Are we too materialistic? The author of this article seems to think so: http://markmanson.net/minimalism
I am gravitating greatly toward more "minimalism" in two areas in particular: sitting (https://dndsanctuary.eu/index.php?topic=162.0) and footwear. That guy mentions needing two pairs of shoes. I say shoes be damned. Also, besides the occasional book I seldom buy anything. However, not being wasteful is obviously not minimalism.
I am gravitating greatly toward more "minimalism"
I achieved that as a child. Less is more. I'm all for others practicing minimalism these days.
(https://dndsanctuary.eu/imagecache.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Felcinturondehipolita.com%2Fwp-content%2Fchildsnow2.gif&hash=385268d6bdaa10d0486b70f03f8b2496" rel="cached" data-hash="385268d6bdaa10d0486b70f03f8b2496" data-warn="External image, click here to view original" data-url="http://elcinturondehipolita.com/wp-content/childsnow2.gif)
Let's quote this awesome dude too: "This is everything I own: A MacBook Pro, an iPad, an unlocked iPhone, seven shirts, two pairs of jeans, two jackets, one coat, one sweater, two pairs of shoes, a suitcase, a backpack, some gym shorts, bathroom stuff, socks and underwear. That’s it. Everything I own can be easily packed into a small suitcase and moved within 30 minutes."
Here I thought: Amazing. Either you are poor homeless trash working casually on the run, in which case respect, or dirty rich leaving something out from the list.
"There is nothing that I want that I don’t already own. And this is despite owning a six-figure internet business."
Yup, the latter. It's easy to be minimalist when you can afford it. Attention switched off.
Yup, the latter. It's easy to be minimalist when you can afford it. Attention switched off.
It's true. This "minimalist" actually rents furnished apartments. However, he says he actually started it before he became rich. In any case, I just meant the link as an easy starting point. He says he found letting books go difficult, but he doesn't miss them. Me, I just don't believe that if for no other reason that I own (yet use) quite a few books that are not digitally available.
Are we too materialistic?
I'm not.
I don't believe I said that. :P Anyway, I wouldn't say I am either.
I believe there are a lot of materialistic people in the world. As for me, I typically stick to buying things I need rather than things I want. Don't get me wrong, there are things I would like to have and sure I splurge from time to time. Who doesn't? I'm not one to keep up with the Jones' though. I know of a lot of people that have to make sure that their belongings are better than everyone else's. I don't need a big fancy house, nails done, hair did or have top of the line items (however, somethings of quality come with a price). I'm pretty simple and I like it that way.
I'm pretty simple and I like it that way.
And your avatar? How do you explain that?
Go with Don Quixote's minimalism!
(https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-frc1/372963_193857804037898_809037575_n.jpg)
Instead of this...
(https://dndsanctuary.eu/avs/avatar_17_1391926509.png)
I'm pretty simple and I like it that way.
And your avatar? How do you explain that?
Go with Don Quixote's minimalism!
(https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-frc1/372963_193857804037898_809037575_n.jpg)
Instead of this...
(https://dndsanctuary.eu/avs/avatar_17_1391926509.png)
Don't get it twisted, sir. I will probably never live that simple. That's not my car. Just one that I like.
(https://dndsanctuary.eu/imagecache.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fm8.i.pbase.com%2Fu35%2Feliashan%2Fupload%2F23040678.DSC04992.JPG&hash=1c8d273c6d43cd91dab8c2c74bd1cc4d" rel="cached" data-hash="1c8d273c6d43cd91dab8c2c74bd1cc4d" data-warn="External image, click here to view original" data-url="http://m8.i.pbase.com/u35/eliashan/upload/23040678.DSC04992.JPG) or (https://dndsanctuary.eu/imagecache.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.businesspundit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2008%2F06%2Ftinycar.jpg&hash=6217b8e6322cb4b35768d320effa7997" rel="cached" data-hash="6217b8e6322cb4b35768d320effa7997" data-warn="External image, click here to view original" data-url="http://www.businesspundit.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/tinycar.jpg)?
@Josh- Let's be realistic for a minute. Would you be caught dead driving one of them? I surely wouldn't.
For the record, when I said I live simple I meant simpler than most. My needs come first and my wants come second. If I never get what i want, so be it. I won't be tore up about it because I'll have what I need. ;-)
This is a BMW, in case people don't know. The door is at the front. :)
(https://dndsanctuary.eu/imagecache.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fassets.hemmings.com%2Fstory_image%2F181881-1000-0.jpg%3Frev%3D2&hash=59747dd17f90a158279824dfe2bfaeb6" rel="cached" data-hash="59747dd17f90a158279824dfe2bfaeb6" data-warn="External image, click here to view original" data-url="http://assets.hemmings.com/story_image/181881-1000-0.jpg?rev=2)
(https://dndsanctuary.eu/imagecache.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FKyapDYu.png&hash=feb6af59c2ef482fa96049357ff658f5" rel="cached" data-hash="feb6af59c2ef482fa96049357ff658f5" data-warn="External image, click here to view original" data-url="http://i.imgur.com/KyapDYu.png)
As for me, I typically stick to buying things I need rather than things I want
Maybe some of those things you can make them instead of buying it.
That's the real thing, be autonomous instead of having to buy.
The thread's tittle "Minimalist" is not good. One can live with quality out of a consumerist system.
People uses to think that out of consumerism one has to be some kind of fundamentalist hippie and that's not true. In fact true quality only exists with artisanship not mass production produced to be bought.
Those are the really valuable things.
When I was an impecunious student I had no choice,
I had minimalism thrust upon me.
I do get aggravated with how much of a consumer I am at times. Like when I go in the store for something simple and spend way more on other stuff than on what I went in for. Purchased under the impression I need or could use it, but really not anything vital.
.... true quality only exists with artisanship not mass production produced to be bought.
I see your train of thought and I too like quality rather than shoddy products. I too admire good workmanship, but I think your statement is too absolute. But you are forgetting brilliant design which results in a product that is useful, aesthetically pleasing, and yet cheap to produce.
My personal version of Minimalism (https://www.smileyfaze.tk/slides/hatsoff.gif)
(https://dndsanctuary.eu/imagecache.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fsnb8GCr.png&hash=11accdd9098d653b838b800f9bc60076" rel="cached" data-hash="11accdd9098d653b838b800f9bc60076" data-warn="External image, click here to view original" data-url="http://i.imgur.com/snb8GCr.png) (https://www.smileyfaze.tk/slides/cleanteeth09.gif)
But you are forgetting brilliant design which results in a product that is useful, aesthetically pleasing, and yet cheap to produce.
Umh... there's not too many things fulfilling those three criteria and if Ikea is aesthetically pleasing, that I'm afraid I'll have to disagree.
Their packaging and mounting system however is brilliant.
if Ikea is aesthetically pleasing, that I'm afraid I'll have to disagree.
Eh, what's wrong with IKEA?
http://s3.postimg.org/kc7w0wyk1/IKEA.jpg
Well, I was not aware of their new table series...
As for me, I typically stick to buying things I need rather than things I want
Maybe some of those things you can make them instead of buying it.
That's the real thing, be autonomous instead of having to buy.
Sounds good and all, however, time is of the essence. Sometimes it's faster to buy items than to find time to make them. Perhaps I'm just spoiled tho. :whistle:
Change is inevitable. When change occurs you have to take it by the horns or watch out. Depending on certain cultures, living a simple life can be very challenging. The way I grew up would make it more of a challenge, to live a way I have only read about. It's difficult to live simple in such a fast paced world.
May be worth noting the pace of life is set by our abilities to keep up. Not having the skill set to produce everything you use also frees you up to keep pace and prioritize in other areas.
I don't understand minimalism in that you'd never regard excessive knowledge as damaging. But it can be if used improperly. So too with any material things. That you can survive on less is a given. Seems how you use more can be just as pleasing and beneficial.
Owning things enslaves us. Besides, it make us pay taxes.
The only thing we must own is people. It's strange but true.
The only thing we must own is people. It's strange but true.
You mean we must have friends? Why? What are they good for? I am pretty happy to be minimalist about them.
You mean we must have friends?
No. I meant owning people really. Deep emotional attachment made of dependence and subjection.
Maybe non Latin people have difficulty on understanding this, they seem to be very detached one to the others, even between parents and sons.
They probably are emotional minimalists. :)
You mean we must have friends?
No. I meant owning people really. Deep emotional attachment made of dependence and subjection.
Maybe non Latin people have difficulty on understanding this, they seem to be very detached one to the others, even between parents and sons.
They probably are emotional minimalists. :)
Not only am I non-Latin, but also non-Germanic. In our neck of the woods, ownership hardly makes any sense.
Emotional attachment is understandable, but this is extensive rather than intensive. Emotions are applicable to anything that we encounter, not only to things of one's own choice and preference. Investing much emotion and desire in one or a few things gives rise to a sense of ownership on one hand, but also to sense of deprivation on the other. It makes sense to keep away from deprivation, therefore it makes sense to keep away from ownership too, particularly from ownership of people...
Not that this makes the people of our neck of the woods emotionally more competent than anyone else. Rather less. Foreign attitude and mindset is very contageous and disturbs the emotional balance in the society here quite badly. Very few remain minimalists under the pressure of desire for material success. Ownership doesn't make sense here, but when the concept acquires prestige out of proportions, the result is confusion, and people cease to follow that which makes sense.
Emotional attachment is understandable, but this is extensive rather than intensive.
I very much disagree. The fullness of emotions relies on it's deepness and level of intensity.
Investing much emotion and desire in one or a few things gives rise to a sense of ownership on one hand, but also to sense of deprivation on the other.
Maybe... but that's the cost of being human.
I suppose that being a sardine must be easier... :)
I believe that Art and Passion (amongst other things) results exactly from that cleavage. No?
It makes sense to keep away from deprivation, therefore it makes sense to keep away from ownership too, particularly from ownership of people...
I used the expression "owning people" exactly because it has that sense that is incommoding your conscience of near slavery.
People are not free, no matter how much they're fooled about the contrary.
Forget free will, that's a theological (and latter political) mambo jambo. But tell no one, that way things appears to be prettier... :)
Emotional attachment is understandable, but this is extensive rather than intensive.
I very much disagree. The fullness of emotions relies on it's deepness and level of intensity.
I merely stated how it is here, and I also acknowledged the adverse consequences of this. It's simply how it is for Uralic peoples. It's not a point to agree or disagree with, but a fact of ethnic temperament to live with. We have to live with you, and you with us :)
Emotional attachment is understandable, but this is extensive rather than intensive.
I very much disagree. The fullness of emotions relies on it's deepness and level of intensity.
I merely stated how it is here, and I also acknowledged the adverse consequences of this. It's simply how it is for Uralic peoples. It's not a point to agree or disagree with, but a fact of ethnic temperament to live with. We have to live with you, and you with us :)
For much less, people have engaging into war... :)
At first glance, people might think the point of minimalism is just to get rid of material possessions. Eliminating. Jettisoning. Extracting. Detaching. Decluttering. Paring down. Letting go.
But that’s a mistake.
True, removing the excess is an important part of the recipe. But it’s just one ingredient. If we’re concerned solely with the stuff, though, then we’re missing the larger point.
Minimalists don’t focus on having less, less, less. Rather, we focus on making room for more: more time, more passion, more experiences, more growth and contribution and contentment. More freedom. It just so happens that clearing the clutter from life’s path helps us make that room.
Minimalism is the thing that gets us past the things so we can make room for life’s important things—which aren’t actually things at all.
The link can be followed here (http://www.theminimalists.com/).
With caution, I don't subscribe other things I saw and, specially, didn't like the "atmosphere". (although aesthetics being good)
The above one quote is just right on the point.
I've made my decision, I'll turn into a "new nomad". :)
I suppose that in two months I can get rid of everything and be on the road.
This is fucking thrilling. and I really mean it.
Sorry for my language to the thousands of children that uses to read DnD, but nomads are savages with no social respect. :)
Heh, good luck. :)
Thank you very much Frenzie.
I desire you the best of lucks and specially that you can live in Freedom.
Maybe our destinies will cross some day, who knows, this is a small world.
Minimalists don’t focus on having less, less, less. Rather, we focus on making room for more: more time, more passion, more experiences, more growth and contribution and contentment. More freedom.
Sounds rather a bit like what Howard Hughes was doing before he went mad, except that he never did find contentment in life.
I've made my decision, I'll turn into a "new nomad". :)
I suppose that in two months I can get rid of everything and be on the road.
You mean like this? http://gadling.com/2012/05/25/meet-the-man-who-spent-11-years-walking-around-the-world-and-the/
Will you keep us up-to-date how it's going for you to get rid of things?
Sounds rather a bit like what Howard Hughes was doing before he went mad, except that he never did find contentment in life.
I'm already mad people tells me... :)
There's no certainty that one will ever met contentment in life, searching for it that's what it's all about. :)
You mean like this? http://gadling.com/2012/05/25/meet-the-man-who-spent-11-years-walking-around-the-world-and-the/ (http://gadling.com/2012/05/25/meet-the-man-who-spent-11-years-walking-around-the-world-and-the/)
I suppose not.
Been thinking about this for a while, I think that there's a distinction between a nomadic lifestyle and an itinerant one.
What that guy did it's itinerancy.
Other example would be a street art performer, that goes from city to city presenting his work.
Nomadism it's more deeply connected with the weather seasons cycle and your activity depends on that.
I'm thinking about spending winter at some location , doing the kind of things that you can do in winter and when spring begins directing to where I want to stay for the summer.
I'll pretend to stay at small organic farms helping them with their daily work in exchange for lodgment and food as the basic "work".
Small paid works and a bit of entrepreneurship can provide all the money I need.
Honestly, one can't plan too much, just let life to happen and get the best of it.
I'll use my bicycle, so I can make about five hundred kilometers per week traveling at a reasonable slow pace.
Will you keep us up-to-date how it's going for you to get rid of things?
I have two different kind of problems, personal possessions and legal responsibilities.
To the first ones, sell and donate.
The second ones are more difficult because all the bureaucratic hallucination that it's needed. I'm working on that.
I'm inclined to pass a
procuration (kind of a power of attorney) so someone else can sign in my place if I want so but I've not decided yet.
Regarding the tax department, they can sent me the bill addressed to... somewhere in Estonia? :lol:
Is someone who is playing tiddlywinks winking tiddles or tiddling winks?
Wittling tinks.
Aren't you just a tiddle off topic?
Now there's a brilliant answer from you of all people! Haha. Brilliant. :lol: :faint: