I read a lot of Architecture Blogs, Magazines and articles by Architects. I appreciate good design and more importantly the shared collegial exchange by Architects who are excited by building science as a part of their work.
I appreciate anyone in any field who is passionate about their work, open to collaboration, learning and advancing the field for positive change - whatever field that is.
I follow the boys at Build.blog because in addition to Architecture they are passionate about travel and design and frequently share those passions to their readers. But every now and then I get a blog that is an eye-roller and reminds me why I frequently call Architects the Divas of the building trades. And this recent entry on "What Not to Say to an Architect" was one such entry.
Frankly it comes across as whiny, arrogant, narcissistic and silly. I don't think anyone in any field from Medicine to Building can avoid any of the scenarios of encountering others who in an attempt to connect or to gauge a conversation with someone who inadvertently says something that skirts on silly to outright seeking free advice.
If the idea was to mock the "Architects" that are thinking those responses or the "silly" comments others say - it fails. What it does is insult people be it laypeople or their colleagues and potential clients. Isn't everyone a potential client or colleague at some point? Any opportunity to engage and educate should be viewed as that - an opportunity to learn and to teach.
When I read a blog telling me "silly things" I should not say to anyone in a trade is the ultimate in hubris (and ironic that its also their Christmas blog). Perhaps that blog should be called "things that you shouldn't blog about". It reminds me of the recent open letter to Obama by a wealthy 1%, Leon Cooperman, who is upset with the rhetoric directed to his and his kind. It came across equally vacuous, arrogant and judgmental.
When your blog is your professional voice it is a challenge to write solely on on topic and to stay safely neutral and apolitical. And as I have transitioned my blog to reflect some of the larger issues that interest me, I know that I have strong opinions and political beliefs that often put me at odds with my prospective clients/colleagues. But, why we may disagree on those issues, I would never denigrate or demean anyone whose thoughts on any subject are different than mine. Often out of disagreement comes enlightenment and I am always open to be enlightened.
Boys of Build, your blog was a miss this time. No confusion on what I am thinking, the amounts of comments to your blog showed that to many "didn't get it" and those who expressed as such were rudely and summarily dismissed in the same "snark" that some think pass for both wit and intelligence (neither IMO) and that may be the point.
When your blog is your public face some things for your private one are better left off the mark or off the blog.
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