"Mad about DC", guest edited by the fiendishly clever Chip ( Steven Murray ) Zdarsky is a treat in store.
On this week's topic, perhaps some ancient readers such as myself will remember a British TV comedy from the late '60's, entitled, "Never Mind the Quality, Feel the Width" featuring two tailors, one Jewish and the other an Irish Catholic.
Always thought it aptly sums up the tat that passes for luxury today.
Thank you for this as always! Some of my favorite quotes this time:
“The saddest thing I can imagine is to get used to luxury.”
— Charlie Chaplin
“I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best.”
— Oscar Wilde
“We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about.”
This is such a clever take on the paradox of luxury! The point about how economists define it as conspicuous waste yet small luxuries can still add genuine joy really captures something most people dont think about. I've seen this tension play out where freinds justify expensive purchases based on quality, but the exposés about declining craftsmanship show even high-end brands are cutting corners now.
This piece nails something important: the pennyfoolish, poundwise approach is probably the sweet spot for most of us. I used to overthink every purchase but then realized splurging on specific small things (like bettter toothpaste) while staying tight on big-ticket items made life way more livable. Maybe wastefulness is actualy what makes somethign feel special in the first place.
"Mad about DC", guest edited by the fiendishly clever Chip ( Steven Murray ) Zdarsky is a treat in store.
On this week's topic, perhaps some ancient readers such as myself will remember a British TV comedy from the late '60's, entitled, "Never Mind the Quality, Feel the Width" featuring two tailors, one Jewish and the other an Irish Catholic.
Always thought it aptly sums up the tat that passes for luxury today.
Love to be out-obscured on obscure references!
Benjamin Errett contributing to MAD Magazine.
"What, me Worry"?
Don’t worry until the actual publication. Only pre-worry!
Dear Benjamin,
Thank you for this as always! Some of my favorite quotes this time:
“The saddest thing I can imagine is to get used to luxury.”
— Charlie Chaplin
“I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best.”
— Oscar Wilde
“We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about.”
— Charles Kingsley
Love
Myq
Thank you! And let me share one of your recent gems:
https://substack.com/@myqkaplan/note/c-204983028?r=457f&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
No way am I giving up my last remaining luxury: brand name prescriptions.
MetaMiuMiucil?
Excellent!
This is such a clever take on the paradox of luxury! The point about how economists define it as conspicuous waste yet small luxuries can still add genuine joy really captures something most people dont think about. I've seen this tension play out where freinds justify expensive purchases based on quality, but the exposés about declining craftsmanship show even high-end brands are cutting corners now.
This piece nails something important: the pennyfoolish, poundwise approach is probably the sweet spot for most of us. I used to overthink every purchase but then realized splurging on specific small things (like bettter toothpaste) while staying tight on big-ticket items made life way more livable. Maybe wastefulness is actualy what makes somethign feel special in the first place.