Outside

OutsideBR

#shortideas, #publicspaces, #outside, #non-place

The Outside:

Outside is viewed as the representation of the shared, the collective, in opposition to the private and individual signified by the inside. Furthermore, looking at it from a psychological position, the outside can be the way one wants to be viewed or is viewed, contrary to how one sees oneself from inside. Both divisions correlate with the fundamental question of life today: What is the right balance between communalism and individualism in relation to abstract or physical space? Outside implies a relation to an entity which is considered a vessel enclosing the inside. How can one refer to both, the whole? Can we say the ‘side’ or ‘all sides’? Why does it have to be a side at all, dividing the complete?

Importance of public spaces:

Looking at how public spaces, from urban exteriors to vast natural landscapes, have been transforming, we can investigate how privacy, in general, is viewed differently, changing the physical layout of our time. Public spaces belong to the community whether it is a global, national, or local one, and the way in which we design and inhabit them affects our private spheres too.

The disappearance of public spaces:

The disappearance of public spaces limits our own body, impacts communities, and erodes its democratic function. As Solnit states ‘many people nowadays live in a series of interiors-home, car, gym, office,

shops-disconnected from each other...on foot everything stays connected... and… one lives the whole world rather than in interiors built up against it.’ This tendency is exaggerated now by the pandemic, as billions of people are stuck inside their homes or neighbourhoods which theoretically would encourage local communities. On the contrary, this tendency has accelerated the centralisation of power, wealth, and knowledge, and furthermore fear- mongering created an anxiety towards communal areas. name a few, are in danger and subsequently, the human psyche is at risk of mental disorder. Outside has become something people long for and the growing claustrophobic nature of life will take its toll driving us to a turning point where the steam can be let off. In this essence, waywardness is shifting away from being an abnormal quality, becoming a shared aspiration of collectivity.

Fear as the main currency:

Fear became a leading currency of interactions. As Solnit puts it, we tend to exclude the good examples we experience on a regular basis and focus on the extreme cases of hostility, creating an environment where suspicion precedes trust. This helps us to avoid some casualties but at the same time prevents meaningful interactions from happening which perhaps could bring more value into the equation. One thing is for certain, the equilibrium can’t be found by not trying, we have to give trust its chance.

Role of technology:

Technological innovations also tend to limit physical spaces, and ‘services that don’t require leaving home’ have been enclosing our daily movements. Without being outside people are losing the chance to meet the unknown, to find themselves in uncomfortable situations, and to learn about each other, thus openness, empathy, and receptivity are fading in general. Furthermore, being outside in the domain of the collective, organising grassroot initiatives, being part of communal enterprises, can be considered as rebellious from a state perspective.

In the absence of public spaces:

The instinctual human quality of togetherness and its different materialisations like mass education, festivals, and elections, to