This week we're going to talk about whether modern design, particularly architecture, sucks!

Readings

1. Scott Alexander's very first post on this topic
2. Scott Alexander's book review of From Bauhaus to Our House on the history of modern architecture
3. Famous anti-McMansion blog explaining why they think Mcmansions are bad (optionally read the other posts on this blog)
4. (Video) Design Theory Youtube channel on why we don't have ornamental design anymore
5. (Video) Design Theory with a more sympathetic critique of minimalism
6. (Video) A plant nerd talking about biophilic architecture in Singapore

Discussion

1. What are the most beautiful buildings or other design you've seen? What style were they? What made them beautiful to you?
2. Do Mcmansions offend you? What design have you seen that actually offended you? What did you dislike about it?
3. Scott has the point of view that modern design standards are mostly the result of archiecture school elites. Do you agree with this take? What else about our culture do you think shapes our aesthetics?
4. Are modern buildings, modern clothes etc functionally better than their older counterparts? If so, have we sacrificed their aesthetics for functionality? To what extent is sacrificing aesthetics for functionality and convenience reasonable?
5. To what extent should a society care about having beautiful things? What are the psychological and social effects of an ugly environment?

Location

Meet at Holland Village MRT Exit B (above ground part) at 3 pm. We will wait for everyone to gather for 15 minutes, and then head over to my nearby apartment. If you've been here before, feel free to come directly to the apartment (though you may need to wait to be let in).

Some snacks will be provided. There are many restaurants and a hawker centre nearby, if you want to buy your own food.