Study Hall Member Matthew King Wrote a Brief History of Urban Climbing
For Majuscule, Matthew King wrote a research essay on skyscraper climbing and its evolution from early 1900s America to recent developments across the United States, Europe, and China. King tells Study Hall, “This essay reveals how each high-flying performance helps us see new issues of wealth inequality and labor exploitation, and challenges our collective orthodoxy around skylines as a symbol of progress.”
In his piece, King writes, “With every daring climb and high-rise performance, we’re invited to see anew the inheritance of our built world and socioeconomic condition. Many acts challenge our deepest assumptions about economic progress and fairness, revealing the extent to which feel-good narratives run against our best interests.”
King’s writing has appeared in The Baffler, The Atlantic, and New Republic.
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