Social And Anti-social Furniture
Ever heard of 'meeting bowls'? They are a new furniture installation recently displayed in New York City's Time Square. They are part of an innovative project that aims to encourage spontaneous dialogues between random people. They fit eight people and because of their tight, circular shape, force people to talk to each other. They are much more social than regular public benches and deliberately placed in areas with lots of foot traffic.
Reading about these meeting bowls made me think about social vs. anti-social furniture. It sounds silly but it's real. Dining chairs aren't meant to be reclined in because people should sit up while they eat. But in addition they are also sitting upright to listen to the people they are dining with. Couches can be used to gather friends, but it is also likely that people will fall asleep on them, even in social situations. Couches are therefore an example of anti-social furniture.
Other social furniture includes:
1. Ottomans: Ottomans aren't typically meant to be sat on, but sometimes when a room is crowded, a party packed that's where you might end up sitting. Ottomans are social because they are impossible to relax into. Moreover, as they are a last-resort seat, that means there are lots of other people around to talk to.
2. Bar stools: Bar stools are very social. They tend to have no, or very short, backs. They are in front of a bar, which means that the people sitting in them are usually talking to the bartender, the person sitting next to them at the bar, or the home owner (many home kitchens have bars set up in them, where guests can sit and keep the host company while they prepare).
3. Benches: Benches are long so that a few people can sit on them. They are often found in public places such as parks, cemeteries and bus stops. People found sitting on public benches aren't necessarily talking to each other, but they are in each other's company which is social enough.
Anti-social furniture includes:
1. Desk chairs: Desk chairs are a cross between uncomfortable (hard and straight) so that people can stay awake and focus, and comfortable (padded and reclineable) so that people can stand sitting in them for long periods of time. If you're at your desk, that means that you are working and not socialising with other people - or should be.
2. Hammocks: Hammocks are the perfect place to take an afternoon nap on a summer's day. They mould to the shape of your body and rock you to sleep. People in hammocks can usually be found sleeping, or reading and on the verge of falling asleep.
It's funny when you think of non-living objects as being social or anti-social but it's very true, they are!
Reading about these meeting bowls made me think about social vs. anti-social furniture. It sounds silly but it's real. Dining chairs aren't meant to be reclined in because people should sit up while they eat. But in addition they are also sitting upright to listen to the people they are dining with. Couches can be used to gather friends, but it is also likely that people will fall asleep on them, even in social situations. Couches are therefore an example of anti-social furniture.
Other social furniture includes:
1. Ottomans: Ottomans aren't typically meant to be sat on, but sometimes when a room is crowded, a party packed that's where you might end up sitting. Ottomans are social because they are impossible to relax into. Moreover, as they are a last-resort seat, that means there are lots of other people around to talk to.
2. Bar stools: Bar stools are very social. They tend to have no, or very short, backs. They are in front of a bar, which means that the people sitting in them are usually talking to the bartender, the person sitting next to them at the bar, or the home owner (many home kitchens have bars set up in them, where guests can sit and keep the host company while they prepare).
3. Benches: Benches are long so that a few people can sit on them. They are often found in public places such as parks, cemeteries and bus stops. People found sitting on public benches aren't necessarily talking to each other, but they are in each other's company which is social enough.
Anti-social furniture includes:
1. Desk chairs: Desk chairs are a cross between uncomfortable (hard and straight) so that people can stay awake and focus, and comfortable (padded and reclineable) so that people can stand sitting in them for long periods of time. If you're at your desk, that means that you are working and not socialising with other people - or should be.
2. Hammocks: Hammocks are the perfect place to take an afternoon nap on a summer's day. They mould to the shape of your body and rock you to sleep. People in hammocks can usually be found sleeping, or reading and on the verge of falling asleep.
It's funny when you think of non-living objects as being social or anti-social but it's very true, they are!
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