Setha Low

Setha Low, a cultural anthropologist and professor at CUNY, shares her insights into the significance of public spaces. She contrasts her experiences in suburban Los Angeles with vibrant community interactions in Costa Rica. Low discusses the impacts of privatization, hostile architecture, and surveillance on public access and safety. She highlights the democratic and cultural value of public spaces while advocating for better funding and policy responses to combat exclusion. Discover her personal favorites and the urgent need to keep public spaces open for all.

Mark Maguire, an anthropology professor at Maynooth University, and Setha Low, a psychology and anthropology expert at CUNY, join sociologist Alex Vitale to discuss the troubling rise of 'security capitalism.' They explore how our fear of crime drives consumer behavior, creating a paradox where perceived safety yields increased anxiety and isolation, particularly in gated communities. The conversation questions the effectiveness of surveillance technologies and advocates for community-led safety solutions that foster social solidarity, dispelling the notion that more security equals less fear.

Setha Low, Director of the Public Space Research Group, discusses the impact of COVID-19 on social justice and public space. She reflects on her unconventional career path and the intersection of design and social sciences. Low emphasizes the importance of public spaces for health and well-being, challenges the concept of smart public spaces, and emphasizes the need for socially just public spaces. She also explores the significance of public spaces as infrastructure for societal well-being and urges listeners to contribute to their local public spaces.