Matthew B. Crawford:

Superficially, litter and the rusting carcasses of salvaged cars are both an affront to the eye. But while litter exemplifies that lack of stewardship that is the ethical core of a throwaway society, the visible presence of old [things] represents quite the opposite. Yet these are easily conflated under the environmentalist aesthetic, and the result has been to impart a heightened moral status to Americans’ prejudice against the old, now dignified as an expression of civic responsibility.

In keeping with the year of anti-inflation, we decided at the end of the year not to buy a new snowblower. The original plan was to buy one that used the same batteries as the mower, but for several reasons we decided against it. Instead, we’re rocking this tiny old beast for the winter. Recently dug out of my grandfather’s garage by my dad, and affectionately named Tyrannus T. Twostroke, I believe this Yard Machine hails from the year 1995, but I’m not sure. In fact, this is the only two-stroke snowblower I’ve ever seen. After a new drive belt, it’s basically running like new — for now… 🤞

While I know that the “environmentally conscious” among us cringe/melt at the sound of two-strokes engines, I’m still convinced that caring for old things is more effective responsibility — environmental or otherwise. And since two-stroke snowmobiles were a staple growing up in Maine in the 80s and 90s, ol’ Tyrannus gives me the added benefit of a good olfactory dose of nostalgia every time it fires up.