Conventions

There's a blurry line between standards and conventions.

I embrace standards. They are what enable us to play DVD's in different DVD players. Shoot cameras with different (and yet compatible) films or memory cards. A standard just put into effect insures that I'll be able to use my friend's phone charger when I forget mine at my apartment.

But conventions are a little different. Sometimes "convention" and "standard" overlap. But when I think of standard I think: tested, researched, analyzed, criticized, debated, proven. When I think of convention I think: unoriginal, complacent, unoptimized, possible inefficient.

I hate conventions. I hope I question just about everything. For instance, by convention, people build houses out of concrete, wood, fiberglass insulation, red-brick, glass, drywall, paint, plywood, nails and screws, etc. When really, you could make the foundation of a house a mixture of dried clay, sand, and some sort of organic adhesive like horse manure. Non-toxic, sculptable, and even free depending on the site of the house. But why don't we see more earthen houses? Where I'm from people would think it's weird, unorthodox, primitive, impractical, or ugly. But using a little creativity and a little muscle, you can make really beautiful living spaces with the stuff, just google images for "earthen house".

Also, by making a smaller house, you'd have less to house to maintain, freeing your time for other more fun/productive activities.

There are plenty of other silly conventions. Like friends dining out less for food and more for entertainment. I'm guilty and to an extent I condone that, but it's just cheaper to make your own dinner. And I would hope my conversation and friendly presence would be enough to entertain my friends.

I won't even get started on school and work. What are some conventions you think are silly/inefficient, or maybe, what are some conventions you think are very important and we should not defy?