Cubicles

Modern offices are very different from the conventional ones in many ways. One of the striking differences is the way in which the work-stations are arranged. In a conventional office, there were tables arranged here and there, allowing some space in between for people to walk. Everyone could see each other. Today, it is organised into small cubicles. A cubicle may hold anywhere between one and four persons.

In the modern cubicles, each one has his own small space. Each one has what is termed as 'privacy'. People are allowed to customise their space to suit their tastes. In short, people are allowed to have their own small world inside their office. However, in a conventional office set up, everyone could see everyone. People would know if you had a phone call, or a visitor. There were always some one or the other watching you. No one had 'privacy'. One had to merge oneself in the larger office environment. There was no scope to creat a miniature world which suited one's tastes.

To me, this represents a change of times. It represents how our attitudes have changed over the years. According to me, people want to modernise their offices, by making such cubicles, mainly because, they want 'privacy'. It is the desire for private space in work environments which has taken the physical form of cubicles. Thus, cubicles can be thought of as a symbol of a need for 'private space'. Earlier, people never felt this need for an exclusive space for themselves. They were more comfortable even in the absence of a 'private space', except at certain times.

Yet, it is ironical that the bug of loneliness bites people more in the modern world than it used to a couple of decades ago. Does it not appear funny, and ridiculous, that a person wants to have a 'private space', and so erects physical barriers between himself and others, and ends up living a life of loneliness? Well...that is what human beings are doing today. Making cubicles to live alone.