83 points

This concept is the “third space” – a social space other than work and home where people can congregate, socialize, and relax. Parks and libraries are some of the only remaining spaces in capitalism where people can be humans without paying for the privilege to exist by the minute.

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6 points

True, that is what the concept has become. But we need to remember that “third place” originally ment places of business like pubs, cafés, barbershops etc.

Modern cities do need the kind of places you ment - not more malls or apple stores (think I read that it’s a new trend to have those resemble places you can casually chill so they can casually sell you their stuff).

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77 points

Americans reinventing coffee houses that aren’t Starbucks be like:

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12 points

You gotta pay to be at a coffee house. And sure, coffee isn’t terribly expensive and most places won’t kick you out even hours after you’ve bought your single cup of coffee, but non-Starbucks coffee shops are usually tiny and in some places hard to find.

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Look, we’ve reinvented the tubes a bunch of times…

We will reinvent humanity a billion times…

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10 points

I think this is why Borders went out of business…

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6 points

Borders was pretty cool.

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1 point

What was borders?

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7 points

A bookstore that also had a cafe in it. People would go there and buy a drink or whatever and read. The problem was after reading they didn’t have to buy the book. I read a ton of comic books for the price of a coke back then. A library set up like this would be pretty cool.

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50 points

Some libraries, like Austin’s Central Library, are centered around that idea.

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22 points
*

The Boston Public Library’s central location even serves wine and beer and has areas where talking is allowed

The hours have never recovered post covid though. It’s only open till 8 these days and the food and drinks closes earlier

Used to be I’d chill there till midnight

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12 points

Driving in my monster truck to get to the library so I can read until 1am

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1 point

Austin’s Central Library

centered around that idea.

Checks out.

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1 point

I’m sorry, we need to see your library card before you can check something out.

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44 points

I miss that about college, 24 hour library filled with people. You have to be quiet on the main floors but upstairs was less strict.

The routine of get a coffee, study for a while, go pee and step outside with some friends for a smoke, and grab another coffee on the way in. Rinse and repeat until the sun comes up.

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8 points

Man not ours. Couldn’t say shit anywhere lol.

Even our computer labs weren’t too 3rd-spacey.

Man I miss college sometimes tho. Back when I had friends and a life lol

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6 points

Yeah the upper floors are supposed to be for quiet study but you could still collaborate and talk without being hushed, just can’t get too roudy. Michigan State btw.

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37 points

But then homeless people would have a warm safe place to stay! /s

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33 points

And if people aren’t isolated they might get silly ideas about questioning the system.

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25 points

Especially with all those books around. Better ban books and defund libraries. I wish this weren’t how a good chunk of the political right think.

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14 points

Locally we instead pass laws to put liability on librarians and it’s been very successful at destroying libraries.

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