In this episode of Mixed Signals, we dive into a heated conversation on architecture, politics, authorship, and education—using The ATTN Podcast by the Architecture Exchange (Season 8) as a jumping-off point. We unpack what it means to talk about democracy, plurality, and politics in architecture without turning the discipline into a catch-all moral project. From post-critical theory and the legacy of Eric Owen Moss to the “Midwest Mafia,” Possible Mediums, and contemporary academic aesthetics, we debate whether this generation of architects actually lacks a project—or simply refuses to name it. We question the irony of accessibility rhetoric delivered through highly gatekept discourse, and ask whether architecture is a political duty, a cultural instrument, or ultimately a luxury.The episode also critiques viral architectural imagery, asking why certain projects circulate online while others disappear, and what gets lost when buildings are reduced to images. Finally, we turn the lens toward architectural education, examining thesis work, authorship, and the tension between student voice and the influence of critics.This is an unfiltered, opinionated conversation about where architecture is right now—and what it can realistically be responsible for.Keywords: architecture podcast, architectural theory, Attention Podcast, postcritical architecture, architectural education, thesis critique, contemporary architecture, architectural discourse, design culture, academia vs practice Make sure to follow us on our socials!Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mxd_signalTiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mxd_signal
