Thoughts

so today i thought I'd just go do something... i went to the shops in Hydepark, with me a blue tinted light bulb and a note pad. i asked people to carry the light bulb with them on their route, and that i would go with them. the conversation normally went like this... 'Hi there, would you mind taking part in my project, it'll only take a minute?' 'What do i have to do?' 'Carry this light bulb with you on your route, you can stop the activity whenever you want. i can explain on the way if you like?' 'Ok then' 'Thank you'


It took me about 10 minutes to build up the confidence to ask someone. i started asking a man who was about half way between the hydepark shops and the takeaways near uni.

Russ-middle of Headingley lane to one-stop. (student studying law, aged approx 20, very friendly) talked about university his course my course, asked allot of questions about what i was doing)

Claire- One stop to opposite the Ashwood centre. (employed in headingly helping younge offenders, friendly, hesitant at first)

Sam and Bez- Ashwood centre to Johnsons the cleaners(students, very friendly, concerned about taking me to a desolate area)

Izzy- Johnsons to halfway down side road. (student studying English and Spanish 2nd year, very friendly)

Alexandra- half way down side road to ls6 cafe. (exchange student from Canada, her first week here in England, second year psychology student) she told me about an event called 'greenrooms' at the met uni on Friday. it's a place where people exchange stuff they don't want.

ash and Alex- ls6 cafe, to Hydepark pub cash point to one stop. (student studying sports. felt slightly embarrassed and shocked about holding the light bulb, yet also very friendly and talkative, but thought it was a very strange activity.)

Brad- one stop to 28 Richmond mount. (student. this was the longest walk the participant took with the bulb, friendly, talked about university and housing)

i was surprised that all of the people i asked took part in the experiment. although i mainly asked people my age that weren't doing anything. for example, i avoided people on the phone, with mp3 players in, big groups of people, old men and anyone who looked in a hurry. brad took me down his road and there was no one about to ask so i decided to go home.