Shared spaces

Abstract

When I've recently stayed at a youth hostel in Paranaguá, Paraná, Brazil, I was struck by a sign in one of the rooms. It reads "Sala de Convivência" with the English translation underneath: "Room to coexist." Featuring a number of sofas and three computers connected to the Internet, the room serves those who like to share the same physical space and at the same time those who want to stay "in touch" -- the touch of a keyboard -- with friends in their mailbox, on Orkut, Facebook, Twitter or anywhere else on the Internet.