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I have never been impressed by our world's tall skyscrapers. Or really any skyscrapers. There are only like two that I've ever seen in person that are even moderately pleasing to the eye. I think if an advance civilization ever visited Earth, they would surely smirk at what we consider modern architecture (if they have mouths with lips)
Is there a reason I should be impressed with these soul-less towers? Or big cities in general? I've visited many times but never felt compelled to live in one. What am I missing if anything?
What an odd thread. Ummm...well I suppose if you're not impressed with the design of tall buildings, you could be impressed by the engineering feats which were accomplished to continue to build taller. The fact that tall buildings actually sway with wind. Taipei101 has a massive ball inside the top of the tower which is used to help balance the building in times of extreme wind. There is something similar at the top of the Citigroup Building in NYC to help prevent the tower from tipping over. Rotating towers have been proposed for Dubai, NYC, and Moscow...allowing individual floors to rotate at the discretion of the owner. They have wind turbines in between floors which help power the building.
The architectural beauty of classic buildings like The Woolworth Tower (http://www.flickr.com/photos/10902419@N03/2290000648/ - broken link) in New York or the ultra-modern Aqua (MOAR! (http://community.emporis.com/nwimages/6/2009/05/707095.jpg - broken link)) in Chicago are anything but soul-less.
Why should you be impressed with big cities? There are plenty of reasons. They're filled with people from all different walks of life. They have amentities which you can't find anywhere else. Historical significance. Architectural beauty ranging for centuries...Medieval to art-deco to brutalist to ultra-modern.
I love how you ask why "ordinary" people are so obsessed with these things...as if others are so dismissive of the greatness that is New York, London, Paris, Rome, Athens, Tokyo, or Hong Kong. The world's most powerful people call those places home for a reason.
"Why do ordinary people geek over skyscrapers and big cities? "
Not all, but many see that sort of a thing as a status symbol for themselves. Most likely they are just using their location as an avenue to subsidize something they are lacking personally.
Honestly, I never understood it either.
(obviously this would only include those who feel the need to constantly boost their respective cities in the city vs city thread)
I have never been impressed by our world's tall skyscrapers. Or really any skyscrapers. There are only like two that I've ever seen in person that are even moderately pleasing to the eye. I think if an advance civilization ever visited Earth, they would surely smirk at what we consider modern architecture (if they have mouths with lips)
Is there a reason I should be impressed with these soul-less towers? Or big cities in general? I've visited many times but never felt compelled to live in one. What am I missing if anything?
That's all well and good...it's your opinion and you're entitled to it. However, there are tons of people who feel differently. To each his own.
I can remember the first "big city" skyline I ever saw...I was awestruck as we approached Baltimore from the highway, and I've been a fan of skylines/highrise buildings ever since. There is something almost magical about seeing a skyline come into vision.
"Why do ordinary people geek over skyscrapers and big cities? "
Not all, but many see that sort of a thing as a status symbol for themselves. Most likely they are just using their location as an avenue to subsidize something they are lacking personally.
Honestly, I never understood it either.
(obviously this would only include those who feel the need to constantly boost their respective cities in the city vs city thread)
LMAO no dude people have home town pride and sometimes get carried away. What you said is deep yet funny and probably occur but I wouldn't generalize that!
Quote:
Originally Posted by pam21
I have never been impressed by our world's tall skyscrapers. Or really any skyscrapers. There are only like two that I've ever seen in person that are even moderately pleasing to the eye. I think if an advance civilization ever visited Earth, they would surely smirk at what we consider modern architecture (if they have mouths with lips)
Is there a reason I should be impressed with these soul-less towers? Or big cities in general? I've visited many times but never felt compelled to live in one. What am I missing if anything?
well one, people are impress by things that are big, big cities and skyscrapers are no exception to that thought. 2. I think your over looking history, tradition and culture of cities and there importance as a cornerstone of civilization. 3. If an advance civilization ever visited Earth by the sense of "advance" well that's like you judging the pyramids of egypt by modern standards.
I was never really impressed by the Twin Towers, and I watched them being built over the years while working in the area. I thought they very ugly and really lacked any asthetic value. I like the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building.
What an odd thread. Ummm...well I suppose if you're not impressed with the design of tall buildings, you could be impressed by the engineering feats which were accomplished to continue to build taller. The fact that tall buildings actually sway with wind. Taipei101 has a massive ball inside the top of the tower which is used to help balance the building in times of extreme wind. There is something similar at the top of the Citigroup Building in NYC to help prevent the tower from tipping over. Rotating towers have been proposed for Dubai, NYC, and Moscow...allowing individual floors to rotate at the discretion of the owner. They have wind turbines in between floors which help power the building.
The architectural beauty of classic buildings like The Woolworth Tower (http://www.flickr.com/photos/10902419@N03/2290000648/ - broken link) in New York or the ultra-modern Aqua (MOAR! (http://community.emporis.com/nwimages/6/2009/05/707095.jpg - broken link)) in Chicago are anything but soul-less.
Why should you be impressed with big cities? There are plenty of reasons. They're filled with people from all different walks of life. They have amentities which you can't find anywhere else. Historical significance. Architectural beauty ranging for centuries...Medieval to art-deco to brutalist to ultra-modern.
I love how you ask why "ordinary" people are so obsessed with these things...as if others are so dismissive of the greatness that is New York, London, Paris, Rome, Athens, Tokyo, or Hong Kong. The world's most powerful people call those places home for a reason.
OK I kind of knew all this typical bs already. While the engineering of the buildings sounds impressive, the end result is still pathetic. No, the Auqua building does not impress me. I find it unimaginative.
Big cities are not the only places filled with people from all walks of life. What specific amenities does a big city have that I cannot get while simply visiting for a few days? Other places do not have historical signifigance? Most of our important history takes place away from big cities. Architectural beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think most of it ended around WWII. There are plenty who are dismissive of big cites and skyscrapers. Why is that so odd?
I have never been impressed by our world's tall skyscrapers. Or really any skyscrapers. There are only like two that I've ever seen in person that are even moderately pleasing to the eye. I think if an advance civilization ever visited Earth, they would surely smirk at what we consider modern architecture (if they have mouths with lips)
Is there a reason I should be impressed with these soul-less towers? Or big cities in general? I've visited many times but never felt compelled to live in one. What am I missing if anything?
People assume that the more and larger skyscrapers a city has, the more important it is. I think if done right, they could be a status symbol, but so many cities just want to plop tall buildings around that it just becomes a soulless status symbol, doesn't mean anything imo.
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However, there are tons of people who feel differently. To each his own.
