What makes an area a place, or a non-place for that matter? The key difference between these two spaces is anonymity, spaces of supermodernity. Grocery stores, gas stations, airports, anywhere that is is visited so often that every consumer becomes one face of anonymity. A space that has no responsibilities or predispositions. A non-place feels oddly comfortable because you need no identity to be welcomed. Places often require you as a person; your responsibilities, your character, your baggage, your everything. A place, however, is somewhere that has risks and rewards. Yes you get to see the Eiffel Tower, but you have all the risks involved with traveling and being in a tourist space.
Non-places are trapped in a slow, almost non moving, existence of time. Only news of the past 48 hours exists there. Despite the many hours you could spend in these areas, it only ever seems to be minutes. The fluorescent lights, the lack of windows and clocks, time seems different there. Where as time seems to slip by oh so fast when you are in places. Time passes by too quickly as you experience a place, and before you know it your time is there is over.
In conclusion, the difference between places and non-places are the weight and and memories is gives you. You could spend hundreds of hours in non-places, but the hour in a place is what will stay with you most. This fundamental difference is what makes identity important, memories require an identity.
Non-places are trapped in a slow, almost non moving, existence of time. Only news of the past 48 hours exists there. Despite the many hours you could spend in these areas, it only ever seems to be minutes. The fluorescent lights, the lack of windows and clocks, time seems different there. Where as time seems to slip by oh so fast when you are in places. Time passes by too quickly as you experience a place, and before you know it your time is there is over.
In conclusion, the difference between places and non-places are the weight and and memories is gives you. You could spend hundreds of hours in non-places, but the hour in a place is what will stay with you most. This fundamental difference is what makes identity important, memories require an identity.