Friedrich --

The Carbuncle Awards are given in Scotland to the country's ugliest buildings and towns, with the winner receiving the wonderfully-named "Plook on the Plinth." You can read about the contest here.

Is there a similar contest in the States? There should be -- shame is a much-underemployed behavior-modification strategy these days. Let's use it to make architects and builders do better. Although, gosh, the competition for "lousiest" will be fierce.

Best,

Michael

The trouble with the idea of shaming is that we Americans are so fiercely, and often perversely, independent that we tend to take certain kinds of insults as compliments. You've probably heard of the Hollywood Worst Dressed list. More often than not the people chosen for the list take pride in being on it. They may actually feel offended but instead of being shamed into dressing "better" they take pride in NOT dressing the way someone else thinks they should.

Posted by: Lynn on August 25, 2002 12:23 PM






Post a comment

Name:


Email Address:


URL:


Comments:


Remember your info?