Comments

Maybe it was Shawshank Redemption and Morgan Freeman - "... don't own anything even rent your shoes if you can ...". Nicole Kidman apparently [and me] love the minimalism lifestyle - own real estate & homes as priority - the rest is fluff ready for auction. Trevor as coach near Londonistan.

Posted by Sean at February 28, 2006 10:37 AM

Somewhat related to the Auctions idea, but more general and, I think, more profound is the book An Army of Davids : How Markets and Technology Empower Ordinary People to Beat Big Media, Big Government, and Other Goliaths. Its by the man behind the Instapundit blog.

Posted by Brian Moore at February 28, 2006 4:54 PM

There was an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal yesterday about the new way the Chinese purchase products. The article is called "Chinese Consumers Overwhelm Retailers With Team Tactics". It says, in part, "Name-brand consumer goods now fill the nation's stores, giving Chinese consumers more choice than ever before. In an increasingly competitive marketplace, merchants are quietly bending to consumer demands." Then goes on to say, " Group purchasing is catching on in booming cities such as Shanghai. On the Web site 51tuangou.com -- in Chinese, the name sounds like "I want to team buy" -- consumer teams formulate plans to bargain for products ranging from Buick automobiles to Panasonic television sets and refrigerators." I haven't read the book Tom recommends yet, but it sounds like a good read. Jeff Wilson

Posted by Jeff Wilson at March 1, 2006 10:02 AM

Hi Sean

"don't own anything even rent your shoes if you can ..." I thought that was Forest Gump!

I hope 'Trevor as coach near Londonistan' is a compliment:-) - I'm still trying to work it out - give me a clue:-)

Posted by Trevor Gay at March 1, 2006 5:47 PM

I read about this book in the March issue of the Harvard Business Review which profiled it as their lead book review - Fascinating. I just ordered my copy.

Posted by Dr NJ at March 1, 2006 8:23 PM

Trevor - yes it is a compliment in the simplicity coach realm - Londonistan is MSM part of the Chamberlain/Hitler appeasement new scenerio that Europe must be extremely cautious about. Take care.

Posted by Sean at March 2, 2006 11:22 AM

For everyone who wants to get on the "own nothing" minimalism bandwagon, just let me know and I will gladly take your worldly goods off your hands. I will even give you a receipt for what it's worth (I will not give you money, however, that would be wrong), so you can get a break from Uncle Sam.

Posted by Mike at March 3, 2006 7:16 AM