arriving in cambridge half an hour prior to the end of kaitlin’s class, i decided to roam the streets for a bit. passing a number of shops and restaurants, my stroll went unimpeded until i happened upon a couple of tables covered with books. this display was unattended, and a note scribbled atop a shoebox on the counter that directed purchasers to simply put an amount of cash equivalent to the price designated on the books into the shoebox. i perused the books for quite some time.
the spectacle held my attention as the level of trust astounded me – i can only think of a few places where one could abandon items to be sold and expect the cash to be available upon return. other spectators also gathered around the display for short periods of time, briefly browsed, and left. falling victim to the city’s opportunities of distraction, the traffic in bodies was momentarily arrested by this scene invested with so much trust. so much for the street as a space of passage.
i’ve seen that at the berkeley public library, a quarter donation for every book you take. i got into the thought process of just taking one beacuse i didn’t have quarters and was feeling lazy to get change. the temptation was irritating. i didn’t take it. there were too many people around. i felt accountable to all of them, especially this young woman who was taking special care to count coins for each one of her books. but an actual empty box asking for any donation, like a tip jar? i think you’re right the city’s too full of distraction to actually make up your mind about what the worth of the book you’re interested in taking is. it’s just not an efficient use of mind energy! how much? is it too little? am i going to read this? when am ig oing to read this? =)