The Houses of Parliament contain a diverse and historically significant collection of chairs, reflecting changing styles, functions, and social hierarchies over centuries. From the ornate Speaker's Chair to simple clerks' stools, these chairs illustrate the evolution of furniture design and craftsmanship. The collection includes pieces made for specific individuals and roles, showcasing different materials, decorative techniques, and levels of comfort. The chairs offer a unique lens through which to understand the history and workings of Parliament.
"Burning Mao" recounts the author's experience growing up in China during the Cultural Revolution, a period marked by Mao Zedong's pervasive influence and the fervent worship of his image. The narrative centers around the seemingly paradoxical act of burning paper effigies of Mao as a form of respect during funerals, a ritual signifying sending him to the afterlife with the deceased. This act, juxtaposed with the constant presence of Mao's image and ideology, highlights the complex and often contradictory nature of life under his rule, where reverence and destruction intertwined. The author grapples with the conflicting emotions surrounding this practice and the broader cultural conditioning that shaped their understanding of Mao and his legacy.
HN commenters discuss the cultural and historical context of burning images of Mao during the Cultural Revolution. Some highlight the complexity of the act, noting it could be both an act of defiance and a forced performance depending on the specific circumstances. Others point out the article's focus on a niche aspect of the Cultural Revolution and question the author's interpretation of certain events. Several commenters offer additional historical context, referencing cannibalism during the period and other acts of symbolic destruction. There is also a short thread discussing the effectiveness of public shamings and struggle sessions as tools of political control. One commenter connects the historical events to more recent online shaming and cancel culture.
This post discusses the potential of "alt-JS" languages like Elm, PureScript, and ReasonML to fundamentally change frontend web development. The author argues that these languages, with their strong typing, immutability, and functional paradigms, offer significant advantages over JavaScript in terms of maintainability, reliability, and developer experience. While acknowledging JavaScript's entrenched position and the challenges of adoption, the post suggests these languages represent a paradigm shift that could reshape the frontend landscape, leading to more robust and scalable applications. It emphasizes the learning curve but suggests the long-term benefits outweigh the initial investment.
HN users discuss the practicality and implications of Derek Brown's proposed "mostly serverless" architecture. Several commenters express skepticism about the cost-effectiveness of serverless for high-traffic applications, citing potential vendor lock-in and unexpected expenses. Others debate the definition of "serverless" and whether Brown's approach truly qualifies. Some find the architectural diagrams unclear or unhelpful. A few appreciate the concept's simplicity and potential for scaling, while acknowledging the potential drawbacks mentioned by others. Overall, the comments reflect a cautious but interested response to the proposed architecture, with many focusing on practical concerns rather than theoretical benefits.
Boston City Hall's Brutalist design emerged from a complex interplay of factors in the 1960s. Facing pressure to revitalize Scollay Square and embrace modernism, the city held an architectural competition. The winning design by Kallmann, McKinnell & Knowles, though initially controversial for its stark departure from traditional styles, aimed to embody democratic ideals with its open plaza and accessible interior. The project, part of a larger urban renewal effort, reflected the era's optimism about government's ability to solve social problems through architecture and urban planning. Despite its initial unpopularity, City Hall stands as a significant example of Brutalist architecture and a testament to the city's ambition for a modern future.
HN commenters discuss Boston City Hall's Brutalist architecture, mostly negatively. Several lament its ugliness and unfriendliness, comparing it to a parking garage or fortress. Some criticize its impracticality and lack of human scale, citing confusing navigation and wind tunnels. A few offer counterpoints, arguing that it's a significant example of Brutalist architecture, reflecting the era's optimism about government's role. One suggests its imposing design might have been intentional, meant to convey authority. The concrete's weathering and the surrounding plaza's design are also criticized. A couple of commenters express appreciation for the building's unique character, suggesting that its starkness has a certain appeal.
Summary of Comments ( 58 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44087020
HN users were generally appreciative of the article's overview of the chairs in the UK Parliament. Some pointed out interesting details missed by the article, like the history of Speaker's chair repairs and replacements. Others shared related anecdotes, such as personal experiences with uncomfortable chairs or information about furniture makers. A few users noted the symbolic significance of the different chairs, reflecting on the roles and hierarchy within Parliament. The discussion also briefly touched upon the craftsmanship and materials used in these historical pieces. Overall, the comments added context and further insights to the original article.
The Hacker News post titled "Chairs, Chairs, Chairs" linking to an article about the UK Parliament's collection of chairs has generated a modest number of comments, primarily focused on the historical and functional aspects of the chairs depicted.
One commenter highlights the Speaker's Chair, mentioning its uncomfortable design seemingly intended to keep the speaker from getting too comfortable and lingering too long in the role. This comment sparks a short thread discussing the symbolic discomfort of power and the potential historical accuracy of this interpretation.
Another commenter expresses fascination with the "despatch boxes" integrated into some chairs, used for holding documents. They note the clever design and its practical application within the parliamentary setting. This comment leads to a brief exchange about the etymology of "despatch" and its original meaning of sending messages quickly.
A separate comment points out the evolution of chair design, particularly the inclusion of armrests and the shift away from stools. The commenter links this development to changes in societal formality and expectations of comfort during prolonged sitting, highlighting how furniture reflects broader cultural changes.
One commenter simply expresses appreciation for the well-written article and the interesting information it provides.
A couple of comments mention specific details they found interesting, such as the variety of chair styles present in the collection and the specific chair used by Cromwell.
Overall, the comments section demonstrates a general appreciation for the historical context and functional design of the chairs, with several commenters picking up on specific details that sparked their interest. The discussion remains factual and avoids significant speculation, focusing on observations and sharing related knowledge. There are no strongly dissenting opinions or heated debates, indicating a generally shared interest and appreciation for the topic.