Tram of Thought: Comic strip about psychology, philosophy, society, engineering, and just life in all its gory glory

Or

European choice [On the left there is an image of a wooden dresser with minimal embellishments. A Triangle-person is opening a drawer] Restored functional antique OR [On the right there is an image of a modern dresser painted in white. A Triangle-person is opening a drawer holding a sock] Modern designer utility New Zealand choice [On the left there is an image of a massive dresser looking like it was built with whole legs, with iron reinforcements. A Triangle-person is struggling to open one of the drawers, sweating] Ancient second-hand oak monster, dragged here on a ship by somebody's grand-grandfather. OR [On the right there is an image of clothes neatly folded on the floor, Triangle-person standing next to them holding up a tshirt] Floor-robe.

European choice

[On the left there is an image of a wooden dresser with minimal embellishments. A Triangle-person is opening a drawer] Restored functional antique

OR

[On the right there is an image of a modern dresser painted in white. A Triangle-person is opening a drawer holding a sock] Modern designer utility

New Zealand choice

[On the left there is an image of a massive dresser looking like it was built with whole legs, with iron reinforcements. A Triangle-person is struggling to open one of the drawers, sweating] Ancient second-hand oak monster, dragged here on a ship by somebody’s grand-grandfather.

OR

[On the right there is an image of clothes neatly folded on the floor, Triangle-person standing next to them holding up a tshirt] Floor-robe.

It is true Aotearoa New Zealand is no longer a pioneer’s country, but it’s something in between the raw nature and a modern industrial paradise.

Colonial history, long supply chains and sparse population mean it’s a “Land of the Long White Monopoly” [1]. While you might be able to achieve choice, it’s only with concerted effort and the result will often be: buy what’s available at an elevated price, or make it yourself.

Making do with what you have on hand is foundational to Kiwi identity - something to be proud of, while the floor-robe is its twin - pragmatic and sometimes necessary.

[1] For those unfamiliar - this is a pun. New Zealand is an English name for Aotearoa, but when translated literally from Māori it means the “Land of the Long White Cloud”.

#society