The Microwave Economy
There’s a curious passage here about a chandelier which is not as colorful, complaining that “you see how synthetic the crystals actually are.”<p>The crystals are, of course, synthetic. They are always synthetic. They are glass, made by artisans in workshops or by workers in factories, but <i>made</i> using chemical processes nonetheless. The question is whether you are allowed to call them “crystal”.<p>But the author’s reaction is, “Oh, the chandelier is <i>not good enough</i>” rather than any alternative reaction which might range from “oh, of course it wouldn’t be high-quality crystal, my friend isn’t rich” or “oh, what a tacky chandelier” or “why do you even have a chandelier like that in the first place?”<p>Getting high-quality furnishings (fittings, doors, etc) in a house requires you to have an opinion on what <i>quality</i> means for hundreds of aspects of your home. It’s not a problem you can simply throw money at. If you want to throw money at something in your home, there are plenty of suppliers for sinks, countertops, doorknobs, and cabinets that are happy to take your money. They won’t necessarily give you something much <i>better,</i> just something more <i>expensive.</i> The US also is in the bizarre position where land is relatively cheap, and we’re naturally tempted to get massive homes.<p>The author never really returns to the introductory point about microwave meals. If you prioritize high-quality food in your life, you will take the time to learn to cook. If you care about interior decoration, you will spend time shopping for the right furniture. But, ask yourself if you really care about this stuff or if you are trying to keep up with the Joneses. It can be liberating to <i>not</i> care, to buy Ikea furniture and ready-made microwave meals.