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Geeks, Commerce, Politics, and Fun with Technology | 9 comments
[new] side issues and different strategies (Avg. Score: none / Raters: 0) (#3)
by Aileen on Tue Feb 17th, 2004 at 03:36:58 PM EURODISCORDIA TIME
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Although I think I see what you mean, Amy, I don't think the issue of smoking and drinking is really the point. Obviously, I live in a country where holding on to a glass and/or cigarette is a conventional and accepted strategy for people who need something to hold on to in certain situations. When I stopped smoking each time I was pregnant, in some cases I used to take a yo-yo with me so that I would have something to do with my hands while taking part in conversations during short breaks that would normally be held in the vicinity of an ashtray, but a yo-yo is not always appropriate or useful. What do people in other places hold on to?
The real point, though, I think, is the question of what kind of spaces and situations appear more open to people, who tend to feel more comfortable communicating via a keyboard than face to face. I would certainly count myself among that group, but I have had the experience often enough that it is worth making an effort to talk to people that I keep trying. It is still always an effort, though, and how much of an effort it requires often depends on the setting, the atmosphere of a space.
For me personally, a relatively dim room full of colorful characters would appear far more inviting than a hotel lobby full of people in suits (at least mentally, if not necessarily in fact). Being able to hover around the edges without attracting attention as a stranger or a newcomer is also important (this is where being able to hold on to something helps).
One of the people I was with in Berlin was one of the organizers for the Ars Electronica, so she was especially interested in the way the arrangement of spaces at Transmediale functioned in terms of accessibility and clarity. I would be very curious to hear what kinds of arrangments and situations appeal differently to different people - what do people perceive as accessible and inviting?

For me, though, the absolutely most appealing situation is a group of loud women engaged in animated discussions. That is where I feel most comfortable.

[ Parent ]


  • inviting spaces by amy, 02/19/2004 08:58:45 AM EURODISCORDIA TIME (none / 0)
  • lobbies vs. garages by ryangriffis, 02/17/2004 07:37:06 PM EURODISCORDIA TIME (none / 0)
    • scary monsters by amy, 02/19/2004 09:17:47 AM EURODISCORDIA TIME (none / 0)

Geeks, Commerce, Politics, and Fun with Technology | 9 comments
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