From Historic Charm to Modern Mediocrity

This chapter reflects on the evolution of architecture in small towns, using Isla, Georgia as a case study. The host examines the decline of aesthetic quality in modern buildings compared to the beautiful vernacular designs of the early 1900s, attributing this change to economic factors and societal values. The discussion highlights how time preference influences perceptions of beauty and investment in architecture, contrasting the creative expressions of ascending societies with those in decline.

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A hundred years ago, people in small towns were building things that still stop us in our tracks. Two-story brick shops on the corner of Main and Commerce. Sturdy. Modest. Enduring. And beautiful.

So the question is: what changed?

I joined Geoff Graham on his Yeoman podcast, alongside Jaime Izurieta and Saifedean Ammous (author of The Bitcoin Standard), to try and unpack that question.

We talk about why the small towns of the early 1900s could build beautiful things without credentialed architects, starchitects, or REIT funding... and why today, with all our global supply chains and five-star consultants, we mostly build disposable boxes.

Turns out, there’s a connection between money, time preference, and architecture. And when the money got funny, everything else started to crack too – our neighborhoods, our supply chains, even our standards for beauty.

It’s a wide-ranging conversation that touches on architecture, monetary policy, code creep, and how the over-financialization of everything is eroding our ability to build for the long haul.

Take a listen if you’ve ever wondered why your grandparents' post office looks better than your city’s new civic center.

CHAPTERS

00:00 The Changing Landscape of Building and Time Preference

02:51 Exploring the Intersection of Money and Architecture

05:57 Historical Context: Building in Early 20th Century America

09:01 The Role of Local Materials and Community in Architecture

11:54 Understanding Time Preference and Its Impact on Building

15:09 The Influence of Monetary Policy on Architectural Beauty

17:50 The Shift from Hard Money to Inflationary Currency

21:03 Regulatory Challenges and Their Impact on Construction

23:57 The Disparity Between Wealth and Money

26:56 The Future of Architecture in an Inflationary Economy