Comments on: Owning Nothing: Describing the Ultimate Minimalist Society. http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/owning-nothing-describing-the-ultimate-minimalist-society/ Augmented Humanity, Second Selves, and Cybernetic Yoga Fri, 11 Feb 2011 18:03:11 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: wolfgirl http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/owning-nothing-describing-the-ultimate-minimalist-society/comment-page-1/#comment-48 wolfgirl Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:38:10 +0000 http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/?p=273#comment-48 Imagine no possessions--John Lennon Imagine no possessions–John Lennon

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By: Musicmanslady http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/owning-nothing-describing-the-ultimate-minimalist-society/comment-page-1/#comment-33 Musicmanslady Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:27:08 +0000 http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/?p=273#comment-33 A good starting point is to share things with extended family. For instance, serving pieces and infrequently used kitchen equipment could be rotated among each other as each one needs (say, the person hosting a large party). Entertainment items like books, games etc can also rotate. Obviously, you must get along and be willing to share, and this may work better for parents/grown children than for siblings, but my daughters and I have done this with much success. Clothing can also be exchanged, particularly special occasion clothing, as long as all parties share similar styles, sizes, and wear classic clothing that is appropriate for various ages. No family or a dysfunctional one? Try it with a close friend or two! A good starting point is to share things with extended family. For instance, serving pieces and infrequently used kitchen equipment could be rotated among each other as each one needs (say, the person hosting a large party). Entertainment items like books, games etc can also rotate. Obviously, you must get along and be willing to share, and this may work better for parents/grown children than for siblings, but my daughters and I have done this with much success. Clothing can also be exchanged, particularly special occasion clothing, as long as all parties share similar styles, sizes, and wear classic clothing that is appropriate for various ages. No family or a dysfunctional one? Try it with a close friend or two!

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By: Everett Bogue http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/owning-nothing-describing-the-ultimate-minimalist-society/comment-page-1/#comment-29 Everett Bogue Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:36:01 +0000 http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/?p=273#comment-29 Thanks for your thoughts, everyone! It's so exciting to meet all of you. What strikes me from all of your comments is just how many of these ideas do already exist on practice, it's just that only a few people invest the effort, or the system is only available to a select group of people. The challange then, and why zipcar is so successful, is making these types of services available to everyone. @Michelle: I'm sure there are communes in Portland! I've known people in communes in NY, but it's important to note that in those situations that I've come in contact with the people are 1, living with far too many people in far too small a space. 2, they're very political and that leads to social complications. Again, the challange is to make it available to everyone. Thanks all for visiting, I hope you'll come back and continue the conversation! Thanks for your thoughts, everyone! It’s so exciting to meet all of you.

What strikes me from all of your comments is just how many of these ideas do already exist on practice, it’s just that only a few people invest the effort, or the system is only available to a select group of people.

The challange then, and why zipcar is so successful, is making these types of services available to everyone.

@Michelle: I’m sure there are communes in Portland! I’ve known
people in communes in NY, but it’s important to note that in those situations that I’ve come in contact with the people are 1, living with far too many people in far too small a space. 2, they’re very political and that leads to social complications. Again, the challange is to make it available to everyone.

Thanks all for visiting, I hope you’ll come back and continue the conversation!

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By: Michelle http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/owning-nothing-describing-the-ultimate-minimalist-society/comment-page-1/#comment-28 Michelle Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:45:18 +0000 http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/?p=273#comment-28 I completely agree with this 100%! I think it is time to bring back the urban commune idea and we-tool it to fit the 21st century! And why not start this in Portland...it would make me want to move there even more! I completely agree with this 100%! I think it is time to bring back the urban commune idea and we-tool it to fit the 21st century! And why not start this in Portland…it would make me want to move there even more!

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By: Ellis http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/owning-nothing-describing-the-ultimate-minimalist-society/comment-page-1/#comment-27 Ellis Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:32:02 +0000 http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/?p=273#comment-27 of course… under their church law… roman catholic priests own absolutely nothing… it all belongs to the church- even gifts they are given. I think this attitude is so emancipatory though I’m unsure how it could replicated outside a spiritual setting… any ideas? of course… under their church law… roman catholic priests own absolutely nothing… it all belongs to the church- even gifts they are given. I think this attitude is so emancipatory though I’m unsure how it could replicated outside a spiritual setting… any ideas?

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By: Steve Johnson http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/owning-nothing-describing-the-ultimate-minimalist-society/comment-page-1/#comment-25 Steve Johnson Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:15:57 +0000 http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/?p=273#comment-25 Thank you for sharing how you implement some of Leo's ideas. His ideas were very insightful. The housing library idea is something I have not heard of before, but intriguing. Wonder if many US residents will be able to let go of there possessions? I have recently started to take inventory of my possessions and get rid of stuff that is just clutter. Also, my mindset on buying things has changed dramatically. Found this post via Leo on twitter. Thank you for sharing how you implement some of Leo’s ideas. His ideas were very insightful. The housing library idea is something I have not heard of before, but intriguing. Wonder if many US residents will be able to let go of there possessions?

I have recently started to take inventory of my possessions and get rid of stuff that is just clutter. Also, my mindset on buying things has changed dramatically.

Found this post via Leo on twitter.

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By: Christopher Fetterman http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/owning-nothing-describing-the-ultimate-minimalist-society/comment-page-1/#comment-23 Christopher Fetterman Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:23:26 +0000 http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/?p=273#comment-23 you might also want to write about co-work sites eg: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/19/MN7CV2JFE.DTL you might also want to write about co-work sites eg: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/19/MN7CV2JFE.DTL

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By: Milo Priestly http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/owning-nothing-describing-the-ultimate-minimalist-society/comment-page-1/#comment-22 Milo Priestly Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:18:24 +0000 http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/?p=273#comment-22 Denver and several other cities are actually implementing a bike rental system called B-Cycle. I believe the first 30 minutes are free and then you pay based on something or other, time or distance maybe? It should prove to be interesting. Denver and several other cities are actually implementing a bike rental system called B-Cycle. I believe the first 30 minutes are free and then you pay based on something or other, time or distance maybe? It should prove to be interesting.

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By: David http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/owning-nothing-describing-the-ultimate-minimalist-society/comment-page-1/#comment-21 David Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:48:59 +0000 http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/?p=273#comment-21 In reality, none of us own anything anyway - we just use it for a while and then dispose/hand down/sell. After all, we all die in the end. ;) I get what you and Leo are talking about though, and I am with on all accords. In reality, none of us own anything anyway – we just use it for a while and then dispose/hand down/sell. After all, we all die in the end. ;)

I get what you and Leo are talking about though, and I am with on all accords.

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