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Help, I fell down the stairs of a tube station

Third spaces, why we need community, and the history of (post)modern living pt.4

May 11

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I missed a step while walking down the stairs and fell in the middle of a crowded tube station last week. The thin flesh that covers my knee was able to break the fall, preventing my full-on collapse face-first on the floor of the station. I didn’t have much time to process the sharp pain because immediately people stopped to ask me if I was okay or if I needed anything.

As much as we would like to think cities are filled with cold and callous people, some people stop mid-brisk walk to extend a helping hand.

So why did I fall? I was quite weak in the knees. Yes, I already had a slight wobble, not because I just saw John Boyega coming out of the tube station (does he even take the tube?? lol). No, I was exhausted because I had just taken my first dance class in nearly a decade.

For months, I had been promising my friend, one of London’s finest choreographers, that I would take one of his beginner’s dance classes. Even though I took dance classes when I was younger, I had to pull an Aunt Viv to show the young folks I still got it (watch the video below if you don’t know what I am referring to!)

One thing I’ve always admired about my friend is his heart for people and his desire to see them do well. During the class, he said something that I believe will resonate with all of you. He asked all of us to form a circle. He said:

It’s super easy for all of us to keep showing up to dance class every time and just look at ourselves in the mirror. The more we focus on ourselves, the more disconnected we become. This is why we form this circle. I want you guys to lean in, encourage one another. It doesn’t matter if you miss a step or feel awkward, just keep dancing. This is the social responsibility of dance–to lean in and stop focusing on ourselves.

(Funny enough, I was jotting down this thought on my phone when I missed a step and fell down in the tube station haha)

Not only did I support my friend last week by awkwardly grooving in one of his introduction dance classes, but I also got to enjoy a new space and part of London I’ve never seen before. It’s these kind of spaces that make our cities worth living in. Let’s dive into this week’s episode!

I went to see this public installation of Tavares Strachan’s *The First Supper(Galaxy Black)*, *2023* last week outside of the Royal Academy of Art.

Welcome to the latest episode of this series on the history of (post) modern living where we explore the history behind many of the social problems we are seeing in society today! If you missed any of the episodes, be sure to check them out below :

Are you a lonely londoner?

Apr 20

Read full story

Are you keeping up with the Jones?

Apr 27

Read full story

Why does everyone want to be famous?

May 4

Read full story

Introduction

Most of us spend the majority of our time in a given week at either work/school or at home. You may go out for coffee here and there and the occasional dinner or lunch with a friend. Each space serves a particular need. Work/School helps you pay your bills or get the education you need to get a job that pays the bills. Home is where you relax, recharge, and spend time with family.

However, there is another kind of place, one that is very similar to my friend’s dance studio that I described above. This kind of space is just as equally important as the other two because it is where we form meaningful social, political, and/or religious connections with others. This kind of space is called a third space.

Defining Third Spaces

In the early 1990s, the sociologist Ray Oldenburg coined the term “third space,” which can be simply defined as a communal space for people to gather that is not their place of work (”first place”) or home (”second place”).

Vanishing Third Spaces

In his article, “Our Vanishing ‘Third Places’”, Ray Oldenburg observes that

“Most residential areas built since World War II have been designed to protect people from community rather than connect them to it. Virtually all means of meeting and getting to know one’s neighbors have been eliminated.”¹

In this instance, Oldenburg is referring to the expansion of Suburban areas since WWII. However, even in major urban centers across the world, common third spaces are becoming increasingly inaccessible due to the cost of living crisis. Not everyone can afford endless coffee dates, recreational activities, and pub crawls (English “pubs” are just short for English “public houses”). Yet, there are still some spaces that remain essential to everyone. Public parks and squares, bookshops, libraries, etc. These are all free public spaces that need the utmost protection.

Historically, large-scale social and political movements were birthed in the third space. The English taverns, the corner Baptist churches, and the post-colonial town square were places where people gathered, associations were formed, and change was made.

10 reasons why third spaces are so important

Here are the 10 benefits of third spaces that Ray Oldenburg outlines in his article, “Our Vanishing ‘Third Spaces’”:

They help unify neighborhoods
They serve as a port of entry for newcomers
They are a place where people with similar interests can meet
They bring people from across multiple generations together.
They promote care for the neighborhood
They foster political debate (no hiding behind screens)
They help reduce the cost of living
They provide entertainment
They provide opportunities for deep friendship
They are key to those who are retired/pensioners

So even though I fell down in the middle of the tube station, I am happy it was for a good reason! I was building community and I hope you find some time to do so this week too. Some important announcements are coming up next week, so stay tuned!

p.s. It’s been so great connecting with all of you! I’m starting to lose track of all the email conversations! I have a small favor to ask—if you have a Substack account, would you mind liking and commenting on the individual posts? It helps others find my work and can help build a stronger community. This way it will be easier for me to respond and keep track of comments and questions (and others can benefit by seeing it too!). I truly appreciate every single one of you guys and thank you so much for engaging with these words on your screens!

Until next time,

Hi, I’m Shae and I’m a first-gen PhD candidate at Harvard! I love writing these posts for you all in my spare time. If you found this helpful, you can support my work by buying me a coffee (I actually only drink tea/matcha/chai haha) here: https://buymeacoffee.com/shaethehistorian

Thanks for supporting an emerging writer ✍🏾🍵

📚Recommendations

The Great Good Place: Cafes, Coffee Shops, Bookstores, Bars, Hair Salons, and Other Hangouts at the Heart of a Community by Ray Oldenburg

At The Existentialist Café: Freedom, Being, and Apricot Cocktails by Sarah Bakewell

How To Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen by David Brooks

The Location of Culture by Homi K. Bhabha

Ray Oldenburg, “Our Vanishing ‘Third Spaces’”, 6.

SHAE THE HISTORIAN is a newsletter for history lovers seeking to search the past, learn something new, and contribute to the archive of life. If you enjoyed this story, feel free to share it with someone. Stay curious, friends!