I'm not sure I understand the scale from exuberant consumerism to rodent play thing. I think your middle ground is still just a singular point at the consumerism extreme.

One could argue that "old gross junk" is just another strawman. Not something that can really be quantified outside of your personal feelings.

I think we might be better off if we came to terms with the fact that old gross junk may actually be all we have in the future if we continue our current way of living.

Might as well try to get along today.