Obsolescence: An Architectural History

People cope with modernity, capitalism, and the speed of change by persuading themselves that the new necessarily outperforms the old, argues Daniel M. Abramson ’85. His book, Obsolescence: An Architectural History, examines how buildings lose their value and utility, and how the idea of obsolescence helps people come to terms with fast-paced change. Abramson is an associate professor of art history and director of architectural studies at Tufts University.