On a bit chilly, rainy day, I set out from NYU Shanghai campus to explore the surrounding areas known as the “New Bund” or Qiantan 前滩, employing a recently acquired method: algorithmic walk—a method of exploration where one follows a predetermined patterned process, involving specific directions to turn at each intersection and leading to unique and potentially surprising journeys.
I stumbled upon a narrow path branching off from the left sidewalk with bold trees lined both sides and few wobbly leaves rustling in the wind. The road wound forward, disappearing into the trees at the end. The area wasn’t large, a ten-minute walk is enough to explore every corner of it, which seemed to be an open-ended park for nearby residents or office workers to take leisurely strolls and breathe in fresh air.
Perhaps due to the biting cold, freezing wind, and the sporadic drizzles that day, pedestrians were a rare sight. The whole world seemed to be just me and the surroundings. Under this serenity, ambient noises seemed to be amplified: the engines of cars on the viaduct beside the park, the hum of wheels on the damp roads, the occasional birdsong in the air, and the crunch of leaves underfoot. People can’t help but immerse themselves in such scene and enjoy the temporary spiritual peace and tranquility it brought.
While I was indulged in the sounds, forgetting all the confusion, a voice from a radio dragged me back to reality. A middle-aged man wearing blue down jacket and dark jeans, clutching a radio, entered the park. He held the radio upright next to his ears, jogging leisurely round and round. Intrigued by this unexpected encounter in this empty and unfamiliar place, I changed my thought of leaving and decided to linger and observe.
Each time he passed by, I grabbed a few words from the radio, ultimately deducing he was probably listening to pingshu — a traditional form of Chinese oral storytelling, which covers a wide range of subjects including historical events, folklore, classic novels, etc. Its familiar and comforting sound reminded me of my childhood when I used to listen to it often in my spare time. Its humor, emotion, and theatrical elements have a strong appeal that can relieve my stress and discomfort. Much like any other elders that I had seen before either doing morning exercises or square dances, I guess this middle-aged man was also finding solace and enjoyment in his own way.
Two blocks away from the open-ended park, I encountered a cluster of tall, towering buildings still under construction, their skeletal frames reaching towards the sky like giants in progress. From a distance, there seemed to be no one on the sites, only a gust of wind blowing. Such sights were common in the bustling Pudong district, where the landscape seemed to be in a perpetual state of transformation, echoing my impression of progressive but empty and isolated. The buildings, cloaked in gray sidings, stood stark against the backdrop of the overcast sky, casting an eerie ambiance over the scene. As I gazed at the dark windows, thoughts flooded my mind. Would these structures eventually become mere offices, where people are confined to cubicles, absorbed in their individual tasks driven by KPI? Or perhaps, behind those panes, individuals would find themselves engaged in pursuits that ignite their passions, creating sense of relaxation.
Standing at the intersection of urban progress and personal behavior, it can’t help prompting me to reflect on human condition within urban environments. It’s crucial to develop personal ways to let out feelings, refresh minds, and alleviate stresses in this increasingly competitive and ever-changing world. It could be as simple as slowing down and observing things around, or doing things of interests. It could also be as big as finding balance in a tranquil mental world.
Everyone need to cultivate moments of stillness amid modernity to forge a path towards inner peace and fulfillment.
Your review of what you encountered and observed during the algorithm walk is very detailed and well-balanced, starting from what you saw, felt and heard and finally leading to your reflection on how people “relax and enjoy life” in their own ways. I love how you included multiple sensory details, especially focusing on unique “amplified ambient noises” that people usually fail to notice: “hum of wheels on damp roads”, “occasional bird song”, “crunch of leaves”, “loud voice from the radio”, giving readers a splice of nature imbedded in a modernized urban setting, zoning out of “the busy hustle and bustle” and returning briefly to a small green corner of peace and relaxation embedded in this gray city.
Your words really brought me to that peaceful,quiet open-ended park in the freezing wind.It seems like you resonated with the peaceful atmosphere of the park and found comfort in observing the middle-aged man “finding solace and enjoyment in his own way”. It’s fascinating to see that how moments like these can provide a sense of relief, appreciate life’s simple joys and the diverse ways people find contentment.
Hi,xiangjia. I really love your description of the construction, it reminds me of the construction nearby. You talked about people’s lives in these buildings in the future. “Would these structures eventually become mere offices, where people are confined to cubicles, absorbed in their individual tasks driven by KPI? ” The city’s essence lies in its people. In this question, you intertwine human emotions and thoughts with the future development of the city, showcasing the connection between human beings and urban environments. The question of what people live for is something that many individuals contemplate throughout their lives. Building upon the foundation of your article, I couldn’t help but ponder the connection between the overall ambiance of a city and the aspirations of individuals. Are they mutually influential?
Hi Xiangjia! Your title is really attractive. I love your focus on the tranquility in Shanghai. Especially when you explain your idea by contrast and your experience. What surprised me is that you gained the “emporary spiritual peace and tranquility” by the sound of the engine of cars, the crunch of leaves and so on. But I love the description of the middle-aged man more. It is so real that there will always be one or two middle-aged men walking with a radio in almost every park. You described this so vividly that I felt like I was there. My question is that as a member of the urban community, we may sometimes have to consider the interactions between people. When looking for ways to release stress, do we need to consider other people’s factors? For example, shouting may be an effective way to release stress, but it may bother others.
Hi, Jenny! I really like the way you show your audience your observation and reflection. By describing the scene of the man listening to “pingshu,” and the “empty” and “isolated” buildings, you finally end your post with a statement: “Everyone need to cultivate moments of stillness amid modernity to forge a path towards inner peace and fulfillment.” This conclusion provokes my thoughts on people’s contemporary life in big cities. We are constantly being pushed to achieve higher success, studying for a higher grade or working to get a higher salary. There are so many things we want to care about and should care about, and these things create tons of stress. Your post examines this phenomenon, and inspires readers to rethink their lifestyles, thinking about possible ways to strike a balance between fast-speed life and relaxation.