Why I don't want stuff • Hacker News Board

Re: Why I don't want stuff

#61

Post by SyneRyder » Tue, Feb 23, 2016, 5:55 PM UTC

ck2 wrote: post #19

Not wanting "stuff" is a gamble that your present and future is secure and safe. Having been homeless at one point, I've become a bit of a hoarder, because you never know when things will go south and you are one month away from being homeless (again). Also we'll see how often you keep erasing things and starting from scratch as you get older and find that remembering things is a lot harder and takes a lot longer to…

That's an interesting perspective, as Derek's future is quite secure. He had a large personal exit from his business CD Baby, and put all the money into a charitable trust[1] that will be given away when he dies, but in the meantime pays him a (very) good annual income out of the interest for the rest of his life.

"Why I gave away my company to charity"

[1] https://sivers.org/trust

Re: Why I don't want stuff

#62

Post by [deleted] » Tue, Feb 23, 2016, 5:55 PM UTC

NovaS1X wrote: post #48

noir_lord wrote: post #4

I'm somewhat similar to this except furnished flats are rare where I live so I have some furniture. That said my bedroom has a bed and a side table, my living room a sofa, computer desk and TV. Spare bedroom has my road bike and my cycling gear (as a hobby it's unavoidable). I have a (somewhat) strict 1 closet policy for clothing, once I fill it for each item in something has to go (easy this year as I dropped nearly…

>(easy this year as I dropped nearly 70lbs, virtually nothing I had fits). Good job. That must feel good.

[deleted]

Re: Why I don't want stuff

#63

Post by mstade » Tue, Feb 23, 2016, 5:55 PM UTC

Every time I read anything from Derek Sivers, or see him give a talk, I feel happy and inspired – regardless of whether I agree with what he's actually saying. I like that.

Re: Why I don't want stuff

#64

Post by noir_lord » Tue, Feb 23, 2016, 5:56 PM UTC

NovaS1X wrote: post #48

noir_lord wrote: post #4

I'm somewhat similar to this except furnished flats are rare where I live so I have some furniture. That said my bedroom has a bed and a side table, my living room a sofa, computer desk and TV. Spare bedroom has my road bike and my cycling gear (as a hobby it's unavoidable). I have a (somewhat) strict 1 closet policy for clothing, once I fill it for each item in something has to go (easy this year as I dropped nearly…

>(easy this year as I dropped nearly 70lbs, virtually nothing I had fits). Good job. That must feel good.

Dropped the first 60 in 4 months, that didn't feel great, 1500 calories a day for 4 months got old really fast but yeah physically I feel better than I have in a long time.

Also according to NHS guidelines as of a few weeks ago I'm no longer even overweight I'm in the healthy range (not that I entirely trust their crude BMI stuff) which is a nice place to be.

Re: Why I don't want stuff

#65

Post by copperx » Tue, Feb 23, 2016, 5:57 PM UTC

ycmbntrthrwaway wrote: post #49

serg_chernata wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Between my wife and I, the policy has been to go out and spend time together instead of buying gifts. I don't try to push this onto others but it does work with most of my close friends as well.

It works inside family or with girlfriends, but only as long as everybody agrees to go somewhere. As with normal gifts, presenting tickets as a surprise is not a good idea.

Unless they're fly anytime tickets, that is.

Re: Why I don't want stuff

#66

Post by ycmbntrthrwaway » Tue, Feb 23, 2016, 5:57 PM UTC

branchless wrote: post #41

I fight against this all the time. It's simply impossible due to all the guilt involved. I do not want anything for xmas/birthday. My wife always wants to get me something and makes me feel like a killjoy. This is perhaps manageable. Bigger problem is I have 2 kids who get invited to parties. I have to take the birthday boy/girl something. Fine - but this means it's reciprocated. Valentines day recently. Used to be f…

Those thoughts sometimes lead me to conclusion that "gift" tradition is invented or supported by marketing. It sounds like conspiracy theory, but it is partially true: take for example valentines day that is exploited by advertisement industry each year. I wonder if that gift tradition would be nearly dead were it not for aggressive advertising.

Re: Why I don't want stuff

#67

Post by venomsnake » Tue, Feb 23, 2016, 5:58 PM UTC

branchless wrote: post #41

I fight against this all the time. It's simply impossible due to all the guilt involved. I do not want anything for xmas/birthday. My wife always wants to get me something and makes me feel like a killjoy. This is perhaps manageable. Bigger problem is I have 2 kids who get invited to parties. I have to take the birthday boy/girl something. Fine - but this means it's reciprocated. Valentines day recently. Used to be f…

Bad wine makes terrific vinegar :)

Re: Why I don't want stuff

#68

Post by nkrisc » Tue, Feb 23, 2016, 5:58 PM UTC

jrs235 wrote: post #35

sanderjd wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are there any things you like that are temporary and experiential? For instance, I really like things like coffee, wine, movies, weekend ski trips, nice restaurants, etc. All of these things can be given as gifts, and better yet some of them can be enjoyed with the gift-giver (and spending quality time together is the best gift, really), but don't take up any space. I've had some success over time making it known tha…

So my in-laws violate my "I don't want anything" desire. EVERY Christmas they but me a new pajama set (or two). Thing is I sleep in my boxers so I have a drawer full of rarely/barely worn pajamas. (I just realized... I'm going to be donating them now and from now on unused to the Salvation Army). Don't get me wrong, I think socks are a great gift... they wear out and fresh soft fuzzy socks rock!

My mother in-law sends me socks once or twice a year and it's the best gift as otherwise I'll wear socks until they aren't even one piece anymore. Socks and good beer are the only gifts I normally enjoy receiving.

Anything else I'll buy for myself. I'm perfectly happy to not receive gifts.

Re: Why I don't want stuff

#69

Post by axxl » Tue, Feb 23, 2016, 5:58 PM UTC

branchless wrote: post #41

I fight against this all the time. It's simply impossible due to all the guilt involved. I do not want anything for xmas/birthday. My wife always wants to get me something and makes me feel like a killjoy. This is perhaps manageable. Bigger problem is I have 2 kids who get invited to parties. I have to take the birthday boy/girl something. Fine - but this means it's reciprocated. Valentines day recently. Used to be f…

I understand most of your post and your desire to have less stuff. However, when you can't bring wine (a consumable, literally no long term space-occupation or anything else, probably gone that night, if not you can just dump it down the drain) to dinner... sheesh.

Re: Why I don't want stuff

#70

Post by 0xffff2 » Tue, Feb 23, 2016, 6:00 PM UTC

I can appreciate the sentiment, but I actually like doing things. Don't get me wrong, I probably spend much more time than most in front of my computer, but even so.

I'm a photographer -> Two bags full of camera gear, tripod...

I'm a hiker/backpacker -> Backpack, tent, sleeping bag, hiking boots...

I'm a cyclist -> Bike, helmet, gloves, pump...

I'm a computer engineer -> Solder station, wire cutters, crimping tools...

I'm a DIYer -> Saws, hammers, screwdrivers...

I would love to have less stuff, but the amount of myself that I would have to strip away for it to make sense is mind boggling to me. I go looking to get rid of stuff all the time, but even though I have a lot of things, I use all of them. I truly can't wrap my head around the idea of living a fulfilling life with only a laptop and whatever furnishings came with my apartment.