The responsibilities and expense of ownership
Responsibilities
Not every inanimate object you own is equal. Lots of people aspire to own a car. It is their biggest single expense after homeownership. This cost is compensated by a feeling of freedom that owning a car is often associated with. After all, you can get into your car and travel anywhere you like! Ideal.
Bubble
Well, sorry to burst the bubble, but it is not really as great as it seems. You know this, but let’s just take a minute to look at really how bad things have become.
You can only travel where there are roads, unless you have an off-roader. However if you drive over other people’s lawns and roses it will do nothing for your popularity. The purchase, ownership and use of your car, the fuel it uses, the maintenance it requires are all highly regulated and strictly controlled and taxed by your government. You need to pass a test to drive, observe road signs and not drive too fast. You’re not legally permitted to combine taking drugs and drinking with driving. You need insurance. You own it, but other people tell you what you can do with it. Worse still most of the time it stands idle. And as it stands there, in all its glory, it depreciates in value like nothing else on earth. And yet, we idolise cars.
Alternatives
A beautiful creation by an artist or artisan makes no such demands. It graces your home or office and makes it a lovelier place to be. The government don’t tax you for owning it. It doesn’t require regular maintenance or consumables. You don’t need to pass a test to use it. You can consume or drink anything you like while you use it. You can use it when you’re fatigued. Use it as quickly as you desire and, guess what, you aren’t even obliged to insure it. Generally, it enjoys intensive use. Idolise it if you like.