Jeff on “Third Places”

There are many reasons for the increase in public vs. private space. It’s not that these places don’t exist, but the mind set of the people that use them have changed. A lot of people are more self-absorbed. Technology now plays a big role in the way in which we converse and interact. Even in public places that promote community and social interaction, people are too engaged in their own livelihood and their personal emails and messages to communicate with one another.

This can be regularly seen on the subway, where people are choosing the life style consisting mainly of a home-to-work-and-back-again shuttle. You walk down the street with your headphones on and then sit on the subway staring at your phone. There are unwritten rules on the subway or public bus. Don’t make eye contact and give people as much space as possible and if you try and talk to someone you might be seen as crazy. These spaces promote communication but we fall back on our routine of solitude.

Technology is evolving and so is our way of socializing. Using a phone or screen doesn’t mean it stops us from communication with each other, but is a new form of connecting and interaction with one another. There are certain things that may change because of this. We may see less community in our neighborhoods with fewer people knowing and talking with their neighbors. However there are places and groups online where people can form similar relationships with people of shared interest. This is a different type of “third place”, but still a place where people can virtually gather easily and pleasurably.