Stuff

We have too much stuff, that's pretty clear to Diane and I. While I'll never give up my books, my laptop, or my cell phone (well, maybe the cell phone). I think the rest can go.

The question is when and why. In my mind the issues is to minimalize the impact on the kids (ie fast change isn't good), and my desire to work in tech (and therefore stay "current" on a slice of "stuff" - electronics and software. But I wrestle with the legitimacy of those arguments.

Then there is motivation, saving dollars, simplifying life, becoming less fixed to place are all great goals, but are they enough? What do you do with the excess money, more time, etc....

The impact and influence of stuff on the kids is interesting, it's not that Diane and I didn't grow up in a consumer society in the 60's and the 70's. But there were limits: a television in the living room, maybe a record player or stereo in the bedroom, going to a movie or two. In my house I'm sure there are more electronics than the entirety of 5 blocks of 15th street in NewCumberland in that era.

I remember Uncle Pepper's first computer at his house, it died, and the UPS hated his power, seems he only had 50amps. He had lived there for 30 years on 50amps with no problem using his tools, his tv, his stove, and his dishwasher. No one builds houses without 200amps these days.

Walking into the store in San Francisco's Chinatown, it was clear to me that there are no limits and that it all looked like junk to me. But the no limits applies to Best Buy as well, and maybe I need to think of Best Buy as a junk store as well.