Monday, May 19, 2014

The slow death of walking without purpose

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Walking has become a luxury in the West. There are few people who can do it, given the congestion and all means of transport which have at their disposal. In this way, walk, regardless of distance, turned into a planned activity or recreation. Or for health reasons and to keep fit. However, there is one other thing that the walks provide: time to think.

Charles Dickens, Virginia Woolf, George Orwell, Thomas De Quincey, Friedrich Nietzsche or Vladimir Nabokov are some of the great world writers who appreciated a good walk and used this time to reflect on life and thinking these thoughts, which resulted in his works.

But it is not necessary to be a writer or a great thinker to cherish a good walk. But a hike in particular, the distance between the corner of the street and the nearest coffee shop. The journey of contemplation without a defined purpose.

May in the United Kingdom, is the National month of hiking and a book of Frederic Gros, launched recently, entitled "the Philosophy of Walking", is the subject of some discussion among the British. Last week, a Stanford University study highlights the benefits that a short walk, even if it's on a treadmill at home or the gym, promotes the creative thinking, says the BBC.

"There's something special about pace of walking and thinking, which seem to synchronize. Walking requires some attention, but provides many moments to think. I believe that once the blood begins to flow to the head, the brain starts to work more creatively, "says Geoff Nicholson, author of" The Lost Art of Walking ".

Nicholson is a writer who lives in Los Angeles, a city where cars have primacy. But there are many other cities where do a simple walk to be a Herculean task. Kuala Lumpur, for example, capital of Malaysia. Anyone who wants to walk in this city must have a great patience and nerves of steel. The tours end up mysteriously. The bustling streets must be traversed without the help of treadmills. And the simple act of walking down the street can cause bewilderment of residents.

But even in cities that appear to have been built for the cars there is fruit for those who choose to ramble. "Most of my hiking are made in the city â€" in Los Angeles things are scattered. Therefore, there is plenty to look at. Is urban exploration. I'm always looking for narrow streets and alleys strangers ", indicates Nicholson.

But not everyone is prepared to wait. There are many who consider hiking as long dead, an obligation to move from one side to the other without accomplishing anything useful, at a time when time seems to be increasingly precious. As such, this time is used to the fullest and it is increasingly common to see people walking and doing something else at the same time. Many walk and talk on a cell phone at the same time or send messages, view email or social networks. And accidents with pedestrians distracted by mobile devices are increasing.

The contemplative hikes seem to be on the verge of extinction, as well as the opportunity to reflect on life and its aspects.

Foto: Redrock Junction/Creative Commons

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