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Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money

johnwhiles.com

241–250 of 982 posts

Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money

#241
post #7

I switched to double-edged wet shaving years ago. Not mentioned is that they also are a better shave, and less prone to causing ingrown hairs / bumps. A 100-pack of Astra platinum blades costs me 10 bucks, and lasts 3 years.

Same for me, switched to a safety razor, a shaving brush and shaving soap few years ago and never looked back. Disposable razors and disposable shaving cream are real waste of resources and money.

Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money

#242
Because of this I started using an electric beard trimmer with really low trim length (0.4mm). It does not result in a clean shave but close enough (and I don't look like a teenager).

But the best part: You pay once 60-100 bucks and can keep using it for a few years (in my case 7 years as I just had to replace my old one).

Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money

#243
post #61

Add dishwasher pods to the list. It’s literally just smoke and mirrors for nearly the same formula as powder, only less of it per package. All those fancy colors? It’s die. It’s the same formula across the entire pod. So… Yep: more cost, more waste, and it has some reasonable downsides. For “convenience,” since I guess deciding how much to put into the tray is just too much work. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll6-eGD…

I watched this video and was very excited to try out the powder, since I’ve just been using the pods they sell at Costco for my entire adult life. But there are Problems. 1. You can’t find powder anywhere. Not a single grocery store near me sells it. Gel, sure. Pods, sure. Powder, not even Wal-mart had it, and they have everything. I finally found a faded and dented box at an Ace Hardware, where I wasn’t even looking…

Get yourself one of those coffee dosing spoons or just a normal tablespoon. Have not had any problem with dosing.

Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money

#244
post #158

>Other examples of products that seem to exhibit a similar trend, where purported convenience leads to higher prices >Cooking equipment: essentially indestructible Cast Iron skillets transition into teflon pans. The newer pans perform worse, and must be replaced on a shockingly regular basis. They also seem to be poisonous. They have their uses. I wouldn't try frying eggs in a cast iron, for instance (technically you…

> To my knowledge they're only poisonous during manufacturing (ie. the precursor chemicals) and when they get too hot.

Teflon pans kill birds unfortunately. Once you live with a bird, you can’t have any hot teflon in the house because it releases toxic fumes. Fine for a human because we’re large animals, smol birds reach lethal levels within minutes.

There’s stories of people turning on an air fryer and their pet bird dropping dead in another room.

Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money

#245
I have liked the Hexclad pans. Similar nonstick properties to Teflon but it has no chemicals and no annoying maintenance like cast iron. They seem to last quite well (and have a lifetime warranty). Only downside is they cost a bit more but it is well worth it.

Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money

#246
post #5

And RMS was right again.

If you really start obsessing over money you're going look like something between Richard Stallman and the Unabomber, and not just in your facial hair. What's funny about Stallman is that he looks exceedingly well-maintained, even indulgent, compared to the average Unix hacker. Razors are really a Roman military thing, aren't they? When you look at the Parthians, the Macedonians, the Cappadocians, the Phoenicians, th…

No post body was provided.

Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money

#247
post #158

>Other examples of products that seem to exhibit a similar trend, where purported convenience leads to higher prices >Cooking equipment: essentially indestructible Cast Iron skillets transition into teflon pans. The newer pans perform worse, and must be replaced on a shockingly regular basis. They also seem to be poisonous. They have their uses. I wouldn't try frying eggs in a cast iron, for instance (technically you…

>> Even if you stop getting software updates, that doesn't prevent you from using it as a dumb display.

Until a software update on your media player means you need a display with a different DRM. No matter what display you use, the media transfer method to that display (DVD/VGA/HDMI/Wifi etc) will probably be obsolete before the display itself goes dark.

Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money

#248
post #41

Hair trimmer set to shortest length will make your face like shaven 2 days ago. Costs nothing. Needs no foam, no aftershave gel, creates no irritation or red skin, just splash of water and optional facial creme. My condolences to those who must have a clean shave every day of their life.

That’s what I do as well - a beard trimmer without any guards. I always struggled with ingrown hairs after shaving, both with cartridges and with a safety razor.

I do it once a week. I have a full 5 o’clock shadow on the first day and a pretty short beard on the last, but I don’t like how much of a waste of time shaving or trimming is so I deal with it.

Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money

#249
post #61

Add dishwasher pods to the list. It’s literally just smoke and mirrors for nearly the same formula as powder, only less of it per package. All those fancy colors? It’s die. It’s the same formula across the entire pod. So… Yep: more cost, more waste, and it has some reasonable downsides. For “convenience,” since I guess deciding how much to put into the tray is just too much work. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll6-eGD…

I watched this video and was very excited to try out the powder, since I’ve just been using the pods they sell at Costco for my entire adult life. But there are Problems. 1. You can’t find powder anywhere. Not a single grocery store near me sells it. Gel, sure. Pods, sure. Powder, not even Wal-mart had it, and they have everything. I finally found a faded and dented box at an Ace Hardware, where I wasn’t even looking…

Check the dollar store.

Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money

#250
post #201

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I wouldn't try frying eggs in a cast iron, for instance (technically you can, but it requires an absurd amount of oil). FWIW it's pretty easy to fry eggs in a cast iron. You do have to oil the pan, but I wouldn't call it absurd. Just a dollop of oil in the pan. And the end result has a crispy, yummy texture that's hard to achieve with Teflon. It just takes a little practice and an open mind.

Not only is it possible with a reasonable amount of oil in any cast iron pan, but with a very thin cast iron pan one can do it without oil even. Eggs start sticking with high heat and the thinner the metal the lower the heat needed to cook.

My experience with eggs is the opposite. Eggs stick when added to a cold pan. Letting the pan get really hot first has stopped eggs sticking for me.
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