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Re:Why I don't want stuff by coldtea on Tuesday February 23, 2016 @03:35PM (#11162102)
>but for most people in first-world countries: Running: Specialized shoes and gear (...) Penmanship: Specialized quills and ink

"Most people" in first world countries hardly ever run.

The official statistics I've seen put "joggers and runners" as 17-18% of the US population, and their definition includes all the "people who went jogging or running within the last 12 months in the United States" -- so in reality, much much less, especially after school/college age. This makes those irrelevant for the 80% and more. In most first world countries, which don't share the US obsession with jogging, that's substantially less.

As for "Penmanship, quills and ink", that's not even a thing for the overwhelming majority of the population. At least not since 1950.

And "making electronica"? I happen to do that, but I can count on one hand the number of people I know who even know what Roland or Ableton are (apart from collaborators etc).

So, I'd hardly call this list representative -- if it said "urban hipster" maybe, but the "for most people" qualifier is totally bogus.

Re:Why I don't want stuff by basseq on Tuesday February 23, 2016 @04:39PM (#11162570)
To clarify, when I say "most people", I mean, "most people who are XXers" (where XX is runners, calligraphers, music-makers, etc.). Example: while "most people" don't do penmanship (and don't need the tools of trade, obviously), "most people" who do penmanship will have specialized "gear". That's my point: to have a hobby that's more than a passing interest, "most people" will acquire "stuff" that is critical to that hobby.

(Aside: very sad statistic on U.S. runners.)

Re:Why I don't want stuff by coldtea on Wednesday February 24, 2016 @07:19AM (#11166149)
In this case, it makes sense.

Though one could argue (given the clarification you've made) that said XXers could also embrace a minimalist aesthetic.

E.g. electronica makers: do everything in the box, or with very few pieces of kit (minimal gear). Penmanship: just use a couple of really good pens and some select stationary. Etc -- and of course they can keep the "minimal stuff" in all other non XX areas of their lives.