3 ms·

Another part is that most stuff people own is effectively worthless. I think a lot of people don't really take into account the full cost of stuff including ti

Another part is that most stuff people own is effectively worthless. I think a lot of people don't really take into account the full cost of stuff including time and cognitive overhead.

pjc50 12y ago
"If it's worthless, why did I pay money for it?" It doesn't start off worthless. That's why I singled out furniture, it has a huge gap between cost and resale value despite being "durable". Then there is sentimental value. Not everything is pure economics. We need some things to satisfy the part of us that isn't utility maximising robot.
- brixon 12y ago
  America does not have a good used market mentality, so after someone gains their utility from a purchase they feel that the trash is the only option.
  - nulltype 12y ago
    It would be nice if the secondhand market was better for sure. Right now for almost all goods under a few hundred dollars it's cheaper for me to buy a new one on Amazon vs the full cost of finding purchasing and transporting a second hand version. Moveloot is trying to do this with furniture, which I think is a good starting point.
marktangotango 12y ago
I was minimalist, my wife was not and is not. It's led to no end of strife in our marriage. I've come learn about her motivation for keeping things. Often it's what I call a 'scarcity' mentality where for some reason, she's afraid she will be without one day, and need something and not be able to go buy it. For example, she thinks she has to keep a partially used swatch of linoleum because it may be needed someday. Or old pots and pans because one of the kids may need them when they move out and start a household of their own. I've witnessed a few occasions where she's pulled something odd out of a box that just happened to be needed. She gets a great deal of satisfaction from being able to do this.

3 ms·

Another part is that most stuff people own is effectively worthless. I think a lot of people don't really take into account the full cost of stuff including ti

by nulltype 12y ago

Another part is that most stuff people own is effectively worthless. I think a lot of people don't really take into account the full cost of stuff including time and cognitive overhead.

pjc50 12y ago
"If it's worthless, why did I pay money for it?" It doesn't start off worthless. That's why I singled out furniture, it has a huge gap between cost and resale value despite being "durable". Then there is sentimental value. Not everything is pure economics. We need some things to satisfy the part of us that isn't utility maximising robot.
- brixon 12y ago
  America does not have a good used market mentality, so after someone gains their utility from a purchase they feel that the trash is the only option.
  - nulltype 12y ago
    It would be nice if the secondhand market was better for sure. Right now for almost all goods under a few hundred dollars it's cheaper for me to buy a new one on Amazon vs the full cost of finding purchasing and transporting a second hand version. Moveloot is trying to do this with furniture, which I think is a good starting point.
marktangotango 12y ago
I was minimalist, my wife was not and is not. It's led to no end of strife in our marriage. I've come learn about her motivation for keeping things. Often it's what I call a 'scarcity' mentality where for some reason, she's afraid she will be without one day, and need something and not be able to go buy it. For example, she thinks she has to keep a partially used swatch of linoleum because it may be needed someday. Or old pots and pans because one of the kids may need them when they move out and start a household of their own. I've witnessed a few occasions where she's pulled something odd out of a box that just happened to be needed. She gets a great deal of satisfaction from being able to do this.