a relative was in town recently, and he dropped by my place..



as we were watching a movie, a comment on my entertainment unit began a rather long debate on what is more important in ones home, how something looks or how it functions..



so to you, in your house/apartment/cave whats more important with the way you have everything setup? form, or function?

I don't like "Either/Or" thinking. Form and function are both important to me.

I never said either/or, both are important, the questions is which is "more" important

If it doesn't function its useless, function is essential, form is nice to have.

Likewise, I'll go for function if I'm forced to make the choice because there's no point otherwise, but I'd rather not make the choice.

This. Thankfully we live in a time where there are plenty of items to fulfill not only a function, but multiple functions.


And many of those items look good even in their basic form.

My answer depends on the object we are referring to. If the thing under discussion is a painting, then I value form over function. If the thing under discussion is a toaster, then I value function over form.

I think it's psychotic to take the same attitude towards everything. Objects in the house have different functions. They were created for different purposes. Some were created for aesthetic reasons, some, obviously, were not. I like to judge each object individually and on its own merits.

I think it depends on the object. My wardrobe was bought on aesthetic values alone, because the only function involved is the hinge on the door. My car however, I'm more concerned with it not killing me than how it looks.

Although most of my stuff is rather utilitarian, but that's largely down to what the makers are selling. My TV is a featureless black rectangle because all TVs are featureless black rectangles. Same with my PC monitor, my laptops and my phone. We live our lives by rectangles.

Ah but a painting's function IS its form. The entire purpose of a painting is to admire its form. So by choosing form you are also choosing function.

How much hanging space, are there shelves, a shoe rack, all matters of function rather than form.

On the other hand when I just had a clothes rail and no wardrobe I was going for function rather than form but that flat was the quintessence of compact and bijou.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgk-lA12FBk

I agree that somethings that form take precendence, but in your example of a painting, it is kind of one the same. A paintings function is found strictly within its form. If you wanted to add a light atmosphere to a sunroom, you wouldnt choose a picture of a dark gothic castle at night. You need to find somethat that fits it, a scape picture of a meadow or fields, or some sand dunes by the with some seashells.


In this sense, function still takes a precedent, but only because in something that is decorative in its form is also ita function that adds to a room.


On the rare rare rare occasion something is acquired for its form to fill a function, a later on fills another function is really just a second handedness of the piece. Like this ugly statuette my mother purchased before she got married. By the time I came around (second child of 2), its function was essentially a hat and key rack on a table by the front door.

I think both are important.

screw function -- form is all about the cool.

Function.

Why?

Because Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II 'Warthog' is why.

Exactly!

"That's a nice entertainment set-up, there!"

"Yea... it doesn't work, though "

But like Pseron said, a meeting of both is best for me

Some would say it has its own aesthetic. Even if that aesthetic is quite reasonably summarised as fugly.

Until you see it in action.


Then it is [censored] beautiful.

I always thought it was a very pretty plane. Never realised people thought it was ugly.

It must function first and foremost. That said, a log can function as a seat but that doesn't mean I'm going to have one serving as one in my home.

For a moment there, I thought you were talking about a log function...


Log functions are awesome. I hate their form though. Forever and always.

You will never ever see Khajiit talking directly about math. You can bet on that!

What are the odds?

Khajiit doesn't understand the question

That's about as close to an invulnerable plane as you can get. Also it's the ugliest lol.