Have you ever examined the bottom of your shoes? Your car tires? An old T-shirt? Things wear out. Keep something and use it to the fullest extent and eventually it will fail. The study of wear is part of a science called Tribology, and is a huge concern for industry. Companies spend millions studying it. Developing new lubricants and materials to prevent it. Some materials are even made to wear or wear a certain way. Sand paper, tires, bearings, baseball mits. At the same time, consumers spend even more replacing worn out stuff. It is a viscous cycle yet we keep coming back for more.
To clarify, I'm not talking about just buying new things. As Americans, we are the worst of glutons; buying everything in sight just to have it. No. I'm talking about using something until it breaks, siezes, or wears too thin to be usable and then replacing it. This process is fascinating and gratifying to me. To have used something up. To have gotten your money's worth. Fantastic.
Buy something. Use it up. Run it into the ground.
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