Architecture is a hazardous mixture of omnipotence and impotence. It is by definition a c h a o t i c a d v e n t u r e... In other words, the utopian enterprise.
Rem KoolhaasRead
When air conditioning, escalators, and advertising appeared, shopping expanded its scale, but also limited its spontaneity. And it became much more predictable, almost scientific. What had once been the most surprising became the most manipulated.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on how advancements in technology have changed the nature of shopping experiences.
Rem Koolhaas highlights the transformation of shopping from a spontaneous and surprising activity to a more controlled and predictable experience due to innovations such as air conditioning, escalators, and advertising. While these advancements have allowed for larger shopping environments, they have also stripped away the element of unpredictability that once made shopping an adventure, making it a more calculated and scientific process.
Themes
ShoppingTechnologyPredictabilityAdvancementsExperience
In practice
Example use cases
Discussing the impact of technology on daily life at a conference.
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The acceptance of certain realities doesn't preclude idealism. It can lead to certain breakthroughs.
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Architecture is a dangerous mix of power and importance.
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Japan lives with drastic segregation between the sublime, the ugly, and the utterly without qualities. Dominance of the last 2 categories makes mere presence of the first stunning: when beauty 'happens', it is absolutely surprising.
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We live in an almost perfect stillness and work with incredible urgency.
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