As far as propounding new ideas to save the planet here is a new one. Growing up we have all had our share of toys. It was a way to experience the unknown or pretend to be something you could only dream of. Whether it was playing house with little appliances or flying to far away lands in a pretend lego space ship. But what if we stopped making toys?
As I think that not having gadgets and toys might actually make the planet a better place. Toy mania is born out of the parents desire to distance themselves from leaking, nagging and disruptive children. So stick that ipad in front of them and problem solved.
Kids used to find something to do if their creativity was truly given free reign - I too remember hanging from trees and pretending to fly only to find out that I had landed at the bottom of the guava tree with a nail in my shin. So well - take it out - get a tetanus shot and we are back in business this time chasing dragon flies so I could tie a thread on its tail. Cost - zero dollars - Happiness - priceless.
The toy buying habits continue to adulthood for kids that grow up with the plethora of toys and lead to what is known as a consumer culture. At the end of the day all things that add no utility to life are toys. From the so called revolutionary outputs from Apple to Microsoft to Sony to Nintendo; to the car, boat and cosmetics makers churning out new goodies using a brand obsolescence strategy its all toys for young and old alike.
I mean there are now clubs dedicated to painting little toy figurines that look like some characters in a medieval period fighting with gory looking weapons and wearing fancy suits for battle. Popularity of characters like Potter and Superman have long led to a boon for such allied industries. Girls want the latest Disney doll that is born out of the business of first creating a movie character then making sure its sold in all channels and manners to unsuspecting girls and boys till their parents declare bankruptcy.
Cool cat the Japanese are Tokyo at dusk My second visit to this land of the rising sun after almost a decade. Back then clearly I was wet behind the ears product manager and likely didn’t pay attention to all (efficient) things Japanese. But today I did and of course continue to be impressed. It is as much the obvious stuff like on time travel that is both clean and comfortable and all that which makes it possible. The impressive landmark and landscapes that these humans have put together despite their cramped (or because of it) surroundings and precarious geological conditions could amaze a novice architect among us. But it’s also the little things that someone had to think about which have a phenomenal impact on day to day lives that make the Japanese stand apart. Below are few random examples- 1. Providing a very fine machined wooden toothpick in every packet of wooden chopsticks. The said chapsticks are simply set on the To Go counter of any food vendor/ convenience store wher...
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