The Public Sphere

[jackshoegazer]

I wish that I could type in my classes with the knowledge that the people behind me weren't reading what I write.

I've come a long way. I used to hate having conversations on the bus or in restaurants because I knew people were eavesdropping. Probably because I spent so much of my socially-stunted youth eavesdropping on other people who didn't think or care that other people were listening to their conversations.

In high school, I was a virtual nobody, but I knew an awful lot about what was going on, secret whispered things, because people just assumed I wasn't listening.

Oh, the things I knew.

Comments

[agirl-gonemad.livejournal.com]

You could always get one of those laptop screen filters.

[dakini-grl.livejournal.com]

I can't *wait* to read your book about it.

[jesuslovesbono.livejournal.com]

there is power in hearing and seeing...both auditory and visual eavesdropping, whether intended or not. but with that comes the knowledge that someone could be watching or listening to you.
sometimes i go for walks in my neighborhood late in the afternoon, walks that continue til after dusk. the lights in people's houses go on, but they don't always close the shades or curtains. therefore i can see right into their houses and see my neighbors, just from the sidewalk. this both amuses me and creeps me out...creeps me out because, while i mean no ill will toward my neighbors, someone else, with bad intentions, could also easily spy on them...or on me.
so i try to be conscious of this.