Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy SOLVED! SAMPLE! #30 - Everything is Ugly: How Convenience Killed Beauty—And How We Can Bring It Back
Dec 30, 2025
The discussion delves into the rise of 'Millennial Gray' and how modern design trends have stripped beauty from our surroundings. Hosts explore the impact of fast food architecture and the shift towards convenience over aesthetics. They highlight how hostile architecture replaces civic pride and foster alienation. The conversation calls for a movement to prioritize beauty in public spaces, linking it to feelings of belonging and sustainability. Can beauty spark civic engagement and improve communities? Tune in to find out!
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Beauty Reflects Economic Values
- Our built environment reflects what our economy values: profit and convenience over beauty and meaning.
- A coordinated movement can reclaim aesthetics through participatory planning and binding regulations.
Mobilize A Public Movement For Beauty
- Build a democratic movement for beauty combining artists, designers, participatory planning, and enforceable aesthetics.
- Name and brand the movement to galvanize public engagement and collective design work.
Nostalgia Anchored In Fast Food Design
- Jay! and Amanda recall distinct fast food building designs like the Spanish mission Taco Bell and Maynard roof Pizza Hut as powerful nostalgic markers.
- Deon and Aaron/Erin describe childhood birthday parties at Burger King and McDonald's that tied memory to place.