Third Spaces are the Antithesis to Capitalism

Everyone needs a break from the relentless back-and-forth of work, school and sleep, but the places we visit in these in-between times — cafes, libraries and malls — are steadily disappearing. 

These locations are called third spaces, a term coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg. They’re argued to be the glue of all society, fostering community and connection between people with nothing in common besides location, without the pressure of spending money. 

Today’s American capitalistic landscape prioritizes efficiency over socialization, and third spaces are quickly becoming scarce. The impact of this loss will be detrimental if action isn’t taken by everyday community members. 

College students have the unique luxury of seemingly endless third spaces.

At Loyola, locations like Ireland’s, the Information Commons and Engrained are home to constant chatter and study groups. However, when students step off campus, it’s an entirely different world — one where options for entertainment or activity without excessive spending are sparse. 

Shopping malls, once a common third place, are frequently being demolished and turned into apartment complexes. Not only is this a loss of opportunity for vibrant community interaction, but this also forces residents and, by extension, the cities they live in, to be structured around vehicle transportation. 

It quickly renders walkable cities more of a thing of the past and makes city streets an unfriendly pedestrian environment, discouraging people from going out in their communities.

Public libraries are another common third place, and they’re especially beneficial, seeing as they promote education while also being free to use. There are 81 public libraries in the Chicago area, but recent federal funding cuts put their future at risk without sufficient support. 

The disappearance of these third spaces isn’t a coincidence. 

It’s a clear reflection of how American capitalism commercializes and profits from people’s intrinsic need for connection. Unfortunately, a lifestyle of spending large amounts of money at every hangout isn’t sustainable for most Americans, forcing them to stay in and become ostracized from their own communities. 

A society cannot function without leisure, and yet, capitalism seems to have destroyed almost every option people have for recreation without spending money. Big businesses continue to prioritize efficiency and financial gain over human interaction. 

Following the increasing disappearance of third spaces in local communities, many have been finding company in online third spaces. Especially post the COVID-19 pandemic, apps like Discord have proven to be a viable alternative to in-person third spaces, allowing users to join forums and channels to discuss and connect over shared interests. 

The fundamental issue with relying on the internet to replace third spaces is it only contributes to the ever-increasing trend of cultural globalization. 

It’s not inherently negative, as this globalization has allowed voices to be spread across continents where they typically wouldn’t have been heard. 

However, globalization results in a distancing from personal communities. Instead of regularly interacting with neighbors and citizens who are affected by events happening directly nearby, people become entangled in immeasurable issues from around the world and fail to recognize the problems right under their noses.

Posting an Instagram story with an infographic or a headline is a good start, but showing up in person for one’s neighborhood and city has a much greater impact.

Capitalism threatens to isolate people from their communities, but by putting in effort to engage in public spaces by supporting local cafes, public libraries and small businesses, this rise of loneliness can be stopped.

By sticking up for third spaces, real differences can be made to save local communities.