"Dying Malls"
Added 2020-08-20 12:05:01 +0000 UTCJoshua and Ryan discuss a world without shopping malls, what alternatives may arise, and they answer the following questions:
What are all of the negatives of clutter? (04:55)
What are ‘third places’? (17:30)
What was the original vision for the shopping mall? (24:22)
What was the first shopping mall? (26:00)
What is the largest mall in North America? (39:10)
Why were malls popular? (48:20)
What are some alternative ‘third places’ to the mall? (49:20)
How can retail design be more intentional and enduring? (50:33)
Aside from malls, what other consumerist icons are fading? (57:04)
How might malls adjust to the younger generations’ interest in experiences? (1:01:39)
Is there a connection between spirituality, consumption, meaning, and materialism? (1:06:30)
What is essential? (1:07:25)
Are there corporations that are more socially responsible? (1:07:55)
If a mall was turned into a museum of consumerism, what would be some of the exhibits? (1:10:25)
LINKS
App: Oak
Article: Retail Space Per Capita in Selected Countries
Article: Sqirl Restaurant Apologizes for Mold
Article: The Gruen Effect
Book: Hillbilly Elegy
Book: Thinking, Fast and Slow
Instagram: Minimalism Life
Instagram: Jordan Moore
Instagram: Podcast Shawn
Instagram: Jessica Williams
Podcast: Ben Greenfield
Podcast: Shopping Malls
Podcast: The Gruen Effect
Quarantine Qonversation: Karl Weidner
Resources: The Minimalists
Subscribe: The Minimalists
Text: 937-202-4654
Tour: The Minimalists
Watch: American Dream Mall
Watch: Dayton Arcade
Watch: Overmalled—Cincinnati
Watch: Zero Days
YouTube: Bright Sun Films
MAXIMS
“Almost anything is more valuable than consumerism.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
“Abandoned malls are consumerism at its terminus: an empty carapace brimming with nostalgia, not meaning.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
“Reusing is better than recycling. Recycling is better than refuse. Refuse is better than refusing to let go.” —Ryan Nicodemus
“Impulse brings us pleasure, but we don’t want to confuse pleasure with well-being.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
This Maximal episode corresponds with Minimal episode 248.
Comments
It’s interesting to hear you guys talk about Australia and how the American culture is evident here re malls. My inbox is currently being inundated with Black Friday offers. I believe Black Friday sales happen on the day after Thanksgiving giving!? We don’t have thanks giving yet we have Black Friday sales! Only for the last 3 years or so. Another American retail event that has transcended borders. I am tempted but have decided I know longer shop the sales. I will only buy because the price is low, it won’t be an intentional purchase. There will be too much temptation to buy items that 1. I don’t need and will become clutter 2. I already have 3. Don’t fit etc etc. I know that whatever I buy will one day end up in the thrift shop pile.
Michelle
2020-11-23 20:54:35 +0000 UTCHoly Buckets!!! That's where I am right now..... Exactly how Ryan was when he was like a dying arcade. I have minimized and I continue to... The space is so confronting! The emptiness in physical environments but also mental environments is so confronting and contemplative. People say they are afraid of letting go of the items because they are afraid of what they will have to confront in the empty space with themselves.
Shannon Strong
2020-09-18 00:50:51 +0000 UTC
