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
@Felthry That's complicated by the way that good ergonomics varies by individual, so a table/chair/combination thereof which is perfect for one person's daily use will give another an RSI in short order.
@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.
@Felthry actually hammers can have a lot of useful features that are far from universally available.
@starkatt I've seen hammers with different shapes to them for specialized uses, but I haven't heard of any new type being developed recently
@Felthry high-end Ti hammers of uncertain utility are a thing.
I guess basic furniture too. tables and chairs and stuff, there's variety in, but it's almost all artistic variety rather than "making a better table/chair"