The Capitol Complex in Charleston

Viewing the capitol complex in Charleston was genuinely interesting.

Aden took an interest in what they do there, and that part mattered. It was good to see him noticing the place as more than just another building, and thinking about the work that is supposed to happen inside it.

At the same time, the visit felt more unnerving than I expected. When I was younger, places like this felt like services to the people. They felt civic, open, and public.

This one had a different feeling. The security and militarization around a state capitol gave the whole place a vibe of despotism that I did not expect. It was still interesting, but it also made the building feel less like a public home and more like something guarded from the public it is supposed to serve.