Elegant Technology

In the year 2000 I discovered Newsgroups. I came across a group called alt.lifestyle.simplicity and briefly posted and commented on the simple life. I thought I would share with you some of my posts here.

on the 15 Sep 2000, 08:00 I wrote;

I would like to propose a new kind of simplicity entitled ‘minimalism’.
Minimalism is a way of life, a pared-down existence, BUT with a difference.

Sure there is denial, but only of those items we neither need or want (long term). Minimalism, as a life-style, has as a basic precept: aesthetics.

Possessions are chosen because they function well and look good. Outwardly they are simple, elegant, free of clutter, and understated. This also applies to our environments, our food, our clothes etc.

The only problem: Expense.

This life-style is expensive, but because ‘things’ i.e quantity is pared down to a minimum, it becomes more affordable.

I would rather have one pair of Bang & Olufsen headphones that last a lifetime and cost a fortune, than buy many other pairs which are of poor quality and visually inept.

I would rather use the expensive Apple Cube computer than spend one minute in front of a noisy, ugly, cobbled together computer that offends my sensibilities.

To sit in a simple white room free of clutter; to sit on a simple but expensive maple wooden floor (at the expense of nearly all other furniture) is bliss. To a minimalist it is what is left out that makes life a pleasure.

The minimalist life does not compromise on quality. Indeed, because each item or space is pared down, what remains must be near perfect. The interior and exterior of a car should exude quality through the fit and finish of its constituent parts. Minimalism is an engineered lifestyle.

Only wear black but make the clothes the best you can afford and only have the minimum amount required to be clean and healthy.

So, live a plain and simple life, but what you do posses should be pure class. Minimalism means less items that are more expensive (discreet wealth).

Authors Infuences: Zen Buddism, Wabi-Sabi, Japanese interiors and gardens, Epicurus - Greek philosopher, John Pawson - Architect, Apple Computers, BBC - Programmes on minimalism and interior design, Various books on Smiplicity, the WEB, etc.

Interestingly, whilst I still aspire to the principles I outlined above, the Apple Cube and the B&O headphones are long gone.

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