Repurposing
byMatagalpa, Nicaragua A man uses a machete to cut designs into an old tire. After turning the tire inside out, he will shape it…
Scrap economics
by the daily asteriskWhat is the meaning of democracy, freedom, human dignity, standard of living, self-realisation, fulfillment? Is it a matter of goods, or of people? Of…
The Pendleton coat
by Neil E. DasEditor’s note: Each Thursday, we feature a throwback piece from Topology’s predecessor, catapult magazine. In this essay, Neil Das ponders lost connections, of both…
Way of life
by the daily asteriskMr. Harrison followed a minimalist style of living. On three-fourths of an acre he had almost all the world he needed and was hardly…
Secondhand sainthood and the gift of losing it all
by Raechelle KennedyI have spent most of my life choosing to live cheaply. I make things. I grow things. But my greatest skill is finding things….
Impossibly expansive thriftiness
by the daily asteriskUnlike our increasing frenzy with repurposing as a way of justifying our overconsumption, it is not for the thrill of upcycling or Pinterest cred…
Good Yet
by Naomi WengerThe old farmer stands at the end of the lane, big smile plastered on his face, waving goodbye. His coveralls are stained with work,…
Water
by Jeffrey Allen Mays“Water,” they all say, one after the other around the table. “Water.” “Water.” “Water.” “Water.” The waitress turns to me with a smile, pen…
Labor-saving devices
by the daily asterisk“But we haven’t got time,” is the certain cry. True, the choice is ambiguous. A dishwasher may mean a family can spend time reading…
Dad, 1944
by Kathy Fenton-MillerBerlin, Ohio (Photographer Unknown) My first response to this photo was thinking about its simplicity. There’s a certain spare quality in this simple picture…