Things change, people change, what was 'essential', what we can't imagine doing without, has changed over the years. And, as she notes, people in rough times still need diversions and entertainment. Possibly more than ever.

http://scienceblogs.com/casaubonsbook/2010/05/the_new_essentials.php

Comments, ideas.

Sooooo...



you're dating Sharon, right?






True story: household of many(5?) adults, barely scraping by, get infusion of cash from cash strapped overseas relative ... and they upgrade the television. I guess losing weight is cheaper than losing your mind and you can't beat TV for variety (back before internet had TV)


This new essentials list, is really a list for technophile internet addicts A guy I know spends his time keeping updated on building codes, smoking, and fishing. His essentials? Cigarettes and fishing gear.

i see no change; she's simply expanded on what the "morale" need entails in modern society.

don't get me wrong; the laptop is coming with me if i have to bug out, i'm just saying the need for some zen has always been among the essentials.

One of the best morale/entertainment values out there are the public libraries. I have been told by local librarians that in many library systems even people living outside the district can qualify to use the library by simply asking, explaining your intent, and registering. My library district allows transients, homeless persons, and people with no fixed address to get a library card and make use of the system.

In addition to the expected books the library has video tapes, DVDs, and computer programs on CD. Within branch libraries you have free computers hooked to a high-speed internet connection. In the library system you can set up a free e-mail account. Many branches also have open Wi-Fi connection so you can connects to the internet if you bring your laptop. An acquaintance drives his van near the local library branch and parks for hours to use their connection.

Also the librarians themselves are often a good resource. When they have the time many of them seem to quite enjoy researching obscure bits of information. It is kind of like having your own staff of researchers.

Interesting to hear about homeless people with laptops/smart phones. I wonder how many bought them before they became homeless. I suspect most, and it's another reminder that homelessness can affect ordinary people who had thought they could afford that stuff before they became homeless.

There is an entire subset of homeless people who are not entirely destitute. Many are, by necessity, so mobile that having a home is simply not practical. Some of them may collect their resources and establish flop-houses where people in the group can find a place where they can sleep, receive mail, shower for less than it would cost to get a room in a hotel. Sometimes such stays are limited due to time or money constrains to a few times a week. The balance of the time they sleep in their car or any other place they can manage.

These people are often holding down jobs and maintaining a seeming middle-class existence. If these people get laid off they simply sleep less often in the community flop and more often in their car.

I know more than a few people living like this. Remember -a prepaid mobile is cheaper than a landline, and a laptop replaces a whole slew of other equipment and, these days, it's utterly essential to your economic well being to be online and in touch.