Wright Chat

Duncan · Joined: 21 Apr 2012 Posts: 81

Congratulations Todd on your about-to-be new life in the Richardson House. I was fortunate to spend an afternoon with Elizabeth (Mrs. Stuart) Richardson in the house in 1962. And from the recent photos online, I can only say this marvelous house has only gotten better!

pharding · Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2019 10:22 am Post subject:

Hack definition
noun: hack; plural noun: hacks
1. a writer or journalist producing dull, unoriginal work.
"a hack scriptwriter"
synonyms: journalist, reporter, correspondent, newspaperman, newspaperwoman, newsman, newswoman, writer, feature writer, contributor, columnist, Grub Street writer; More
a person who does dull routine work.
synonyms: drudge, menial, menial worker, factotum, toiler, plodder, doormat, hewer of wood and drawer of water; More
_________________
Paul Harding FAIA Owner and Restoration Architect for FLW's 1901 E. Arthur Davenport House, the First Prairie School House in Chicago | www.harding.com | LinkedIn

SDR · Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 18275 Location: San Francisco

The writer of the definition casts a pretty broad net, to include in his list virtually every synonym of "writer" (ironically ?). That is, while a hack may be a writer, not every writer is a hack ...?

Still---we take Paul's point !

S

jay · Joined: 02 May 2016 Posts: 219

Mr. Harding,

Were you not trying to belittle the author's opinion by listing her professional history?

-J

pharding · Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2019 3:00 pm Post subject:

Hi Jay

Her professional history was listed at that bottom of the article. They wanted readers to see it and be impressed. I am glad that they did so. However, I was not impressed.
_________________
Paul Harding FAIA Owner and Restoration Architect for FLW's 1901 E. Arthur Davenport House, the First Prairie School House in Chicago | www.harding.com | LinkedIn

jay · Joined: 02 May 2016 Posts: 219

SDR · Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 18275 Location: San Francisco

... wherein she wrote: " Yet if you've ever actually toured a Wright building, you've no doubt noticed the strikingly low ceilings, oddly shaped rooms, or
inconvenient layouts. You may have heard that these buildings are notoriously difficult and expensive to maintain, because any repairs must be approved by
landmark associations."

Did her editor volunteer an insertion for the hapless author---who had only praise for the architect's work ? You could have fooled me ...

Rolling Eyes

S

jay · Joined: 02 May 2016 Posts: 219

I mean, it's certainly possible that an editor could've reframed the context with a few markups/omits: "Yet if you've actually ever toured a Wright building, you've no doubt been struck by low ceilings, oddly shaped rooms, or even layouts that may seem inconvenient. These are architectural features that create "effects" and are uncommon in residential buildings. You may have also heard that these buildings are difficult and expensive to maintain, because any repairs must be approved by landmark associations."

Obviously I'm not arguing that this did happen. But if you think this writer deserves scorn directed at her personally, then I'm just not with you.

Or, let's take a different approach. Here's a guy who says of FLLW's houses that they're "in some ways just terrible houses, they just don't work. In many of them you can't arrange furniture, the closets are inadequate, the roofs leak."
Minute marker 1:40 --- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cztRK5eGcyQ
Does anyone want to list his professional history?

pharding · Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 8:42 am Post subject:

jay · Joined: 02 May 2016 Posts: 219

The point is that many people––FLLW scholars included--have offered various critiques of Wright homes. We challenge the critique, not the person making it. Anytime you challenge who the person is instead of what the person said is an attack on the person.

SDR · Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 18275 Location: San Francisco

Perhaps a writer's resumé, accurately cited, would not be interpreted as a personal attack ?

S

jay · Joined: 02 May 2016 Posts: 219

Clearly the authors “resume” was presented to show her “limited background”, therefore belittling her opinion.

Anyway, I’ve stated my opinion on this and don’t really wish to turn this thread into personal moral mission of my own. (And if you disagree with my opinion, go ahead and chalk it up to my own limited background Wink

Roderick Grant · Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 9598

To put Adriana Velez and Grant Hildebrand (in a conversation from 31 years ago) in the same conversation does nothing to strengthen your argument, Jay. Hildebrand wrote one of the best analyses of FLW's work ever published. Paul's "out of context" comment is spot on. And Hildebrand's comment is also accurate; in many ways, FLW's houses are odd, difficult and demanding, but wonderful nevertheless.

Editors might alter a writer's text for grammar or syntax, but they don't subvert the meaning of what a writer is trying to say. Headlines should always be taken as, in the modern slang, click bate. Always have been that way. What Velez wrote is on her, and questioning her bona fides is valid.

jay · Joined: 02 May 2016 Posts: 219

Roderick Grant · Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 9598

"It's really not."

What?? Sounds a bit millennial. Not so long ago, in order to qualify as a voice to be taken seriously, one needed to have and be accountable for her qualifications, that is, bona fides. In today's Internet mess, anyone can worm her way into a digital periodical and hold forth ... it would seem. I believe it is perfectly reasonable to critique a writer by her past efforts.