Why do we like things? What makes them special or valuable?
I remember as a kid I had a box full of special things. Old buttons, a pocket knife, some string, shiny or smooth miscellaneous objects. I had a plethora of items that in reality were junk. I remember I had a translucent pink button that belonged to my Nan. She died when I was 8, so that button was pretty special to me.
So what then defines something as special? Is it the association that signifies meaning, as with my Nan's button, or is it a monetary value? Perhaps the way an object feels, it's texture, size and shape and altogether general feel.
I've always collected little boxes (not made of tiky taky) which I like the look of. I love wooden boxes with the grain oiled or polished.
I like stones with smooth surfaces or an unusual pattern. I have a rock somewhere that I took from a place in the Otway Ranges. It is about the size of a fist, is very dark grey and has a band of what I presume to be quartz running its circumference. It is very smooth and I like the way it is cold when you first pick it up, yet it will retain warmth once you have held it for a period of time.
Around my house outside I have a lot of little stones. My six year old son likes sorting them into various categories. He had one in his hand the other day that was black, smooth and irregularly shaped. I really liked it too, so we now have it on our bookshelf.
I also like things that are well designed. An iphone, an Apple TV, a watch. These things aren't necessarily special, yet they hold value none the less.
So what does make an object special? Of course, it is a combination of things. Some things are special because you spent a lot of money on them. The object may be considered special because it was given to you by someone special or that it simply feels good to hold.
I hope you like my rant.
