Author: andy

Third Places

I was reading Chris Anderson’s blog earlier, and he mentions “third places” – a term I’d not heard of before. A “third place” is basically a friendly, accessible place with some sense of community where you can hang out and have something good to eat or drink. Think something like a really relaxed coffee shop or cafe.

I’m saddened that can’t think of any such place within walking distance of where I live or work. “Third places” are, almost by definition, privately-owned, and I don’t think we do a good job of making such places welcoming in this country. A good example is the deli not far from my home. They sell reasonable coffee and food, but the cups are made of paper, you have to eat the food out of a bag because they don’t give you a plate, the furniture is uncomfortable, they have a loud radio tuned to a crap music station, and the staff are surly. Result: I don’t wanna go there.

Okay, so we have pubs. A good pub can be absolutely great, but who wants to leave with their clothes stinking of smoke? I live in one of the most expensive parts of this city. Why can’t we at least have a Starbucks? With WiFi, obviously.&nbsp

Pointers

Raymond Chen: “Remember, most people do not view the computer as a world to be explored.” Fairly obviously, ‘we’ in the development community almost always forget this. And: “Why should we expect them to understand how a computer works before they are allowed to send email?” #

Scoble on Longhorn: “the graphic designers are now in charge” #

Guardian: “Not a long walk.” #

Guardian: “Television reports produced by “embedded” correspondents in the Iraq conflict gave a sanitised picture of war, according to an academic study published by the BBC today.” #

NY Times: Voyager I crosses the heliopause. Probably. There’s more at Wired. #

Guardian: The real festival of Britain. “Bonfire night is the only major national celebration that still truly belongs to the people”