According to the common Christian cycle, eternity begins after death, but in reality even before that on the Internet. Disproved theses, broken promises, lapsed love affairs: nothing is left to transience. Generations after us will be able to follow Hubert Aiwanger’s tweets and their reception and, looking back, perhaps finally gain the insight as to whether the man was an unrecognized political genius in his time or just a shrewd populist.
And even Zeich and Woar (colloquial for everyday objects), which would otherwise have been disposed of directly or at best would have survived the times in inaccessible attics, today find their way into the eternal cycle and are offered for sale on various platforms. This is of course wonderfully sustainable, but also a little absurd.
A bucket is on sale right now, very old according to the description, so an antique, made of enamel at that, albeit with a very large hole in the bottom. But it should only cost 17 euros, plus shipping, of course. Without a hole, you can get one for 49 euros, but with signs of use and without any special decoration, to be used as a flower pot, for example.
My grandmother would have been amazed if a townsman had come along and asked, looking at the milking pail in her hand, if he could buy this shapely vessel. She would probably have asked him why anyone would want a milking pail who doesn’t even know where the milk tap is on the cow.
In the past, Americans from the nearby Grafenwöhr military training area were often to be found at the flea markets or directly from the farmers in the barns, where they bought wagon wheels and old wooden barrels, pig troughs and horse harness. As decoration. And people were happy to give the stuff away, sentimentality about the old, supposedly good times wasn’t widespread in this area. A fact that preservationists and museum directors regret today, because not much is left of the “old Graffl”.
Good thing the internet exists. If you are planning the next bulky waste, take a look inside. And save Grandpa’s old plane from a quick end. Maybe someone will buy it for 37 euros. Or plant a few forget-me-nots in it – and place it next to the milking pail you just bought.