are humans molded by objects/possessions?

[cacian]

do we change because we invent and possess objects and therefore become the toy at the hand of the invented for better or worse? it sounds like marriage made in hell.
we humans to subjects are mere machines we care less and less for each other because we possess more.
lack of trust and human compassion understanding and traditional values are in transition or swapped for what we can get. materialistically we are hooked and we cannot see the worth from the turf.
have we become the cargot that load does not unload?


any views are most welcome.

[Whosis]

Owning books is what in part led to my interest in writing. I've read about a person who rented books to create her interest in literature and writing (Kincaid, author of A Small Place), so that's not necessarily possessions. I think that being able to engage in things like a quiet walk or conversation will foster connections between two people (no possessions in those instances). However, it is amazing how much conversation can be about owning objects :).

[Dreamwoven]

The books I have owned comprise a sort of history of my interests. Once I did a clear-out of old books. I deeply regretted
doing that as I felt I had thrown out a part of who I am. I went out and bought some of the books again, but there are still some I miss as they have gone out of print. I also re-read books I like over and over, my most favourites I re-read several times during my life.

[readspider]

I agree that owning favourite books to reread is great but owning books just because one has read them makes them trophies.

I believe one should read voluminously but retain books minimalistically to encourage the search and the practise of reading new material.

I now only possess a few key pieces that I either want to reread or lend to people. My only other motivation to collect is books that are signed by people I respect.

[Dreamwoven]

I guess each of us finds our own balance between how much we read our old books, and buying new books. The market for used books is now hugely greater than it used to be thanks to the internet, while used books held by antiquarian dealers has declined. Also, living in Sweden means the portion of used books in English on sale is much smaller than it would be in UK, US, etc.