Recurring items.

"Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away."
— Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Airman's Odyssey

Aquisition

I have been labeled a minimalist, but when I look at the wealth of objects in my possesion, I cannot help but wonder if I have a different understanding of the term.

The ubiquitous consumer culture makes it extremely easy to aquire things. Maybe not expensive things, but things nonetheless.

Considering the extraction of resources needed to produce any one thing, the values and intentions of its creation and the environmental impact of its life-cycle, it becomes increasingly difficult to get rid of something once it's aquired — even moreso when it is charged with emotional value.

Because of these implications, I select carefully based on my values and beliefs and try to repair, reuse and recycle — see grinder, ipod, workstation or handdrill.

Guidelines for aquiring new items

Before you aquire any new item ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I really need it?
• What exact purpose will it serve?
• Is there an alternative I already own?
• How much better will it make whatever I intend to do with it in comparison to the alternative I already own?
• Can I make it myself?
• Is it reperable? Can I repair it myself when it breaks?
• Can I buy it pre-owned?
• What are the environmental implications (production, transport, usage, end-of-lifecycle)?
• What are the social implications (working conditions, political conditions, manufacturer ethics)?

General rules of thumb

• Most items have already been produced. Try to aquire pre-owned items as much as possible.
• Try to avoid items that you wouldn't burn in your own stove.
• Don't fill your inventory with items for ocasions that happen once per year. Plan for the other 255 days.

incoming(3) | camera | reading | beliefs