Psychogeography (Yes - it's a new concept to me, too.)

I just read a really interesting article about a new book that's just come out - Psychogeography: Disentangling the Modern Conundrum of Psyche and Place, written by Will Self. It's a collection of essays about walks he's taken all around the world.

As far as I understand, psychogeography is a practice that involves experiencing places by "becoming one" with your surroundings...

From Reference.com:

Psychogeography was defined in 1955 by Guy Debord as the "the study of the precise laws and specific effects of the geographical environment, consciously organized or not, on the emotions and behavior of individuals." . A more straightforward definition is that it is "a slightly stuffy term that's been applied to a whole toy box full of playful, inventive strategies for exploring cities. Psychogeography includes just about anything that takes pedestrians off their predictable paths and jolts them into a new awareness of the urban landscape." The most important of these strategies is the dérive.

Check out the article here. I don't enjoy walking long distances (or short distances, for that matter - I'm fat, ya know), but I'd sure love to read about someone else doing it.

The next time you want to buy me a gift, make it this book, please.