Interesting post, Adrian. Even beyond architecture it's interesting to think about what we see when we look into the future and how that changes based on the circumstances of our time. Ultimately, I don't have much hope for the human species. And yet, as you suggest, I can feel hopeful when I look at something like the Millau Viaduct (http://bit.ly/8zdF8j). It does suggest that we will go on and things will get better, doesn't it? ;-)

Nice pictures of Union Station, btw.