The Psychological Case Against Materialism

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Comments

  • rgambs
    rgambs Posts: 13,576
    Guitars, books, records...they are all art supplies and they dont count as "materials" to me!
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • backseatLover12
    backseatLover12 Posts: 2,312
    Music is for sharing, books, the same. You don't have to give everything away, but loan it all out at least. It's good karma. Share.
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,813
    backseatLover12 wrote: »
    Music is for sharing, books, the same. You don't have to give everything away, but loan it all out at least. It's good karma. Share.

    Sharing is great but is something we haven't learned to do as well in our culture as in some others. I have a friend who lived in Fiji and she tells how just about everything is shared there, to the point where most of us would be uncomfortable. People there will literally walk into another persons home and take something they need with no negative repercussions. We are so not-tribal that I can't imagine most of us being OK with that. Who here would? Be honest- would you be OK with your neighbor walking into you home while you are at work and borrowing something? Sadly, I cannot say yes to that.
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • rgambs
    rgambs Posts: 13,576
    I have 8 guitars and a uke....funny thing is, i play the crappier ones more often lol
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • oftenreading
    oftenreading Victoria, BC Posts: 12,856
    brianlux wrote: »
    backseatLover12 wrote: »
    Music is for sharing, books, the same. You don't have to give everything away, but loan it all out at least. It's good karma. Share.

    Sharing is great but is something we haven't learned to do as well in our culture as in some others. I have a friend who lived in Fiji and she tells how just about everything is shared there, to the point where most of us would be uncomfortable. People there will literally walk into another persons home and take something they need with no negative repercussions. We are so not-tribal that I can't imagine most of us being OK with that. Who here would? Be honest- would you be OK with your neighbor walking into you home while you are at work and borrowing something? Sadly, I cannot say yes to that.

    With one particular neighbour (and his family), yes, I would be okay with that; we have a really good relationship. In fact, he at times wanders over to check out our tools and poke about in the scrap wood pile to see if we have what he needs for a construction project, without asking, and we are free to do the same at his place (although if he is home then the polite thing to do is ask). However, he's the only one I'd be okay with doing that, so I certainly take your point.
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
  • rgambs
    rgambs Posts: 13,576
    I don't lock doors and I don't mind if people come to my house for things they migjt need, but I live in BFE where I can trust my neighbors. I only wish that they love on my doggies and let them out to pee while they are there!
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,813
    rgambs wrote: »
    I have 8 guitars and a uke....funny thing is, i play the crappier ones more often lol

    "Art supplies", LOL!
    It's funny how many of us play are unsatisfied with just one or two instruments. When I was a kid, obtaining my first (and at the time only) guitar was amazing. Now I sometimes take it for granted that I have three electrics and three acoustics- surely more than Robert Johnson ever dreamed of having and believe me, I ain't no Robert Johnson. I did let my Epiphone Dot go last year but now sometimes I think about how much I would love to have a USA standard Telecaster. Other times I think, why not just keep one acoustic and one electric... but not likely to happen.

    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • rgambs
    rgambs Posts: 13,576
    They do have different applications though. My Schecter electric has a poor sound compared to my Tele or Ibanez but a smooth backside to the neck and it is the best for sliding distortion heavy power chords around on songs like Getaway. Then theres the 12 string, the Samick standard acoustic, the beater acoustic which goes camping and boating, and the beautiful acoustic electric Oscar Schmidt for playing open mics. I have never bought a guitar believe it or not lol
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,813
    rgambs wrote: »
    They do have different applications though. My Schecter electric has a poor sound compared to my Tele or Ibanez but a smooth backside to the neck and it is the best for sliding distortion heavy power chords around on songs like Getaway. Then theres the 12 string, the Samick standard acoustic, the beater acoustic which goes camping and boating, and the beautiful acoustic electric Oscar Schmidt for playing open mics. I have never bought a guitar believe it or not lol

    That's ok, rgambs, I too have justifications for every guitar I have, LOL!

    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • HughFreakingDillon
    HughFreakingDillon Winnipeg Posts: 40,117
    for me, purging isn't about my instruments, it's about all the stuff that is in storage that I don't use. not seasonal stuff, but stuff that NEVER comes out of my closet/garage. the kids are even better than me at getting rid of their stuff. and all the gig posters I've accumulated over the years that will never be displayed. I'm even considering getting rid of my PJ posters. I have one really neat Blind Melon poster from a 2008 gig signed by the whole band I'd like to keep though. And my EV Minnie poster will never leave my hands. But to display it nicely, I will have to spend a shitload of money. Hate that.

    I give away books and cd's all the time. Unless it's a neat coffee table book, or a PJ book (LOL), I always share or give those away. I'm with Jerry Seinfeld on this one-if you read it, why do you need to keep it?
    Your boos mean nothing to me, for I have seen what makes you cheer



  • hedonist
    hedonist Posts: 24,524
    paulonious wrote: »
    I'm with Jerry Seinfeld on this one-if you read it, why do you need to keep it?
    To me, it's like painting, sculptures or music - seen / heard it once, yet still want (need?) to re-visit them for whatever reasons.

    That said, the cards and photos and letters I've kept over the years...if I were to lose them, they'd still be with me. I guess too, the same for art and books, etc. Like memories.

  • rgambs
    rgambs Posts: 13,576
    Im a big rereader, there is always some treasure you missed on your first hunt. My favorite works get worked over at least every 2 years!
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • backseatLover12
    backseatLover12 Posts: 2,312
    brianlux wrote: »
    backseatLover12 wrote: »
    Music is for sharing, books, the same. You don't have to give everything away, but loan it all out at least. It's good karma. Share.

    Sharing is great but is something we haven't learned to do as well in our culture as in some others. I have a friend who lived in Fiji and she tells how just about everything is shared there, to the point where most of us would be uncomfortable. People there will literally walk into another persons home and take something they need with no negative repercussions. We are so not-tribal that I can't imagine most of us being OK with that. Who here would? Be honest- would you be OK with your neighbor walking into you home while you are at work and borrowing something? Sadly, I cannot say yes to that.

    Depends on what neighbor I guess. I give away most of the books I read and keep about 20 favorites. The clutter gives me stress, and I like giving away books and music to friends.
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,813
    backseatLover12 wrote: »
    brianlux wrote: »
    backseatLover12 wrote: »
    Music is for sharing, books, the same. You don't have to give everything away, but loan it all out at least. It's good karma. Share.

    Sharing is great but is something we haven't learned to do as well in our culture as in some others. I have a friend who lived in Fiji and she tells how just about everything is shared there, to the point where most of us would be uncomfortable. People there will literally walk into another persons home and take something they need with no negative repercussions. We are so not-tribal that I can't imagine most of us being OK with that. Who here would? Be honest- would you be OK with your neighbor walking into you home while you are at work and borrowing something? Sadly, I cannot say yes to that.

    Depends on what neighbor I guess. I give away most of the books I read and keep about 20 favorites. The clutter gives me stress, and I like giving away books and music to friends.

    Nicely done, bsL! I don't give a lot of books away (though some) because they're my bread and butter but I've given a lot of music away and it always feels good to do so! Also, thrift store shopping/donating is a great way to recycle stuff. Some people are too proud to shop thrift stores but I'm a fan. Best of all is learning to appreciate what we have and live with less stuff.

    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • oftenreading
    oftenreading Victoria, BC Posts: 12,856
    rgambs wrote: »
    Im a big rereader, there is always some treasure you missed on your first hunt. My favorite works get worked over at least every 2 years!
    I reread as well. Good books always reveal more each time you read them; sometimes it is something intrinsic to the book that you missed, and sometimes it is just life experience that allows you to see something new. However, I do purge books that didn't make the grade periodically, usually by donating them.
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
  • PJ_Soul
    PJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,977
    Aside from records, which has much more intrinsic value that other "stuff" because it's music (since I play them all), I am pretty minimalist when it comes to owning anything. I can't even seem to get around to buying shit I really do need, let alone shit I don't, lol.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,813
    PJ_Soul wrote: »
    Aside from records, which has much more intrinsic value that other "stuff" because it's music (since I play them all), I am pretty minimalist when it comes to owning anything. I can't even seem to get around to buying shit I really do need, let alone shit I don't, lol.

    hahaha! I hear you, PJ_Soul. Other than for books and records, I hate shopping!

    ("Hate" is a strong word. Loath is more like it.)

    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

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