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Airports Quote by Douglas Adams

“It can hardly be a coincidence that no language on earth has ever produced the expression "As pretty as an airport." Airports are ugly. Some are very ugly. Some attain a degree of ugliness that can only be the result of a special effort. This ugliness arises because airports are full of people who…” quote by Douglas Adams
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“It can hardly be a coincidence that no language on earth has ever produced the expression "As pretty as an airport." Airports are ugly. Some are very ugly. Some attain a degree of ugliness that can only be the result of a special effort. This ugliness arises because airports are full of people who are tired, cross, and have just discovered that their luggage has landed in Murmansk (Murmansk airport is the only exception of this otherwise infallible rule), and architects have on the whole tried to reflect this in their designs.”

Douglas Adams

About This Quote

Source Essay: The Salmon of Doubt, 2002

Airports are often ugly because they reflect the fatigue and frustration of travelers, and designers sometimes amplify that ugliness.

In simple terms: Airports look ugly due to tired travelers and design choices.

Key Takeaway

Recognize how environments mirror human states.

Themes

design design travel human behavior architecture

Mood

irry critical

Type

observational satirical

When to use this quote

  • airport design
  • travel experience
  • architectural critique

Key Concepts

Aesthetic theory environmental psychology design criticism

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does traveler fatigue influence design choices?
  • Can design mitigate perceived ugliness?
A Different Perspective

Design can improve functionality without ignoring human emotions.

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