Topkapi Palace

"I love this. Humans have been the same for so long," I coo, pressed against a glass cube protecting the 18th century sherbet jug inside. Its scalloped, geometric pattern reminds me of the millennial pineapple... or art deco stained glass... or 80s furniture.

"There's another dissertation for ya," Kendon says. 

I laugh.

"You could put it on your bloOoog," he adds, trying to convince me it'll be fun.

"Can you imagine? Blogging a dissertation..." I say, laughing again, "although honestly? What a flex." 

Kendon likes to do things together, and since he's been writing a dissertation for 3 years, he wants all his friends to write dissertations too. Getting us to start playing Simcity was an easier sell.

We're exploring Topkapi Palace, the former home of Istanbul's Sultans and now a museum with a very diverse collection. So far we've seen Ottoman clothing, libraries, household items, weapons, religious relics, and are currently in the kitchen exhibits. I'm learning a lot, and grateful they don't have the comically biased messaging we saw at the exhibits at the Blue Mosque ("while we acknowledge that this technology/technique was invented by so-and-so in Asia/Europe/Africa, it was only because of this particular tweak by our beloved Ottoman man that the technology became useful, so really he is the most important.") Topkapi Palace shows the interconnectedness of Istanbul without the need to posture itself. 

As I browse various food vessels, many of which were gifts from international diplomats over the years, I'm struck by how familiar their styles are.

"This one reminds me of the whimsical ceramics Gen Z loves. Like those cake mirrors."

"And what about this? Tell me you haven't seen this at Olive Garden."

Trends come in cycles, and microtrends come in faster cycles, but these cycles seem to have always existed. I don't say this so you'll agonize over whether "original" creative ideas can exist. I think it's beautiful that everything we make connects us to people throughout history and cultures. Forms and shapes don't have to be original to be valuable. 

Besides, so much of what we create is inspired by patterns we see in nature anyway. If letting nature do more of the thinking gives us more time to enjoy baklava, I'm not complaining.