A.Glass updates and insight (update 46)

(Above image from http://www.spiegel.de, design Zaha Hadid Architects (not the building mentioned).  For a sobering reminder of China's zombie construction boom - Youtube)

Die Hard (1985) directed by John McTiernan, based of the novel by Roderick Thorp.  Despite it being an action film classic, it was also clear example of a popular culture deconstruction of Japanese wealth expansion and excess into the West (and else where) that ended, if you keep up to speed with economic history, in a dramatic bust. 

Near where I work in the central business district a new construction is about to begin, although the building that they were supposed to knock down is still standing, they have a show room on the ground floor with a fucking kick ass model of the project.  Yes, another stab at economic expansion via top to bottom glass and cheaply constructed skyscraper, that as discussed in The Future and Brutalism architecture , will most probably (if it gets built) end up as a zombie building in our post empire world.  But the model of this project reminds me of the below scene from Die Hard (script), which I adore.  With the German mercenaries leader Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), who have just begun their attempted heist of the companies wealth, looks over a model of the Japaneses companies expansion into Indonesia, recites the John Milton quote of "And when Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept. For there were no more worlds to conquer."   Which is actually taken from Plutarch's recount of Alexander the Great; "Is it not worthy of tears that, when the number of worlds is infinite, we have not yet become lords of a single one?"  Tears for his beginning of the end.

INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - BOARD ROOM FLOOR - NIGHT

     Hans enters, looks around.

                           HANS
               And when Alexander saw the breadth 
               of his domain, he wept.  For there 
               were no more worlds to conquer.
                    (to Takagi)
               The benefits of a classical education.

     Hans admired a scale model of a bridge.  Behind him are 
     photographs of the gorge where the bridge will be constructed.

     Karl and Tony listen.  Takagi watches.

                           HANS (CONT'D)
               It's beautiful.  I always enjoyed 
               models as a boy.  The exactness, the 
               attention to every foreseeable 
               detail...  perfection.


                           TAKAGI
                    (defensively)
               This is what this is about?  Out 
               building project in Indonesia?  
               Contrary to what you people think, 
               we're going to develop that region...  
               not 'exploit' it.

     Hans straightens, looks hard at Takagi.

                           HANS
               I believe you.
                    (smiling)
               I read the article in Forbes.