What defines our profession?

"What is it your profession knows that others do not?"

This quote by Habraken stood out to me, as sometimes architecture feels very encroached upon. However, I do think all of the "extra" that we learn through architectural studies separates our profession from others more than the use of "creativity" to define an architect. Not many other professions require the studies of human history in detail of the everyday life, of the social issues that our society is tackling, of economics of modern society, of politics and science that influences the common man and the built world, and of the natural environment and ways we both destroy and revive it. It often feels like architecture is more of a glorified liberal arts degree, providing the tools we need to really think about how our designs affect the environment. I know as I talk to others outside of our studies, I often feel more connected to what's going on in the world. Or if not connected, understanding, to a certain extent.

 "In the new distributed way of operation, increasingly aware of local contextual issues in often rapidly changing environments, architects are fully immersed in everyday life."

I think this distinction really separates us from other professions. Our acute ability to combine all of this knowledge into a space that hopefully has a positive impact and connect with the people who use it is not easy.