Secondhand: Travels in the New Global Garage Sale by Adam Minter opened the door into the global secondhand market like no article, documentary or TV programme has ever done for me before.
There are many facts in the open that I (and others) choose to ignore. The fact that products don’t last as long as they did because people want cheaper so quality suffers.
Or it’s cheaper to buy something new rather than spend time getting an item repaired. From Japan to USA to Ghana to Malaysia and other countries, Secondhand uncovers the uncomfortable truths behind used, broken or donated products.
The book does tie in with the minimalist movement and brings to the fore how wasteful we are as a society.
If you’ve ever wanted to know what happened to that broken TV you threw out or what’s likely to happen to your treasured family heirlooms after you’re gone, or just curious about the secondhand market, read this book by Adam Minter.
