2 ms·

I think you meant for 2, "Things meant to be used up." You use the things in category 1, too. For me, category one includes all of my books. Category two consi

I think you meant for 2, "Things meant to be used up." You use the things in category 1, too. For me, category one includes all of my books. Category two consists almost entirely of food, cleaning and hygiene products, and most bedding and underwear. I got most of my books after they had been purchased and probably read, I don't know why I should assume I was the end of the line. [edit: I mean, I have books and things that I know have had multiple owners; I've got books from Bell Labs' library that were lent out a few dozen times and touched by many more hands. Why should I scribble in them and treat them like shit again? Instead of treating them like shit, I'd rather just destroy them in a careful scanning process.] > Who do you respect more, the mechanic with a toolbox full of pristine tools without a single scratch, or the one with a box full of battered, dinged-up tools? If by "respect" you mean would rather hire, I'd rather hire the third guy with the well-used, very well-taken care of tools. Why would I hire a slob that isn't maintaining their equipment?

exmadscientist 4y ago
No, I'm not talking about consumables at all. I really am speaking about durable goods! I am not arguing for treating items "like shit". That's abuse, and while abuse of inanimate objects is hardly a mortal sin, I still don't like it, and I said as much in my original post. What I am saying is, use your stuff, and don't sweat the normal wear and tear that comes with use. There is absolutely no such thing as a factory pristine set of tools that also gets used regularly. They get scratched and dinged and beaten up, and you can see it. They will also get cleaned and oiled and maintained generally, and you can see that too. Some of the other replies here talk about treating stuff more gently than it needs, because... well, I don't really know why. This is something I've struggled with too, and as I've gotten older (not to mention worked in product development -- you see some things there!) this has gotten easier for me, and so my life has gotten easier. A few years ago I got a new stove, way too expensive, and way too bright and clean and shiny. Then I put a big ugly scratch right into the front of it, before ever cooking anything on it. My first reaction was horror -- I damaged it -- and then I relaxed: Now I don't have to worry about scratching it anymore, I can just _use_ it without worrying about that. And so I did, and I do! There's real freedom that comes from thinking this way. By all means, take care of fragile things. But objects have a purpose to serve, best exemplified by tools. If a tool cannot serve its purpose because it's broken or inadequate, you replace it. And if that same tool cannot serve its purpose because you are too gentle and refuse to let it, you have to replace your attitude. No more "good china"!

exmadscientist 4y ago

No, I'm not talking about consumables at all. I really am speaking about durable goods! I am not arguing for treating items "like shit". That's abuse, and while abuse of inanimate objects is hardly a mortal sin, I still don't like it, and I said as much in my original post. What I am saying is, use your stuff, and don't sweat the normal wear and tear that comes with use. There is absolutely no such thing as a factory pristine set of tools that also gets used regularly. They get scratched and dinged and beaten up, and you can see it. They will also get cleaned and oiled and maintained generally, and you can see that too. Some of the other replies here talk about treating stuff more gently than it needs, because... well, I don't really know why. This is something I've struggled with too, and as I've gotten older (not to mention worked in product development -- you see some things there!) this has gotten easier for me, and so my life has gotten easier. A few years ago I got a new stove, way too expensive, and way too bright and clean and shiny. Then I put a big ugly scratch right into the front of it, before ever cooking anything on it. My first reaction was horror -- I damaged it -- and then I relaxed: Now I don't have to worry about scratching it anymore, I can just _use_ it without worrying about that. And so I did, and I do! There's real freedom that comes from thinking this way. By all means, take care of fragile things. But objects have a purpose to serve, best exemplified by tools. If a tool cannot serve its purpose because it's broken or inadequate, you replace it. And if that same tool cannot serve its purpose because you are too gentle and refuse to let it, you have to replace your attitude. No more "good china"!