Aesthetic
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Unpleasant Design

9 CQ

Benches in parks, train stations, bus shelters and other public places are meant to offer seating, but only for a limited duration. Many elements of such seats are subtly or overtly restrictive. Arm rests, for instance, indeed provide spaces to rest arms, but they also prevent people from lying down or sitting in anything but a prescribed position. This type of design strategy is sometimes classified as "hostile architecture," or simply: "unpleasant design." Image credit: Camden Bench via Factory Furniture

Aired July 6, 2016

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    32 Comments
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    Emre S
    Unvisible really
    appreciate appreciated
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    Lisa G
    Excellent curio
    appreciate appreciated
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    Kahne S
    Terrific podcast! Manipulating public spaces is one of many indicators of cultural shift-n-drift from democracy (i.e. we’re in this together) to what “WE the people” are devolving into, as yet unnamed. How WE choose to live, what WE value, what WE deem humane in a “WE the people” democratic society is being threatened. “WE the people” can’t survive if “WE” don’t value all members of society from least to greatest. A house divided can not stand. Reminded ME of values “WE” must hold dear.
    appreciate appreciated
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    Lisa G
    Still believe we're in this together
    appreciate appreciated
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    Garrett F
    We need her to come up with design that forces people to be honest to drive all the politicians away.
    appreciate appreciated
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    Lisa G
    Implement term limits
    appreciate appreciated
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    Cindy A
    Interesting
    appreciate appreciated
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