DLTQ.org

I have been thinking a lot about space today. Space, places, and how we function within it. Architecturally speaking, space has a major importance. We all know the different feelings we get when we are in two very different spaces. When the lighting is different, when the texture of the floor feels dramatically different, when a space seems overwhelming, or underwhelming, yes, near claustrophobic.

Space also has to do with how we situate ourselves related to others. We know the meaning of space as it is uttered by a woman: “He doesn’t give me any space at all!” - referring to her husband.

Space also has to do a lot with our identity; how we view ourselves, in relation to the other, or to the others. Yesterday, I talked with Peter van Dijck shortly about why he sold Mefeedia, and he said it very well: “I’d rather dance in the party than organize it.” I have not talked as much with Chris Weagel as I used to - basically because he does not spend as much time on-line as before - but I am sure that he must have a lot to say about the vlogosphere as a space. How it limits, or expands, our perceptions of what is possible, or ‘right’, or interesting.

Last December, after having quite a rough time last autumn with different things, I decided to accept an offer from a bookstore here in Copenhagen to work full-time on a temporary contract. I really enjoyed that - enjoyed dealing with real books, real customers, real suppliers, and real colleagues that I could interact with, in the physical space, on a daily basis. Note, that when I say real, I actually mean physical. I really do not believe that on-line relationships, for instance, are less real than off-line ones. Of course, we could argue about that till Doomsday, but that is at least not a distinction I believe in. I am in a period where I really need to ground myself in the physical. I need to exercise, relate to physical beings, and orientate myself from there.

About a week ago I signed on for a permanent contract with this bookstore in central Copenhagen. I am responsible for some book sections, including art books, architecture, philosophy, religion, sociology, debade/politics, law, computers, language learning, and so on. I enjoy being in that space, even though I sometimes, during the day, miss the other space. The space of URL’s and instant connections between agents of change from around the world.

So I will continue in that space too. I will try to write here on DLTQ.org, daily, and sometimes add video content as well. I will probably be doing some more blogging/videoblogging consulting for clients, but that will not be what primarily ‘puts the salt on my table’.

I will go back to the bookstore now after this lunch break, and I will try to figure out a few more things about space. Why it was important for me before, and why it is important for me now.

How do you relate to your space? Both physically, conceptually and emotionally.