London Through the Stages of Authenticity

Burlington ArcadeWhat struck me the most about this article was the six stages to get from the front to back regions. I decided to trace my time in London through those six stages to see just how much it applied to my time in London so far. Stage 1: This is the stage that, if you seek authenticity, you try to get around. I reached stage 1 the first week here. NYU in London took us on a “panoramic” tour of London via coach bus. We went to all of the locations that you'd expect to see (Trafalgar Sq, Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace, London Bride, The Globe Theater). This is what every tourist in London will see or want to see on their first trip here. While this was my second trip to London, it was nice to see these places again. However, I wanted to go beyond that see London as Londoners see it. Stage 2: This stage is described as a front region that in some ways is meant to look like a back region. An example of this is a nearby bar called The Rocket. For all intensive purposes, this is a college student bar, especially an American college students in London bar. Not only do most NYU London kids frequent this place, but many others do as well. However, this bar shows football (soccer) matches and has pub quizzes, two very London things. However, it's not really a back region bar. Stage 3: This stage is a front region that is created to look almost exactly like a back region place. I think that this stage at its least convincing is like stage 2 while at its most convincing it is like stage 4. That being said, I'm going to move on to stage 4, which is more distinct. Stage 4: In this stage, the back region is open to outsiders. In London, that would be something like the Senate House Library, the library affiliated with NYU London here. This is open to almost anyone, but at a price (a certain amount of money). It is not particularly tourist-y; it's a library that mostly Londoners use. However, since it's open to the public, it fits the qualifications for stage 4. Stage 5: Another library is a prime example of this stage: the British Library. Anyone can enter the British Library (a change from the past), but not everyone has access to all the collections. The exhibition in the library which contains the Beatles's manuscript and the Magna Carta is open to the public; everything else not so much. But the public can see the stacks of books and so is given a glimpse into the world of a British intellectual. Stage 6: This stage is what a person craving authenticity wants to see. The nitty-gritty of a place. In London's case, this would be a small side street that seems to go nowhere interesting, but in reality, actually does. Case in point: my walk to class. There is the way that the NYU people showed us on our first day here; this involves taking major roads. However, on one of my walking tours, my history professor showed us a back road that goes behind the main road in a twist and turn sort of fashion. It would've been confusing if my professor hadn't taken us there... nor would I have ever found it. My history walks have been very good about doing that for me. They've helped me find these places that I wouldn't have found on my own; they're hidden away historical places. After making this list, I have a slight bone to pick with MacCannell. I don't think these stages have to happen in this order. I think you can skip from 1 to 5 if you want. I feel like I did that. I did the touristy thing and then kind of threw myself into the authenticity or at least, into getting a taste of that authenticity. The stages are a good way to look at it, though. It helps organize a way that one can go from the front region to the back region. However, I wouldn't say it's something that has to be stuck to rigidly. It should be, and is, in my experience, flexible.