“Space Invaders” Analysis
Geoff Manaugh writes in “Space Invaders” about the thoughts and methods burglars use to steal homes and businesses. He also explains how burglars seem better at understanding architecture and how you can learn from burglars by simply thinking like one.
Manaugh demonstrates that a good understanding of architecture can make you a better burglar. He cites George Leonidas Leslie’s burglar gang who built replicas of bank vaults in 1:1 scale and then practiced robbing them repeatedly before the actual heist. Manaugh says that Leslie “broke into the bank twice” and had stolen nothing while simply inspecting the building (9). Burglars can easily infiltrate a target building by simply knowing its architecture. Next Manaugh asserts that even though it has been nearly 150 years since the first burglary, architecture and theft still go hand-in-hand (13). This is true even today. Every city will have people who commit crime. Manaugh makes a great point about how “Burglary” is built into every city. The city has many architecturally diverse buildings, and burglars are always looking for ways to exploit them. They’ll crawl through ceilings and walls, or use cracks in floors and walls to get into the rooms. There will always be thieves trying to take your belongings from homes or businesses. Manaugh explains why burglars seem to have a better understanding of architecture than the majority. They don’t see ceilings or walls as boundaries. They just move through them. He said that “if they aren’t connected yet, they will soon.” (14) A burglar will find a means to enter a space if they want it. Manaugh explains that burglars are stupid and would prefer to use a door instead. Manaugh states that it’s “like a perceptual disorder” in which some people cannot distinguish between solid surfaces and open spaces, wall from wall (15). Manaugh claims that burglars may not be able to see the spatial boundaries of their surroundings. He means that burglars are more likely to look for ways in than they can find. Although it might seem like burglars are smarter than they really are by tunneling through windows and rappelling through them, the truth is that this is exactly what happens. Manaugh puts it all in a simple way: “burglar’s Syndrome, a spatial condition, which compels you misuse buildings.” ” (15)
Manaugh then lists secondary claims that Burglars lack spatial awareness. Manaugh lists a few examples including “the guy that used to crawl through pet door to get into people’s house” (15) and “a secret passage which led from the monastery roof down to a library for monks” (16). These details are a great example of burglars being either architects or dumb idiots looking to be caught. Manaugh provides great examples to show that burglars can be smarter than you think (15). A Dallas man, TX, broke into one store and then built a tunnel under the wall to get to the next. According to the man, he had “broken through the same store’s wall four times since summer,” and robbed more than $20,000 (17). Burglars have a lot of creative ways to get inside buildings. These are just a few examples of unusual burglaries that Manaugh shows us. Despite their unconventional methods, they still manage to get in.
Manaugh’s main point was to show that thinking like an architect can help us learn a lot by acting like a criminal. Burglars can use architecture to their benefit, slipping through gaps in walls and crawl spaces in the floors. They view their architecture knowledge as a tool, rather than a profession. Manaugh also makes secondary claims about unsuccessful attempts at robbing houses and buildings in order to demonstrate how burglars can truly be masters over their environment. Manaugh wants people to see that Burglars are better at using cities. ™. Even though they get almost all caught. He gives two examples. The burglar is caught in each case, but the majority of burglars have robbed the same location multiple times. This shows how easy it can be for them to rob other places. This collection of stories about burglars climbing through ceilings and walls shows how architecture can be used to their advantage. Manaugh hopes that the audience will see that burglars are smarter than we realize.
You could be more spatially aware if you think like a burglar.
