because its hard for our brains to comprehend complexity. making structures simple is easy on our minds.

its not just our buildings that are simplistic geometrical shapes. look around. everything we make is, and if something is not, its probably an artistic sculpture

Surely achieving symmetry is more complex than achieving assymetry? Why did the Ancients have to have hardly a gap btween stones and a perfectly smooth outer surface of their buildings/? I mean who cares if there was a slight gap or a slightly irregular surface.

I wouldnt call a Jungle a natural structure, but I would call a tree a natural structure. Tress, plants, snowflakes, there is symmetry everywhere, I would say its harder for us to replicate that than to build asymmetrically.

So the buildings won't fall over/collapse

Dr Treg...

As an historian, believe me... you have asked a very VERY complex question that requires a very VERY complex answer. I dont know if you really have an idea of what you're asking because it goes so deep in so various aspects from biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, nature itself, to more mundane things like religion, social relationships, architecture, mathematics, every form of art from paintings to music.

I would love to explain a bit more about it, but its so complex and yet everything is so well connected that I would recommend you start reading and studying by yourself so you can get to an "idea" or "concept" that you find suitable for your question... nothing I would say here could even grasp everything that comes to mind when you ask about symmetry hehe... its really BIG because you can find a relation and a meaning to symmetry and asymmetry in everything that surrounds you and it always plays a part, can be always given a context or "translated" into words, actions, meanings, intentions, feelings, etc. Its far from being so simple to explain that someone can just give you a straight answer, a simple one like you're searching for is impossible.

That was a huge question... you really know what you're getting into? hehe

Take care friend... have a good "quest" because it will be a very long one

Cheers

I think the recurring shapes (like the pyramid) was due to the strength of the material available to them (stone and wood). In order to build larger grander (Great Pyramid, etc..) things, the base had to be widened.

The strength of modern building material allows us to build very large, very high structures without an overly wide base. Then need for the overly wide base left when arches entered the picture (The Colosseum).

We do build shiny surfaced walls on large buildings... Look at many banks, libraries and large government buildings. We put any fancy thing we can on the outside of buildings, like marble, hand carved stone, molded stone, bricks of all kinds, planks of wood, cement, logs, and fake versions of each of those things - plus words and images.

We're not that different from the ancients in that way - bigger, grander, stamp my name on the side - and make it shiny...


Just noticed..., the short version:

Originally posted by mnmcandiez
So the buildings won't fall over/collapse

Fantastic thread ! I've always wondered the same !
One thing is for sure, Modern Builders revel at The Great Pyramid, the Parthenon and the Pyramids of Mexico and all of the Americas; heck many builders are befuddled by the Coral Castle .
Anyway, whether its's Secret Societies or the 33rd degree Masons, there is huge Reverence for Cheops and all the great Greek works.
To me this is truly the great mystery.
I recently watched ”The Revelation of the Pyramids" and highly,highly recommend it.
I'll be quite interested in reading the replies to this thread.
Great thread again!
Now if I could only figure out how to give you a flag. I'm very new to posting.