One of the most disturbing trends in a successful, affluent community is "kick the ladder" syndrome.
"I'm here. Let's not let anyone else in."
You see it in many different forms and many different forums. Residential. Business. Clubs. Even nonprofits. Most of it is based off of a poor memory. People forget what it was like to be kids. They forget what it was like to be a young parent, struggling new business, or someone with a new idea trying to make it work. They forget being new.
Because with establishment comes confidence.
"I'm here...because I'm supposed to be here. Let's not let anyone else in...because they don't belong."
Authority, deserved or not, collects over time. The "bizarre new" is transformed in public parlance to "bold revolutionary". Immigrant becomes resident. Young parent becomes grandparent.
I was disappointed, but not surprised, to see Frank Gehry's letter to the editor criticizing the new Inner Arbor Plan. Based on the timeline he includes in his letter (and the reference to "Columbia architects" - hmm), it seems apparent that he had some "constructive assistance" in the preparation of his letter, but I accept his opinion on the matter.
I wonder if Mr. Gehry would have been allowed his start in Columbia if his asymmetrical "bizarre new" structures were proposed in 2008 as opposed to 1968?
I wonder if Howard County would have been interested in giving the reigns for its iconic buildings to a "young new" architect from out-of-state?
I wonder how many trees were cut down to build Merriweather Post Pavillion?
Frank Gehry, after making two indelible marks on Columbia, wants to kick the ladder. The good news is that Columbia's leaders have made their decision. They're moving on.
Have a great Thursday doing what you love.
