House chamber of the US Capitol, from Wikipedia

Why is it that the more formal the meeting, the more insulated it is from nature? Think about a courtroom, which typically has no outside windows whatsoever. Or the chambers of Congress or the meeting rooms in hotels–no windows, at least at eye level, to provide a break from ramrod-straight walls and artificial light. All of these rooms are sealed away from earth and sky. It’s as if the more important the deliberations, the harder we work to remove all vestiges of nature from the room. Read More…