*This is truly a provocative, orthogonal, and erudite conversation. I consider myself quite up to speed in matters of this kind, but the people in this discussion constitute a global elite of two.
http://wp.moma.org/talk_to_me/2010/09/the-object-whisperer-an-interview-with-rob-walker/
(...)
PA – How do you think consumerism is changing because of limited financial and environmental resources? Do you see people wanting more narrative and background on what they buy—really weighing what they choose to spend money on, or have in their home?
RW – I’m conflicted about this. Part of me is very skeptical about all the trend stories that pick a few anecdotes and make a huge claim about how we’re changing. There is some evidence on this front, but it’s more selective — some people are cutting back more out of fear, or lack of choice, than a new ideology. Others are putting more emphasis on low price above all else, which is you know may not always lead to the most ecologically sound choices. And even for those who are rethinking in a real way, there’s still a long way to go.
But even as I say all that — one of my other side projects is actually called Unconsumption. The centerpiece of that is a Tumblr blog that I contribute to, with five or six other volunteers, trying to highlight upbeat and positive and useful examples of reusing and reducing, and just generally rethinking material culture. (We’re also working on a wiki, though that is coming more slowly.) This was a spinoff from a column I did a couple of years ago in which I essentially asked: Can get ridding of stuff feel as good as acquiring it?
PA – We are seeing a lot of nostalgic aesthetics mixed in with high tech as we research for TTM (like a digital camera outfitted to look like an old one, with real buttons to push, or an iPod case made out of an old walkman, etc.) what do you make of this “post-digital” aesthetic? Is it a shortcut for establishing meaning?
RW – I think that’s a pretty good way to summarize it actually. Sometimes these gestures are chalked up to “nostalgia” or described as “retro chic,” but I think that’s too simple. I did a column not long ago about digital technologies designed to mimic analog-era flaws — I more or less argued that imperfections imply character. It’s like buying pre-torn jeans, or a table that’s been “antiqued.” I don’t know if these things really establish meaning, but they at least suggest meaning....
the things we keep from svanes on Vimeo.
(((It's a been a great day for following severely strange culturati on Twitter.)))
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