G'day folks
This is panning out to be a great topic.
vint-mow has raised an important and provocative series of observations.
Lawnmower collecting is in decline, but for no single reason, but a whole
lot of reasons.
I have argued on these forums that change occurred in about the 1980s; when
the lawnmower had finally morphed into a mere household appliance, rather than
a specific piece of domestic garden equipment.
The idea of the lawnmower was cheapened and this followed a post WWII trend -
to make things cheaper to the point they were no longer socially important or
desirable. They ultimately became throw-away appliances for most domestic
consumers.
Another reason must be the decline of the backyard. City dwellers will know
all about this. It may be that the future domestic lawn - if folks have one -
will be artificial - as water and space become even more precious.
It is fortunate that this forum is named OutdoorKing.
That is a nice Segway to Gizmo's brilliant YouTube videos.
Gizmo reminds us of the possibilities - of multiple interests.
The irony must be in the contrast between the lawnmower ...
designed to control nature for aesthetic reasons ... and
the love of the Australian Bush ... in its wild aesthetic and all its glory!
Many thanks to all contributors here.
I wonder what the future of OutdoorKing is?
I hope it will be a survivor, not just of garden machinery, but of
all things outdoors.
Therein is the challenge.
-------------------------------------------
Jack.
