Bad Rap Week: Searching for Wonder in the Most Boring Mall in Canada
whatshot 4 snips
Apr 30, 2025
Dive into the depths of Toronto's underground PATH, a sprawling and seemingly dull shopping maze. Journey with the host as they seek hidden wonders in its mundane hallways filled with Tim Hortons. Reflect on the nature of boredom while discovering unexpected artistry, like a Banksy piece. Explore how familiarity blinds us to beauty and find contrast between the ordinary and the extraordinary. This quest challenges perceptions and ignites a spark of curiosity in the most uninspiring of places.
16:46
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Journey Into the Boring PATH
Elah Feder explored Toronto's PATH, the world's largest underground mall, known for being dull.
She took it as a challenge to find any trace of wonder in this vast, commercial labyrinth.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Banksy Hidden in the Mall
Elah discovered a real Banksy inside the PATH locked in a glass case.
Despite its fame, the artwork felt irrelevant and ignored by passersby in the mall's dull environment.
insights INSIGHT
Contrast Defines Experience
The PATH's dullness highlights how contrast shapes our experiences of spaces.
Being in the bland mall made stepping outside feel vibrant and wonderful by comparison.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Tracy Kidder's "House" is a narrative non-fiction masterpiece that follows the construction of a house in New England. The book delves into the lives of the people involved in the project, from the architect and builder to the clients and subcontractors. Kidder's meticulous attention to detail and his ability to weave together multiple perspectives create a compelling narrative. The book explores themes of craftsmanship, collaboration, and the challenges of building something from scratch. It also offers a glimpse into the complexities of human relationships and the importance of perseverance. "House" is a testament to the power of storytelling and the beauty of human endeavor.
Consider the lobster, and other essays
David Foster Wallace
This collection of essays by David Foster Wallace includes pieces that were previously published in magazines such as Rolling Stone, The Atlantic Monthly, and Gourmet. The essays delve into diverse topics, including the ethics of boiling lobsters alive, analyses of literary figures like John Updike and Dostoevsky, and observations on American society and culture. Wallace's writing is characterized by its depth, humor, and philosophical introspection, often leaving readers with more questions than answers. The title essay, 'Consider the Lobster,' is particularly notable for its exploration of the moral implications of consuming lobsters, blending detailed descriptions with philosophical and scientific inquiries.
Moby Dick
Herman Melville
Moby-Dick is a novel that tells the story of Captain Ahab's maniacal quest for revenge against Moby Dick, the giant white sperm whale that bit off his leg. Narrated by Ishmael, the story follows the crew of the whaling ship Pequod as they embark on a journey that explores themes of obsession, man vs. nature, and the existential questions of good and evil. The novel is rich in detailed descriptions of whale hunting and life aboard a culturally diverse crew, and it has become a cornerstone of American and world literature[2][3][5].
Toronto is home to a massive underground mall called the PATH, a labyrinth of hallways with shops, banks, and no fewer than nine Tim Hortons. At 30 kilometers long, it’s the largest underground shopping complex in the world. It's also famously dull. What wonder can be found in a dreary, underground mall? Reporter Elah Feder takes this as a challenge and descends into the PATH to see if she can wring an ounce of wonder from this godforsaken place. Along the way, she ponders the nature of boredom – and confronts some existential questions.
All week, we’re collaborating with the great podcast Terrestrials to tell stories about people, places, and animals with bad reputations – and the surprising truths behind them.
The Atlas Obscura Podcast 
