2020-09-25 ------------------------------------------------------------------ There are some things that get a visceral reaction out of me. One of them is buying your way out. Sure, sometimes you can buy some gadget that is actually a big improvement on how things used to be. Most of the time, however, the gadget is just taking space. You are giving away your living space for some gadget to sit there. This is deeper, of course. It's the whole attitude. You are "making money" so you "can afford" to have this thing. Well, ok, you are probably making money because you have overspecialized into some field where you are trapped to do one thing and not be interested in how to make this gadget or something that provides the same function. I am talking about tables and shelves here. Anyone can make one. It's a question of status, really. If you have a shelf you made someone's going to ask "did you make that?" and this is a hard question. Are they thinking it is quaint? Or that it's ridiculous. Better to put your money towards Ikea. Be on the safe side. ------------------------------------------------------------------