Now, I'd be the first to admit that the Merion threads were over the top, and that in a number of cases, decorum and politeness went out the window, followed quickly by rationality, simple common courtesy, human decency, and ultimately, civilization as we know it descended into primal barbarism.
At least that's the tabloid version.
But, hurt feelings and obssessive-compulsive behavior aside, the fact is that it is and was a very deep, detailed, and interesting debate on ARCHITECTURE, and what constitutes ARCHITECHURE, and ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY.
We can sit here and talk about Natalie Gulbis and Michelle Wie and the NCAA basketball tournament and the hottest new driver, or the REM concert, or the differences between NASCAR and LeMans, and how to get access to courses, and all that stuff, and that's fine, but some of us are actually interested...very passionately...about ARCHITECTURE and ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY.
So, as a big fan of Free Speech, and the First Amendment, and the United States of America, I would suggest what I suggest to people who complain about Howard Stern on the Radio, or some sexy or violent film on televison.
Do what I do when I see a thread about the Westmiinster Dog Show, or the latest in Beryllium Copper wedges, or do I think TIger will win the Grand Slam this year, or the changes that Rees Jones has made to Torrey Pines and any other clearly NON-architecturally-related topic!
CHANGE THE FLIPPING CHANNEL!
No one is making you read these Merion threads!
If you are, and you hate yourself for it, then you're just as bad as the rest of us, giving you even less room to complain!