Five Years a Writer

I often think about public space — and especially in the summer. So many more people are out of doors, doing their thing, which, sadly, all too often involves making noise at a level I find anti-social. Why can people not modulate their voice and speak quietly, without polluting the air well beyond their immediate surroundings? Why must they play music loudly from their cars, bikes and decks? Use ear buds, people!  Why do people insist on walking down the street talking on their phone — often using the speaker option?   Phone calls are private; take them indoors, people!   I fear that we have, generally, forgotten that we do not walk through this world as stand-alone entities. We walk with others — like it (or them) or not, we are not solo operators in our yards, neighbourhoods or city streets. As soon as we exit the private space we call home, we enter public space — and we share it. Be polite, I want to yell. Be aware, I want to scream. Be quiet, I want to shriek. But the noise pollu