Convenience has become a major goal in many peoples lives, something to strive for. It’s like a reflection of a persons wealth; If you are wealthy you can afford convenience, if not you have to stick with the old-fashioned, more cumbersome ways. But there’s another costly factor of convenience, one that is not related to money, one that is hidden behind the apparent ease it provides.
We buy stuff for its convenience without realising that its production and destruction are not convenient at all.
Being able to purchase a robotic vacuum cleaner rather than a simple broom may provide certain convenience for cleaning, but the production of the vacuum cleaner is certainly very inconvenient as compared to the broom. Therefore, the true cost we pay for a product is not determined by its price, but its production and destruction. The amount of environment that we sacrifice for the sake of that little convenience.
Recently I had a conversation about coffee making, about using a capsule coffee machine vs a manual, barista-style coffee maker. It was that conversation that ultimately led to this essay. When comparing those two devices, the difference in environmental impact (production and destruction inconvenience) is very obvious. What really made me thinking though, was the reasons as to why using the capsule machine over the manual one was preferred:
It’s quick and easy to use, it eliminates the mess. No need to tamper loose ground coffee, just slip in the capsule, press a button and the machine takes care of the rest.
No cause comes without a reaction. Convenience might save a little time, but it comes in exchange for our care, mindfulness, prudence, gratitude and appreciation. Where is the care in “Slipping in a capsule und pressing a button”? Whereas tampering coffee ground requires full attention; tiny changes in pressure, the coarseness of the ground, the roasting, the origin, the current season, the quality, all factors create the final flavor of the coffee. It is a form of art; from planting the seeds to preparing a cup of coffee to savoring the last drop. Every step matters.
Convenience interrupts that chain. Intentional creation becomes a mindless operation; consuming without knowing of the making, rewarding without earning. It’s less worthwhile. The lack of appreciation accounts for mindless consumption, if not over-consumption, which in turn causes wasting and trashing.
Ultimately, convenience shadows the true value and cost that lies within. It shouldn’t be convenient to make coffee, because it ins’t. Convenience obscures our view and falsifies our judgement of value. I encourage you to abstain from convenience and regain your sense of appreciation. Regain joy in taking care and making rather than consuming. For the sake of your passions and the sake of our environment.
- This wonderful video by Greenpeace internation is right on: Story of a spoon
- Here’s a movie that is all about the True Cost of Clothing
