Mind-Body Conflict: Dehydration and Disaster at JLFT
Although there are a few affordable facilities for beverages and food around Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, none are within reach of the Pokestop cluster, which has created multiple events of players passing out in the heat from exhaustion or dehydration (Torontoist). Between the lack of immediate water, intense summer heat and limited spaces to sit, players can feel that they are unable to move, or become so distracted by the hunt that they forget to fulfill the body's basic needs. In this instance, we see players having a struggle with their inner space – the mind and body. Descartes, a philosopher from the 17th century, established the concept of the mind and body being separate entities, with the body as a vessel and the mind as a priority, known as the Cartesian division. (Johnston 326, 327). Looking at this concept from the perspective of Pokemon GO players, and knowing that this term is under contention within social geography, we …show more content…
During the January survey, 38.5 per cent of respondents said they couldn’t get city shelter beds that week because facilities were at capacity. A further 14.3 per cent said they were barred for a period of time from using city shelters (for various rule violations) and turned to these other programs.” (Metro News) OCAP, the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty, also found numerous other reasons why the homeless felt unsafe in shelters, including bed bugs, infestations, unfriendliness and even virus outbreaks. Within this context, it's easy to see why the Ferry Terminal seems like a safe haven away from the bureaucracy of a broken shelter system, but now that Pokemon GO players have taken over, this space has become another space they must fight to exist
Although there are a few affordable facilities for beverages and food around Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, none are within reach of the Pokestop cluster, which has created multiple events of players passing out in the heat from exhaustion or dehydration (Torontoist). Between the lack of immediate water, intense summer heat and limited spaces to sit, players can feel that they are unable to move, or become so distracted by the hunt that they forget to fulfill the body's basic needs. In this instance, we see players having a struggle with their inner space – the mind and body. Descartes, a philosopher from the 17th century, established the concept of the mind and body being separate entities, with the body as a vessel and the mind as a priority, known as the Cartesian division. (Johnston 326, 327). Looking at this concept from the perspective of Pokemon GO players, and knowing that this term is under contention within social geography, we …show more content…
During the January survey, 38.5 per cent of respondents said they couldn’t get city shelter beds that week because facilities were at capacity. A further 14.3 per cent said they were barred for a period of time from using city shelters (for various rule violations) and turned to these other programs.” (Metro News) OCAP, the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty, also found numerous other reasons why the homeless felt unsafe in shelters, including bed bugs, infestations, unfriendliness and even virus outbreaks. Within this context, it's easy to see why the Ferry Terminal seems like a safe haven away from the bureaucracy of a broken shelter system, but now that Pokemon GO players have taken over, this space has become another space they must fight to exist