Chapter 5 - Verbicide

Posting Due by January 15th

1. This chapter interests me a great deal. Orr challenges us to look at language in a deep way (for those really interested in this idea - of 'how to be custodians of language' - look at Toni Morrison's Nobel Prize speech). Aside from the following questions please give your personal response to the chapter as clearly as possible.
2. On page 56 (bottom) Orr states, "We are no longer held together, as we once were, by the reading of a common literature or by listening to great stories and so cannot draw on a common set of metaphors and images as we once did"

• what do you think about his statement?
• what might be some implications of this be?
• Is it possible to develop an "architecture" around this principle? ** (go for this) (if so- what might it look like)

Chapter 4 Speed- "The Nature of Design"

There is much in this chapter that you may agree with or take issue with. Please be open- and thoughtful when doing this assignment.

1. Orr states there is an appropriate velocity for water in a given landscape (based on geology, soils, vegetation, and ecological relationships). He also says there are appropriate velocities for money and information.  IF he is right (and you can disagree(let us know), but still give this an attempt) then is there an obligation on our part to determine that velocity? Would there be an absolute? Would cultural and geographical differences influence this 'appropriate velocity'?  What would this look like? - Take a stab.
2. Orr states that "Our assumptions about time are crystallized in community design and architecture." (Bottom pg 51) On page 52- he mentions a "New Urbanism" - develop what you think might be a 'hypothetical community' that you - as an architect/designer propose. Use Broad strokes and some specific elements that highlight principles of interrelation that might address a new 'velocity'

David Orr: The Nature of Design Chapter 3

Please respond to the reading as you wish. Please be sure to address the following questions in your answer.

• Orr creates a list of assumptions that he believes "fast knowledge" is built upon. Do you agree with his list? What are his strongest notions... weakest ones?
• Based on your own experiences and that which you can refer to- do you see Orr's position here as accurate? applicable to current issues? (from page 38)"The result is that the system of fast knowledge creates social traps in which the benefits occur in the near term while the costs are deferred to others at a later time."
• Orr creates a list of beliefs that he believes "slow knowledge" is built upon. Do you agree with his list? What are his strongest notions... weakest ones?
• Protagoras was the first to say, "Man is the measure of all things"- here Orr attributes this to "fast knowledge." If not man, then who, or what do you think Orr values as a more effective measuring stick?
• How might this chapter- fast/slow knowledge be applicable to your own designs /to architecture in general?

Due October 14th, 2008

Chapter One: David Orr: The Nature of Design

Attach all comments/ discussion on chapter 1 here.