Rediscovering Power

                                          

Image 1: George Roberts Hall, JCU Townsville (Balanzategui, 2016)

A new space is a voyage, a campaign into unexplored, hostile territory, full of life, action and opportunity. When space refers to a new environment, and place refers to a comfortable, well-known setting, re-establishing power and place within a space becomes the main occupation. The making of place in a new, foreign space can be an adventure, but also terrifying and nerve racking. To borrow from Turkle, in any ‘new space, opportunities and threats’ – (Kuttainen, 2016) are ever present. Feelings associated with alien worlds are fear, shyness and powerlessness.

In a new space centralised within a real, geographical location, the relationship between space and power is strong. “Geography makes a difference to the exercise of power,” (Allen 2003, P.1). It is difficult to maintain power over great distance. He also acknowledged that, “Power is inherently spatial and, conversely, spatiality is imbued with power” (Allen 2003, P. 3). Power is lost when the place is abandoned. Similarly, prior to taming the locals, the fear of being vulnerable makes the individual feel isolated and insecure.

It is disempowering indeed to come from work at Poole's Produce, where the position of manager was held, to George Roberts Hall for the first time, knowing nobody and nothing of the social culture. Social HUBs seem unknown and hostile, accommodation is not guaranteed.

Though one may regain social power in a new space such as George Roberts, there are returning residents with more friends and experience in the social environment, boasting superior social status. If they are friendly, it is easy to gain access to the social hubs they inhabit and make a place. If they are unwelcoming, regaining social power and finding a place is challenging. Power is lost, but it can be regained.

References

Balanzategui, Bianka (JCU PhD History candidate). (2016). George Roberts Hall [image of Dining Hall]. George Roberts Hall, JCU Townsville. Retrieved from http://jculibrarynews.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/portraits-and-personalities-of_61.html

Kuttainen, V. (2016). BA1002: Our Space: Networks, Narrative and the Making of Place, week 3 notes [PowerPoint Slides]. Retrieved from https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_76323_1&content_id=_2298392_1

Allen, J. (2003). Lost Geographies of Power. Malden, USA: Blackwell

James Cook University. (2016). George Roberts Hall. Retrieved from https://www.jcu.edu.au/jcu-halls/about-us/our-halls/george-roberts-hall

Poole's Produce PTY LTD. (2016). Retrieved from http://www.startlocal.com.au/miningagric/vegetablegrower/qld_toowoomba/Pooles_Produce_Pty_Ltd_1843480.html

James Cook University. (2016). George Roberts Hall. Retrieved from https://www.jcu.edu.au/jcu-halls/about-us/our-halls/george-roberts-hall