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2026-05-19

Ascetic consuming

I read "Asceting Computing" on ratfactor.com recently:

https://ratfactor.com/ascetic-computing

I dig the vibe, and will (hopefully remember to) read more of Dave's thoughts

on his site.

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At the start of 2025, I made a resolution to only buy things that were already on the island of Oʻahu (where I live). It went pretty well! I agonized over violating the rule and ended up a) buying a lot less and b) convinced that the things I did have shipped here will be useful to my family for a long time.

In 2026, I'm not being strict with myself about it anymore. But the practice generally remains in place. (And I've talked about it enough that my wife also factors this idea into her shopping habits as well.)

This practice doesn't need a name. It can just be a thing I think about. But "ascetic consuming" seems like a valid label. But maybe it's also over-specifying things a bit, since artificial restraints on your consumption are probably squarely within the default concept of "asceticism".

Let's see if I can list out my rules for myself:

- Do not cause something to be shipped to the island

- Avoid plastic when an alternative is available (including packaging)

- If you're going to order takeout, at least go and take it out yourself

- Unless it's urgent, wait

- Please, Chad, check if you already have some at home first

⌁