Presence?

Be confused, surprised, and scared.

Community

I think a nice thesis to examine would be the existence of 'community' in an ever automating world. For this past year I was so adamant about the farmers market, and a big reason was because of the community aspect. But in actuality farmers markets are non progressive when you break it down economically. 

Church can serve a huge role in establishing a consciousness of place. It is so convenient because these people believe in the same principles you believe in down to the entire meaning of life! That is a strong bond, and it is very easy to feel like those people are an extension if yourself. 

But what about the non religious, non farmers market, non soccer league, etc people? Will there ever be a platform where people from completely different backgrounds will come together and freely share (in a non violent tone) their vast array of opinions and desires? You could say it already happens on the internet, but for the most part the internet is what reddit calls a 'circle jerk'. It is so hard not to only seek out the perspectives that only validate yourself. 

But thinking about it, there is always something in common to begin with that makes people cross paths, and a lot of times the thing in common plays into much others things in common. So I guess the question is where is the place where everyone meets? Be it virtually or physically? They be at walmart? Football stadiums? Where does the old war veteran and young software tycoon sit down and enjoy each other without forcing it?

I am thinking it has to be a basic element of life. That's why religion can do it so well. A food hall? No, rich people would thumb their noses at that. A museum would seem like a kind of place for various people. Idk something that he human spirit will effortlessly flock to.

This has to be the year

All of my purism studies must come together in some way this year. This has to be it. Thesis is in 7 months, I want to get absolutely as much as possible out of a year of simply understanding what I want to contribute to design. I need to shape my habits now to have my brain ready to combine inputs into a perfect tapestry by August. I need this Sheem, and I know you have it.

The Should

As I have been contemplating perfection and beauty, the maxim I proclaim that 'everything that is, is beautiful' has kinda irked me. Because if everything just is, then why strive for a perfect design? I could just design anything and it would be perfect because of the subconscious impulses that piece together my ideas. That is correct. But, I have come to the conclusion that there is a 'should'. That is what keeps us striving, that is the 'better'. And only the designer can really know what the should, should be. The should prevents surprise.

Surprise/Unexpected result only happens when one is not completely in tune with what they are designing. Say I am designing a building complex on the east side of Vancouver, if when I design it, it never fills with residents, it is my fault for not seeing the flow of economics and cultural patterns and all other things that dictate that surprise. If I am a based designer, I would have known it to not fill up, wouldn't be surprised. Even if as I am designing it, it never gets built because of a financial crisis, I should know that was going to happen! I know that is a tall order, but becoming based, I envision being able to sense the DNA of reality, not know everything but just pick up on the subtle changes, the mannerisms, the market behaviours, to know when a project will not get built for the litany of reasons they don't.

So, the should comes where surprise is squeezed out. Where the surprise is squeezed out to every party involved. Nobody will be able to say, 'it should have been this way', leaving the trust to such a based designer, you would never have to question. The occupant, the contractor, the designer should encounter the space and feel natural, not a surprise, but maybe a previously unknown known that has come to light. Like seeing a mothers breast as a child and knowing to suck, just perfect. 

BitCoin

Really excited to see how this currency works out.

Here is a good blog post about it.

http://herdingsheep.org/2013/11/30/the-bitcoin-bubble-how-did-we-get-here/

Perfection

Perfection is when an idea touches reality without any surprises.

Factors

-Sun

-Wind

-Soil

-Place

-Budget

-Program

-Client Personality

-Contractors + Workers skill/areas of expertise

-Location of Building Materials

-Era

-Stigma

•NO PERSONAL DESIGN DECISIONS!