The genelogy of place

Continuing with the first part of the reading, Tim Cresswell talks about the genealogy of place as he look more deeply into its meanings and relationship with human. According to one of his example, the basic meaning of place lies within the human existence and experience. Beside carrying contextual meanings and relationships with human, place is what defines s human existence. “The only way humans can be humans is to be in place”. After encountering this idea of place being the element of forming humans existence, my perspective about the place has be changed. Suddenly, place seem to be a grandeur and a ultimate being which controls out experiences and define our existences.

Cresswell's place

Before reading the first chapter of the book by Cresswell, I never thought about place and its deeper meanings. I learned that place is more than what it stands for, but it serves as representation of the people and way of identifying and understanding others. One of his example about giving meaning to a place, decorating a new room, was something I could related to that when I move into new apartments, I decorate my room and it reflects my preference and sense of style.
Place contains meaning as well as special memories. I f I go back to place where I used to live when I was young, it will bring back my memories and feelings from that time. Place I live is part of my identity, part of the culture I belong to, affect my interaction with others, and build relationship. Reading the first chapter of this book, I had a chance to rethink about place as a meaningful and a symbolic entity.