social design

social design, originally uploaded by julian marshall sykes findings.

I have been meaning to post this image for months, never seemed right until now. With the my recent involvement in ARK being more aware of social design and how people affect people. This image is taken in the middle of Cardiff City Centre Just by where I live. For me the interesting thing about it was the story. When leaving my flat there was one item of rubbish carefully positioned on the door frame, walking past it I thought then that it was strange to see an item of litter there. When I got back about an hour later I saw that there was a second piece of litter now on the door frame. So from never seeing any litter there before suddenly in one day there are two items.

This is really where the story starts for me as I believe it relates to urban psychology and the fact that people are sociable beings. The argument therefore is that without the first putting the rubbish in that spot the second person would not have even dreamed of doing so. I a similar way it's why groups of people in a wide open space will generally inhabit places near tall structures such a sculptures and trees. Ultimately it's how trends start the first leads the way with the other following. I think Malcolm Gladwell's Tipping point is a must read if anyone is interested in this topic. For me though I am wondering how this could be used almost in reverse in a positive none littering way?