I recently came across this term, ‘liminal space’ and it struck a chord on a number of levels. Lets look at what it means…
Liminal space refers to a place of transition, waiting, and not knowing. The word “liminal” comes from the Latin word limen, which means “threshold.” Liminal spaces are typically the areas that are between one place or state and another.
In architecture or art, these spaces can be physical locations like hallways, airports, or empty parking lots, places that give a sense of transience and uncertainty. Conceptually, liminal spaces can also represent phases of life, such as adolescence or periods of major life transitions, where a person is in between two significant stages. They often evoke feelings of unease, disorientation, and sometimes nostalgia.
In fiction
In fiction and media, characters can sometimes be depicted as literally stuck in surreal or uncanny environments that represent liminal spaces, like infinite hallways or deserted urban landscapes. These settings evoke a sense of being lost in transition, disconnected from a past or future state. However, in reality, while people may feel emotionally or psychologically stuck, physical liminal spaces are not typically places one would be trapped in a literal sense.
Addicted to liminal space
People can become addicted to the ambiguity of liminal spaces, enticed by the freedom they offer from the commitments and responsibilities of a settled life. In this psychological in-between, they find solace in the lack of definitive paths, reveling in perpetual possibility and avoiding the finality of closure. These individuals often drift through years, hesitant to make concrete decisions, pursuing transient experiences or endlessly searching for the “perfect” opportunity. The allure of unbound potential keeps them suspended in indecision, as settling down or embracing a permanent identity seems restrictive compared to the fluidity of remaining in transition. The result is a life spent in an extended intermission, always on the verge of settling down but never quite crossing the threshold.
A short story that describes one person’s experience of a liminal space…
Elena wandered in the twilight of her mind, where memories faded into dreams and the present and future seemed as intangible as mist. She had lost her sense of direction after the sudden passing of her mother, finding herself adrift in the liminal space of absence. The familiar edges of her life blurred, leaving her to navigate a maze of half-remembered conversations and whispered fears. Every day felt like a walk through a shadowy corridor with no clear end in sight. Despite the comforting glow of loved ones and responsibilities beyond her mental fog, she was stuck in a suspended reality, unsure of how to reclaim the vibrant path of life she once knew and loved.
Humanity in a liminal space
Seeing humanity as being in a liminal space resonates with the current state of global uncertainty. Society is undergoing significant transitions in various areas, such as technology, climate change, social norms, and politics. This phase can feel like being caught between the familiar past and an uncertain future, where traditional structures are being challenged and the path forward is unclear.
During this liminal phase, many individuals and communities are grappling with rapid change, navigating through challenges that redefine norms, values, and systems. The pace and scale of these changes create a sense of disorientation and anticipation, as humanity collectively stands on the threshold of new realities, waiting for clarity and direction.
AI is creating a liminal space
The advent of artificial intelligence has thrust humanity into a liminal space where the boundaries between human and machine intelligence blur, challenging long-held perceptions of work, creativity, and ethics. As AI rapidly advances, it disrupts traditional industries and job markets, compelling societies to rethink economic models and employment landscapes. This technological transformation also raises profound questions about the nature of consciousness, privacy, and ethical governance, as we navigate the implications of AI-driven decision-making and automation. With the future of AI still uncertain and evolving, humanity finds itself in a threshold moment, standing between the known comforts of past paradigms and an emerging, yet undefined, digital era.
Conclusion
Liminal spaces, both literal and metaphorical, serve as crucial transitional zones that facilitate growth, transformation, and the exploration of new possibilities. They provide a necessary pause between phases, allowing individuals or societies to reflect on the past and envision the future. However, these spaces also carry inherent pitfalls. They can create a sense of disorientation, leaving individuals vulnerable to uncertainty and indecision. The allure of potentiality can sometimes trap people in a state of suspended progress, where the fear of finality prevents them from moving forward. Thus, while liminal spaces are essential for transformation, navigating them requires a delicate balance between embracing change and finding the resolve to step out of the in-between and into new chapters of life.