The event begins with LA/AIA announcements by Bernard Zimmerman and an introduction by Frank Gehry.

Paul Goldberger starts by quoting Lord Byron on the untrustworthiness of critics. He discusses the differences between criticism of architecture and criticism of drama or film.

Goldberger discusses several of his recent pieces for the New York Times which address non-aesthetic elements of architecture. He describes the problematic building designs of the New York phone company and his hopes that his article on their latest will influence them. He discusses the role of zoning and design review, suggesting that a simple massing guideline is not enough. But he considers a full aesthetic review to have the potential to be dangerous.

Goldberger describes how an article he published helped focus public opinion, and ultimately changed the design.