"The Disappearance of the Ashtray"
When I was a kid in the 70s and early 80s, you were essentially *never* in a room that didn't have at least one -- and usually multiple -- ashtrays
Some of them were pieces of *furniture*. Many were gorgeously designed!
Now when I show one to my kids, they have no idea what this strange artifact could be
My essay, for Medium subscribers: https://medium.com/@clivethompson/the-disappearance-of-the-ashtray-4badc1be9e3b
If you're not a Medium subscriber, here's a "friend" link: https://clivethompson.medium.com/the-disappearance-of-the-ashtray-4badc1be9e3b?sk=af07683752cbce61571abf26ad35ca69
@clive I have them in my home purely for aesthetics and nostalgia (they come from my grandparents, who both stopped smoking in the 60s and 70s but had them for guests). They are from the 50s, mostly.
@clive @ubiquity75 keep your remotes in one, perhaps
Actually a standing floor-ashtray would be superb for that
Park it next to the sofa or barcalounger
plop the remotes in it
@clive @tim @ubiquity75 i have a small collection of crystal ashtrays that i use to hold: candy, paperclips, the dishsoap bottle, handsoap in the bathroom
@oddletters @tim @ubiquity75
Yeah, the repurpose well, don't they?