Quote by Walter Benjamin
Not to find one's way in a city may well be uninteresting and banal. It requires ignorance -- nothing more. But to lose oneself in a city -- as one loses oneself in a forest -- that calls for a quite different schooling. Then, signboard and street names, passers-by, roofs, kiosks, or bars must speak to the wanderer like a cracking twig under his feet in the forest.
Summary
This quote by Walter Benjamin highlights the distinction between simply navigating through a city and truly immersing oneself in its essence. Finding one's way in a city is mundane and accessible to anyone, as it only requires basic knowledge. However, losing oneself in a city, akin to getting lost in a forest, necessitates a deeper engagement and understanding. Benjamin suggests that in order to truly connect with the urban environment, one must be receptive to and attuned to its unique elements – from signboards and street names to passers-by and various landmarks – as if they were natural sensations, akin to the cracking of twigs in the wilderness.
Topics
Cities
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