Earlier quoted context omitted.
The debt likely wasn’t a normal bank, and the interest rate was likely quite high. The parties making the loan were likely fully aware of the risk and thought the interest rate appropriate compensation.
Are those banks the same that failed to recognize what a bad idea it was to bet on sub-prime loans before 2009?
Why every microwave sucks these days
221–230 of 419 posts
Re: Why every microwave sucks these days
#222Not to be tin foil hat, and I have no idea what I'm saying, but something just felt unnatural and wrong about microwaves, so years ago started using a toaster oven and I use it now over microwave and oven as well for toasting and baking everything. Please tell me how I'm doing it wrong my mind is open.
The microwave oven operates at around the same frequency as wifi (2.4GHz). This is far less energy than even infrared, let alone visible light. These waves are flying all over the place anywhere you go and they’re totally harmless. The microwave oven is a lot more powerful than a wifi transceiver but all that power is contained inside the interior which is designed as a faraday cage to block and reflect the waves bac…
Thank you for solving a mystery that I didn't know I wanted to be solved!
Re: Why every microwave sucks these days
#223Earlier quoted context omitted.
My ideal microwave would have two buttons. 1: The first two times you push it, it sets the timer to 0:30 and starts cooking. The next time, adds 0:30. Each time after that, it adds 1 minute and starts cooking. 2. Reset the timer to 0. And a door latch which stops cooking. I don't need power levels, or more precise timing, or any of that other stuff.
What an asinine solution. A button that doesn’t work consistently. How are you going to set 1:30 (which is very common)? Or 55? You’re going to stand there and press that one button 57 times? What about defrosting where you want a low power level? Or soups? Or a hundred other examples. How does having a number pad ruin the experience?
Please be nice. This isn't Reddit.
> A button that doesn’t work consistently.
A button that is context-aware.
>How are you going to set 1:30 (which is very common)?
Good point. It should add 30 seconds until it gets to 2:00 then do 60 second increments.
>Or 55?
55 minutes is not a thing I ever do with a microwave.
>What about defrosting where you want a low power level?
I already said I don't use power levels. If I want to defrost, I just cook for a few minutes then let it sit for a long time, or use some other method.
>Or soups?
Assuming you mean a tub of frozen soup, I usually cook for 5 minutes, stir, do another few minutes, etc.
> Or a hundred other examples.
There are not a hundred other examples. That's the point. The vast majority of the time I'm heating at full power for short periods of time.
> How does having a number pad ruin the experience?
It doesn't ruin anything. But it costs money to implement.
Re: Why every microwave sucks these days
#224Earlier quoted context omitted.
Didn't Pyrex move to some cheaper glass formula? I don't use cast iron, but I heard that Lodge quality has declined a lot in recent years? Patagonia also isn't particularly high quality (I own dozens of their clothes because I like their environmental activism, but many fray out of the bag, fit poorly, have crappy zippers, etc.). Arcteryx and European brands often make much higher quality clothing. Patagonia's on par…
> I'm not sure any company can avoid this fate long term if they need to keep growing. I wonder why “if they need to keep growing” is so important to literally everyone? I’d die for a meaningful business that predictably spit out cash due to extreme customer loyalty. Why did growth itself become the prize everyone reaches for?
That's literally capitalism. The hamster wheel. A closed loop.
If you take out a loan from a bank, the bank expects 5% annual return on that loan. Where do you get the additional 5% that you owe? You need to take it from someone else (who themself took out a loan, maybe even from the same bank).
While the bank can and will almost literally create (digital) money from thin air.
Re: Why every microwave sucks these days
#225Earlier quoted context omitted.
My ideal microwave would have two buttons. 1: The first two times you push it, it sets the timer to 0:30 and starts cooking. The next time, adds 0:30. Each time after that, it adds 1 minute and starts cooking. 2. Reset the timer to 0. And a door latch which stops cooking. I don't need power levels, or more precise timing, or any of that other stuff.
Commercial microwaves for restaurants are like that.
Re: Why every microwave sucks these days
#226Earlier quoted context omitted.
My ideal microwave would have two buttons. 1: The first two times you push it, it sets the timer to 0:30 and starts cooking. The next time, adds 0:30. Each time after that, it adds 1 minute and starts cooking. 2. Reset the timer to 0. And a door latch which stops cooking. I don't need power levels, or more precise timing, or any of that other stuff.
I just press "Start" on my microwave and it uses sensors to cook. Works at least as well as I do with guessing times. For something like popcorn with a set time (2 min 20 s is perfect on ours, 10s too much and it burns), it's twist the dial then press start.
Re: Why every microwave sucks these days
#227Earlier quoted context omitted.
I just want a microwave with an analog dial for time and a switch for low, med, high. They can keep the computer.
Decades ago, my college microwave was an ~800 watt unit that had a large, analog dial, and an actual bell that dinged once (and only once) when it was done. That's it, no other settings. Zero displays, other than the pointer on the dial as it clicked down. I still miss it.
Re: Why every microwave sucks these days
#228I actually have one the the Panasonic microwaves whispered about at the end of the article, and it's been the best microwave I've ever owned. "Panasonic NNSC688S Mid-Size 1200W Inverter Microwave Oven, 1.3 Cuft, Black Stainless Steel" which Amazon sells for CAD$300, although I see one used is available for $180 - a steal, IMHO. The key word in the description is "inverter". I am very much in the pro-inverter camp. In…
I LOVE those machines. The inverter is great because it doesn't make the lights dim periodically lol.
Re: Why every microwave sucks these days
#229I've had vastly different experiences than the author.
Re: Why every microwave sucks these days
#230As a chronic comparison shopper, this is a first-world problem that's near and dear to my heart. I think the reason microwaves (and appliances in general) suck is because comparison shopping is so hard. I wish I could get a list of all microwaves and filter by criteria such as: - Does the +30 seconds button start cooking immediately, or do you have to also press "start" afterwards? - Does it beep every 30 seconds aft…
I just want a microwave with an analog dial for time and a switch for low, med, high. They can keep the computer.