The Tanning Pool

An example of Lefebvre’s theory can be found at the local pool pool. As their name would imply, swimming pools are used for swimming whether it be competitively or for recreation. But people at the swimming pool produce a curious behavior, though this is not a result of the pool itself. This behavior has no correlation to the purpose of the swimming pool. People go to pool for the sole purpose of, not swimming, but tanning.

            The space itself, being the poolside fits all the accommodations necessary for tanning. But this says more about the people than physical pool itself. People’s desires are to get tan (more attractive). Tanning in itself is an unfulfilling activity. Tanners need to make regular trips in order to maintain the spectacle of beauty and outward appearance. The color of your skin as a result of tanning is not your real color at all. The activity of tanning itself is, as expected, extremely alienating. Lying still, staring quietly at the sun can only be described as lonely.

            People who use the poolside to tan say everything about their race, class, and work without saying anything. Though tanning may not be limited to gender, it is definitely limited to race (African American’s cannot tan and most Hispanics have difficulty as well). Class can easily be clarified; working class people may not see the excitement of sitting outside and sweating in the sun when they have already been doing that all day at their job.

            If instead of studying philosophy in the library, sociologists went to the pool and just looked around they might have a better idea of how much work and leisure are one in the same.