I don't think it's necessary to wear something to death or drive a car to death. It all depends on what you do with it when you're finished with it. I like to donate my clothing, and our cars get traded in or sold privately. We drove a Honda Accord for 10 years, then our two DDs drove it, after which we sold it to one of my DD's friends, who continued driving it for several more years before finally selling it and getting something better. I mean, what difference does it make if we drove it to death or not? It got used, and used, and used...

No, not at all required. I daresay not even helpful, the way things work. But an emotional, psychological reaction.

Another one for y'all: Money is a social fiction. But social fictions are real.

Money pays bills, sends kids to college, provides for retirement, and buys clothes.

Exactly