Dr. Kerem Koseoglu

Filling voids with things

Some people surround themselves with things to make up for what they believe to be lacking.

An adult surrounded with too many plush toys may be feeling unlikeable down inside, and may be trying to make up for it.

A teenager with scary apparel may actually be afraid of getting hurt, and may be hoping to discourage malicious people. Unfortunately, this approach may discourage harmless people too.

Someone constantly praising himself/herself may be feeling worthless down inside, and may be desperately trying to show the world that he/she actually has qualities to be loved.

A hobby musician with extremely expensive gear may be feeling like he/she lacks musical skills, and may be trying to cover this insecurity with gear; assuming to be a musician as good as his/her gear.

You get the idea.

Now that you know this point of view; use it to fuel your compassion, not judgement.

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Dr. Kerem Koseoglu

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6 responses to “Filling voids with things”

  1. Minimalism FAQ – Dr. Kerem Koseoglu

    […] Once you understand Two Factor Theory, you see that many brands make you feel inferior  to sell you commodities you don’t need. You can’t fill voids with things. […]

    Reply
  2. They Make You Feel Inferior – Dr. Kerem Koseoglu

    […] The truth is; hygiene factors (commodities) can’t make up for lack of motivators (character). You can’t fill voids with things. […]

    Reply
  3. Possessional Minimalism – Dr. Kerem Koseoglu

    […] Besides, you can’t fill voids with things. […]

    Reply
  4. Drzejzi Avatar
    Drzejzi

    I absolutely agree.

    When I feel musically blocked (no people around with similar musical vision and other excuses) I tend to watch basses online, compare them and plan buying them, because it feels like it is the only way to bring me a litle bit closer to fulfillment and actually creating something.

    But at the same time I’m loosing more energy on thinking about the mythical “sound” than playing.

    I was the most creative and played with the best energy when I had one cheap bass. Then the Internet came in and I started worrying about “the sound”.

    Anything more than one instrument (of any quality, to be honest) often feels like distraction to creativity.

    Geddy Lee’s main 70’s Jazz Bass was bought in a pawn shop for 200 dollars and one of the pickups didn’t work properly. The bass community agrees, that in the 70’s the quality of Fender basses went down, so his Jazz Bazz was not the best bass in the world – but Geddy Lee used whatever was available to create music. Now copies of his main bass are considered to be “the best Jazz Basses available”.

    The same story is with Marcus Miller. He didn’t bought his 70’s Fender Jazz because it was the best gear, but because his previous bass was stolen and that’s what was available at the time.

    We musicians have to seriously stop worrying and learn how to efficienlty use what we have.

    Reply
    1. Dr. Kerem Koseoglu Avatar
      Dr. Kerem Koseoglu

      I agree with your observations. The guitar is like a typewriter: It is important to have a comfortable typewriter with a font we find appropriate, but it won’t make or break a good author.

      Reply
  5. Do You Need An Expensive Guitar? – Dr. Kerem Koseoglu

    […] If you feel inferior, you might be willing to cover it with flashy hygiene factors; such as clothing, cellphones, cars, etc. Generally, the excessive hygiene factors that people surround themselves with, reflect what they feel like they are lacking. […]

    Reply

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