Comments on: I keep on going back to this http://mtl3p.ilesansfil.org/blog/archives/2005/03/07/i_keep_on_going_back_to_this.html society, technology and me Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:49:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Helena http://mtl3p.ilesansfil.org/blog/archives/2005/03/07/i_keep_on_going_back_to_this.html#comment-528 Helena Thu, 10 Mar 2005 01:22:36 +0000 http://mtl3p.ilesansfil.org/blog/archives/2005/03/07/i_keep_on_going_back_to_this.html#comment-528 I also asked the question of how family disintegration affects the idea of "third place," as well as the question of how our altering our 'place' on this earth has changed our need for a sense of connection. Is the need for a "third space" stronger now with so many people largely disenfranchised from a sense of home on both a familial and environmental level? How many people feel the importance of their environment as part of their home? How many people know the types of trees within view of their kitchen window? How many are aware of the phase of the moon, or which direction's north, or even realize or care that the same damned birds, squirrels and raccoons that rip open the plastic trash bags waiting to make their way to the dumpster are not just random creatures, but the SAME characters every time -- they're our NEIGHBORS! Hell, it's even possible to develop relationships with them! I posit that this need for a 'third space' does, in part, arise from people becoming increasingly disassociated from each other and from the earth and its other inhabitants. I'm not suggesting that everyone run out and hug a tree and we'll all feel a sense of community, but perhaps consider larger issues which breed our needs and look into meeting some of those... and then wander down to the nearest WiFi cafȆ°nd discuss it there! I also asked the question of how family disintegration affects the idea of “third place,” as well as the question of how our altering our ‘place’ on this earth has changed our need for a sense of connection. Is the need for a “third space” stronger now with so many people largely disenfranchised from a sense of home on both a familial and environmental level?

How many people feel the importance of their environment as part of their home? How many people know the types of trees within view of their kitchen window? How many are aware of the phase of the moon, or which direction’s north, or even realize or care that the same damned birds, squirrels and raccoons that rip open the plastic trash bags waiting to make their way to the dumpster are not just random creatures, but the SAME characters every time — they’re our NEIGHBORS! Hell, it’s even possible to develop relationships with them!

I posit that this need for a ‘third space’ does, in part, arise from people becoming increasingly disassociated from each other and from the earth and its other inhabitants. I’m not suggesting that everyone run out and hug a tree and we’ll all feel a sense of community, but perhaps consider larger issues which breed our needs and look into meeting some of those… and then wander down to the nearest WiFi cafȆ°nd discuss it there!

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