A Brief History Of You And Your Stuff

« Hotline Adventures In The Weird World of Warez | Home | Cancer Astrological Case Study - A Deeper Understanding Of Self »

June 23, 2008

hotpoint ad It’s ironic we’re looking to industrial designers to save the earth when the profession has been so instrumental in feeding society’s ravenous desire for gratuitous change.

In the 1920’s, GM started tweaking the looks of its cars each year - an effort to boost sales in a saturated market. The ploy worked: other carmakers followed suit, and the practice continues today.

Sears did the same thing with its Coldspot refrigerators, essentially introducing a series of slightly different-looking white boxes. This practice is now the norm and is applied to a shocking range of products, from mp3 players to household appliances, computers, etc etc.

Then there are the false promises: dishwashers, vacuums, and washing machines were touted as miracle devices that would eliminate household chores, giving us all more time to spend with our families. (Today: see BlackBerrys, iPhones, and all the other dumb techie shit out there.)

Despite the rhetoric, industry’s goal is not to make us happier; it’s to make us think we’re happier by buying more stuff. It clearly works, but is largely unsustainable. Which is why it’s hard to believe that we can solve a problem of overconsumption simply by consuming so-called “greener” products.

A better solution is to try to see the beauty in consuming less - or as the designer Dieter Rams succinctly put it: “less, but better.”

Having fewer (and better) objects means there’s less to make space for, less to clean, less to feed - consider it the luxury of reduction.

As for myself, I’ve carried no cell phone since November of 2007 and couldn’t be happier. My calls are now handled by a a big black Crosley 1930’s era “cows hoof” phone (I’ve got another “kettle phone” in the living room.) I love the weight of the receiver in my hand as I dial friends on the faux rotary. The curly cord delivers perfect reception, and no one ever bugs me in the middle of a date.

I also have no PDA, no mp3 players, and I’m not constantly plugged into voicemail. Aside from the essentials for my work (computer, fax, printer) and my love for movies (huge flat panel display in the living room) I try to keep my life as techie-crap-free as possible. Sure, it’s true I’m in a deep heap if ever stranded out on a lonely stretch of desert highway. But the way I see it, maybe a few more interesting stories to tell wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

Long ago, an article called something like “The Secret To A Happier Life Is Living More Like A Caveman” really hit home with me. The more I think about it, the more I’m inclined to agree. We need to stop putting on all the facades and just buckle down and embrace our primal selves. I’m tired of living like a floating brain in some jar and want to go out and get chased… fight… kill some food, and lead my tribe to sweet victory.

But somehow my desire for that sort of thing is overshadowed by wanting to travel to far away places, wine and dine, get into mischief, wear high-end style, and flirt with random beauties.

All of this requires a continuous river of cash, which is why I’m here… and not there.

At least, for the moment.

Now, pardon me whilest I go dine, and club me a woman.

Popularity: 11% [?]

Click to save and share this post with others: