Relationships of Private space vs. Public space

There is a blurring of the division between public and private spheres in contemporary western societies. There are now many privately owned 'public' spaces such as theatres, malls, dance halls, museums.

I believe that people were attracted to consumer places for the purpose of consuming goods. These privately owned places, such as a Starbucks coffee shop, evolved into a public space of social meeting and interaction. People see these places as public spaces regardless of private ownership.

More traditional public spaces such as public parks don't seem to be utilized as much as they were during the counter culture period of the 50s and 60s. The public space that the park provided was truly public in the sense that there is no private interest that can deny freedom of speech and expression and the right to peaceablly assemble and petition the government for a redress of grievences. Try and hold a anti-Bush rally in a Starbucks or your local shopping mall. Chances are your freedoms might not fully hold up there.