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Comment by afandian | Hacker News Reader

It also makes sure you don't question your consumption habits, shop around for better deals or look at the competition.

I already don't question my habits for paper towels or laundry detergent. I buy the same ones every time because it works and it's not worth optimizing the $20 of paper towels or detergent I'll buy every 6 months.

Maybe you're right about those particular things (but maybe in a dystopian future you would because the interference with competition drove the price up into local maxima).

Seriously though, do I question my habits when buying food, drinks and coffee. This video is saying "you can lock yourself into a cycle of dependence on this one brand of coffee and this one brand of water and this one brand of cheap unhealthy ready-made packaged food".

Either you find that unpalatable in principle or you don't. It's probably a cultural thing.

The conversation started about consumables like laundry detergent and paper towels, not food and drinks. So I'm not sure why food and drinks came up, and then why the further jump to "unhealthy" food and drinks.

Personally, I buy the same stuff over and over because it doesn't matter. I don't want to spend time worrying about things that don't matter.

No point dragging this out. But this conversation started with a video about how you can order things including food (e.g. microwave ready made food) and drinks (coffee and bottled water).

Why all of this talk about a dystopian future? I can choose to refill on a particular brand of paper towels without giving up my right to choose what I eat. This entire thread is full of absurdity.

> question your consumption habits

"Maybe I can go without wiping my ass this time?"

"Maybe I'll give this new paper that has lower environmental impact a go this time."

What if I know what kind I like and don't want to change that? I don't see why you think it's such a bad idea for people who know what they like and want to make their lives easier with a little button. You don't have to get one, but don't try to make people who want one out to be mindless consumer drones.

I'm not commenting on the people who want to use the service, I'm commenting on the video which is unashamedly monoculture big-business. If they'd included a custom button for organic honey from the local local yoghurt-weaver I wouldn't feel quite so negative...

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