X Marks the Spot: How Pirates Shaped Architecture (and Your Thirst for Freedom)
Everyone likes pirates. In modern times anyway, I have never engaged in conversation with a fellow human being that doesn’t get excited to talk about pirates. Purely anecdotal I know. And am I biased because I am from the Caribbean? Perhaps! But I don’t entirely think so. So how do pirates relate to architecture? And why does everyone love them? Hold on to your brig there buddy. I am about to get into it.
The most obvious point is freedom. I don’t think any country has gotten freedom right thus far, but they did issue edicts that allowed people have that sense. Corsairs are just another form of pirates, or rather, the precursor to piratehood. Some might say its piratehood gone corporate. And if I remember correctly, it paid damn well. So imagine the thought of freedom paying well! What a liberating and exciting thought. I am getting giddy just thinking about it. And if you weren’t hired by some crown, you at least had the prospect of booty. Teasure beyond compare. Absolutely maddening riches — to drink, and jovially fuck off into the sunset. But like most of us, some of these guys were addicted to struggle and showing up for work, any sort of work. Piratehood provided a fun work environment, eventually y’all became a family…
