Bankers cannot afford to be concerned with only the economic aspects of projects. There may be serious implications on the natural environment, the urban environment, on human culture.

With production alone as the goal, industry in North America was dominated by the assembly line, standardization for mass consumption.

The Achilles Heel of the Americas was the lack of cultural confidence typical of new settlers.

Profit and bottom line, the contemporary mantra, eliminates the very source of architectural expression.

Illusion is needed to disguise the emptiness within.

The delusion of entertainment is devoid of meaning. It may amuse us for a bit, but after the initial hit we are left with the dark feeling of desolation.

We settled this continent without art. So it was easy for us to treat it as an imported luxury, not a necessity.