Research is Healthy Curiosity in Action

Issue No. 17 : Spend more time on research, less on consumption

I had to duct tape my first ON trainers from the inside to have them last until I could find a worthy replacement. Photo: Per Håkansson.

In a world of consumption we often buy stuff that we don’t really need because we don’t have the time, attention, and/or energy to do real research. In a world of usership, research is a very critical component to finding what we really need.

I’m in the market for a pair of new ON trainers as a warranty replacement for my current ON shoes that I bought last fall. The top fabric started to crack and when I contacted ON they offered me a gift certificate for a full replacement.

This would be my third ON trainers so I’m pretty familiar with the brand but my needs have shifted a bit. I’m now looking for a shoe that I can use both on racket courts, when in the gym, and for long walks or hikes.

“Nothing has such power to broaden the mind as the ability to investigate systematically and truly all that comes under thy observation in life.” – Marcus Aurelius

I want the equivalent of my first ON trainers, the X3, which lasted two years. But I now got time to explore their very broad offering. My current shoes, although being deemed lemons, will still do the job for a few more months.

This patience might seem extreme in a world where everything needs to move quickly but it’s also the secret to fewer better things. If you slow down and do your research well, you’ll have products that you love and can use for a long time.

I began my search on their website, using their filters to narrow down the possible shoes and then I went to their store in Venice Beach in the morning when there are few customers and the employees have energy to help out.