As I shared yesterday, these topics of attention and connection sure are meaty ones! Or did I say juicy, yesterday? In any case, this is part 2.
So I’m reading both Bones Would Rain From the Sky and How to Do Nothing. Most nights I’ll start with How to Do Nothing and then switch over to Bones Would Rain From the Sky.
Jenny Odell, the author of How to Do Nothing, writes about “Diogenes of Sinope, the Cynic philosopher who lived in fourth-century Athens and later Corinth” (65).
When I came upon her story about him, I knew I’d found a gem.
Diogenes was all about the art of refusal.
Here’s a section that gives way to an invitation:
So to a question like, “Will you or will you not participate as asked?” Diogenes would have answered something else entirely: “I will participate, but not as asked,” or, “I will stay, but I will be your gadfly.” This answer (or non-answer) is something I think of as producing what I’ll call a “third space”—an almost magical exit to another frame of reference. For someone who cannot otherwise live with the terms of her society, the third space can provide an important if unexpected harbor (68). thank you, Jenny Odell, thank you (and Diogenes, too)
So this “third space,” this finding one’s way through the cracks, this is where I attempt to go with the ways I give over my attention as well as make ways for authentic connection.
I know so many others are attempting this too.
Jenny Odell has a magical way of weaving in seemingly disparate concepts, people and their unique methods of refusal and resistance. Like I said yesterday, I’m about half way through the book and it’s chockfull of sorbet colored sticky notes.
The questions that are milling around in my mind and heart right now are:
how do you create your own “third space” away from (1) how the outer world, capitalism, productivity, Big Social, your job, or school wants to fill up your attention as well as away from (2) the more acceptable ways of refusal (full digital detox, fantasizing about running away to an island or a farm, numbing out through various addictions)?
how do I create my own “third space?”
how might we create our own “third spaces” together and collectively?
I realize I’m jumping way past tons of the foundational concepts Jenny Odell shares in her book. I hope this doesn’t confuse but rather offers a clear nugget to chew on.
I am enjoying playing around with different approaches to writing these posts. I am enjoying the responses I’ve received from you. Each of these posts is an experiment in belonging in and of itself and also supports me, and I hope you, in the larger experiment in belonging that is being alive!
Til tomorrow (I’m not sure if they’ll be a part 3 or not… we’ll see!),
Cassandra
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And if that lonely person you are thinking of is you, well, please say hello in the comments or in a reply to this post!