Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Private use of Common Space

[Jeanne Goodman, JP Cohousing (goodmanj]

Jessie,

Very interesting points. We arrived at the same point with very different 
conclusions to get us there. I hadn't imaged some people might view it that 
way, but certainly see that as a possibility. Thanks for the feedback.

Jeanne

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Dahako [at] aol.com>
To: <cohousing-l [at] cohousing.org>
Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2005 1:08 PM
Subject: Re: [C-L]_ Private use of Common Space


> Hi-
> My biggest disagreement with the viewpoint that common space is an 
> extension
> of individual space is that leads quite a few people (in my  experience,
> mostly those inclined to introversion) to guard common space from 
> "strangers" the
> same way they protect their private space.  And, to me, the  commonhouse 
> is a
> place for not only the residents of the cohousing community to  come
> together, but a place where managed interactions (including parties, 
> workshops,
> music, meetings) with the greater public community can happen --  early 
> and often.
> There are so few spaces in American life where this sort  of secular
> community meeting can happen anymore outside of a commercial  setting.  To 
> my mind,
> the idea of actively used commonhouse space is one of  cohousing's great 
> gifts
> to the world.

> Jessie Handforth Kome
> Eastern Village Cohousing
> Silver Spring, MD