Remember that iconic ‘80s television sitcom about a neighborhood pub in Boston? The one where everybody knows your name. Each week, millions of viewers tuned in to watch the trouble-prone “Cheers” gang. Staff and patrons taunted and cajoled each other, tolerated Cliff Clavin spouting off obscure and often not-so-exact "facts," and enthusiastically shouted "Norm!" each time Norm Peterson walked through the door. The “Cheers” bar was an important neighborhood interaction center, a place where brilliant (or maybe obscure) minds came together to solve the problems of the day.
Interaction centers, or third spaces, are places outside the confines of office or home where people meet to unwind and discuss important topics about themselves and their community. Combining informality with food and drinks – the staples of socializing – these areas of free communication can inspire massive change. In 2019, interaction centers included cafés, bookstores and coffeehouses. We used to say: Let's go grab a cup of coffee at Peet’s or Starbucks and we can brainstorm. Coffee culture (combining the world's most popular beverage with comfy couches and plenty of table space to spur creative thinking and impromptu collaborations) will likely return.
Of course, libraries, student centers and green spaces all serve as third spaces within the higher education milieu. Stimulating cross-disciplinary innovation, these spaces enhance the quality of teaching and research. And with the growing significance of peer-to-peer collaboration in learning, they offer students space to work in groups, discuss issues, and solve problems together. After all, students learn a great deal by explaining their ideas to others – and studying with friends is more fun than learning alone.
One result of the pandemic is this question: Do we need physical spaces to collaborate, or can deep learning and dialogue also take place through that little electronic device in our pocket or purse? The Internet has spurred the same kind of discussions in cyberspace that traditionally took place in person in our neighborhoods. With today's smartphones, we can easily participate in robust idea exchanges. With a growing list of millions – perhaps billions – of user online communities for everything from hobbies to social concerns, the relevance of today's virtual third spaces cannot be overstated. In fact, many email exchanges with colleagues now end with, "Should we Zoom on that?" Video conferencing may not replace the neighborhood coffeehouse, but it has vastly expanded the opportunities for people to "hang out" and collaborate on a 24-7 basis.
Whether we engage in the meaningful exchange of ideas online, or while sprawled out on UCSF green spaces, interaction centers will continue to be places that stimulate communication, learning and change. And by the way, it is a little-known fact that “Cheers” creators regularly dropped into local pubs to eavesdrop on patrons' conversations as inspiration for their scripts. It's no wonder the characters went on to conquer a number of personal and social issues during their 11-year collaboration. And yes, you can binge watch it all online. It's simply a case of art imitating life where there is a meeting of the minds.
