This is a view looking directly at our lounge table. I know it’s a little difficult to see. Where it was now stands the Tower.
History
The construction of the tower began six months ago, around the same time my wife got a stressful consulting jo.
Composition
The Tower is composed entirely of unopened delivery boxes. Here is a photo of the western section. The dining table and chairs function as supporting structures.
Ecological Adaption
Native species have started to build homes within it.
Everybody has different techniques for dealing with stress. Some people turn to alcohol or drugs, others practice meditation. My wife likes to go shopping online. The online shopping phenomenon was just getting warmed up with eBay. Back in New Zealand people don’t do too much of their shopping online, but here in China it has grown to dominate the retail game. I think the two biggest factors behind this are:
- Low prices
- Speed and convenience
In China the deliveries are made by guys on scooters weaving around pedestrians on the streets and sidewalks. These guys don’t get paid too much (around three US dollars per hour in Shanghai). In New Zealand the minimum wage is nearly US$12 per hour! With low labour costs consumers pay very low delivery fees.
High population density and very well organised delivery infrastructure means that you receive your delivery really fast, sometimes the same day.
Will the Tower be Re-built in New Zealand?
We are planning on moving to New Zealand fairly soon. The answer to the question above is ‘no’ unless….
This article here on the BBC website discusses plans in Iceland to start regularly using drones to deliver products like pizza and emergency medical supplies to people’s doorsteps. The maximum weight is currently 3 kg, so you don’t have to worry about refrigerators flying over your head.
Like Iceland, New Zealand’s low population density and high labour costs means it’s not economical to deliver most items. So I could definitely see drone delivery catching on hugely in New Zealand. The convenience of shopping in Shanghai is something I’m going to miss. There are a lot of practical details to work out however. How high would they fly and how can we stop them slamming into power lines are two examples. Still, I’m guessing it won’t be too far in the future before drones whizzing past over our heads becomes something too common to notice.
Perhaps the tower will never truly die, deconstructed many times only to rise again.
- all photos apart from the drone taken by me
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Amazon has started to do two hour delivery in places where they have a distribution hub close. That would be dangerous for my wife and I. I can't even imagine getting something I ordered online that fast. Hopefully you guys can find a happy medium between the two once you move!
I think in the big cities in China literally everywhere is close to a distribution hub. One thing the Chinese do well is efficient and well organized systems. But yeah, it's not necessarily a bad thing to have to get out of the house and go for a walk to the shop.
I live outside the city now, but Ivused to live within walking distance to a lot of great places. I miss being able to just get places in a 10 to 15 minute walk. There was this great ice cream shop just down the road. I was able to justify it cause I was exercising to get there!
I love the subtle introduction of a native species to the tower - a lesson that in the end nature will win every time. :D
I have never seen so many unopened parcels, especially ones that have been left for so long. Such willpower, the addiction is strong in this one ... lol.
Yep, the NZ cost of delivery will put a huge dampener on the tower, I'm sure. ;)
Leo (the cat) really has a thing for boxes, I think the tower is his dream home. There will be greatly increased construction costs in New Zealand, I'm still not sure what the end result will be.
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