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I spent nearly 6 years sleeping in a tent in the US, homeless. I've lived the last 5 years in little apartments in 100 year old buildings. I relate differently

I spent nearly 6 years sleeping in a tent in the US, homeless. I've lived the last 5 years in little apartments in 100 year old buildings. I relate differently to the built environment than most modern Americans who go from house to car to office to car to home again. My habits are different. My understanding is different. It's hard to explain to people whose experience is so different from mine. Architecture used to be by default passive solar design. It was vernacular architecture typically. And we've mostly list that context of building buildings oriented to their physical context. It's a problem, one most modern people seem blind to.

doodlebugging 4y ago
I've never been homeless though I have spent plenty of time in a tent or in other unconventional accommodations that were suited for the occasion. I grew up spending most of my time outside and as a result I can appreciate the difference between a night spent under the stars and a night spent in your own comfortable home. I tend to linger outside and to gravitate outside if I visit someone else. There's a lot going on and it keeps me connected to things that are important to me. Modernity does make you blind to many things simply because there is no opportunity for exposure to them and there are too many distractions, many of which you can carry in a pocket or wear on a wrist. Stepping away from can keep you grounded though.