It’s a shared connection quite literally from your hand to the artist that created it. There are very few things in life that are so direct. I’m also speaking more of hand made pens than mass produced luxury pens.
I'm not rich enough to buy poor quality items. I only have a few pairs of shoes. Only one briefcase (lovingly owned for 20 years), only a few FPs, only a few wristwatches, only a few cufflinks. My luxury is commissioning art. I don't go on holidays, I don't own a car, I don't consume particularly conspicuously. Objects used are for my own personal use. An interesting essay, and provokes me to discuss the idea of 'luxury' at the next literature club meeting I host.
Of course there is also the perspective that luxury can give you certain emotions as well. Sometimes owning something a little bit nice, can make you smile every time you use it. But all our brains are wired differently for what brings us happiness. Art commissions feeds the world beauty :)
On a macro level, it isn’t a need. Rather, it’s more of a choice. Perhaps one can describe this behaviour as a “healthy irrationality” (that is, consciously paying more than the conventional price of a writing instrument), insofar as the purchase doesn’t threaten one’s financial well-being.
Irrational behaviours are inherent in human behaviour. Need can certainly masquerade as deep desires… I tend to find leaving something in my basket for a month leads to more rational choices. But sometimes needs can be genuine, we need love, we need food and in someways our mental makeup can mean that we need pens.. after all it can be food for the soul.
Absolutely valid point, but these industries can support craftsmanship and drive their sectors forward. In some ways they offer a symbiosis to smaller brands. They create awareness.. Montblanc made me rediscover my love for writing instruments and sometimes these brands can be catalysts to sparking joy elsewhere:)
Concerns are the very opposite of a luxurious experience. If contemplating a luxury is overshadowed by apprehensions, whether related to cost or anything else, it simply isn’t the right fit for you. Move on.
Very eloquently put and certainly we all have inner voices that challenge us when making financial choices. I guess it boils down to what we value and how we reason our choices. Are we doing it for a deep love, or just an endorphin hit? At times that line is icy thin.
First time I’ve heard my collegiate reading list material referenced in a fountain pen video, that’s for sure. 😀
Well there is a symbiosis between philosophy and writing :)
It’s a shared connection quite literally from your hand to the artist that created it. There are very few things in life that are so direct. I’m also speaking more of hand made pens than mass produced luxury pens.
Absolutely, hence my fascination with urushi pens and those made specifically by Nakaya.
What hand made pens catch your eye?
😍 Lovely video, dear Andrew! 😍
Thank you so much 😀
I'm not rich enough to buy poor quality items.
I only have a few pairs of shoes. Only one briefcase (lovingly owned for 20 years), only a few FPs, only a few wristwatches, only a few cufflinks.
My luxury is commissioning art.
I don't go on holidays, I don't own a car, I don't consume particularly conspicuously. Objects used are for my own personal use.
An interesting essay, and provokes me to discuss the idea of 'luxury' at the next literature club meeting I host.
Of course there is also the perspective that luxury can give you certain emotions as well.
Sometimes owning something a little bit nice, can make you smile every time you use it.
But all our brains are wired differently for what brings us happiness.
Art commissions feeds the world beauty :)
On a macro level, it isn’t a need. Rather, it’s more of a choice. Perhaps one can describe this behaviour as a “healthy irrationality” (that is, consciously paying more than the conventional price of a writing instrument), insofar as the purchase doesn’t threaten one’s financial well-being.
Irrational behaviours are inherent in human behaviour. Need can certainly masquerade as deep desires… I tend to find leaving something in my basket for a month leads to more rational choices.
But sometimes needs can be genuine, we need love, we need food and in someways our mental makeup can mean that we need pens.. after all it can be food for the soul.
Do we need a Rolex? Do we need a Rolls Royce? Do we need LV leathet goods? Absolutely, no.
Absolutely valid point, but these industries can support craftsmanship and drive their sectors forward. In some ways they offer a symbiosis to smaller brands. They create awareness.. Montblanc made me rediscover my love for writing instruments and sometimes these brands can be catalysts to sparking joy elsewhere:)
Concerns are the very opposite of a luxurious experience. If contemplating a luxury is overshadowed by apprehensions, whether related to cost or anything else, it simply isn’t the right fit for you. Move on.
Very eloquently put and certainly we all have inner voices that challenge us when making financial choices.
I guess it boils down to what we value and how we reason our choices. Are we doing it for a deep love, or just an endorphin hit? At times that line is icy thin.