Things Worth Keeping: The Value of Attachment in a Disposable World

In a world increasingly more concerned about what waste does to the environment, it might be worth exploring human attachment to material possessions. Harold (OurSpace: Resisting the Corporate Control of Culture) considers global capitalism and consumerism pushing more products onto consumers, and how that can potentially be rethought. Unfortunately, she believes that concern for the environment will do little to curb habits that have been so deeply instilled in us. Harold wants us to understand how and why we love these objects and why we’re so drawn to attain, and subsequently discard, them. She delves into the ever popular KonMari method of decluttering and explores the importance of things like expensive distressed denim, as well as IKEA furniture. As trends vary from maximalist to minimalist and back again, this is a good guide to understanding exactly why. How can we resist the pull of objects that have a less than optimal environmental impact?