Reading this was a thank you moment like I haven't had for a while. I completely agree with this critique of modern, consumerist nonsense.
The only exception is I can still easily buy a single piece of fruit.
Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money
581–590 of 982 posts
Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money
#582Earlier quoted context omitted.
>Why are they only superficially convenient? They seem pretty convenient to me. how can anything that produces a worse quality of a productivity enhancing stimulant than you would have using another method ever be truly convenient in comparison to that other method?
In what world does "quality" factor into "convenience"?
This one, in this world many things that lose quality lose convenience, for example insulin - if you decrease the quality of insulin you will be decreasing the convenience.
basically in any situation when you decrease the quality of anything to such an extent that you use it less and thus get less of the benefits that it gives you it would follow that it would be more convenient that the quality was higher.
For example - condoms, condoms that don't work very well would be inconvenient.
But also coffee, when coffee is of such poor quality that people do not drink it that is inconvenient if you are employed turning coffee into code as the funny t-shirts have it. Hence my humorous reference to productivity enhancing stimulants.
Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money
#583While 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…
> 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.
For 4-5 months of the year (summer) I shave my head 2x or 3x a week, and I don't understand this comment. How are cartridge razors more convenient than safety razors?
Safety razors are just hands down better, IMO. It's a more comfortable shave (depending on the blade), the blades can be bought in bulk for $0.05 cents each, they take less than 30 seconds to change out, they last longer than cartridges, and there's no plastic waste.
Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money
#584Why 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…
> Why is a thread on electric razors not the top comment on a post about the expense/waste of straight razors? The post doesn’t even mention straight razors [1]. Also, I’m not sure electric razors are the less wasteful solution. Any electric appliance is likely to be much more environmentally costly to manufacture than a simple gadget. It certainly can’t compare with safety razors (or double-edged razors, as called i…
> It certainly can’t compare with safety razors
I've been using a safety razor for years and figured I was getting a pretty good deal out of it. Then a few months ago I reached into my travel bag without looking and sliced my finger open badly; the resulting stitches and tetanus shot came out to about $200, probably wiping out whatever money I'd saved by using them.
I still think it's a good deal.. if you're careful.
Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money
#585Why 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…
Because the existence of one sensible alternative doesn't negate the prolific success of an insensible one.
This blog post is about industry shoving wasteful and overpriced new trends down our throats, not about the best way to shave.
Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money
#586Earlier quoted context omitted.
A 70" 4k pc monitor sounds prohibitively expensive though.
Our of curiosity, do you know why that is? What makes TVs different from monitors? (Genuinely don’t know much about the space)
Hunch: burn in resistance could be a reason. TVs usually have something moving at all times, whereas a many folks have menu bars and applications that are more static and could burn at element in.
Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money
#587Earlier quoted context omitted.
> 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. No one should be surprised that people will pay more for the exact same thing over time. People want to get as much as they can as quick as they can. If you spend $100 for a cast iron pan now instead of $30 for…
A cast iron pan is $19.90 today on Amazon.
It's an example of how people spend money - not an actual analysis of the pan market.
Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money
#588Earlier quoted context omitted.
This is interesting. For me shaving with DE razor is miles ahead in comfort over cartridge
The thing is it takes skill and time to get there. Look at the reddit groups with everyone having some favorite brush or soap lather. The first few times you do it will probably go terribly too, maybe even ongoing. Meanwhile, 3 blade gillete can do an OK job with only a splash of water and a dozen strokes if you were in a true pinch. the skinguard is even better than old man mach 3. in a world where a pint of beer at…
> it takes skill and time
Yes, and, as I probably haven't said, I've been doin' it for 'years', and I do have a favorite soap/razor brand/razor handle... you name it... And I rarely ever (1/10 prob) get cuts, and the end result _is_ better, purely quality wise (double-edged razor is just sharper and can access spots, like under your nose, that 4-blade razor, let's say it's 4-blade, just can not).
My point is that after a while, you realize that you can get 80/90% of the quality with less than 20% of time invested. (Un)fortunately enough, the calculation is not that simple. You need to include the money factor, the frequency of shaving factor, the energy/focus factor (you can't just shave using a double-edged razor at 6am with your eyes still half way closed, and also expect no to cut yourself; you just can't, no matter how experienced you are - it is still 'razor' sharp :), with next to no safeguards, depending on your razor handle)... And I get that in many cases, the money factor is more (or the most) important, but you still can't just ignore all other factors.
That said, I strongly believe that modern 4-blade cartridges can/should be less expensive.
Also, I have next to no experience with electric razors, so take that into consideration. (Also, if anyone knows some electric razor model/brand that is well worth the money, I will really appreciate the suggestion)
Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money
#589Earlier quoted context omitted.
what do you do with the angle grinder?
https://youtu.be/8SRubjZezSE
That guy is not wearing a face mask or proper eye protection. You don't want to make a habit of inhaling iron filings.
Do it in a well ventilated area, preferable outside. The fillings get everywhere, include into any vents of any other equipment you might have nearby. My glasses weren't enough to keep the filings out of my eyes. They are fine enough that they won't scratch or cut your eyes, but you will feel like you are having the worst bout of seasonal allergies you've ever had.
I was sneezing rusty boogers for 3 days.
Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money
#590Earlier quoted context omitted.
I haven't had ingrowing hairs since I switch to a Merker razor with Feather (Japanese) blades. You have to be very light handed, mind. Blades cost $0.25 each and I use about 10 a year.
I use a Merker safety razor with feather blades too. Definitely recommend not just for the shave, but for the value.
Same, but usually with cheapo blades. Shark/Lord mostly (from Egypt). You can get cheap Gillette, but they're from Russia so you may wish to wait.