I just listened to an NPR interview with Japanese decluttering guru Marie Kondo, talking about her new book “Spark Joy.” Her approach to simplifying and organizing life has taken the US by storm. (How popular is she? Her video on how to fold underwear has more than 1.5 million views.) Kondo advocates a ruthless approach to weeding your possessions–if something doesn’t give you joy, get rid of it.
Here’s what I thought of during that interview: Brad the Toaster.
Brad is an internet connected, emotional appliance that is acutely sensitive to whether he is being used as much as his peers. If he feels neglected, he will ship himself to a new host.
In other words, Brad exemplifies how Konmarification could be amplified by the Internet as Things.
Instead of you having to sort through and evaluate your stuff, your stuff can monitor itself! Objects notice you don’t love them, and redistribute themselves to new owners who love them more. Haven’t taken that dress off its hanger in three years? It accesses your apps and lists itself for sale on Poshmark or Threadflip.
Check out Brad for yourself, and see if you think this concept could work.
Addicted products: The story of Brad the Toaster
from Simone Rebaudengo on Vimeo.
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