Forms of the sharing mediums are affecting the priorities. In the case of social media platforms, we can see lots of different approaches. For example, Twitter is based on comments while Instagram is focusing the visuals. However, one common thing can be perceived on all social media platforms: the speed and the considerable amount of posts we encounter. The word limits and visual-based recommendations are all the catalysts for this speed. We, as humans, unfortunately, have limitations on both time and our attention. When those limitations and the speed of interactions come together, key images and key sentences become crucial.
In the scope of architecture, most of the
evaluations are based on one handsome/beautiful image of the building. The
importance of its context, function, and details is weakened. On the other
hand, color palettes and the number of followers begin to steer our
perceptions. There is a social media platform that is just focused on the
beauty of those visual contents. It is called Pinterest. We can see lots of
good-looking compositions which are generally taken away from their contexts. What
we should be worried about is the effects of those fast image-oriented architecture
considerations. When the good images take the attention, architects direct
their efforts to create these images. In conclusion, the buildings which are
looking good at one specific point are created. The out-of-context interventions
become widespread.
I think the most significant danger is the dimensionality
of those places. The architect should be the one who cares about spatial organizations,
but social media is focused on two-dimensional outcomes. Overall, it is
interesting to see the traces of social media and the relation of the concerns with
the working mechanism of the platforms. While designing a digital platform for
us, the possible effects on the real world should be considered again.
