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We have a kitchen for cooking. A dining room for eating. A bedroom for sleeping. A bathroom for showering, shaving and whatnot.
And then there’s the living room.
I assume that this room is for living. For experiencing life with other people — as humans are born to do. I think that, alternatively, the same room could be called the family room because it is a place for family members — and even guests! — to enjoy each other’s company.
I imagine that, years ago, the living room was a place where people would come and go, chat, read and perhaps discuss what they’ve been reading. They would reminisce about the past, speculate about the future, and share plans for the coming day.
Back then, it was a relaxed room with chairs, sofas, books and adequate (or perhaps inadequate) lighting.
Then radio appeared. Jack Benny and big bands joined us in our living room. FDR would stop by for a fireside chat. But, despite the interruptions, the living room retained its essential character. It remained a relaxing room for living.
TV arrived and took over. We sat in front of it to watch the news, and to try and unwind after work. But the news, and even more so, the commercials wound us up, generating fear, anxiety and dissatisfaction. We were trained how to relieve the anxiety — by buying stuff. We developed…
