I once made a presentation in the critical study class about the Melun Senate competition project by Hoolhaas. It is an urban design for a new town development introducing advanced urbanism research. Designers rejected to apply any urbanism ideology as a determinant of the city plan; argued that we should respect the indetermination during the development of the city and to generate a sustainable system rather than the determination of formal result.

Although my presentation is ugly, it cannot eclipse the creative concept proposed by the project. I think, the ‘indetermination’ is a key word we lost for a long time, for a city, for a person as well. People should live in an undecided world, but that is not we are doing in China. When you are a kid, parents decide what you will do in the next 10 years. You study hard in order to become an official like what they expected. When you are an adult, the society decides what your need is. You work hard and try to please your boss in order to earn more money to pay for the loan of your car and apartment. When you are single, you hear the voice that you need a marriage. When you are focusing on your own career, you hear the voice that you need to be success. When you are thinking what a real life is, you hear the voice that successful life is consisted of money, social status, and power.

Why do we have to listen to the voice from outside instead of our heart? I don’t think there is anyone else who know what your style is more than yourself. Norman said he want to travel around and visit his friends all over the world. I felt exciting about that and then worry overcame. Actually, it is a great plan and deserve to devote to all his passion. However, if I can figure out how to reach my dream in China, maybe the US would not show up in my route. My dear friend, good luck in Beijing.