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the fine art of replacement

3/1/02

     Of all the things we've had an opportunity to perfect over the few thousand years we've had on Earth, one thing we've spent too much time fine-tuning is the art of replacement. Whereas it used to take time and care to create the things with which we surrounded ourselves, and people stayed put most of their lives, we have become adept at leaving things behind and effortlessly replacing them.
     In advancing our powers of replication and facilitating long-distance moves, we've reduced the pain of losing something we've become attached to, which I guess is a good thing. Broken up with your girlfriend? You'll find another one. Broken your favorite toy? The store's got shelves full of the exact same thing. Tired of your friends? Step right up, there are lots more kids waiting for their fifteen minute turn in your attentions.
     But we've lost something important in all of this: a sense of value and appreciation for what we've got. There's no accomplishment in getting a new bed. Some factory far away churns the things out in huge quantities, without fail. It'll arrive at your door the same day you buy it, and they'll even carry it into the bedroom. Something bad happens? No problem. A new one will only cost you some money.
     Isn't there something wrong with this? If you had built yourself a bed, you'd love the thing. Maybe it wouldn't have passed FDA standards, but it'd be yours, and you'd be attached to it. We always love the things we've put time into.
     And how about friends? Check your address books. Mine's full of people with whom I had every intention of keeping in touch, but let's face it. I don't need most of them. They're far away, or they're busy doing their own thing, but there was that one point when we really cared, and exchanged addresses so we wouldn't lose contact.
     We throw things away when they break, throw away the friendships we've made, and so it goes. Take a trip to a dump some day. We replace everything, but we never want to think about the thing that's being replaced, or where it'll end up. Think about how much we just toss in favor of something shiny and new. Maybe it doesn't seem so terrible to you, but wait until you find yourself at the bottom of a refuse heap.