The Metropolis and Mental Life

"The Metropolis and Mental Life," by Georg Simmel, explores how city living affects individuals’ minds. In urban environments, people experience faster tempos, diverse interactions, and social pressures. To cope with this, they develop a more detached, objective outlook, emphasizing rationality and self-control. This mental shift helps manage the overwhelming stimuli and maintain individual identity amid the city's chaos. Simmel highlights that while city life fosters independence and innovation, it can also cause feelings of anonymity and emotional distancing, shaping a unique psychological landscape distinct from rural or traditional settings.