Why did past societies build so much "useless" beauty everywhere — and why did we stop?
It might be a measure of a culture's health... (thread) 🧵 https://t.co/nAGC31zyzl
Why did past societies build so much "useless" beauty everywhere — and why did we stop? It might be a measure of a culture's health... (thread) 🧵 https://t.co/nAGC31zyzl
different levels of social integration—in other words, the intimacy and scale of human organization and interaction—have different aesthetic values.
Debbie Millman • Brand Thinking and Other Noble Pursuits
The "culture" of a society isn't a blob of random human activity, but an orderly ecosystem arising from the interactions between particular subunits. To maintain ecosystem health, we must reject the cynical “poptimist” framing of culture as a mere vehicle for entertainment and commerce and instead promote the benefits of constant cultural refresh.
Culture: An Owner's Manual • Culture Is an Ecosystem: A Manifesto Towards a New Cultural Criticism
The beauty is in the gaps. Art and culture arise from the blank spaces (which may be why these vital spheres in particular seem to be diminishing in this time of always on, always available activity). Uselessness and purposelessness4 are true luxury, true wealth. Look at any heart-stirring ceremony or custom or event- they are filled with detours a... See more
Thomas J Bevan • Walking as Inactivity
Report: The Diminishing Marginal Value of Aesthetics
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