Men have become the tools of their tools.

- Henry David Thoreau

Yes, this point that we become slaves to our tools is the single most prominent lesson that I have taken from Thoreau. As an American Suburbanite, we have a house and a number of machines that are supposed to make life easier. Such as an automobile which is a necessity in our part of the world. Autos require lots of maintenance which can be expensive. I hate having to maintain a machine. An auto is something that I need so I do the care and feeding of the thing.

However, I strongly consider the amount of effort, time and expense that I will incur before buying a machine. A snow blower is a good example. We do not get much snow in this part of NJ but a snow blower is handy once or twice a year. The rest of the time it sits. As an internal combustion engine powered device, think about the cost in maintaining that engine, feeding it fossil fuel, the cost of pollution in the manufacture, delivery, operation and eventual disposal of the machine. I would rather shovel the snow the hard way twice a year than have another freaking machine to maintain. Our culture likes to have a machine or software tool to do everything. In my experience, tools are useful but only if considered in the context or amount of use of time.

Seems that allot of my neighbors, fellow suburbanites, men especially, love to tinker around maintaining their machines. Performing maintenance on lawnmowers, tools, etc seems to be an enjoyable task. I would rather be free to go exploring in my kayak, canoe, bike or on the trail. Or just sitting and enjoying the day.

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Did you know that Thoreau was considered a failure when he was alive. He never married. Did not have many friends. Now he is a legend.

Which is better, to be famous after you die while living a lonely life or have a full life and been soon forgotten after you die?