American urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg, who came up with the concept of "the third place" in his 1989 book "The Great Good Place", defines the third place as (commonly seen as) eight characteristics. There is no obligation to be here for legal, survival, political, etc. reasons. You can just not show up. Everyone is equal. The rich, the poor, the minorities and the majorities all intermingle together in one common space. Conversation and socializing is the main activity. You go here to "hang out". They're accessible and accommodating for anyone who wants to visit. It's a place where people regularly go, and whose regulars give the space its vibe and characteristics. The physical place is not overly pretentious or imposed. It feels like the community, like an extension of home. Generally speaking, the vibe here is more calm and friendly and playful than actively hostile and argumentative. You feel like you have genuine ownership in the place, as if it's almost a communal home for you and the people you care about.

« Half solved » because, hey, still it’s proprietary so who knows ? You have to trust the software editor then, it’s just moving the trust cursor.

Third Space