Lignes de desir

While out running,  latterly I have noticed a lot of new tracks trampled into the ground. In his 1958 book 'The Poetics of Space' Gaston Bachelard wrote of  "lignes de desir", Transleted as Desire Paths, a Desire Path is an unofficial pathway created by consistent use, by trampling the grass and eroding the ground beneath.

Desire Paths tend to be an unofficially established short-cut between two points, but need not necessarily be a short-cut. These route ways tend to be an urban phenomena, although I have noticed them being established alongside and between country walkways.  Especially since the introduction of social distancing due to the Covid situation.  With Desire Paths running in parallel and on either side of country footpaths as users attempt to maintain their 2 metre distancing whilst passing each other.

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