humanity
For better or for worse, relationships reveal the core of the human condition.
Why architecture must be new kind of patriotism.
Nowadays, we love to boast about where some of us happened to be born. By overgeneralizing, we arrogantly claim that particular nation is better than other one. If we dug deeper, we would struggle to give clear and definite answer. What even better nation looks like? What are their lifestyles? What are their difference than other nations? Most important of all, is there really excellent nation? It doesn’t seem so. We, humans, always look for inaccuracies and errors in any part of existence. We especially mastered the art of finding flaws in mostly non-controllable aspects of life, such as landscape, climate, biological diversity and etc. When we find out that some countries “lack” any of these attributes, we will joyfully, but rather mindlessly mock them, even underestimate them. The absurdity of it doesn’t have any satisfactory explanation. That’s why we have to concentrate on controllable aspects of life, such as art, science, technology and etc. Architecture, as a subcategory, must be guiding element of particular nation or country. For example, persian people should be able to contemplate the beauty of geometrical patterns in their mosques and sacred places, french people should be able to grasp the aesthesicity of gothic architecture and greek people should be able to comprehend their ancestor’s minimalist, but calming architectural taste. We don’t only have to think of architecture, but we also have act on it. If we can carefully blend certain regional design with innovative technology, we will be able to witness countless breathtaking sights all around the world. It will not only be visible in external world, but its magnificence will also reflect in internal world in unimaginable ways. After then, we can boast about our newly discovered “patriotism”. Architecture is never empty from subjective interpretation, but it must be, because of its evident inclusivity in form. It is not about just what we see, but also what we don't see. It always allows to find out and grasp new unknown things, while allowing to embrace old ones. We need this kind of vision. We need to search for something beautiful and new. So, why I wrote this story? We should do our best to find it. After all, the future of humankind depends on each of us. The future we create must be sustainable, functional, harmonized and collective. This is why we need new kind of patriotism. This is also why we need that kind of society. We should be totally connected to the nature. Additionally, we’ll need similar qualities to change the culture of mankind. For instance, we need to be able to permit ourselves to be vulnerable. This only revealed our own weakness, but also acknowledges our capability. So, anything that we do or attempt at, it must be done with full attention and knowledge, as to be able to learn something from the whole process. This is the basic attitude we must have. An architect, just as any other professional, must be able to create the best for his job. He must be able to look through the same subjects, to see the already existing value, and come up with the novel thought and solution, for the improvement. Even different individuals can have the same view, and it’s worthwhile to consider it. However, each of us, individually, and whole entire world, collectively, has to understand that every idea we put in, must be thought, formed, evaluated, carefully crafted, and meticulously designed. All those tasks are mandatory to give the reason why we actually exist. If we do not accumulate those reasons, the truth is, we should not fight for anything. After all, we are all living on this mother earth, together, with all other living creatures.
By Nuran Mammadov5 years ago in Humans
Death Pool
You first noticed it in the supermarket. Getting tired carrying shopping baskets. It got so bad you’d leave the basket on the floor if you forgot something and went back to another aisle. Like Camembert. It’s easy to forget Camembert, so depending how heavy the basket was, you’d sometimes leave it on the floor and go and get the soft cheese. Usually then, you’d remember something else and wander off for that too. That’s when you first noticed it, the breathlessness. Straining for air and arms aching like you’d dragged a truck with a rope. It never occurred to use a trolley. Why would you? You only ever popped in for a couple of things anyway.
By Steven Moss5 years ago in Humans
Blanketed by Winter
Blanketed by Winter A Conscious Solitude The wind was still that day, the trees huddled together under the blanket of the most calming snowfall I had ever witnessed. The hushed tone of dusk on the horizon, began to run the length of the crooked fence line, which jaggedly protruded above the meadow in grey and white contrast. The snowfall would cover all the memories of the land today, and start tomorrow anew.
By SewFancyPaints5 years ago in Humans
Things Happen for a Reason
Back several years ago when I was still with my husband (we are separated now), I had received a good amount of money. My mother-in-law and father-in-law both had custody of my son who was just a little boy then. Since they live so far from me, I don’t get to see him as much as I would like to. So with knowing I had the money to make a trip to see him, I called my mother-in-law to ask if we all could go to the beach together, so I could spend some time with my son at the beach (which I had not done before) and that I would cover the expenses for the trip.
By Amanda Nicole Adams5 years ago in Humans
Mercy
The rain was so thick that Mercy kept inhaling water as she gasped for breath. She’d never run this long or this hard in her life. She wondered if they’d noticed she was gone yet. Would they come after her in this rain? They would be on horses. How quickly would they catch up to her? The world was growing darker and darker grey all around her. She couldn’t run through these trees at night. She stopped and dropped to her knees for a moment getting mud stains all over her brand new dress that she’d been excited to receive that morning.
By Rosemary Borland5 years ago in Humans
Always pay it forward
I'm sure you have the phrase "pay it forward" at least once in your lifetime. "Paying it forward" simply means to pass on a good deed. As in someone has helped you in some way so you now in turn, help someone else. Pretty simple concept. I am a single mom of two. A few years back, I lost my job. This caused a chain reaction in my life. I ended up losing my house due to not being able to pay the rent, and my car was reposessed due to non-payment as well. Here is my story:
By Latoya Giles 5 years ago in Humans
113
I never asked any questions, and when I did; he always found a way to water my fire, my curiosity. If I am being honest, two plus two was never four, and though at times I caught things that did not make sense, I always trusted that he would never lie, why? Because he did not have a reason to: or so I thought.
By Lucinet Luna - The Author 5 years ago in Humans
Illuminate - The Owl
Illuminate - The Owl (The chronicles of the East) By Heather May The stars glistened like the auroras, on a cold January night, in the middle of a wooded peaked horizon. Holly and Paul had been driving most of the day, and were ready to find warmth, from inside the getaway cabin. It has been years since Paul visited his parents retreat, but he knew Holly would relish, in its peacefulness and solitude. Holly recently escaped a tragic past, and was lucky to have found Paul, for he graciously saved her heart. She knew her journey had just begun, as the first snow began to fall.
By Heather May 5 years ago in Humans
Light Snow on Christmas Eve
James shifted the reigns into his left hand and reached back absently into the darkness that hung over his wagon. In the years since his accident with the timber pile, his right shoulder always seemed to cramp up during long rides, and this trip had been especially rough; he had set out before first light, and it was now well past sunset as he negotiated the forest road home. Tomorrow was Christmas day and he had promised Marie, his wife, that she wouldn’t be alone in the morning. A smile crept to his lips. James hoped she was already in bed, but he knew she was probably asleep in the cushioned chair facing the door. He had her angelic features to look forward to, and it made the miles easier.
By Ed Speidel5 years ago in Humans
