I fully agree that the off topic is as important as the topic itself. That is the beauty of blogging and conversation in general.

I have to apologize for being non existent for a day or so. Sometimes my digital soul becomes weary and I need to breathe the beautiful outdoor air in order to revive it.

What truly makes me smile is seeing the conversation on A Media Circ.us continue even in my absence. I smile knowing that there are passionate thinkers conducting meaningful discourse, where there otherwise might be none. It is fascinating, uplifting and humbling to know that you can be a small instrument in providing a forum for such conversation.

I am back in action tomorrow

The off-topic issue is actually a topic unto itself and on this I’d welcome a comment from Adam. If one of the reasons Adam runs the blog is to garner insights into people and what they denote as important in their lives, then ‘off-topic’ is potentially as valuable as core. One could argue even more so.

I think we were arriving almost at the end of the discussion anyway because in many respects we don’t disagree. I agree that we are bound to see each other on a different topic here soon I am not adverse to emailing as such however one does cut out the potential of others joining in by doing that. Let’s see what transpires in time to come..and drift..drift…drift..on the tide of the online swell.

Apologies. I *did* misinterpret.

And you’re correct. I didn’t want to continue this here as we seem to be drifting off-topic and assume we’ll converse again. However, feel free to pick this up via email if you wish. I’ve enjoyed the conversation and would be happy to continue it.

I suspect you interpreted ’shining star’ in a different way than I intended it but nothing about my example of the old man and his radio meshed with your point about superfluous spending. I DID agree with your point in other examples but the radio vignette was intended to show an exception (if you will). I emphasised that in second post about it.

I presume your ending was a sign off on the discussion so I won’t continue.

Adam..a flat white and an anzac biscuit if you will *grin*

Which is my point. It had significant value. People today often buy things not because they’re “shining star” material, but instead because they’re engaged in the Shopping Experience. Too often when asked why something is purchased, I hear “It was on sale”. That’s just not a good enough reason, afaic.

And as I’m sure you’re aware, retailers are savvy about how to use this mindset to entice consumers. Ever visited IKEA? Now *there* is a good example of controlling and enticing the shopper to make unnecessary purchases.

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“I recall my family getting a telephone and then a tv..my parents bought ages after everyone else and I was not part of the decision or purchase or visit to the retailer at all. These ‘objects’ suddenly appeared.”

I had friends like that. But even then, the purchase was a Big Deal. I recall friends announcing that their parents had made surprise purchase and we would run over and look. There aren’t many purchases in the U.S today that are as significant, imo, and that’s because so many things are being commoditized.

I can think of a few groups in the U.S. who might still behave that old-fashioned way, but they’re not the norm (e.g. farm families, Amish, aso).

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“I’ve curious csven..you don’t drive a gas guzzling hummer or similar do you? If you do, are you someone who rationalises this as something you ‘need’ to own?”

No. I don’t. I drive an older gas efficient vehicle and it will, like my two other previous vehicles, be used until it literally expires (based on experience, that will probably be around 250,000 miles; my last one dying right at the dealer as I drove in!).

I also drive when there is less traffic; either early in the morning before rush hour, or late at night. I rarely need to drive during the day, and when I do, I actually map out a circuit so that I can most efficiently hit all the places I need to visit. It’s not that I don’t enjoy driving. It’s that I dislike sitting in traffic.

Probably worth mentioning that I also prefer hand-operated devices (e.g. coffee grinder). In addition, I have never owned a microwave… I don’t need one. And while I have a dishwasher in this apartment, I don’t use it. It’s an unnecessary convenience, afaic. I’m content to wash dishes by hand.

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“Your humour about ebay smacks of those gifts sitcoms sometimes show ‘doing the rounds’ of family and friends.”

I watch *very* little television. I bought my 13″ TV in 1985. It still works, though because I refuse to get cable, I only receive one channel here in the valley. Fine with me. I can read instead.

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“I have recently moved and I know I simply must jettison items and I think I just need to adopt a ruthless attitude”

I’d rarely felt as free as when I simply gave away that furniture. It was like taking off a ball and chain. I’m sure the immigrant family to whom I gave those things thought I was being generous. Far from it. I should thank them for making use of things I no longer had any desire to own.

In any event, I enjoyed the back and forth. Thank you. All the best.

I actually don’t agree about the radio issue *however* and I emphasise this, the disagreement lies with specific example, culture, and family orientation. This old man lived alone. His family had dispersed – some had immigrated – and they had little money themselves. The radio was the shining star.

I recall my family getting a telephone and then a tv..my parents bought ages after everyone else and I was not part of the decision or purchase or visit to the retailer at all. These ‘objects’ suddenly appeared.

I suspect you were raised in a different family atmosphere and orientation and, if so, that will surely influence your view.

Back to the point re storage you make above. I am highly sympathetic to the views and examples you express. There ARE occasions when a family simply has to live somewhere small for a while and yet there are items they would prefer not to sell or dispose of, knowing that in 12 months their living circumstances will change. However, I suspect these examples are much fewer than simply people with too many possessions.

True, if we all decided that anything we had not used in the past six months (aside from say core family memorabilia) was disposed of, we would have significantly different lives and no need to outlay for storage.

I admit I was shocked to read somewhere yesterday of a family unit (two grandparents, two parents and two children) who had..wait for it..6 fridges and 6 TV sets and all were running almost simultaneously. Now THAT is glutinous consumerism and a family that may talk and interact quite minimally.

I’ve curious csven..you don’t drive a gas guzzling hummer or similar do you? If you do, are you someone who rationalises this as something you ‘need’ to own?

I do agree that many people buy for the sake of buying. Some people take great solace in the process of purchasing and of course we know there is a medically recognised condition associated with this. Yes, many families do believe that having an established set of good and chattels is a public/community indicator of ’success’ and buy without need to add to the set.

Your humour about ebay smacks of those gifts sitcoms sometimes show ‘doing the rounds’ of family and friends.

I admit someone I know tends to buy me a flock of useless items and I once asked ..please..if you must…just one small nice vase or turned timber item or similar..not 6 [horrid I say to self] items [I will not use and that I feel bad about getting rid of].

I have recently moved and I know I simply must jettison items and I think I just need to adopt a ruthless attitude, take scores of magazines to a local commuity medical clinic, some things to a charity shop and rubbish tip the rest!