No Man is An Island

I often take work that I could complete at home to one of my local coffee houses to complete. In fact, usually large portions of my weekend are spent there, completing my paperwork, either on actual paper or on my laptop. I'm clearly not the only one-- the place is filled with individuals working on their computers or reading books or completing assignments. It is, however, interesting, that so many people go to a public place, a space usually reserved for friends meeting, discourse, discussion, etc. in order to do individual tasks.

Let's get something out of the way, first: I'm not one of those people who buys a 99 cent cup of coffee and sits for hours using the free Internet. I always make sure that I'm purchasing beverages or food so I'm not abusing the kindness of free wifi. Just thought I'd get that on the record...

I always tell people that I go there to work so I don't have the distractions of home-- the computer, the television, music, games, etc... but clearly, I'm lying to myself. I go with my laptop in tow, my mobile by my side, my iPod in my ears. There's a tv at my usual haunt. And moreover, there's the distraction of people watching and the potential to run into someone I know, which quite often is the case.

So why do I choose to complete all of this work in public?

We have never been more "connected" as a society ever before. I'm not going to go into theory about the "global village" now-- we know it's true. Despite this, we're also so very individually isolated. People are so plugged in now-- to mp3 players, cell phones, Blackberries, iPhones, etc... that when we are on the subway or walking down the street, we're very much cut off from those directly around us.

I think I choose to work (individually, ironically) in public to feel connected. I like knowing that there are other people around. I feel like I'm an active part in society, not some isolated loner in his office, working away. I like knowing that I could be distracted by running into a friend that I haven't seen for a while. Even if I don't see someone I know, the possibility is there, and that's also pretty cool.

Donne was right; we aren't islands. But I think we are archipelagos... and I think fighting that, in any small capacity, can be good.