week 4 readings

What does de Certeau mean when he writes, “Surveys of routes miss what was: the act itself of passing by(.)” (p. 97)?

de Certeau states earlier in the passage saying that routes and paths walked can be traced on maps, and we can tell where the person(s) were going based on how worn the trail was, but then goes on to write, “Surveys of routes miss what was: the act itself of passing by(.)” The meaning behind this statement is that we know what paths are taken and how often, but we do not know the reasons behind those paths. What was the reasoning for the person to walk down that path. Were they simply trying to get from point A to point B? Were they in a rush to get somewhere bc of an important matter? Did they have a fight and are trying to clear their head? Or were they just wandering about daydreaming as they walk along this path. This is what maps or the surveys of routes miss.

Why are “haunted places” the “only ones people can live in” (p. 108)?

Haunted places are the only places that people can live in. Disregarding the way the statement was worded this is a very true statement. Haunted places are simply areas rich with memories. The words spoken that couldn’t be recorded, the smells that no longer linger in the air, and the events that couldn’t be replayed all tie together and soak the environment that they occur in. These acts give the area character and give it rich and vivid memories for people to remember or to learn about the place when visited. And what ties people to an environment is the history behind it. Many people struggle to leave their hometown because of the memories associated with it. People decide where to live, where to visit, and what activities to participate in because of the memories associated with that area. This is the reason why “haunted places” are the only place humans can live in.