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In terms of items and possessions and resources and materials, is there anything that...

posted 2 years ago by TheMan18 (12865)
12 replies | jump to latest

... the world don't have? Or don't have an unlimited supply of?

And, besides the question of if you have the money and means to afford it, is there anything one cannot legitimately obtain, buy, possess etc anymore?

Old cars? Souvenirs? Old fashioned telephones? Various rare items? Films and music? Toys? Etc. Or does the world, on planet Earth and created by human beings, have EVERYTHING today?

Food and other items, various unique gadgets etc.

Cheers.

[–] chilidoggg (13739) 2 years ago

I did not know this story was false...

https://patentlyo.com/patent/2011/01/tracing-the-quote-everything-that-can-be-invented-has-been-invented.html#:~:text=Charles%20H.,that%20the%20quote%20is%20apocryphal.

an 1899 edition of Punch Magazine that had been donated to Harvard University by the Pulitzer family. In that edition, the comedy magazine offered a look at the "coming century." In colloquy, a genius asked "isn't there a clerk who can examine patents?" A boy replied "Quite unnecessary, Sir. Everything that can be invented has been invented."

I suspect that 1899 joke is the origin of the expression.

[–] TheMan18 (12865) 2 years ago

You mean - you didn't know the story was true?

Cool in any case. Also, I miss some of past's other gadgets like remote controls for TVs on Casio watches in the 1990s.

[–] chilidoggg (13739) 2 years ago

No. The story, as I always heard it, was that the dude in charge of the United States Patent office remarked in 1900 or thereabouts that "everything that can be invented, has already been invented."

So the guy in the story I linked traced the origins of that remark to a "Humor" magazine.

[–] TheMan18 (12865) 2 years ago

My parents especially my dad feel they do NOT need more decorations, souvenirs, ancient items, various die cast car and transport models etc at home and can live perfectly well without even many modern or otherwise inventions. Do you agree and share their view?

[–] AnubisRaydeen (7897) 2 years ago

"die cast car and transport models"

A regular reader of TheMan18's threads will recognize that this is what the whole topic is actually about. He likes them and wants more. Dad won't buy more. In fact, dad probably talked some shit and said "No, Alex! Vee don't need more decorations, souvenirs, and ancient items!"

[–] TheMan18 (12865) 2 years ago

Dad in fact said all that looooonng ago, like 20 plus decades ago, and he still believes it even more so today. :) But that's not the only and main reason I post this. )

[–] TheMan18 (12865) 2 years ago

My soon to be 70 year old dad also said he doesn't need or want a great car like a Ferrari or a Land Rover Defender jeep, better wallpaper or painted walls and to paint the bedroom ceiling, iphone, ipad, new watch, OLED TV, etc, he is happy as he is. )

[–] moviechatterer (14930) 2 years ago

Or don't have an unlimited supply of?

my god yes.
Energy. aka Oil and coal.
dont worry about climate change because we will run out of the fuel we are using to mess the climate up pretty shortly.
renewables will never replace this in a way that doesent involve changing our modern lifestlyes beyond recognition.

[–] GypsyMike (282) 2 years ago

Everything is destined for the landfill. Everything!
I was fixing and repairing old and antique furniture years ago. I had a cabinet shop and did that other stuff as well. In today’s environment, I wouldn’t survive doing this for a living. The styles and BS junk furniture that’s out there today is taking on that early 60’s looking BS. Generation X and Z looks at grannies China Hutch as a relic of the past. No appreciation for the craftsmanship that is older pieces. Oak, mahogany, walnut...replaced with particle board and veneers. I went to Ashley Furniture recently looking for a couch, I hate gray! Everything is gray and boxy. I said to the guy, “What’s up with all this gray stuff?” His reply, “Gray is the new beige.” I still like the old beige. In 50 years or so, the boxy stuff will disappear and at 125 years old, I’ll be able to get that new couch! I am stoked, I can’t wait!

[–] AndyKing1967 (36456) 2 years ago

Yes

[–] Otter (24464) 2 years ago

The world is still lacking in Star Trek-style Transporters! It's absolutely tragic that we have to make do with cars and airplanes, to get from here to there!

When I win the lottery, I'll do my damndest to make transporters happen...

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

economics is the study of how we distributed limited resources among unlimited wants.