There was a time in my life during college that I found dorm/communal
living to be very satisfying and enjoyable. Someone, unleesh? mentioned
something about a house that should have people moving through it
constantly, or something like that. If I were still in college I would
agree with that. Now that I am married and living in an apt., and I had to
adjust to this isolation, I enjoy the quietness and privacy that my husband
and I share in our small but cozy living space. I think if I wasn't
married, a communal, co-op, living arrangement would be ideal. In positive
arrangements, I think it saves space, educates people about diversity,
strengthens social skills, teaches tolerance, breeds maturity and
responsibility, etc. I don't know, these are just my random thoughts on
this topic......
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> From: Alison Hope Alkon <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: STUDIES IN WOMEN AND ENVIRONMENT <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: Re: Dormitory Nostalgia
> Date: Thursday, February 18, 1999 9:28 AM
>
>
> I moved off campus for the first time this past september, and although
> I'm still walking distance from both school and friends, I understand
your
> nostalgia.
>
> I wonder if the isolation of which you speak is related to consumption
> patterns in western society. I often feel like advertisements
> (especially tv) are trying to sell me my own esteem-- like their product
> will cure the problems in my life. I do think that a stronger feeling of
> community would avoid this.
>
> I also think that it is these consumption patterns, and the percieved
need
> for ever-increasing consumption that keeps many people from exploring an
> environmental mindset. It also makes people more protective of their
> posessions and therefore less likely to consider a more
community-oriented
> lifestyle. So the whole thing becomes circular.
>
> Just a thought on how the things you wrote about might be related.
>
>
>
