A conversation on TED.com: What is your enough point?

Skylar Nitesh
Crestview, FL
United States

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What is your enough point?

While researching different strategies on how to plan and pack for a prolonged backpacking trip I came across the concept of the enough point and feel this is a very important question that everyone should ask themselves and not just once but many times over. What is the bare minimum you would choose to live with in regards to material possessions? When is it too much? I try to ask myself these and other related questions every time I shop weather it is clicking a button or physically picking up the item before I put it in my chart and remind myself that just because it is the chart doesn't mean I can't remove it. Overtime the answers to the questions have become almost always I don't need that and often times I can't really afford it weather because of finances or a desire to live with out bounds and therefore no strings to tie me down. This in turn made me think about smart phones, army knives, and all sorts of other multitools both old and new. The maximization of both portability and capability of the individual and their lifestyle is my intent. Which eventually lead me to revisit an idea I had in my youth about what kind of superhero I would want to be. I then narrowed this question down to a superhero who relied on science and technology as a source for their super if you will and realized that my and hopefully many others' enough point could shrink down to a single outfit, but more importantly we wouldn't really be loosing anything in the trade off. Now, when I watch TED oohing and awing at all the amazing breakthroughs I ask myself can I incorporate this into a wearable smart home and will doing so be beneficial to my before mentioned intent. I believe this kind of technology to fit right in with the current trends of mobile computing, nanotechnolgy and even biotech. As a diverse range of companies have increasingly invited biologists to the table I believe others such as architects and fashion designers should have a seat as well. Your thoughts?

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Debra Smith 100+
- +1
Aug 6 2011: When I was young I could hardly wait for a new catalogue to come along. I would pour over it in off hours and dream of owning many things. Now that I have had the big house and all of the kids with their stuff, I find that I couldn't care less to see one more catalogue or even think of owning one more thing. I remember my mother going through this stage of divesting and I remember that it hurt my feelings when she tried to return things that I had given her as she downsized. How foolish I was, I realize now. Many of us have reached our 'enough point' not just on the back pack level but in our lives. I am craving a simpler existence where ' stuff' doesn't need tending anymore. I want experiences and people but no stuff beyond what I need for a simple existence. I am adopting a rule that when I gain something- something else must go.
- Skylar Nitesh
  - 0
  Aug 6 2011: Nice rule, this applies to the natural world as well. In order to create something-something else must first be destroyed. In developed countries it is easy to forget that the materials used to make the things we use and buy everyday came from somewhere and used to be something else sometimes a tree other times a mountain and in some cases entire villages and societies. This is were the true cost of consumerism lay and cannot be properly represented by a price tag nor with cotton and ink. Luckily we live in an age of information which increasingly helps us to recognize these often hidden costs as well as alternatives. It is always helpful to receive input from others and I thank you for taking the time.
Linda Hesthag Ellwein 50+
- +2
Host TED Attendee TED Translator Associate

Aug 6 2011: I love this question. Seems to me there is quite a bit of dialogue and/or thought required to determine this, and as you hinted, can often change. My enough point has changed dramatically over the decades. I suppose it is relative to one's social values, culture, and health/age. There was a time I felt I could live very simply, as long as I had my books and music lining the walls. Of course, this has dramatically changed since the internet, iPod and Kindle - something I hadn't even imagined. Now, I'd have to renegotiate my willingness to have a pad on a dirt floor, for a comfortable bed. But perhaps the footprint will be equalized by not needing all those books and cds. :)
- Skylar Nitesh
  - 0
  Aug 6 2011: Yes, the dialogue and the possibilities of where it might lead you is as infinite as imagination itself. This also raises another very good point which is never stop talking to yourself atleast not over an extended period no matter how frustrated or angry you might be with yourself and try not to cut yourself too deep with negativity which just like a knife can be a very valuable but often destructive tool which can help you shape both your internal and external worlds. The only constant in the Universe is change and as we are a part of the Universe we also must change and do. The real question is change what and how and to what end? Thank you so very much for sharing. Oh, and while you negotiate might I suggest a hammock instead of a pad. They are affordable much more portable and dynamic as they utilize all three dimensions in a more playful manner. I have slept in one almost every night for the past two years and recommend it to those who are physically able and willing to try it (pillows and blankets help).