[ previous: "eating pins" ] [ return to the present ] [ next: "time warps" ]
11 December 2002 (Wednesday): i do not want what i haven't got
As I came trudging up the stairs flipping through today's mail, I realized something: I've lost my sense of materialism. There's nothing in these catalogs or ads or commercials that I want. I have everything I need already.
I don't mean this in a smug self-righteous way, like I've arrived at some kind of enlightenment that eludes the rest of my culture. The change is just striking is all: the same advertising that would have awakened a twinge of longing a year ago, when I had some money to spare, now hits a mental wall of indifference. Yeah, that's a nice sweater, I shrug. But I've got sweaters. Yeah, that's a nicer apartment than mine, a better shower curtain, a more complete set of cookware. But what does it matter? The place I live in, the things I have, fit me. That's enough -- more than enough, that's how it should be.
If nothing else, it's a convenient attitude to have at my income level.
And there's my question, I suppose: if I were to end up back in my old tax bracket, or even higher, would this attitude change accordingly? Would I suddenly find my little dishwasherless kitchen unbearably primitive? Would my wardrobe suddenly come up for renewal? Does one's lifestyle always expand to fit one's means?
posted by enjelani @ 04:18 PM PST
Replies: 7 comments
I recall that in an interview, Elton John, just before he began devoting some of his work towards AIDS charities, came to see that he'd gone off the deep end of rationality over the years: he realized that, on tour, he'd throw a prima donna fit if he didn't like the wallpaper in his hotel room.
He says that a little re-exposure to families who live bravely despite grave problems and humble means shamed him into seeing how petty he'd become; he's still richer than DeBeers but he's a little less wacko with the small stuff.
I think the means only circumscribes your envelope of consumptive possibilities. The contentment still springs from the outlook.
Of course, if washing dishes isn't exactly one of your favorite activities, I can totally see adding a dishwasher to the kitchen as being a reasonable and utilitarian expense, and not an expression of indulgence ;)
posted by m. mellow @ 11 12 2002 07:51 PM PST
just don't shave your head. (vague allusion to title.)
i have a problem with gear lust. other than that, the spartan life seems to suit me fine. i wouldn't mind having a house, but then would i feel the need to fill it?
posted by soren @ 12 12 2002 12:39 AM PST
If anything, it is quite healthy to put yourself through spiritual growth experiences that result in diminished personal materialism. So, right now you're just vaccinating yourself against the spiritual ravages of having too much cash - a problem you are certain to have if you keep going down your current path. :-)
posted by Bill @ 12 12 2002 12:42 AM PST
you must be fulfilled, or something. :) i find that my purchasing volume is inversely proportional to my happiness and/or busy-ness.
who has time to lust for STUFF if you're happy and busy?
posted by echeng @ 12 12 2002 02:03 AM PST
ah yes of course — the title was itching somewhere in the back of my mind.
shaving the head is fine. just please always always completely spell out "to" and "you". thank you.
ditto with the gear lust. but the "lean" aesthetic is appealing to me. it's good to travel and live as lightly as is practical. and it's probably possible to be practical and live pretty darn lightly. just as long as you can have that camera. and that killer pre-amp. and the fancy REI backpack. and the wireless network. and ...
posted by Zach @ 12 12 2002 10:00 AM PST
mmm. i'm going to go ahead and argue that one's need to acquire and have is only nominally related to one's means, if in fact it's related at all. i think hoarding and/or conspicuous consumption is a matter of personal style, and "need" is far too subjective to quantify reasonably. i have ridiculously wealthy friends who like nothing better than sitting in their empty apartments and humming; i know others who need latest-generation everything and have more hardware than the pentagon. i myself am dirt-poor and an inveterate hoarder: sometimes i need a ridiculous marc jacobs coat, sometimes i need a calendar from the local taqueria. not sure that either of those explains my threshold of satisfaction or indicates relative happiness.
on sinead: prince wrote "nothing compares 2 u" in an abortive attempt to get into her pants, so she isn't really culpable for the typesetting. i have a secret plan to seduce him and snag my own top 40 hit...if i can get over my crippling fear of those bunless yellow pants...
posted by lauren @ 12 12 2002 11:21 AM PST
Did you see "Office Space"? *stab* :-) Sorry, I had to...
posted by Bill @ 19 12 2002 04:56 PM PST