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Wow! What an eye-opening link. Thanks for posting.
I THINK you are saying (in your previous entry) that there is a difference between criticizing and critical thinking – one is destructive the other, productive. Sometimes its easy to forget the vast difference between the two.

I just had to post this:

http://www.archinect.com/forum/threads.php?id=95535_0_42_0_C

At the same time, I dont think we need to dilute ouselves to the point of ignorance.

I think what Drew is ultimately doing by creating a ‘mission statement’ is synthesizing a set of personal and professional ideals. I think we all do this one way or another. What I like about Drew’s method is that it becomes tangible and readily accessible should…[Read more]

That is much more productive than looking for ASLA to redefine landscape architecture, or HGTV to promote it with some new shows, or changing the name of LA,, ….

Too much emphasis is put on what others should or should not do. The firms that are still working away are probably less concerned with what others should do because they are focused…[Read more]

yes! Exactly what I was talking about – transformation. Unfortunately, we have almost non-existant cultural strategies for dealing with crisis and using it for the fuel of transformation.

What a great strategy! Its so simple and honest – you can’t find THAT in any self help book!
Value – Creation….you must be reading the blogs of Steve Pavlina?…[Read more]

“The MOST i can do should be the LEAST i attempt…”

I could be very wrong – – but during these “uncertain times” I think people are trying to blame everyone & everything else in order to stay the same and be comfortable with what they are used to… Unfortunately, by doing so they are unknowingly leaving their future in the hands of others.

I…[Read more]

You may take a look at the new book Urban Design and the Bottom Line authored by Dennis Jerke and published by ULI. Dennis is a former colleague of mine, this subject came up constantly in discussions with him. He really put together a great resource to the profession. Here is a brief description of the book.

“How can you calculate the “design d…[Read more]

Good point.

I have also been noticing the same thing and wondering about it. I’ve heard (through the grapevine) of people from the design professions (architects in this case) literally ceasing to function or contribute when they got laid off – sit around and watch tv and go the bar every night.
It probably has to do with the overall culture of the place they…[Read more]

Whether it is the economy or not, the underlying thing from the people making the posts is that the profession is not meeting their expectations.

There seems to be two major categories of stress that come out in posts in my opinion. One is the current limitation of opportunity. The other is frustration of idealistic people either not being able…[Read more]

You are getting a cross section of an industry at a downtime, so no matter what industry it is there are going to be upset people. Outside of that I think that in general, unhappy people express their upset feelings on messageboards more than happy people do. Being unhappy makes you want to tell others about it while telling people how happy you…[Read more]

Expression like this has been coming for a loooooong time, it just took the recession to bring it to the fore. It happens every downturn, and even in between (It was a low-spot in the profession when I graduted from college, and a great many of my fellow students never got into the professional at all.) The recognition and ASLA discussions have…[Read more]

Here are a few example of what I’m talking per request.

“So, if I had it all over again I would avoid the whole damned mess by getting a degree in marketing and/or graphic art.”

“This (the new SSI Standards) is the most insane thing that has come down the road.”

“I’m going back to school because there isn’t enough stability in the…[Read more]

Can I choose Both?!

Could I ask for an example of what you’re describing here? Thanks!

I’d start by asking anyone why they pursued the profession and follow it with asking if it is not what he or she thought it was. I think this is the root of the problem.

I first took Mike’s two week workshop in 1991 as a Junior in College. Perhaps because of the way I was brought up – in a sarcastic, joking, accept-everyone kind of family – I loved Mike, his humor and his style from the first moment we met.

I am a Landscape Architect and frustrated artist…as I was when I met Mike. The difference is, back then I…[Read more]

Zach, that is a great question that you raise. I am interested to hear what people have to say, as well…

I discussed this briefly a while back on DUS.

http://www.designundersky.com/dus/2009/12/12/local-codes-real-estates.html