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- May 2021
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markdangerchen.net markdangerchen.net
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Sociologist Ray Oldenburg calls these kinds of hangouts third spaces (1989). They areplaces other than homes and workplaces—the first and second spaces—in which peoplespend time and relax, usually without a fixed agenda. While Oldenburg focuses on casualoffline places, such as coffee shops, pubs, beauty shops, etc., the concept is quite useful toalso describe the kinds of informal online spaces in which people simply hang out. Andsuch spaces are plentiful.
I think this is interesting because some people might consider these virtual hangouts first spaces rather than third spaces as Oldenburg suggests. If first and second spaces are based on comfort and frequency in visits, then I think this would be even more true. Especially now with the recent quarantine, online spaces may contest or even beat out our home for first space rather than third or second spaces.
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