Author Archives: Paul Goss

Spending time with Spent

I recently purchased a book on the long-time suggestion of my anthropology professor in college. Spent: Sex, Evolution and Consumer Behavior takes a look at modern consumer behavior from the perspective of evolutionary psychology. Seeking to illuminate the unconscious decisions … Continue reading

Posted in Anthropology, Architecture, Built Environment, Literature | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

CCTV and Public Transit

In many cities and municipalities around the world CCTV cameras are being added to trains, buses and other facets of public transportation. With the goal of improving public safety and decreasing the incidence of crime and anti-social behavior, cities are … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Spatial Humanities

I recently came across an article in the New York Times about the relatively new field of spatial-humanities and its application of GIS to discover, interpret and broadcast current and historical information in digital, spatial maps to broaden understanding of … Continue reading

Posted in Anthropology, Architecture, Built Environment, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Walk the City Blindfolded

Ruminating over old notes, projects, travels and the like I happily remembered an exercise, or field trip, I participated in while studying in Copenhagen. As often occurred, the class time for my urban design theory class was devoted to a … Continue reading

Posted in Anthropology, Architecture, Built Environment, Narrative, Senses, urbanism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Architecture, Energy and Radical Ecology

I have recently been in contact with a friend and colleague of mine who is currently pursuing his Masters in Architectural Design at The Bartlett School in London, England. Following his blog, as well as corresponding with him, has made … Continue reading

Posted in Anthropology, Architecture, Built Environment, Infrastructure, Technology, urbanism | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Google Earth and Architecture

I recently came across the brief synopsis of a book titled Distributed Urbanism. The synopsis briefly discussed the author’s interest in how cities and technology are changing and how architects are responding. This quickly brought to mind many experiences while … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Built Environment, Technology, urbanism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Coney Island then and now: A look at the Pyrotechnic Insanitarium 100 years on

On a recent trip to New York City, I finally made it to see a long time fascination of mine: Coney Island. My interest in Coney Island stems Rem Koolhaas’s analysis of the island in Delirious New York. In his … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Built Environment, Literature, urbanism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What is the value of monumentalism?

This article examines the urbanism of monumentalism in Washington, D.C. and attempts to understand why such an effort is made to maintain the mall as it is. Continue reading

Posted in Anthropology, Architecture, Built Environment, New Media, urbanism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Language, Architecture and Anthropology

The following paragraphs will seek to shed some light on the anthropological drivers of architects using jargon and superfluous language and the role it plays in architecture. Continue reading

Posted in Anthropology, Architecture, Built Environment, Social Norms, Storytelling | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Surveillance, Alibis and Streaming Autobiographies

Artist Hasan Elahi developed a surveillance and security project he calls “Tracking Transience: The Orwell Project.” Inspired after the Department of Homeland Security erroneously detained him, the project compiles GPS data, photographs, purchase records and maps to present an up-to-the … Continue reading

Posted in Built Environment, New Media, Surveillance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment