I’ve been attempting to remove myself from a lot of systems lately; partially because I am very low on money, and partially with intention and a recent profound disgust for capitalism. (Blame Trump.) As a way of interacting with the city without buying/selling, I take really long walks in the city and look around and take pictures. I decided to do my homework on the traffic system I take part in as a pedestrian.
The visual attached is a very rough map of where I begin my walks (around Leob Hall). In different sections of the map, I point out the different systems I take part in as I walk. For the sake of clarity, I will write out my notes below that correspond with the numbers on my map.
- Pedestrian etiquette: keep to the right, pass on the left
- The city maintains/fixes traffic lights, roads, some sidewalks
- Crossing guards are hired by the city to direct pedestrians and cars near schools, construction sites, and difficult intersections
- The city builds special walkways, like the path by the East River, for pedestrians
- The path I walk always follows the grid of the city, I can only walk in public spaces
- Trucks will park on the sidewalk and I have to walk into the street
- Traffic lights and “walk signs” at each intersection
- n/a (I don’t think this one was a system, really?)
- Landlords and business owners clean sidewalks and shovel sidewalks
The next part of the assignment confused me, and I thought a lot about how to answer the question. Walking does not have a beginning or end, you know? It isn’t a transaction, nor does it occur in steps… I do not know how to rearrange the systems I encounter on a walk, because they are all happening at the same time. I don’t know if I misunderstand some part of the question. I would like to learn more clearly how to define a system, and how to define the part I am taking in a system.
