Using strangers to explore the city (2018)

[quickthrower2]

Interesting idea. You could also try a “keep going North” challenge which would force you to go ways you may not normally go. Or turn left into any street smaller than the current one.

I quite like the 2020’s hobby of cycling every route within the confines of whatever area you are locked down into, then blog posting your map.

[whycombinetor]

Is it just me who thinks it would be relatively easy to notice someone intentionally following you at the same pace and distance on a given walking route through your home city? Stop to look at the flowers a few times and notice that they always stop at the same time as well...

[reidjs]

Does this happen to you often??

[thimkerbell]

This is harassment plus gaslighting, given the social taboo against the stalkee confronting the stalker.

[MichaelCollins]

I agree, this is a cruel thing to do. If somebody noticed this and told their friends/family about being followed, there's a very high chance they'll be suspected of paranoia.

[Tao3300]

Strongly recommend against trying this in Philadelphia, and it only has the 12th highest murder rate in the US in 2022.

[m3kw9]

A lot of ppl would be just going home or work where it isn’t really that interesting

[marssaxman]

Isn't that the idea? - giving yourself an excuse to see the city in a way more like an ordinary resident would, instead of spending your time in the interesting but non-representative places a visitor would normally focus on.

It reminds me a little of the Degree Confluence Project - photographs from completely arbitrary places, distributed evenly around the earth: https://www.confluence.org/

[sexy_panda]

Creepy and weird. Please don't do this.

[NinoScript]

I also do this sometimes.

I’ll also randomly switch persons to avoid making someone uncomfortable, and I’ll follow from 1-2 blocks away.