Something Old?

This month’s issue of Dwell has an interview with Andrew Dent, material scientist and VP of Material ConneXion. In the interview Mr. Dent makes an interesting observation about our popular perception of used and worn materials, and asks why it is that we appreciate the patina of weathered metal or the wear of old wood – but we don’t have any preference for old and worn plastic. Just why is that? Can we be emotionally attatched to plastic? Can we be attached to something that off-gasses – instead of replacing it for another something that is shiny and new?