Libraries, etc.

Watt's library lament echoed my thoughts about the internet age in general. Although modes of communication and sharing have been opened up, we are now finding ourselves no longer in close physical proximity with other people. What we lose in this way is difficult to define clearly, but certainly there is value in the informal, unexpected conversations we share with one another in person. Perhaps its the emotional information face-to-face communication contains, or the feeling of community and connection, or even the feeling that one is engaging in authentic human behavior.

Perhaps library spaces simply need to be restructured to reflect the evolving ways in which we are accessing information. If people are doing research at home and at cafes, maybe libraries need to start resembling these places. I think that people do like being around other people as they're doing their work, but the drab, depressing environment of many libraries might cause them to seek out other places.

The video about the Harry Potter video game music was interesting enough, but I've been trying to come up with something to say about it for the last 20 minutes and can't think of anything. Maybe the more interesting thing to talk about is why I haven't been able to get into Harry Potter despite having read and enjoyed a lot of other fantasy writing. What's wrong with me?!?!