From Pierre Yardin
Your article on neophilia – the love of the new – made for interesting reading (10 June, p 52). I am 27 and can recall a fairly well-defined point a couple of years back when my neophilia evaporated. I suddenly realised that I didn’t need a mobile phone that took pictures, played MP3s and browsed the internet. My laptop, while a little slower than the latest models, works just fine. I have enough decent clothes without needing to replace them all with more fashionable ones on a regular basis. What I battle with now is convincing those close to me that I am not a freak. Thanks for clearing that up, at least in my own mind.
From Harry Barnes
Any neophiliac in the UK who purchases a fresh mobile phone each time a new model comes out can stop feeling guilt about discarding their old models. Just send unwanted mobiles (along with their chargers) to the TUC Aid Iraq appeal at Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS.
The mobiles and chargers will be sent out to the million-strong and officially recognised Iraqi trade union movement, who will convert them for use in Iraq. This will help a movement dedicated to peace, solidarity and democracy.
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In a consumerist society we all suffer from neophilia to some degree, so we can all unite on this one. We have nothing to lose.
Dronfield, Derbyshire, UK
London, UK
