The reason why the zigguraut looks so much more pristine than any other ancient ruins is that what you're looking at was built in the 80s on top of the actual ancient ruins. It wasn't a particularly accurate restoration either; they used concrete and Saddam even made them stamp his face on some of the bricks so future generations would associate him with nebuchanezzar.

mulmen 1y ago

The value of ancient buildings is in what we learn from whatever survives. How can we rebuild the Coliseum to its original state without first learning what that state was? The Coliseum was operational for centuries and underwent constant modification. Which period should it be restored to, and to what end?

lukan 1y ago
"Which period should it be restored to, and to what end?" Rome at peak power around year 100. And why? To finally see the gladiators Zuckerberg vs Musk celebrity deathmatch obviously.
- FirmwareBurner 1y ago
  >To finally see the gladiators Zuckerberg vs Musk celebrity deathmatch obviously. NGL, would love to see techbros battle to the death for our entertainment. Hey, if we're already near the fall of the empire, we might as well get some bread and games out of it. Though Suck and Bezos would easily kill Musk since Zuck is a martial arts expert and Bezos is roided out of his mind, while Musk is kinda doughy like a human slug monster.
  - mulmen 1y ago
    I really hate the “end of the empire” or “late stage capitalism” attitudes. They’re ignorant and self-fulfilling. If you really believe it then please go out in the world and engage people in a positive way. Go do some volunteering. Not to make a change in the world but in yourself. If you don’t believe this and are just repeating a meme for clout or whatever then just stop. It’s toxic and unfunny. Like “locker room talk” or whatever other lame justifications are offered for people to say gross things nobody needs to hear.
    - FirmwareBurner 1y ago
      >I really hate the “end of the empire” or “late stage capitalism” attitudes. They’re ignorant and self-fulfilling When you put down all the dots and they form a line that trends in one direction, it's just reality. Ignoring it and calling it "self fulfilling" as if it's a thing that you personally have control of, IS what's ignorant. >If you really believe it then please go out in the world and engage people in a positive way. Go do some volunteering. Not to make a change in the world but in yourself. Being a decent human being does not undo the politically induced global economic issues related to the "late stage capitalism" you mentioned. It's two orthogonal things that are unrelated.
      - mulmen 1y ago
        I’m not ignoring anything. What I hate about these tired memes is that they suggest there’s nothing we can do to move those dots. We do still live in a functional democracy regardless of what internet commenters suggest. It is possible to make changes. Saying otherwise is ignorant (of our own power) and toxic (by perpetuating the wrong belief that we are powerless).