Met Stephen at the University
What do you do at the University?
I am studying a Phd in Sociology
How is life at Lund’s University?
I like the life at Lund’s University. I think there are many opportunities. There is a nice culture. Reading, discussions and seminars.I like the transparency and egalitarianism at Lund, continual aim for improvement. I really enjoy being at the University.
Can you give me an example of what do you do?
In my own work. I look at how ideas impact at what you do and how everyday life consumes resources, without you realising. So I am looking at how norms of cleanliness have accelerated, and how water and energy consumption depend on ideas of normal cleaning.
What do you mean by saying normal cleaning?
This is something I am trying to find out by talking to people to find out what is normal for us.
How would you define ”normal”?
Normal is something that is excepted by a large group of people, if a group of people do a similar thing that is normal for that group.
Does a definision of ”normal” exist ouside of people?
I think you are right, ”normal” is a social construction, is an agreement almost between people
How do you find that?
Personally? My relationship with ”normal”?
Yes?
I think it’s intersting because it makes…it makes thinks like a shortcut…normal is like a way of making quick desicions, based on previous experienses, so in someways it makes it less overwhelming to make desicions in everyday life. But at the same time I thing normality pushes reflexivity further away, so you wont have a change to thing about things, because you take them for granted. It just postpones some kind of undestanding of the situation that you are in.
Where do you come from?
I come From Brisbane Australia and I also lived in Melbourne.
What is the difference from Sweden?
Weather is a little different
People?
People? I do not know…i think every body is different, I like Swedish people a lot. They are fun and weird and awsome
Will you share a story with us?
Last Thursday I was at the Valborg party and it was so nice, the cherry blossoms were out, and during the Sunset at 8.43 pm there was a huge bonefire and it was very beautiful. These are nice traditions. It makes you remember the seasons, the world that you are living in and you kinda connect with the nature.
What is your motivation in life?
Curiocity and love
Do you have a favourite quote?
Yes….
”A human being is a part of the whole, called by us “Universe”, a part limited in time and space. We experience ourselves, our thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest — a kind of optical delusion of our consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. Nobody is able to achieve this completely, but the striving for such achievement is in itself a part of the liberation and a foundation for inner security”
Albert Einstein
~Letter of 1950, as quoted in The New York Times (29 March 1972) and The New York Post (28 November 1972)
