Ep. 146 | Curation

[@min_oaka2617]

I love long podcasts about minimalism. It helps keep me calm in traffic, motivates me to do and finish chores, and helps me fall asleep when I need to.

[@paigeharmon6354]

I lived through LP albums, 8 Tracks, cassettes, CDs, VHS, DVD, Blue Ray. I LOVE not owning 'things' to have music and movies. I've been obsessing over a folk song recently (The Fox Went Out On a Chilly Night) and have played it 6-7 times a day for a week, free online. In the past, I'd have had to find a specialty folk music publisher, ordered a CD, and hit Repeat over and over. Being free of STUFF is amazing - just like you guys!

[@shaunraymond65]

hahahah the sarcasm is strong with this one, well done josh perfect response to that one persons overly negative comment.

[@MusclesandBooks]

HAHAHAHAHA!!! Laughing so hard at the "Secret Two Minute Podcast." Joshua bringing the snark.

[@PheetsPlace]

Ahaha same! Also he ended that thought at exactly 2:00 😂

[@lisacrawford2393]

Hi! Guys! I wish this was live ...I’m commenting in the middle of the article your reading. People who are “afraid of a sharing society” are usually deeply rooted in fear. We are under the illusion we own things because by owing we satiate the fear of never having it, not having enough of it, being less than. To own is a way to validate who you are and what you have done. Trusting that you are a person that is worthy and your reasons for wanting what u want are valid is not what “work hard for your money” teaches us. You must have faith and trust to be able to share.

[@crownxylona4468]

You guys have brought so much value into my life. For that, I thank you both.

[@TheRoomNote]

I like the longer podcasts. Makes my day go by faster.

[@emilyroarty9267]

When I studied abroad in Rome for an Architecture class, we had to design a museum on an empty plot of land. It was a difficult college assignment because we had to consider the site, daylight, type of art in the museum, etc. I have a new appreciation of museum curators and architects.

[@phyliciajoykloes]

Graag episode. I really liked you mentioning the negative space in a museum. That for sure enhances the experience. The gift shop is for sure a consumer environment. I don't usually buy something there, unless I think it'll spark joy for a friend of family member. For example, my friend really likes start, spirituality and creative things. I sent her a 3D card of Escher to give her a snippet of the experience I had.

[@JanelleJnewstudio]

I love these longer episodes cause they get me through my boring ass job. Thanks guys!

[@sarah29880]

So I basically had a mold issue in the home. I had to leave home suddenly due to this. It got so bad I could hardly breathe or think. I moved and got sooo much better. Never to return back home. Also I didn’t bring ANYTHING with me. And guess what!? I didn’t need anything. I am much happier. Items don’t mean anything to me. I only have 6 shirts and 2 pairs of yoga pants I bought when I moved and so far doing just fine!! I have also been better able to concentrate on healthy meals, cooking and healing.

[@michelinecraw2888]

Love the discussion on ownership. I'll try to word this to the best of my ability.... Buddhism has taught me that the idea of ownership and attachment leads to suffering.

[@Peg38542]

I love your humor in this particular podcast/video! It brightened my day! :)

[@MagellanMG]

I love that we are losing our connection ownership! As a baby boomer I totally relate to what you're saying. I am not working on digging out from under my pacifiers so I can go outside!!

[@phoebegraveyard7225]

The memories aren’t in the things but things can trigger memories. For those of us who are older and having Memory Issues, things can bring those happy memories into the forefront . Having an item on a shelf is more accessible than turning on a laptop, finding the folder you put it in to find a picture of an event presuming that we are not too busy being in the moment to record the moment digitally. This form of extreme minimalism may just be for the young. For us older folk, death cleaning may be more useful.

[@paigeharmon6354]

Phoebe, my mom passed away in May. I packed her house up after. She was very much a minimalist but had held onto things from my childhood. I am having a hard time letting her things go. I can see her things in my childhood home, exactly where they were placed. It gives me comfort to see them in my home for now. If that changes in the future, I will let go of them.

[@MaryMcQuain]

I'm almost 10 minutes in (I'm not two minute girl) and have been laughing the whole time - you guys are awesome!

[@angelaarmstrong6405]

I love how long your pod cast are.. Thank you!

[@lauriecampbell1378]

What if the things I use are also the things that get in the way? The rooms in my home that are decorated to my liking, such as the guest bedroom, isn't used very often so it doesn't get in my way; it's actually one of my favorite spaces because everything stays in place. The kitchen, on the other hand, is my least favorite space because I use pots, pans, plates, silverware, stove, oven, dishwasher, refrigerator. All those items add value as I'm using them, but become a burden when they need to be maintained.

[@replaycastle7240]

I used to have a “curated” comic book and video game collection. I sold it all when I moved to a new country but after I separated from my wife and moved home I wanted my collection again so I hoarded every game and book I could find. I was trying to fill an emotional gap with things. I bought a game in particular that was worth quite a bit of money and knowing its value and the fact that I didn’t “collect” those types of games was giving me so much anxiety. Recently I realised the value of these things is in the stories and art of the books & interaction of the games themselves. So I’ve started selling it all, putting the money towards debt & experiences that bring so much more value to my life. I now read comics digitally and rarely play any games and when I do, also digitally. I genuinely feel so much better now.

[@kathleenhemingway1884]

I'm only 15 minutes in, but my thoughts regarding the shift of ownership and subscriptions and whatnot are this. 10 years ago I went to the library to borrow books... 10 years ago I rented DVDs from Blockbuster... I don't think anything's really changed.

[@alamasama]

Most if not all of Andrew Belle's music is on Google play music. He is amazing thank you for adding soothing musical value to my life. His music is very well curated art. PS. People that don't like long podcasts just don't complain and insuscribe and let the rest of us enjoy

[@iuliailiut]

I like the length please don’t keep it “minimal”. It lasts me the whole week on my morning commute. I just press the stop button when I get to work :)))

[@brucewhitt2494]

It took two weeks to get through this - 3 separate sessions. But I got value that way because I could invest my full attention.

[@sistaschin]

I love and appreciate the long podcasts. The health updates are also very interesting and I look forward to hearing more about Josh's food experiments and any negative/positive reactions that result.

[@lauriecampbell1378]

This podcast was so good that I had to listen to it twice and on the second listen, I took notes!

[@brgermundson]

When you guys shifted from the word special to precious I immediately thought of Gollum from The Lord of The Rings. This image definitely has me rethinking how I view my “precious” items.

[@danielleb6064]

3 years later, but SAME

[@wandahare8064]

I love your solution to your podcast being too long. When you read the comment that was my first thought. People have to take responsibility for themselves. 🎉😂🎉

[@pinkhazepie]

"Private ownership" boils down to this: I own my own labor, and can agree with other people to exchange it for things/services produced by their labor. Considering that for most of human history feudalism was the norm and a person's labor belonged to the king, "private ownership" is most unusual, and something for which we should be eternally grateful. I think it's important not to lose sight of this when talking "ownership vs access". Whether you have physical ownership of something or just access to it, both are still by means of your private ownership of the fruits of your labor (in the given examples, anyway). I noticed the lines between these two meanings of the phrase, "private ownership," got a bit blurred in the discussion. I hope this note adds a little clarity.

[@jennysmith80]

Joshua, you're looking so healthy, whatever you're doing it agrees with you. Love the podcasts! Thank you.

[@kristinschwartz381]

I think the point of that article is that if we don't own a book or a CD or the like, we become dependent on the service provider. If Netflix goes under, we have no movies. I love being able to downsize because of technology, but I'm wondering if that's the concern of the writer of that article.

[@gemmadancingcat523]

I love your ideas on his argument, I didnt even consider that before! Well put and way to play "devils advocate"

[@aubreejobizzarro1208]

Or the denial of access. Should someone loose all access to a service that has been monopolized if they break terms of agreement? It would be like not following watering guidelines for your city, and then the government shuts you off from ever receiving water again. I’m not sure if this is what the author was getting at but I can see that logic being followed to the inevitable conclusion.

[@Lashlove16]

I think you should do a poll on KZbin and see if anyone would like your living room conversations series back . Even once a week . Would love to get your content that is 10 Min or less

[@LouiseT2405]

Lashlove16 i agree, really loved that series.

[@god7986]

Was just listening to your 019 episode, Mental declutter... Was just waiting for the new episode... I am sure I ll love this too.

[@samanthabarron8481]

This may not have been the point of the article but the argument for private ownership also includes the prevention of a Fahrenheit 451 situation. If everything is online what if the “online” disappears? Ancestral survivalist knowledge has already disappeared except through books, so we would be screwed 😳

[@samanthabarron8481]

The22726 I agree! And I definitely don’t think that every person needs to own every thing, maybe just a few things they need to survive in an emergency.. I hope to see more knowledge passed down through generations and see young people receptive to learning these skills.

[@dynrgal]

"They have to pull weights out of the back" 😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@高島ラウラ]

I love you guys💓 Your message is amazing: a wake up call to what life is really about. Keep doing it, your message is highly appreciated❗️

[@benright9962]

Viola! A two minute podcast. HAHAHA!!! Dying!

[@alanbirkner1958]

Helped a friend clear out a huge house with full basement and 3 car garage. I'm so glad we live in a small space with no garage and no basement. Tina, Al's wife

[@adamcywinski1]

45:10 I know probably Ryan will not read this, but: Ryan, no. Cleopatra lived about 300 years after Alexander the Great. Also I think that he wasn't library destroying type of guy. ;)

[@TheRandomNonsenseMerchant]

I think he was trying to reference the fire that burned down the Library of Alexandria, but he forgot 90% of the details.

[@alop5921]

very well put , "we come from relative Puritan upbringing, this country does." you sir are dope.

[@louisraymo]

Loving this one guys! Keep at it!

[@Chukijay]

You guys missed the mark by a mile. The point of the article is really to be self-sufficient. If the services you guys subscribed to disappeared, regardless of probability, could you two survive? At the far end of the logic line, can you two kill your dinner and create shelter? The point of the article is to promote self-sufficiency and self-reliance. Those two things are very much minimalist traits. Nowhere in the article did it say “buy 200 DVDs and make sure to keep them in a 3 bedroom house.” It just argued for the option of ownership being available and viable. This goes along with the “right to repair” discussion going on right now. If we don’t fight for ownership of our things, our ability to interact with it dwindles. Example: if I don’t own my phone, and only pay for access to it, such as Apple’s practice and how they operate, then it is wrong for me to replace the screen. I won’t be able to find parts or viably repair the device efficiently or effectively. If we throw ownership out the window, then welcome in huge repair costs and control over many aspects of your life.

[@sz13bigmo]

Hey I like my Irish wool sweater which someone donated to a thrift shop and my mother in law found it and gave to me because I'm always cold. It is super warm and not itchy. Its not very fashionable but I defintely get value out of the sweater. I only went to Ireland after I had my sweater.

[@muminmamman1322]

I’m impressed by my friends giant cone because we don’t have that large ones in Sweden and both of us think cones are beautiful! And she has it nicely displayed in a showcase!😀👍🏻

[@emilyc8958]

Are the people who think kindle is a HUGE change to book ownership people who never used libraries? I borrow books where I can and use kindle when i can't

[@muminmamman1322]

I tried to count the number of times you said the word ”collection” and it became a collection of the word collection!😉

[@jayontario7285]

Here's a Pithy answer to critics of Tweets.....Tweets may not change your life, BUT your life will change your Tweets....

[@cassandremassot8017]

Damnit, Josh spoilt Infinite Jest for me!

[@angelaarmstrong6405]

Owning a car😁try owning 5. Yes my hubby is a hoarder! And I never ever can call into work and say my car won't start...lol

[@emilyhartop]

I just caught up on this podcast episode (obviously I am a bit behind) and I think you really missed the mark on the response to the collections manager. I have worked for many years in museums and I think she was referring to the actual collections of museums; this is much MUCH different than the displays the public sees on a visit. A very, very small percentage of the holdings of most museums is actually on display and I, too, often think about the actual value of the real holdings of the museums I have been (and currently am) associated with. If 90 percent of the collection isn't on display, how do we justify keeping all of those items? Do we really need to keep all of them, or should some serious decluttering be happening in museum warehouses? The reality of museums is a minimalist's worst nightmare, but the idea of "decluttering" or "minimizing" collections is taboo. It shouldn't be. We SHOULD have experts that make hard decisions, but more often than not, the collections managers are keeping the collections cared for and organized, but little curation is actually being done. In fact, the roll of a "curator" (a different title and job description than that of a collections manager) is often that of a researcher and they deal little with the actual objects.

[@RTCIvory]

I will accept the burden of clutter if it means that I can think for myself. The technology that you praise has an implication: since the content is digital, it is vulnerable to third party manipulation of the content to suit an agenda at any moment. Some important physical possessions of mine are old world civ and history textbooks. It's important to examine how history was written prior to anyone's current agenda. It is important to compare for ommissions and inclusions. Typically old text books are sent to the landfill.

[@keenansubramoney4920]

When future generations look back at us , they will be grateful for the things that were eradicated rather than passed down . Things such as poverty , illiteracy and racism . We have not made much progress as a human race if you look at things from that perspective. This is just my opinion 🙏.

[@biobritt8756]

Is the personality test called “enneagram”? Which website is recommended for taking it? There seems to be a few of them.

[@biobritt8756]

I tried the first result: Eclectic Energies. The results described me quite accurately 😊

[@RTCIvory]

Josh, do you know how a well works in the 21st century? Hint-its not pioneer times and well water is more desirable than municipal water.

[@Ammut6]

I'm in a situation and was hoping to get ANYONES input. I just paid off my car loan at the start of 2018. It's an '08 Pontiac G6 3.5 V6 Coupe with 108K on it. Bought it with 37K and it has loved me ever since. Me and the misses was also gifted her parent's '96 Mustang V8 which we use as a secondary car. We just had our baby August 11th of this year. Now we can make the Pontiac work as the family car but I'm assuming we'll need something new down the road of parenthood. I'm at a loss of what to do...do I trade in the Pontiac and use whatever cash I get as a down payment for a newer car? Should I go cert. used, brand new, or buy an older car off craigslist/private dealer? Should I part with either the Pontiac or Mustang or add a third car to the insurance? I have no money saved up other than about $800. I'm living paycheck to paycheck while the misses is on work leave. I really don't want another car payment as I have just finished paying this one off! But I want something reliable for my family, and something that isn't a coupe haha. Do I just save save save and outright buy a nice used 90's/early 00's car? What would you do?

[@CiaraCorroon]

Jesse i would recommend the minimalism subreddit for this

[@Dreamer-by4nk]

Really? Seriously?

[@janiesuper3222]

(hahahaha) I think the length is fine. You have alot to talk about and alot to discuss, and frankly I would rather have 5 long weekly podcasts than 25 short daily podcasts.

[@angelaarmstrong6405]

You two are hilarious.. 🤣

[@MyAkachi]

Is there a reason why 0:01 reads the minimists not the minimalists?

[@CiaraCorroon]

MyAkachi because the child voice mispronounces the minimalists as the minimists, it’s kinda cute!

[@crownxylona4468]

Probably just a typo in this episode?

[@mandocats]

Looking up nutritional stats, it looks like dark chocolate has the most carbs out of all the chocolate types. Help me understand what JFM is so adamant about it not being carbs…?

[@LouiseT2405]

xX_ViolinBlu_Xx i think as part of a Ketogenic diet you cut out carbs.

[@Raul619Meza]

What are the 5 things that Josh eats daily? I think I missed that episode.

[@raulhespinosa]

Why do you need to be proud of owning something? You have it or not, you need it or not

[@aurorinezori352]

Why is there an exit through the museum boutique? Beyond the obvious money reason for the institution, people at museum are never touching the pieces. It can be frustrating for adults and especially for kids. Having a merch (such as a pen or magnet...) triggers the memory of the visit - it’s like the fetish/trophee for the serial killer ;)))

[@Heinedubr]

One of the few things you really own in this life is your tattoos, cause you are bringing them with you!

[@Artsy71]

What wealth of history and great thinking would have been lost if Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin’s, just to name 2, families had gotten rid of their writings in the way you have done with letters, journals etc. and have encourage people to do? I’m totally onboard with living a meaningful life with less but I’ve never heard you address this conflict between your actions and what you preach and history. I’m thankful Jefferson was an OCD copy keeper, grateful for historic artifacts that have survived “clutter clearers”.

[@ellab6363]

josh, re your health updates and trying the different foods...have you heard of Fodmap? If you haven't already, I encourage you to google Monash FODMAP.

[@jessicamaeparkin8093]

I have got no idea why Americans are so obsessed with Ireland 🇮🇪

[@tonirodgers3812]

I might be alone in this, but I wasn’t comfortable with Joshua taking a public swipe at a listener who had expressed an opinion regarding podcast length. It felt a bit undignified and shaming. Which aren’t words I’d usually associate with The Minimalists.

[@LouiseT2405]

toni rodgers Sometimes i find Josh a little abrupt and insensitive, whether he realises it or not. If you look at the comment too i feel the person was being respectful, it wasn’t as if they were saying “hey asshole make shorter podcasts” i feel like the nicer thing of Josh to say would’ve been - hey if you don’t find value in these longer podcasts there are plenty of older ones of a shorter length or essays on the website etc. I personally find no value in singling people out and publicly ridiculing them for a comment that wasn’t even that negative. I’ve loved what these guys have done in the past and minimalism has changed my life, but like a lot of things you realise what you continue to take value from and what you don’t. I guess its kinda meta that Josh and Ryan taught me this and now i no longer find value in these podcasts.

[@rhondarobb]

The sarcasm and mockery of listeners is not appealing to me either.

[@runvidr]

Not a fan of your hidden ads. You say you're ad-free. Dude, every time you mention Patreon is an ad.

[@amiinhassen6252]

I’m somali minimalists.

[@Joe101.]

Sucks for me for being my name mondragon

[@pfeetfpl]

Cute

[@ApexJnr]

Waaaaa