Where can we reach?

The ideas from yesterday's blog, and Sai's comments on it, led me to thinking further about the impact of technology on Architecture. The differences in the functioning of Architecture is definitely there. I  agree with Sai on a point he commented as well, architects of my generation ( including me) probably are used to the technology aiding us in everything we do. But, is that all? Is there a difference in the way the profession of architecture is viewed? Is there a difference in practice?

There used to be a time when Architects were hired through friends and family - based on their experience, their trust on the architect and reviews by the others in the vicinity. The architects, on the other hand - found their next client when they attended the house warming of their previous client. In this case, the trust between both the sides was extremely high.

Today, matters have changed a lot. A large percentage of the clients we have today, have found us through the internet. Our social media presence matters more than our physical presence. The reviews are through the virtual people who have interacted with the architect earlier. As a result, most of our design is for strangers, or people we become friends with through their project. We have clients we have never met in person,  but completed designs for. The level of intimacy has reduced. But so has the diversity. The clients have the whole internet to choose their architect from - they get to pick architects who practice exactly the same kind of Architecture as they visualized.
So do the Architects - we get to design for people from various backgrounds, various social situations and various geographic locations.

Also, we get the chance to pick from these too.

But with that said,  I think as a part of profession with the opportunity to have a lot of public influence, it is our responsibility to take a stand to understand the client as much as the project before we pick our projects.