You beat me to posting – I also read it just now.
I suppose it is inevitable – we have the Internet, we have travelers jetting around for business or vacation – so it is all about self-promotion, not a small amount of narcissism.
In other words, Instagram and Emirates Airlines are driving architecture.
I think that is why I’ve been turning away from the starchitects over the years. I am finding much of their stuff is less about imagination and clever use or new styles, and more about being “Vegas” that is flashy and kitschy. In other words, they are building Disneylands, and the numb proletariats will stream in to gawk.
