Orignally posted on myspace 1/3/2007

I read an article the other day about the “trend towards living richer lives in smaller spaces.” And by small, the author meant Lilliputian. The house featured was 200 square feet. Two-hundred square feet. But, the article pointed, out it contained DSL, a flat-panel HDTV, and a “bedroom coffee bar.” (Isn’t the qualifier bedroom rather unnecessary here? In those cramped quarters, the house probably also contained a “bedroom toilet” and a “bedroom sink with garbage disposal.”)

This may be a bit extreme, but there is something to be said for the concept of not occupying more space than you need. It’s a little disturbing to think of all the huge homes built to accommodate just 1 or 2 people. I’m often asked why I’m moving into an apartment and not buying a home. I don’t think, as a single person, I would ever buy a house. I’m speaking from an ecological, not a financial, standpoint. I realize there are advantages to being a home owner. But when I think of all the resources that go into building a house, not to mention the energy expended to heat and cool it, it seems a bit unnecessary. Besides, if I can’t live comfortably in my 700-square-foot apartment, then I have way too much crap.