While we were Googling around for information about Wired’s mysterious Optical Volumes, we came across this awesome article about design they ran in 2001. We’re pretty sure we didn’t see it then (were blogs even invented yet?), but it sure is entertaining to read in light of how far we’ve come in the last six years. It seems to be some kind of chat room, moderated by Chee Pearlman, and starring everyone from Bruce Sterling to Paola Antonelli to Rick Valicenti.

And speaking of Valicenti, we’ve got a bone to pick with him. Just when we were formulating some really good rants about how design’s here to stay, he said this, all the way back in ’01:

Chee Pearlman: So does design really matter to the bottom line?

Rick Valicenti (design director, Thirst): Design is a fad, so yes.