Too Much Stuff

Two random things about me:

If I lived alone, it would probably resemble something like this:

Jokes aside, what does one have to do with the other?

There's a scene in the show 1923 that demonstrates an excellent perspective on "things", it goes like this:

Lady: What is that?

Salesman: That's a washing machine.

Man: What does it wash?

Salesman: Clothes!

(mocking laughter)

Lady: Can you imagine? (sarcastically)

Salesman: An electric motor spins the cylinder as water is pumped throughout the machine. Soap is added here and the agitation removes any soiling.

Lady: What does that wash? (points)

Salesman: That's a refrigerator! The top compartment keeps food frozen. The bottom compartment maintains a temperature of 38 degrees.

Man: And you sell these?

Salesman: We rent them.

Man: So you sell electricity and then you rent all the things that need electricity?

Salesman: More or less (smiling).

Man: We don't need any of these things.

Salesman: Well, they're conveniences. Their use gives you time to do other things.

Man: What other things?

Salesman: Well, like other chores.

Man: You invent machines to do those then what do we do?

Salesman: Go on a picnic, go for a swim, go to the cinema, you can enjoy a more leisurely life.

(mocking laughter)

Man: That ain't more leisurely cause we gotta work more to pay for all this stuff!

Other man: He's got you there.

Salesman: this is the future, every home in New York City has electricity. They have refrigerators and some even have electric stoves.

Man: Now here's the thing, we buy all this stuff...we're not working for ourselves anymore...we're working for you! (walks away smiling)

Salesman: (sighs)

My point here is to not debate the merit of electricity and modern conveniences like washing machines and refrigerators.

Rather that the things you buy own you in some way. You don't need a lot of things to lead a happy and fulfilling life.

Less is always more.

Life

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