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Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money

johnwhiles.com

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

#461

Post by aksss »

dghlsakjg wrote: post #412
jgalt78 wrote: post #366

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Using what kind of attachment?

a flap disc. Seems like overkill though. You could probably just hand sand it to be honest.

Probably, random orbital sander would do the trick, but slower and chew through a lot of sanding discs. It took me years to finally acquire a grinder - just no real need between sanders and saws. Once I started working on concrete and metal it became necessary, and now it seems like a luxury for all the little things which I probably should have been enjoying a long time ago. But IME, most people under 40 don’t have an angle grinder laying about. So borrow one from a 40+ friend before making the ROS do the work, IMO.

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

#462

Post by this_is_eline »

While I believe that many things stated in this post are correct, this still has that hard 'old man yelling at the internet' odor.

If you are to compare stuff, stuff like modern razor cartridges and double-edged razors, you ought to mention the convenience side of the things. I hate being the devil's advocate, but shaving with 4-blade cartridge designed for easy shaving is still 'miles' ahead compared to shaving with double-edged razor. Miiiles ahead. And I use a double-edged razor 9 out of 10 times, so I would know a thing or two about it.

And that's not to say that are overly pricey. They are. Plus, if you account for different prices in different regions, the price difference is even more concerning.

The same is also true for some other appliances/services mentioned - tea bags and coffee machines are not just 'superficially convenient' they are wildly more convenient.

EDIT: As one person said in the comments down below, "What this article completely misses, is that there are more than two options.". That was my whole point, and I'm sorry if it came out the wrong way. Shaving is a personal preference, and you are free to do it however you like; but saying 'Shaving is too expensive and is a demonstrative example of how most consumer products are designed to extract more money from you rather than to improve your life, or the world, or to be in any way remotely good.' is just incorrect and insane.

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

#463

Post by devoutsalsa »

t-3 wrote: post #207
dghughes wrote: post #132

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a straight razor it's almost a lost art using one. I tried one but I figured I'd end up killing myself by accident. Plus I don't have to patience to sharpen and strop the blade. A safety razor is also a great investment and cheap. I bought a Wilkinson Sword handle $20 and a pack of five blades $5. It's an old name-brand sold practically everywhere. I can get more than a month out of one double-sided blade. Plu…

I use a safety razor as well but only because it's easier than getting mad at roommates for destroying my straight razor blades because they're too lazy to find a real knife. Straight razors are waaay quicker and easier to shave with, and I cut and scrape myself way less when using one.

Tell them not to use your razor, and then hand them a copy of Sweeney Todd.

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

#464

Post by dolni »

abeppu wrote: post #414

I think there's an accidental old-vs-new comparison which is causing a conflation between the (a) low up-front cost vs low per-use cost and waste (b) convenience and ease-of-use vs products that require slightly more attention from their users. E.g. some here are saying "multi-blade cartridges are easier and faster" ... which is true. Users of old-fashioned safety razors often have a little learning curve when they a…

Just wanted to say thanks for sharing leafshave.com.

I was using a standard safety razor for a while, but I started shaving my head and quickly abandoned the safety razor for obvious reasons.

This looks like a great product that's both eco-friendly and affordable.

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

#465

Post by oblak »

epistasis wrote: post #350
oblak wrote: post #295

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I didn't want to get in an argument with with you because you seem to presume A LOT. So much "we" and "people" in your posts. This is one of the reasons your take frustrated me as much as it did. Mid 20s, still high on hormons? The way you argue is pointing out things that you do, and applying said behaviours to everyone else, or at least the the people on this site. Again, very frustrating. I, for one, do not drive…

Environmental protection is not something that's solved by personal choice, it's solved by changing our system to a circular economy. Perhaps individual choice can pioneer new ways to live, and demonstrate that other lifestyles are possible that are just as fulfilling and convenient as more environmentally damaging ones. But in the end, environmental protection is a "we" and "people" problem not a "me" or "I" problem…

Fair enough. I had no idea I wasn't talking to "maxerickson". The 20s and the request for an apology thing was aimed at that person's initial comment that I responded directly to. Your contribution did not ask for that. I am sorry.

I do agree policy is the most important factor. But policy is not created in a complete vacuum. What the vast majority of people do and think is important. The outrageous amounts of perfectly good plastic that is thrown away is criminal. Just for food alone. Dear god.

Downplaying all this completely unnecessary waste because car fuel, tires and brakes pollute as well is odd. Especially given the fact that plastic waste is not just containers dumped in a landfill. Plastic bags are fucking disgusting and their remnants have be found virtually everywhere on the planet, including oceans, mountains, and jungles.

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

#466

Post by raesene9 »

jader201 wrote: post #398

Why is a thread on electric razors not the top comment on a post about the expense/waste of straight razors? I get that they have some downsides, but if we’re talking about the expense/waste of straight razors, then it would make sense to consider electric razors. I’ve seen so many ads about companies trying to “invent” the most effective, lowest cost straight razor and it still confuses me, given we already have ele…

Yep, I've had two electric razors in my adult life (now in my late 40's) and they do the job well enough for me. Need periodically washed out and regularly charged, but apart from that they're maintenance free.

Both Philips, only got rid of the first one as it got broken by being knocked off a high shelf.

The idea of shaving being expensive, just seems ... odd.

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

#467

Post by justinclift »

moron4hire wrote: post #292
ElevenLathe wrote: post #259

Earlier quoted context omitted.

what do you do with the angle grinder?

Well, you don't use it to cut the handle off. You grind the bottom of the pan smooth. Isn't that obvious? I guess not, apparently. But it seems like it should be.

While angle grinders are useful and all, wouldn't the right commonly available tool for this be something like an orbital sander?

Something like this: https://www.bunnings.com.au/bosch-blue-250w-random-orbital-s...

Or for a US version: https://www.milwaukeetool.com.au/power-tools/carpentry/sande...

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

#468

Post by switchbak »

2-718-281-828 wrote: post #145
kvakvs wrote: 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.

With my trimmer (Philips OneBlade) I'd say the result is more like "shaven 1 day ago". I kinda like the idea of a good ol' safety razor but so far I always got skin irritations from those. With trimmer I do not experience those issues. The blades are more on the expensive side with about 10 Euro per blade. But I replace those only about every three months. So it's not a big deal.

I want to like the One Blade, but they've locked up the system tighter than printer cartridges.

It definitely gets a close shave, and it's my go to for traveling, but I just can't stomach paying like $22 CAD for a tiny blade.

I'm hoping for a quality cheap alterative from AliExpress soon.

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

#469

Post by cdbyr »

narrator wrote: post #306
algoatecorn wrote: post #278

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My wife and I got rid of our TV last year when we moved. It was a nice break, but we want at least one in the house, so we're currently shopping around for a nice 4K 70+ inch. I've come to realize the market is headed toward a TV without any ports. You'll plug it in and immediately prompted to link with wifi so you can log into your streaming services. Fuck that. I'm hell-bent on getting something with zero smart fun…

Just get one with an HDMI input and buy a Roku. Never give the TV your wifi password.

Sorry to break this, Roku is about as bad for ad data sharing / tracking: https://advertising.roku.com/advertiser-solutions/oneview - any time you hear things like ‘full funnel attribution’, there is a good amount of adtech in the background.

As far as I know, Apple TV doesn’t do this, and Kodi + Raspberry Pi seems clear of it too.

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