The Enduring Tools Philosophy: When Technology and Daily Essentials Become Permanent Solutions

In an era of relentless technological churn and planned obsolescence, Herman Martin's curated collection of 'things that work' presents a counterintuitive philosophy: that certain tools—both digital and physical—can achieve such perfect alignment with human needs they become permanent solutions. This meticulously maintained list transcends mere product recommendations, evolving into a manifesto about intentional consumption, tool mastery, and resisting the siren song of unnecessary upgrades.

The Digital Anchors: Software Solutions That Refuse to Obsolete

Martin's digital ecosystem reveals a preference for tools prioritizing core functionality over feature bloat. His email choice, Tuta Mail, exemplifies this principle through its laser focus on privacy and custom domain management without superfluous additions. Similarly, Apple Notes wins his loyalty through frictionless syncing and essentialism—a stark contrast to complex note-taking applications that often sacrifice usability for artificial intelligence integrations.

His development environment choice is particularly revealing. Despite the industry's rush toward AI-powered IDEs promising revolutionary coding assistance, Martin remains committed to Visual Studio Code. This preference highlights an often-overlooked truth: tools enabling focused craftsmanship frequently outperform those promising automated solutions. For project management, Trello maintains its position through interface consistency and simplicity, proving that organizational tools need not become enterprise-scale monsters to be effective for individual creators.

Perhaps most significantly, Martin continues using Bear Blog—the minimalist blogging platform he created—demonstrating how tools born from personal necessity can achieve universal resonance when designed around fundamental human needs rather than speculative features.

Physical Permanence: Everyday Objects Engineered for Longevity

The physical items on Martin's list reveal parallel principles applied to tangible objects. His endorsement of Apple AirPods Pro centers on their unparalleled noise cancellation and audio quality—technical achievements so significant they outweigh ecosystem lock-in concerns. The New Balance 574 shoes represent a rare case of iterative restraint, where a decades-old trail-running design remains superior to modern alternatives through wide-toe comfort and versatile durability.

Skincare selections like CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion and Eucerin sunscreen showcase how mundane products achieve 'solved problem' status through formulation excellence. Meanwhile, the House of Ord felted wool hat embodies material intelligence—leveraging wool's natural thermoregulation in a design that adapts to both climate and lifestyle. The Salt of the Earth crystal deodorant completes this philosophy with eight years of consistent performance, proving that odor control need not involve complex chemical cocktails.

The Underlying Framework: Intentionality as Antidote to Consumerism

Martin's approach operates within strict parameters: physical items must justify their existence in a modest living space, while digital tools must conserve cognitive bandwidth. His 'under consideration' category—featuring Lululemon ABC pants and merino wool shirts—demonstrates careful evaluation before endorsement, resisting the impulse toward immediate adoption.

This methodology directly counters contemporary consumption patterns through two core principles: First, new acquisitions should replace rather than accumulate. Second, tools must achieve such seamless integration they become invisible extensions of capability. As Albert Einstein's quoted maxim suggests, simplicity remains the ultimate sophistication—provided it doesn't sacrifice essential functionality.

Counterperspectives and Contextual Constraints

Critics might note the inherent subjectivity—a solution perfect for Martin's South African context and solo creator workflow may not translate universally. The socioeconomic dimension looms large too: several endorsed items carry premium price tags, acknowledging Sam Vimes' 'boots theory' of economic injustice where quality long-term investments remain inaccessible to those constrained by immediate costs.

Yet the enduring value of this approach lies in its philosophical framework rather than specific recommendations. In documenting tools that achieve 'solved problem' status, Martin provides a template for evaluating all technologies and possessions: Does this genuinely improve my life consistently? Does it reduce complexity rather than adding it? And crucially—would replacing it constitute solving a problem that doesn't exist?

The Permanence Principle in an Ephemeral Age

Martin's constantly updated list ultimately challenges the tech industry's upgrade treadmill. By declaring certain tools 'finished,' he asserts that not everything requires perpetual improvement—a radical stance when companies rely on planned obsolescence. This philosophy extends beyond consumer advice into a meditation on technological maturity: recognizing when tools achieve such harmonious alignment with human needs that further changes become counterproductive.

In both his wool hat's thermoregulation and VS Code's balanced feature set, we see reflections of the same principle—excellence emerges not from endless novelty, but from profound understanding of fundamental requirements. As digital and physical landscapes grow increasingly complex, such curated permanence may become the ultimate form of technological sophistication.