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I first came across the term third space in a book about Google written by an ex-top ranking HR executive. In it, he wrote that Google aims to be the third space in its employees’ lives. Third space refers to a place other than home and the office, in which people can hang out with others and bask in a shared sense of community and camaraderie.
Came across third space for the second time in a second book and hence, felt that I ought to write something about it. I wondered if third space has to be somewhere physical. Instantly, my answer was nope. I realised Stacker News fits the bill for me, because I not only maintain my presence here consistently, but also have other members acknowledge my thoughts and meanderings via their tags.
I talk to you guys more often than I maintain my connections with my real life friends. I reckon the unique value proposition of Stacker News is that you don’t really have to put yourself out there, unlike in face-to-face communications. You can post your thoughts. Whether it’s in a hugely popular territory or some obscure corner, you can share your authentic self. After that, if your thoughts resonate with other Stackers, they will respond. Otherwise, you can move on. It’s minus the nerve-wracking atmosphere in which you put forth a topic in conversation and wait anxiously for your interlocutor to respond.
I bet Stacker News functions similarly as a third space for many of you. Is Stacker News your only third space though? Or are you lucky enough to have many communities in which you can be yourself unreservedly?
There is no second best, when it comes to third spaces.
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Absolutely agree. Stackers make sure I always have something to do while my girlfriend scrolls mindlessly on social media, a drug I have recently given up.
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Have you already given up on social media before you found SN?
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I had. Facebook and insta anyway. Twitter I still visit on occasion.
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Your sentiment strikes deep!
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Stacker news is my second space because I don't have office, not so far. When I'll have one I'll ca that the third space.
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I think not having your office is quite amazing since you run your own business
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No I actually don't even run my own business. I'm just a college graduated 1 year ago. I'm only planning to be sovereign
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Great observation. Yeah, for sure other spaces -- in that scary real world, nonetheless -- but since I come back here every day and try to post interesting things and read good takes, I guess it becomes a little bit of an intellectual third space.
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Have you written more since you joined SN? I sure have haha
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Hm, maybe. Hard to tell.
My usual publishing is definitely down, but then again the things I write for SN don't exactly compete with that -- other than in time. And fiat work is crushing me, too, so yeah who knows really
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i spend most time on SN, i hop in and out of reddit and also spend some time on FB since there are some expat groups and things I'm part of that are useful in terms of info.
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That’s nice! I have always wanted to live in a foreign land. Are you hopping from country to country or staying put in a nation of your preference?
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not full no-mad no, in my 20s i was based in Moscow and traveled a lot that decade, then when had kids, moved to Bulgaria and basically settled down. there's always info in the groups about things going on that i would miss otherwise since i don't watch tv etc
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Second space for some of us.
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I guess Nature is your third space haha
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Never looked at it that way. Very nice.
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This is a space that is good for finding some stimulating discussions. Second or third space does not make a difference, does it?
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No, it doesn’t. I’m just curious about the lives of my fellow Stackers haha
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For me, too, it is the second space.
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Stacker News and Nostr seem to be my 3rd spaces. Distinctly different feels though.
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I think it’s always a great exercise to accentuate certain aspects of your personality to assimilate into different environments
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This may be my second place. I don't work a regular job.
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But I think your work is more strenuous than normal office jobs
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In a sense. It's a very different trade off. I have lots of free time. And sometimes it's a lot of hard work. I think I deal with stress that others wouldn't know how to deal with it. But for me, I feel very free. My real work is my medicine work that I basically give away. But that only comes in sometimes. Everyday is an adventure out here.
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