Does Place Matter?

Cecilieaux left an interesting comment last night, one I wanted to follow up on. It would have generated a reply that is two miles long so I'm doing it here. It would also be interesting to hear what others have to say about it.

He says: The gist of where you and I intersect is in the experience of thinking that a place makes a difference. I did. I don't any more.

My position is that place most definitely matters.

There was a time when I went along with the "grow where you're planted" view of this, that we should be able to make a life, no matter where we are. And I suppose in the strictest definition, we can be alive anywhere. We can exist anywhere, as long as we have food and water. But can we make a life? Really?

The fact remains: There's a difference between Pacific Heights and the Tenderloin. There's a difference between Beverly Hills and Norwalk. There's a difference between Roland Park and Hampden.

There's a difference between my house and the house next door.

There's a difference between France and Germany.

And there's a difference between the US and Thailand. :)

It's all about environment and community. Some of it is only a geographic difference but the important part is culture.

Trying to live in a community that is substantially different, that holds different values and customs than our own is a lonely prospect at best. At worst, it can be alienating and isolating. Anyone who claims it isn't alienating hasn't experienced it.

There is an argument to made for growing where one is planted and if there is no other option, I suppose that is the only route to go. But I believe it is not the healthiest one.

I believe the people, the values, the customs, the art, the education, the geography and the culture that surrounds us does affect us. It shapes us. It is how we mesh ourselves into the world. It is how we create community and from community, we grow into who we will be in the world.

What say you? Do you think place matters? Do you believe someone can thrive in one environment and not in another?

Thanks for the comment, Cecilieaux. I think this could be very interesting! :)
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