Psychogeography

Today I had a lecture on psychogeography, a concept which i was completely unfamiliar with before, but an idea which i found a fascinating way of looking at society and my own way of life. 

“Psychogeography is the study of the precise laws  and specific effects of the geographical  environment, consciously organized or not, on the  emoLons and behaviour of individuals”. Guy Debord [An introduction to a critique of urban geography,1955]. Psychogeography is the idea that we are controlled both consciously and subconsciously by an invisible power within the city. It argues how we are constantly regulated and told what to do and where to go. For example, as a tourist entering in to a new city we are given maps with the 'places to see', telling that these are the only places worth looking at. It doesn't enable us to ever get lost in a city, or find things and areas for ourselves. We are constantly given suggestions of the 'must see' areas. But what about those areas that are not so polished? The quaint, real life areas that no one sees because we are not told to. We are given little freedom and we somehow loose all intuition.  Psychogeography encourages us to re imagine the city in our own minds. To explore the city avoiding the invisible power. Avoiding all signs and maps and encourages you to decided where you want to go, relying on your own sensors. This creates a much more personal and unique view of the city.  We were encouraged to be Flaneur and walk around the streets like detectives of the city but with no purpose. We walked aimlessly round the city to try get lost and discover undiscovered things. What i found shocking was how difficult it was to get lost! Any time i thought i had got lost and didn't know where i was, there would appear a map telling me exactally where i was and how to get to the next 'must see' destination. It enhanced this idea that the city is not run by the people but run by an invisible power, constantly telling us where we should be.  It is an attitude which i want to try instill in myself, getting lost more often, walking, observing and looking at things with fresh eyes. I think its not only a more liberating way of seeing the city but also a highly creative and inspirational way of seeing things.