Flow chart: How to find out which things to throw out

Flow chart: How to find out which things to throw out(mortenjust.com)

32 points by mortenjust 15 years ago | 14 comments

That is one of the least usable flowcharts I have ever seen.

Anyone care to knock together a much more readable one that doesn't use a 3d isometric view to not just confuse the read by splitting things over multiple levels, but also to actually obscure the text which is the point of the diagram?

Don't get me wrong - it's a lovely idea, but the execution is...less than optimal.

mortenjust 15 years ago | |

http://cl.ly/0340cc29b2d0197d936b

AndrewDucker 15 years ago | | |

Thank you!

mcantor 15 years ago | | |

Ahhh. It's like a breath of fresh air.

Sukotto 15 years ago | |

"Dealing with stuff" (From about 32 min into Bruce's[1] talk)

- Pay most attention to your "common everyday objects". Ie. anything that takes up your immediate space (eg. on your body, in the room with you) or your time

- Buy the best possible common everyday objects you can. Most importantly:

-- your bed: you spend a third of your life in it. Consider per-hour cost

-- your chair: stop whining about your wrists and back hurting and buy a really good chair

- Ditch anything you haven't used in the last 12 months. eg: wedding china, tuxedo, everything in your storage locker

- Only buy real things you will really use

---------

Getting rid of stuff is HARD but doable. Do not start on impulse. Think hard about it and make sure you're morally prepared.

For each item in your life:

1) Is it beautiful?

Test: You have it on display. You share its beauty with the people in your life.

If yes then keep it, otherwise...

2) Is it emotionally important?

Test: It has a narrative. You tell its story to other people.

If yes then keep it, otherwise...

3a) Is it a useful tool, piece of equipment, or appliance?

Test: It efficiently performs some useful function. It actually works. It is the best possible tool. (Do not put up with broken or shoddy stuff)

Note: There's nothing more materialistic than doing the same job 5 times because your tools are inferior.

3b) Are you experimenting on it?

Test: You methodically work on it and you publish your results.

Note: Beware brand-new time-sucking beta-rollout crap.

If yes to either then keep it, otherwise...

4) It's unworthy of taking your space or time. Virtualize it (take its picture; record the barcode; record any anecdotes about it) then get RID of it. If you ever need it again, get another one from eBay.

---------

[1] http://video.reboot.dk/video/486788/bruce-sterling-reboot-11

lkozma 15 years ago |

What's with the obsession of spending money on the "best" bed. I find I sleep best on a very thin ~$20 mattress on the floor or on a polyfoam mattress when camping. In general a plain flat and hard surface seems to feel best for the back. The more advanced beds remind me a bit of the other big scam: running shoes. (end of rant and I didn't even mention chairs :)

tyweir 15 years ago | |

I'd simply add "buy the best bed _for you_." In your case, you lucked out, others may find only fancy mattresses are restful.

jules 15 years ago | |

Are running shoes a scam? My legs and feet say they aren't. With beds I tend to agree with you, but try sleeping without a matress when camping. It's doable but you tend to still be tired in the morning. So it's possible that a very good matress makes you sleep even better.

tyweir 15 years ago | | |

The shoe scam quip references the resurgence of barefoot/forefoot running, which eliminates the need for heel shock absorption or "motion control" shoes (aka, the costly ones).

It's referred to ask a scam because running shoe retailers typically teach heel strike running and then offer costly shoes to mitigate injury.

If you're interested check out the book "Born To Run," google POSE running or check out crossfitendurance.com

steveklabnik 15 years ago | |

My best friend's brother has a long history of back problems. He dropped a few grand on a TempurPedic, and they all but disappeared.

It's only one data point, but I'd imagine there are others.