728 words
Regardless of the area of interest or field, there will always be traditionalist, with their extremes being quantified as Luddites or ultra-conservatives, on those on the opposing end who embrace every manner of change possible. Living in the centre as of late has been a lonely experience for those who reside where reason takes a front seat in all discussions. With the highly consequential US Election taking place this Tuesday, I realized that this notion of extremism exists in highly inconsequential fields in which enthusiasts and hobbyists reside.
When it comes to the tools we choose in our daily lives, whether that be watches, pens, keyboards, cameras, or cars, the middle-of-the-road solution has resonated with many seasoned enthusiasts and me in various realms who all use these products to make a living.
Traditional tools and older iterations of today’s products still have relevant benefits, and in most cases, due to mass manufacturing and economic realities, they are superior to their modern interpretations.
Analog dial watches offer superior legibility from all angles while not informing others of your presence, or worse, that sensitive text message you just received. These watches may be quartz-powered but still offer quite a lot of interest for the enthusiast in terms of build and application. These timepieces, of course, are the Omega X-33 pictured above, the Breitling Aerospace, and, of course, the many analog-digital offerings from Casio. Watches have entered a fascinating era where the recent smartwatch innovations are starting to be rejected for how invasive their technology is. One can never truly leave behind their work or have every breath monitored by a giant corporation when it comes to getting the most out of these timepieces. I have come across many who have shied away from these watches in favour of traditional watches, but they all do not consider the hybrid options detailed above because of their common source of information- the internet.
Fountain pens offer a finer line with the option to vary it as you write, which is handy for document amendments or signatures. Lamy and Pilot make excellent fountain pens with retractable nibs, making them as convenient as a ballpoint pen while not sacrificing any utility. The Pilot Vanishing Point is available with much finer nib options, but you can always have the Lamy’s nib ground to your needs.
Topre switched keyboards, such as the HHKB, offer the durability of mechanical keyboards while maintaining the same consistency as those on your laptop. Interestingly, at a mechanical keyboard event earlier this year, many applauded this choice of keyboard and pleaded with me not to explore the field anymore, and I see their point.
Hybrid vehicles have seen a resurgence in sales due to the consumer base realizing in mass that the infrastructure here in North America and Europe is decades away from supporting fully electric vehicles. When it comes to potentially the second biggest purchase of their lives, the masses have resorted to reason and the middle road.
Many people get trapped into buying a product that is not best suited for their needs because they are emotionally driven to an aspect of the product that they find appealing. The trouble arises when they aimlessly explore a hobby, and their wallet slowly drains while they grow dissatisfied with the field and with those whom they turn to for advice. This is especially a problem now that everyone’s buying power has dramatically decreased in the last half-decade, while our spending habits have not adjusted for today’s economic reality.
The solution is rather easy. Just as many workplaces have shifted into a hybrid workplace setting where employees work a portion of the month at home, you should also take a hybrid approach to the tools you actually use on a daily basis. Do not let narratives from companies or, worse, influencers and writers within a specific field steer you into a spiralling existence of unrelenting spending. Recognize that nuance and the capacity for long-form thinking on any issue have suffered due to how media is consumed and propagated. Focus on what is important to you, your desired results, and what value it brings you. Hobbies are pleasant distractions from life’s troubles and global horrors but can also be damaging. Maintaining a level head and viewing the landscape from the middle is your best bet in ensuring the best return on your hard-earned money.