The Stranger

                The theory of “the stranger” by Simmel I think is extraordinarily accurate. In this theory, Simmel discusses how interaction works in small groups. I think that it’s very valid because of a lot of experiences that I have had, and after conversation my friends have had as well. We’ve all felt like the one person in a group who didn’t quite fit, but at the same time, still would be in the group and be able to add new perspective.

                This concept is interesting to me because I see a lot of potential in the job of the stranger and how it can add a diversity to a group that might be extremely necessary. For example, if we look at the idea of social issues, it took people standing up and making a stand to people outside their own groups to make a difference. If we enhance everyone’s knowledge and grow in our thought and ideas, I don’t think bad can come out of it.

                I know that on a personal level, I have been the stranger many times. Sometimes I find it fun because learning about inside jokes, and different experiences is always really interesting to me. I think it’s really fun to meet people with different backgrounds from me. For example, I spent the weekend meeting people from all over the state. These people all had the common thread of being student activists specifically in Student Governments. Learning about how they view the issues students face, versus how I view them and how other campuses view them was a really interesting experience. I learned that there are universal problems on all campuses and some that are just specific to a few campuses. How this relates is that I would actually talk to whole delegations, so a group of 3-4 people who have worked together for a long time on their SA’s and have come to give reports. Hearing how they interact and how they have been dealing with issues is really interesting and then also adding perspective from my experiences on different campuses.

I think this picture describes the theory because it shows how one person can change how a person thinks about people.