Minimalism, The Aesthetics Of Wealth, & The Limits Of Buying Less

Chelsea speaks with @TheMinimalists about minimalism, consumerism, and how not everyone can actually benefit from buying less.

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[ib]

This episode really gave me more "motivational speaker" vibes than actual diving deep into the relationship between consumerism, capitalism, and minimalism. Great questions on Chelsea's part, but the conversations had were just not at the analytical caliber I was hoping. A lot of nice-sounding ideologies about how letting go is an "art" poor people need to learn was probably the highlight of this.

[lucilasandoval]

I'm just 25 min in, but man these guys are doing their best to talk about consumerism, debt, etc without taking an actual stance on capitalism or class...

[hollyisblue]

Hearing the way they talk to Chelsea has given me an ick I've never noticed before. It's reminding me too much of how men in the corporate world have talked over me in meetings or just bullshit around a direct question without giving a real answer.

[expired-cupon]

I listened to this podcast on Spotify and I had to come to YouTube to read the comments immediately. Y’all did NOT disappoint haha. I felt like the whole interview, Chelsea kept asking great questions that were answered with dodgy and vague replies. I think there’s just a lack of systemic oppression and hierarchies being acknowledged by these guys. I know that they are also fans of the Dave Ramsey universe, which can also explain their over emphasis on individualism and the “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” mentality. I think they mean well and I feel like if they took more of stance on acknowledging systemic oppression, I would be more willing to get behind their message. Great job on this interview, TFD, regardless of how well the guests answered your questions.

[CallieCoplen]

I really do think these guys have good intentions, but they just truly don’t seem to understand the lived experience of so many people. Their perspectives felt like a sermon or self help speech to me, not a real conversation about the privilege of minimalism. They way they cut you off multiple times also showed that these were rehearsed answers. This video is such a great example of why I’m so happy TFD exists. This is one of the only channels that speaks bluntly about finances, inequality, and privilege. I get so tired of the toxic positivity of male dominated podcasts and channels like theirs.

[brittanyrobertsUF]

I feel like they talk about minimalism the way someone writes an essay the night before it’s due.

[ramenchuu]

I'm a practicing minimalist myself, and man was I disappointed the more I listened. They just danced around the questions repeating the same things. I think you're questions were very interesting, if only someone with more creative thought would have answered them.

[Hylabrook]

So often I find it hard to identify with men who preach extreme minimalism lifestyles because society holds them to such a different standard than women, in almost every way. There are so many women with minimalism YouTube channels that also talk about navigating minimalism as women and/or with families. They would have been been a better fit.

[gkb_wildlife]

If you haven't had Shelbizzlee on, she would be great because she talks about minimalism from an eco-perspective. Less spiritual and individual, and more about the greater impacts of sustainability :)

[shirin--]

“To not be poor you need to learn to let go.” No, dude, what I need is the MATERIAL CONDITIONS to not be poor. ie access to healthcare, a sustainable workload, affordable housing, etc. my god

[redhead]

Oh boy, this is a wild contrast to TFD's normal content. Good on TFD and Chelsea give yourself a little treat for putting up with this boss bro hustle culture libertarian disaster.

[jacquiz.]

Yikes on the school choice comment. We need higher quality curriculum in our public schools, and to make working in our public schools a better experience for teachers and staff. There's no reason why schools in lower-income communities should be worse off than schools in higher-income neighborhoods. It is that way because of how the US funds schools with property taxes, instead of prioritizing schools in government budgets.

[almagone]

Glad this episode exists despite it being very difficult to watch because it puts The Minimalists on full display. I used to be a fan of the two of them until they kept cycling through the same individualistic points. If the conversation isn't evolving and you are no longer approaching the topic of minimalism from new angles or with nuance, why keep going? It felt as though they tried to come onto the podcast to debunk Chelsea's points, but it seemed as though they were talking to their own audience and had no interest in actual dialogue. What does community driven minimalism or anti consumerism look like? What happens after I get rid of the things that don't make me happy? How can a community of people work together to address this "mental clutter"?

I think many of us have evolved to be more critical of our personal consumption, especially because minimalism had its boom a few years ago. We have passed the point of the personal anecdotes of looking around and noticing all of the stuff making us miserable. The conversation has to evolve from there and these guys just don't seem to have an interest in doing that.

[-natmac]

I swear, all the way up in Canada, I heard the collective sigh the ladies let out when the cameras stopped rolling.

[angelinacurtis]

I had to stop after he essentially said you can work your way out of poverty… sometimes you in fact can’t girlboss your way out of things and my simple pleasures once a week won’t actually make that much more of a difference

[ArmyofOneandaHalf]

"it's crony capitalism and corporatism, not capitalism" as soon as I hear someone say anything resembling that phrase I feel comfortable disregarding anything they have to say about economics - it quickly shows me that their understanding of economics is only made up of baseless catchphrases. No one with a thorough understanding of economics could honestly say our economic problems are anything other than a natural outgrowth of the core principles of free market ideology.

[theharplayer]

I’m about to opt out of this interview but I want to continue for Chelsea. Excellent job Chelsea. I wish your guest actually answered you questions

[nicoleszacharia]

I think that one of things you overlook is that yes, more wealthy people are wearing simpler clothing with smaller jewelry. However, someone who is high income in tech or finance might be wearing $500 jeans or a woman wearing a simple gold necklace with small stones that costs thousands of dollars even though it is very subtle. Look at clothes from the row or other similar brands. They are still spending, and still signaling to one another, it's just not as flashy.

[veraglauben]

as someone who grew up in the 90s in Eastern Europe, had to pack about 100 pounds of anything (clothes, electronics, shoes, cosmetics, etc) to move to another country, and who has been extremely broke for some time in the past (to a point of not eating every day), I can say with confidence I - I am not a minimalist. A new shirt does make me happy, a new house device does make me happy, a new perfume does make me feel nice. A new shop with affordable fashion does make me like my life more. I'm not letting anyone shame me for loving things money can buy.

[lianparsons-thomason]

The Minimalists frustrate me in a lot of ways. As others have said in the comments section, I much prefer Marie Kondo's method, which feels so much more personalized (and actionable!), as well as compassionate and based on joy rather than rules or moral high grounds.