The Amazing Strangers of Union Square

What is otherwise a weird, God-denouncing, slightly creepy, generally unprofessional, completely bizarre website, has created this surprisingly interesting sociological analysis of Union Square and different personalities that dwell in the park. It looks a lot like a map of your high school cafeteria during lunch time, with the Fundies next to the steps, the Gravers next to the George Washington statue, the Models sitting in the back corner.

It's brilliant.

I was first introduced to this pictorial set-up of the Union Square universe when a fellow bystander of the park scooted next to me on the steps and handed me a wrinkled, very much tarnished postcard version of the website. On the back side of the postcard are drawings of one representative from every clique, which can also be found online. Immediately, you can tell that theses caricatures are no exaggerations. I recognize the sketch of an old man holding a sign that reads, "What's the best nation?" in the same unshaved beard and dirty gray T-shirt that you can see him wearing on any given day. I know what's on the other side of that side: "Donation."

It's kind of an inside joke for all of us who walk through Union Square daily for school, work, or just for fun. It's insane how accurate everything appears to be and we recognize them because in the end, these "strangers" are in fact, not strangers at all but the real community of Union Square. For us, they are Union Square. For us, they have been entertainment, eye-candy, stories to tell our friends over dinner.

Click here for the website. I can't believe no one's thought of this before.