"One of the basic situationist practices is the dérive [literally: “drifting”], a technique of rapid passage through varied ambiances. Dérives involve playful-constructive behavior and awareness of psychogeographical effects, and are thus quite different from the classic notions of journey or stroll".
In other words, what I've been thinking of as 'Flaneuring'. (Debord claimed to have invented the Flaneur, despite the concept predating his birth). As part of my research into Rebecca Solnit's book
"A Field Guide To Getting Lost", I tried a bit of Flaneuring, or as I see it, wandering without purpose or haste. This is completely alien to me: I normally map out routes beforehand and like to know exactly where I am, how far away my destination is, and how long it's going to take to get there.
My first attempt was a wander around the country outside Buxton. See? Before this, I'd have said "a walk from ... to ... ". This time I just parked in a likely spot, and started walking. I had a map, of course, but as long as I ended up back at the car the rest of the route was immaterial.
And you know what? It was very liberating, not being tied to a schedule, not knowing where you're going or when you're going to get there. You pay more attention to where you actually are - 'living in the moment'.
My next dérive was in Manchester. I assumed that I knew Manchester too well for this to work, that I'd always know where I was. But as I took off into the streets around MMU I realised that I only know them from driving and cycling - I'd never actually walked along them. And you notice a lot more as a pedestrian, when you're not separated from the environment by glass and speed.
Again, it was very liberating, if not exactly 19th century Paris. It opens your mind to the prospect – nay the expectation – of new things happening just around the corner. You think differently, more creatively. Recommended, if you've got the time.
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