Spaces and places

 Some would argue that the chasm that differentiates a ‘space’ from a ‘place’ is much more irreconcilable than the rift between ‘P vs NP’.  A slight diversion to bring some up to speed – ‘P vs NP’ is computer science problem, or rather conundrum, to discern if there truly exists problems that are too complex to be solved in a simplistic and quick way, particularly by computers with extraordinary computing capacity and speed; and as of yet, the rift remains between a certain set of problems and their counterparts.  However, though perhaps in some ways more tangible and in other ways more ethereal, the difference between the concepts of ‘space’ and ‘place’ are seemingly immutable.  One is just that, a subjective conception, and the other a reality.  One infers experience and association, often memory, imbedded on the other like a multi-layered graphic.  The other just is.  One has geographical coordinates and consists mostly of objects at those precise coordinates.  The other has emotions, sentiment, and a multiplicity of diversions mixed into the concoction, albeit at those aforementioned coordinates.  A ‘space’ can be a ‘place’, but requires the human variable to be such.  A practical example may be as follows:  imagine walking down the hallways of a high school you never attended, or better yet, have never even heard of.  You see the classrooms, the flyers, the school colors displayed proudly.  But they mean little to nothing to you.  Now, traverse down your own high school’s hallways.  Suddenly the classrooms ring with familiarity and significance, the flyers and posters are reminders of events past, and the colors are far more vivid.  This is partly because these spaces are connected to experiences, good or bad (I’m quite sure walking by the principal’s office at your own school would cause a greater variation in heart rate than that of one you’ve never seen).  To one person, a bridge can be just a concrete conduit across a river; to another, it can be where there whole life started a new trajectory as it is where they proposed to their spouse (or got proposed to).  This may be helpful when going to someone else’s home, as we often speak of the idea that “if walls could talk” what a story they may tell.  To you, the rectangular enclosure of dry wall may be just a neat way to throw about decorations on vertical plane; to them, those walls, assuredly have many more stories to tell than that.