Of the objects that define our everyday lives, lamps describe the finite nature of all existence particularly succinctly. Their service life can already be read off on the packaging – anywhere between 5,000 and up to 100,000 hours – and thus their end can also be determined relatively precisely. Unlike batteries slowly dying or items of clothing wearing out, illuminants end their existence with a certain tragedy. Although well aware of this, we are still surprised when suddenly one of these so self-evident daily helpers says goodbye with a delicate bang.

How long does a human life last? Measured in hours, a little over 700,000. Almost seven times a good energy-saving light bulb. Just under seven times changing a light bulb. So that’s it? Sometimes it’s simultaneously interesting and frightening how much objects show us our own transience.