thinking about how capitalism results in people trying to reinvent existing things to beak into a market that's long past any possible innovation and trying to think of things that have proven immune to that

can't think of anyone trying to do it to hammers, but that's about it. i briefly thought bookmarks before remembering those bookmarks that mark what line you were on and stuff or the ones with timers in them

Follow

@Motodrachen I'm thinking more things like the keurig, where we had perfectly serviceable coffee makers and then someone made a thing that makes coffee But Better™

@Motodrachen like, sticking on features and stuff that no one asked for because the thing you want to replace is something everyone already Has, and you can't sell your New Thing to them unless you convince them that what they Have isn't Enough

@Motodrachen like trying get someone to buy your new Toaster Plus when they already have a normal toaster, so you make the Toaster Plus also do... I don't know, what do you make it do? there's no way you can materially improve a toaster in any significant fashion, so you tack on random features no one wants and then convince people that they want them

@Felthry @Motodrachen I have seen a toaster that claims to also be able to make a fried egg for you. It has a tiny nonstick frying pan with a lid, so that the top of the egg can steam while the bottom cooks.

It's utterly ridiculous and unnecessary.

Sign in to participate in the conversation
Awoo Space

Awoo.space is a Mastodon instance where members can rely on a team of moderators to help resolve conflict, and limits federation with other instances using a specific access list to minimize abuse.

While mature content is allowed here, we strongly believe in being able to choose to engage with content on your own terms, so please make sure to put mature and potentially sensitive content behind the CW feature with enough description that people know what it's about.

Before signing up, please read our community guidelines. While it's a very broad swath of topics it covers, please do your best! We believe that as long as you're putting forth genuine effort to limit harm you might cause – even if you haven't read the document – you'll be okay!