Things That Last

As humans, we’re attracted to things that last. It’s deeply rooted in our nature to seek these things; our language has grown to include words like eternal, everlasting, forever, and indestructible. Stories we tell include creatures that don’t die, and kingdoms that can’t be destroyed. People around the world even believe this may hold true for our world as well, with ideas like reincarnation, or heaven and hell. 

The problem with this idea, of course, is that we humans have an instinct for survival. We not only have the longing to preserve the longevity of the universe around us (which is in the hands of physics, not our hands), but to preserve the state of the universe, and where possible, improve upon it.

There is a little risk analysis that we all undergo anytime we are evaluating something in our lives. Without even knowing it, we’re thinking about the state of something, and trying to figure out if it’s “good”. This is obviously not a comprehensive list, but I think there’s several factors at play:

Durability - How long does it last? How likely is it to break? As it gets older, how does it change?

Repairability - When it breaks, how easy is it to fix? Can it be fixed at all?

Learning - Will the habits and ideas I learn from it be positive? Will those ideas be applicable elsewhere? How easy is it to learn? How hard is it to master?

Usability - Does the cost of having it outweigh the cost of not having it? Does it give you the ability to do things you couldn’t do before? Does using it ‘flow’?

Acquisition Cost - Is getting it cheap or expensive? Can I get one? What could I get instead if I didn’t get this?

Risk (or worry) - What will I lose if it breaks?

Environmental - How does it effect the factors of other things in the same environment?

Volatility - By how much can any of these factors change over time?

Testing - How easy is it to figure out factors about the state of this thing? How complex is it?

You can apply this idea to anything in the universe. You might try to figure out these things for an iPad, or you may be considering a serious relationship (or marriage) with someone else. It’s far easier to figure out an iPad than it is another human being, of course (see Testing). If you’re looking at anything in the world, just stop and consider for a moment: will it last?

Here’s a short list of some things that last that I’ve come to love. (I’m not paid by any of these companies. They just make things that last.)

LoveSac Furniture - Furniture with changeable covers, 2 lifetime guarantee, durable construction. It’s like Legos for furniture. Comes in “sacs”, “bases”, and “sides” that allow you to make any kind of configuration.

REI Lookout 40 Pack - This bag has followed me across the world, up and down mountains, to and from school, and to and from work. I’ve used it almost every day for 10 years and it still looks new. (The linked pack is different than the one I bought 10 years ago, but it is the same robust design.)

Eagle Creek Pack-It Sacs - I have 4 of these (3 large, 1 small) for 6 years now and I use them for everything. The small has consistently been my pencil/pen/marker case for some time now, and the others change around. They are super durable and easy to clean.

New Balance Minimus Trail - I do parkour as a hobby, and I’ve tried a ton of shoes. My favorite pair before these were a different pair of New Balance - they were super durable! The Minimus Trail are really awesome though. I can rip up a good (durable) pair of shoes in a couple of months doing parkour; I’ve had these for 2 months now and they look brand new, even after (B)east Coast. Even better — I think if I rip these up I can just stitch them back together pretty easily. (Update: I’m on my second pair of these now in three years. I’ve also bought a pair of the leather Minimum for formal occasions. These shoes are so amazing: I now only own 2 pairs of shoes, and they are both Minimus.)

 [Originally Published: June 22, 2011]