Consumption Junction

Let’s start with a basic equation:

3 * 2000 = 1 * 6000.

We agree? Great. Let’s move on …

It’s a behavioral economics thing perhaps. No, wait, it’s definitely a behavioral economics thing. The point is, we gladly purchase 3 ply toilet paper instead of the equal mass, 1-ply equivalent because of … wait … why do we do this?

It was during a rant earlier this week about software that I went on this tangent. Why are we so inclined to take 3-ply solutions that protect us from the evil “poke through” (with floral scents and patterns) and not the ones we really need?  1 ply is traditionally cheaper after all and we are all (hopefully) perfectly capable of folding our own TP — on-demand — to whatever thickness we require, right? Why do we pick solutions that reinforce nonexistent incompetencies? Are we all 1-ply, closet masochists with our fingers on the button?

I guess it’s laziness. Or trust of glue. It’s just something to think about with the most physical of obsessions.

Consumption Junction. What’s your function?