This article explores the relationship between the presence of ghosts in Asian cities and urban residents. The author argues that in Asian cultures, because of their roots in animistic beliefs, ghosts and humans have always existed in the same world. Therefore, if the city is to be seen as a symbol of normalcy, Asian cities must accommodate ghosts to coexist with their inhabitants.
Houses haunted by ghosts are characterized by neglect, strange habits, and failed rituals of order and maintenance, while apartments haunted by ghosts represent the mundane and ordinary aspects of city life. Unlike houses, apartments often lack a clear division between inside and outside, with tenants both belonging to a larger community and at the same time feeling isolated in their own living space.
There are many examples in the article, in the process of urbanization, people can only live in small Spaces due to economic insufficiency. As a result, cities are isolated, and people can’t find a sense of belonging in the city, but only through parasitic social relations – such as ghosts. Because of the news of the neighborhood, the social meaning of the family has disappeared, which is also an important reason for people to feel lonely, reflecting that people are lonelier than ghosts.
From this article can be reflected the alienation of modern urban lifestyle, ghosts are more conspicuous than living people, and both fear loneliness and isolation, so it becomes a supply and demand relationship.
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