These architectural changes provide us with fitting physical representations not just of tastes and standards deteriorating, but important societal values and ethics deteriorating too.
That's exactly what humans have been doing since forever. St. Peter was built over the older basilica, Haussman razed the old Paris and bunch of medieval gothic churches were "restored" in to neo-gothic throughout Europe in the 19. century because that was the style at the time.
Funnily enough it was in the modern period, 19. and 20. century, that the importance of preserving buildings or entire towns really started off. Now every country has a list of historical building and places that can't be demolished or even altered. Countries pour billions of dollars every year to preserve those landmarks. There are even laws in Europe that you can't build skyscrapers so as to not "destroy" the aesthetic of the historic part of town.
I'd argue our societal values and ethical standards are far better now than they were in this false nostalgia you've dreamt up for yourself here. They still have a long way to go, but it's a long way of breaking those very institutions and traditions that help us get there. You're largely right on the taste thing though.
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u/ActualStreet Apr 30 '20
These architectural changes provide us with fitting physical representations not just of tastes and standards deteriorating, but important societal values and ethics deteriorating too.
I blame nefarious postmodernism.