Social Media Ruining Architecture?

Letter to the Editor:

In Alexandra Lange’s September 7th, 2019 article “Is Instagram Ruining Architecture?“, Lange expresses a imprecise argument on the fact that Instagram personally affects the importance of architecture around the world. Although, posting pictures on Instagram is inevitable, most people are still visiting architectural land marks to gain knowledge and experience rather than using them for likes on social media. Many architectures have been around for years and years and are being portrayed as social objects throughout society, but I’m contradicting Ms. Lange that there are still plenty of people who enjoy the architecture for what it is and not for social popularity.

Personally, I have journeyed to Williamsburg, VA with my family to encounter the architecture of the 1600’s that was built during the American Revolution. Honestly, I took many pictures to indent the beautiful buildings around me into my memory while still enjoying time with my family and learning the history under my feet. Architecture is more than just a picture, its a way of life. Lange is also arguing that the people that see these posts are believing that they obtained the same information as if they adventured to the location and that because of that people don’t visit these architectures as done in past. That argument is still flat out inaccurate as I know many teachers, friends and family that dream of or have already achieved their dream of exploring architecture throughout different cultures.

If all world travelers continue to seek out their goals of seeing the world, architecture will continue to thrive at its best and the true meaning of these passion filled places will be unleashed. We cant listen to Lange and agree with her argument of people turning into “sheep’s” when it comes to architecture just because people view Instagram posts and think they know what there seeing when really they don’t. There are still many world travelers and there will always be because imagination and dreams can’t be fulfilled through social media.

As much as I love social media, and many others do too, I don’t believe there is any shot it will take over architecture to the point where no one will be viewing architecture for the true purpose rather than the likes you can get on Instagram.