Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ode to libraries (the book ones)

sibervepunk.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

61–65 of 65 posts

Re: Ode to libraries (the book ones)

#61

Post by A4ET8a8uTh0_v2 »

maccard wrote: post #42
A4ET8a8uTh0_v2 wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sure, but a coffee cup is not exactly expensive or difficult to make. The reason why companies tried so hard to make it inviting or 'third space' or whatever corporate types call it these days is that it helps sell severely overpriced sugar drinks of added caffeine. This is not a shot at Starbucks. I love me some creme brulee, but it is important to recognize it for what it is. Similarly, if it indeed is user entitle…

There’s a difference between providing a third space and providing a free office space for the cost of one coffrr

It is important to note that we are talking about extremes now. Up until now, the rules mostly encouraged self-governance and, in general, well, not being an asshole. That has been slowly eroded and we are in an expected spot, where some will push things to its limit.

While it is easy to be annoyed with those people, I would like to posit that they serve an actual purpose in the society. In a very tangible sense, they tell you where the lines actually are.

Re: Ode to libraries (the book ones)

#62

Post by maccard »

A4ET8a8uTh0_v2 wrote: post #61
maccard wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There’s a difference between providing a third space and providing a free office space for the cost of one coffrr

It is important to note that we are talking about extremes now. Up until now, the rules mostly encouraged self-governance and, in general, well, not being an asshole. That has been slowly eroded and we are in an expected spot, where some will push things to its limit. While it is easy to be annoyed with those people, I would like to posit that they serve an actual purpose in the society. In a very tangible sense, the…

I disagree - I think those people are, to put it bluntly “the reason we can’t have nice things”. The only reason those lines need to be clearly defined is so those people know how hard they can push. If it wasn’t for that we could share.

Re: Ode to libraries (the book ones)

#63

Post by ctrlp »

gnulinux wrote: post #55
ctrlp wrote: post #20

In the US, libraries are free, have bathrooms, and you can spend the whole day. Hence, urban libraries have become de facto homeless shelters with all the social problems that implies. Suburban libraries are still pretty great places to work or read, but city libraries are a tragedy compared to what they were when I was growing up.

It sounds like you experienced this in some American city and generalized to all? This absolutely not true for Boston Public Library which is an immensely convenient place to WFH, read, or write. I also never experienced this in NYC public libraries, nor in the main Philadelphia library. Imho public library systems in US cities are absolutely incredible, and arguably one of the best perks of living in the US period.

That's surely true, but maybe you're generalizing from a smaller sample than I am. For context, I've spent significant time (years) in Boston, NYC (Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn), LA (West Side and Downtown), and several smaller American cities in the American NE and SE using libraries. For comparison, I've also used the libraries in Paris, Rome, London, and other European cities extensively. I've used the iconic libraries and university libraries and they are great for sure, but branch libraries are a different matter entirely.

Re: Ode to libraries (the book ones)

#64

Post by danielfalbo »

kilroy123 wrote: post #35
danielfalbo wrote: post #27

> So what to do? Go to nearest coffee shop. You’re lucky if they don’t play tasteless trendy music. You’re lucky if a waiter doesn’t keep asking if you need anything, isn’t intrusive, and doesn’t subtly let you know when it’s time to leave by checking on you constantly . You’re lucky if no teenagers talking loudly about their-whatever-teens-talk-about-these-days. Oh, by the way, pay a lot of money to be here and to d…

Would love to see your Lonon map / list!

let's make a collaborative list https://github.com/danielfalbo/awesome-london-laptop-cafes

Re: Ode to libraries (the book ones)

#65

Post by danielfalbo »

maleldil wrote: post #54
danielfalbo wrote: post #27

> So what to do? Go to nearest coffee shop. You’re lucky if they don’t play tasteless trendy music. You’re lucky if a waiter doesn’t keep asking if you need anything, isn’t intrusive, and doesn’t subtly let you know when it’s time to leave by checking on you constantly . You’re lucky if no teenagers talking loudly about their-whatever-teens-talk-about-these-days. Oh, by the way, pay a lot of money to be here and to d…

> Now I moved to London and I'm doing the same Could you share your map for London?

let's make a collaborative list https://github.com/danielfalbo/awesome-london-laptop-cafes
Post reply on HN