Perhaps these recent hot summers are a sign that the history of non-avian dinosaurs will not remain unique... but we still have to resist :). As there were countless days this year with temperatures around 40 degrees Celsius, a few scattered rains brought joy and hope to my city. However, I liked how you defined them in a completely different context: "a useful introduction to the disappointments of life." A Japanese monk, who gave some advice in a book, said that the illusions we create for ourselves, self-deception, are a sure path to a lot of frustrations. He understood that we cannot give them up entirely, whether they are small or important matters. But even a smaller number of illusions is already a gain...
I often think about this problem. We all have our stories/ myths/ illusions. We need them. So what is happening when we feel like we have gained self awareness? Perhaps there are greater and lesser degrees of awareness, or maybe we find awareness in some areas but not in others.
You are right in many ways. Stories/illusions are part of our mental/soul food. One element disappears/extinguishes, another increases its importance. It is a rearrangement for a shorter or longer period. I think “disappears” is not the right word. It is just a field left uncultivated for a while, but it exists, it is there... A writer of children's stories (charming at any age) began his story with a classic introduction "I don't know how others are, but I..." I could say the same: I don't know how others are, but that's how it happens to me. Sometimes I accept my limits with joy, sometimes with sadness.
Thank you for the reply. I often build houses of straw or sticks, like in the fable of the three little pigs. But there is, post-factum, a good side: I learn something, even if it is insufficient or hard to quantify.
Well said. Changing regulations and delivering solid 'evidence' is difficult. My friend works in aerospace. He always says that we are still flying a cigar with wings because it is too expensive and too heavily regulated to change. He is not wrong.
Great piece Wessie, those building codes are infuriating at times. And great to see that vernacular architecture may be part of the solution, if only folk would pay attention - but that will call for some humility from our modern day architectural schools with their disdain for anything that smells of tradition and vernacular.
We moved to the North this year from Essex (the land of eternal sunshine as I like to call it). The drop in temperature has been noticeable - especially in the summer.
Which leads me to a thought that has just popped into my head: perhaps if temperatures in the south continue to rise, we will see some level of demographic relocation to cooler British latitudes? Very much speculative but it will be interesting to see (that being said, gas bills are higher up here in the winter which may act as a deterrent!).
I'm not sure about movements within England, but there are already interesting shifts happening in Europe. Southern Europeans have started taking summer holidays in Scandinavia, rather than vice-versa. And French vinters are looking much further north to establish new farms.
I hope things are going well in Yorkshire. I would like to visit you there if I get a chance!
A very timely piece, Wessie! Surreal to think that we might witness wildfires in London parks in the not-so-distant future.
The theme of heat has been occupying me as well actually, but in relation to the Mediterranean. You might enjoy this mini-report I just put out, after interviewing 10 different Mediterraneans over the summer: https://heatmaps.substack.com/p/heatmaps-recap
After a recent (and rare) trip to Europe I was inspired to cover my South facing windows with shutters. That turned out to be too involved; the landlord objected, as did my budget. So I opted for exterior roller blinds instead. They can be difficult on very windy days but they turned out to be very helpful.
It seems that it's not just direct sunlight but the radiant heat from outside that warms up my apartment, just as my Italian friends said. I need to use my AC much less often and for shorter periods of time. Of course, on the worst days I draw the interior curtains as well.
My blinds are just wood and canvas so there's the extra benefit of a wonderful soundtrack of gentle flapping and creaking like a dream of sailboats, and a lovely glow to the light when the sun hits the blinds directly.
Thanks. Yes. I wish more people would pick up on some of the ideas that are floating around. Are you familiar with the Curtain Wall House by Shigeru Ban, in Tokyo? Imagine how pleasant it is there in a gentle breeze.
Perhaps these recent hot summers are a sign that the history of non-avian dinosaurs will not remain unique... but we still have to resist :). As there were countless days this year with temperatures around 40 degrees Celsius, a few scattered rains brought joy and hope to my city. However, I liked how you defined them in a completely different context: "a useful introduction to the disappointments of life." A Japanese monk, who gave some advice in a book, said that the illusions we create for ourselves, self-deception, are a sure path to a lot of frustrations. He understood that we cannot give them up entirely, whether they are small or important matters. But even a smaller number of illusions is already a gain...
I often think about this problem. We all have our stories/ myths/ illusions. We need them. So what is happening when we feel like we have gained self awareness? Perhaps there are greater and lesser degrees of awareness, or maybe we find awareness in some areas but not in others.
You are right in many ways. Stories/illusions are part of our mental/soul food. One element disappears/extinguishes, another increases its importance. It is a rearrangement for a shorter or longer period. I think “disappears” is not the right word. It is just a field left uncultivated for a while, but it exists, it is there... A writer of children's stories (charming at any age) began his story with a classic introduction "I don't know how others are, but I..." I could say the same: I don't know how others are, but that's how it happens to me. Sometimes I accept my limits with joy, sometimes with sadness.
Yes, when we become "disillusioned" with a particular idea, we are just unpicking one part of a much bigger tapestry that we mistake for reality.
Thank you for the reply. I often build houses of straw or sticks, like in the fable of the three little pigs. But there is, post-factum, a good side: I learn something, even if it is insufficient or hard to quantify.
Well said. Changing regulations and delivering solid 'evidence' is difficult. My friend works in aerospace. He always says that we are still flying a cigar with wings because it is too expensive and too heavily regulated to change. He is not wrong.
Thank you for the anecdote – I have a feeling I will be repeating it one day!
Great piece Wessie, those building codes are infuriating at times. And great to see that vernacular architecture may be part of the solution, if only folk would pay attention - but that will call for some humility from our modern day architectural schools with their disdain for anything that smells of tradition and vernacular.
We moved to the North this year from Essex (the land of eternal sunshine as I like to call it). The drop in temperature has been noticeable - especially in the summer.
Which leads me to a thought that has just popped into my head: perhaps if temperatures in the south continue to rise, we will see some level of demographic relocation to cooler British latitudes? Very much speculative but it will be interesting to see (that being said, gas bills are higher up here in the winter which may act as a deterrent!).
I'm not sure about movements within England, but there are already interesting shifts happening in Europe. Southern Europeans have started taking summer holidays in Scandinavia, rather than vice-versa. And French vinters are looking much further north to establish new farms.
I hope things are going well in Yorkshire. I would like to visit you there if I get a chance!
By all means! If you are ever near Sedbergh, give me a shout.
Will do.
A very timely piece, Wessie! Surreal to think that we might witness wildfires in London parks in the not-so-distant future.
The theme of heat has been occupying me as well actually, but in relation to the Mediterranean. You might enjoy this mini-report I just put out, after interviewing 10 different Mediterraneans over the summer: https://heatmaps.substack.com/p/heatmaps-recap
After a recent (and rare) trip to Europe I was inspired to cover my South facing windows with shutters. That turned out to be too involved; the landlord objected, as did my budget. So I opted for exterior roller blinds instead. They can be difficult on very windy days but they turned out to be very helpful.
It seems that it's not just direct sunlight but the radiant heat from outside that warms up my apartment, just as my Italian friends said. I need to use my AC much less often and for shorter periods of time. Of course, on the worst days I draw the interior curtains as well.
My blinds are just wood and canvas so there's the extra benefit of a wonderful soundtrack of gentle flapping and creaking like a dream of sailboats, and a lovely glow to the light when the sun hits the blinds directly.
All together, I'm quite pleased with myself.
You should be pleased! This is a small example of what I'm advocating: an imaginative response which creates a more pleasant way of life.
Thanks. Yes. I wish more people would pick up on some of the ideas that are floating around. Are you familiar with the Curtain Wall House by Shigeru Ban, in Tokyo? Imagine how pleasant it is there in a gentle breeze.
Shigeru Ban is an incredibly gifted architect. I would love to visit one of his buildings.
thanks, this article is very interesting
Thank you!