How Much is Enough?

It is interesting to consider the concept of "enoughness" in the context of American culture. Many would argue that as a whole, we are a materialistic culture that values getting your money's worth: super-sizing, bulk items, and blow-out sales. We don't necessarily buy because we have a need, but because the sale is too good to pass up.

I was definitely raised with an element of this mindset. In one sense, I learned to be very frugal, but at the same time, I became very absorbed with getting a deal on the things I would buy. From an early age, I was instructed to examine the unit prices in the grocery store, or scrutinize the clearance racks when buying clothes.

I am also guilty of having always been a pack-rat. I have held on to so many useless things because of trite sentimental value or the sense that it would need or be worth something in the future. Gradually I found myself being inundated with old paperwork, clothes I never wore, and boxes upon boxes of miscellaneous junk.

Now for the past month, I have lived with whatever I could fit into my small carry-on suitcase and backpack. Even though I have gotten tired of wearing the same few outfit over and over again, I have come to realize that I don't need much. This summer, I was so frustrated trying to clean out my room, knowing that I wouldn't be able to bring much when I traveled across the country. Although I did leave a bunch of clothes, papers, and junk behind at my parent's house, I feel like I am starting to get a sense of what is enough in my life and can eliminate some of the excess accordingly.

Creating a Prototype

After analyzing the information we gathered at the Alemany Flea Market, our group brainstormed with the aid of dozens of Post-It notes, about the design challenges we noticed at the market. Eventually, we narrowed our focus to fostering a community environment at the Alemany Flea Market and local marketplaces in general.

One of the things that stood out to me the most about the atmosphere of the market was the sense that we did not belong. If the sense of community is indeed one of the advantages of peer to peer interactions over online sales, it certainly did not apply to all who participated in the market. My team members and other classmates who visited the market felt similarly uneasy. Perhaps it was because we were not just ordinary shoppers, but were actually probing into the inner-workings of the market.

In any case, we hoped to make the experience for newcomers less confusing, as well as enhancing the experience for regular buyers and sellers. They way we hoped to achieve this was through a social networking site for buyers and sellers. We saw the Internet as a tool that could potentially strengthen the sense of community, rather than being a threat to the downfall of peer to peer sales.

Rightsizing

Out of curiosity, I googled the word "rightsizing" to see what would come up. The first three hits were definitions from a few different online resources. The word definitely has a business connotation, mostly relating to "corporate restructuring," often in the case of downsizing to reduce costs.

The next hit was a a website promoting a book called Rightsizing Your Life: Simplifying Your Surroundings While Keeping What Matters Most. The author, Ciji Ware, talks about the challenges of downsizing from a comfortable house in LA to a small San Francisco apartment. She and her husband, both in their 50s, had accumulated a great deal of "stuff" in their 25 years of marriage, and were attempting to downsize.

This idea of "rightsizing" is clearly a struggle for many Americans today. Our capitalist culture encourages people to buy, buy, buy. But, it seems like people are beginning to think critically about their lives and evaluate their possessions in terms of their needs.

Peer-to-Peer Marketplace Study

Okay I'll admit it, I've always hated collaborative assignments. Not because I'm completely anti-social (I don't think), but because it has largely been my experience that whenever I have to work with other people, I end up having to do the bulk of the work. So, I couldn't help but mumbled unhappily to myself when we were given a group project as our first assignment in Design Research class.

But, this isn't high school biology, I thought, so perhaps working with other designers will prove to be a better experience, right?...RIGHT! This is actually one project I'm glad I didn't have to do alone. On Sunday, September 7th, I went with my two partners, Charlotte and Jerry, to the Alemany Flea Market to observe face-to-face sales interactions and interview some buyers and sellers.

It proved to be quite an interesting experience delving into this little pocket of San Francisco culture. Even though one of my group members is a Bay area native, it seemed clear that we were "outsiders" in this environment and most people were not so willing to divulge information to us. All three of us were a little intimidated to start striking up conversations, so first we did a loop around the marketplace to feel it out.

Once we got our bearings, we tried to approach one seller together, but it must have come off as some sort of stealth attack because although the seller would answer a few questions, she was very reluctant.

There was quite an interesting array of items that varied from vendor to vendor. There were antiques, clothes, electronics, power tools, areas that looked like a yard sale transplants, and even a vendor that just sold shoes.

So, for "investigative purposes" I decided to get in on the action and buy something at the market. Although a violin at one table caught my eye, once I learned that it was $85, I decided that a table full of jewelry market as $1 per item would more up my alley. After sifting through the hodgepodge of necklaces and bracelets, I narrowed it down to three. Intending to buying two, I asked the vendor's opinion on which suited me best. "Ah," he said, "with my pricing system you can have 3 items for $2." "Sold!" I replied, wondering if I had just unintentionally haggled for a better price.

Less is More

Since I have left the majority of my things back at my parent's house in Pennsylvania, I have begun to appreciate living with less. I try to think of what all of that stuff is cluttering my room at home, and why I've held onto it for so many years.