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16. 419
“Public buildings reveal much about the attitudes and values of the society that builds them. Today’s new schools, courthouses, airports, and libraries, for example, reflect the attitudes and values of today’s society.”
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion stated above. Support your views with reasons and/or examples from your own experience, observations, or reading.
There exists much concern about can the new buildings such as the schools, libraries and airports reflect the attitudes and values of today’s society. Some people agree that people can know a society through the buildings, while others believe that the buildings represent little even nothing. As far as I am concerned, while both sides make some senses, if I were forced to make a decision, I would agree with the former that the new buildings can reflect attitudes and values of today’s society. 84
In the first place, the design of the buildings, which appears first to all people, is always a sign of the current society. First of all, for example, a main trend today is the globalization, therefore, from Shanghai to New York, most of the new buildings are the same, with magnificent appearances outside and fine decorations inside, which can best tell such a trend. In addition, as different people have different characters, so do different buildings. Take Bank of China Tower as an example. The BOC tower is a masterpiece of the world famous American-Chinese architect Mr. I.M.Pei. The inspiration of the design is derived from the elegant poise of bamboo. Now, the BOC tower is a symbolic of strength, vitality and growth, representing also the Bank’s commitment to the rapid development of the society. Therefore, as different people consists a society, different buildings also represent a society. 148
On the second thought, the functions of the new buildings can reflect the attitudes and values of the society from the other aspects. One society in which most of the new buildings are the libraries, the schools or the museums will show its concern on education, while another society which is full of commercial buildings will unveil its concentration on business. Thus, from the main use of the new buildings, one can also learn the values and preferences of the society. 81
Last but not least, some people may argue that today, new buildings are increasingly homogenized, consequently cannot represent the distinctive attitude. I should admit that it is the truth, however, first, the of trend globalization can be the base of the homogenization, in addition, this trend instead can show that today people are more likely to learn from each other than they ever have. 64
In conclusion, given the facts that today the new buildings can reflect the attitudes and values of the society not only from their designs but also from their functions. Therefore, one can surely understand the society from the new buildings it has. 42 | 
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发表于 2005-8-9 22:23:00
楼主
发表于 2005-8-10 23:53:00
