I was thinking about this statement while taking a shower:
> 170 year old steam hoist encased in a poured
> concrete building with windows made of quartz, and realize it sat
> unattended for over a century and is still basically functional. But it
> also was a big waste of effort and resources to build it to last so long.
You're looking at that with hindsight. It was built with the
techniques and technology of the time. I suspect the
designers and builders were not aware of the changes that
would take place. But yet, the building and equipment stands,
and they have given you some satisfaction and pleasure
(perhaps even some good photographs) and a sense of what
things were like in our past.
I believe that preservation of the past, through buildings,
and the objects we use on a daily basis, whether currently
useful or obsolete, are an important part of our culture and
heritage. By making everything disposable, and planning on
obsolescence, what will remain of our culture, history, and
heritage in 100 or 200 years?
I was watching a show about ancient Rome, and there were some
scenes of buildings that were built in those days that are
still being used today. Pretty amazing. Can't imagine why
the Italians didn't just bulldoze 'em into the ground. The
world is filled with buildings that are 400 or 500 years old,
or older, some of which stand as reminders of the past and
others, while serving that purpose, are also being used today,
some in their original states and others having been
modernized and upgraded with contemporary amenities. I do not
see that as a waste of resources.
Using your argument one can argue that the Inca and Mayan
temples and buildings were over built and were a waste of
resources. I don't think anyone who has been to Machu Pichu
would take that position.
--
Shel Belinkoff
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
"It matters little how much equipment we use; it
matters much that we be masters of all we do use." - Sam Abell
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