TQSFOSYDN

Fool that I am, I have taken my own advice and stolen some time to write a new post to this blog. The subject today is the latest catalog from “The Quintessential Source For Overpriced Stuff You Don’t Need” store. Some call it The Sharper Image.

Every time I look through one of their catalogs, I’m struck with the amazing array of expensive products that replace simple manual devices. Many claim to do things you could easily accomplish without any gadget at all. Admittedly I love gadgets, but I also value simplicity in my life and I don’t like to get ripped off. Balance, right?

For a gadget to make it past my screening system it must be well designed, it must empower me to accomplish something I couldn’t otherwise do or save me time, and it should be priced reasonably for what it does. Since I am cursed with an engineering background, I automatically estimate in my head what the thing might cost to make. If they’re asking 25 times my estimate of the manufacturing cost, I get a bad feeling and usually move on.

In the case of the above mentioned catalog, they clearly go to extreme lengths to boost the perceived value of their gadgets through hype and hyperbole. I guess that’s just part of the whole business model: Overpriced stuff + artificially inflated perceived value = sales.

So, after perusing the catalog, I felt compelled to make a short list of items that in my opinion are either highly overpriced for what they deliver, or fundamentally unnecessary for the modern man or woman.

Panasonic Rechargeable Shaver and extra blades: $325
Mach III razor and extra blades: $20

Professional Electronic Weather Station: $250
Stick you head outside: $0

Cobalt Turbo Nose Hair Trimmer: $50
Nose Hair Scissors: $11

Sonicare Electric Toothbrush & one Refill: $142
6 pack of Oral-B toothbrushes and some floss picks: $11

Soap Genie Electric Soap Dispenser: $40
Neutrogena Liquid Soap Pump Dispenser: $2

Automatic Eyeglass Cleaner Gizmo & extra Solution: $60
Tap water, soap and a box of Kleenex: $2

Deluxe Leather Electric Watch Winder: $130
Your Own Index Finger and Thumb: $0

Total QSFOSYDN purchase: $997
The Simple Life: $46

For those who also get the catalog, you will note that I breezed right past the $500 electric picture frame and the $4000 massage chair.

My advice: Chop wood, carry water and travel light.

Mea Culpa

For those who come here and are disappointed in not seeing anything recently published, my apologies. I guess it is some combination of writer’s block, lack of time, and just plain laziness. In my defense, I am trying to start up a small manufacturing business that has sucked up pretty much all of my time and creative juices, leaving precious little for blogging. I know, sorry excuse but there it is.

I can’t promise that I will be able to allocate more time for posting, but you never know, it could happen. I do indeed get a degree of satisfaction out of making observations about cultural anomalies or prognosticating about the demise of life as we know it, so I will try to set aside more time. At least it's therapeutic for me if not for my readers.