5 ms·

I think if you're coming at it from an angle where you're going to sit your wife down on the couch, show her some studies, and then wait for the "thank you for

I think if you're coming at it from an angle where you're going to sit your wife down on the couch, show her some studies, and then wait for the "thank you for clarifying my thinking!" to roll in, you're doomed to fail / upset your SO. I think the personality types you generally find in tech, which are so focused on what we can produce / output, don't understand that consumption is a perfectly valid hobby or interest for people to have. I'd wager very few people actually buy the miracle claims on the products. I think they instead just find it fun. I gave my SO a lot of crap before realizing that some people just find stewardship of an object enjoyable. There's a whole subculture related to it. The ownership, displaying, and usage _is_ the hobby.

nostromo 5y ago
I doubt the majority of people using expensive skin care creams are actually doing it just for fun and not for any actual benefit. It's more common to hear people say, "it probably isn't doing much, but you never know." This is similar to people buying lottery tickets, "I doubt I'll win, but you never know." "I just enjoy it, ok?" is probably what someone would say to get rid of a pestering husband. :)
Goronmon 5y ago
I'd wager very few people actually buy the miracle claims on the products. I think they instead just find it fun. I gave my SO a lot of crap before realizing that some people just find stewardship of an object enjoyable. There's a whole subculture related to it. The ownership, displaying, and usage _is_ the hobby. An alternative is that bringing up this type of topic ends up sounding like some form of: "Hey, you know all that stuff that stresses you out everyday? Well, regarding one of the less important ones, you are doing it totally wrong and I want you to correct yourself." Even you are technically right, there is very little upside to bringing it up, especially out of nowhere. Assuming, of course, they aren't doing anything wildly dangerous.
satellite2 5y ago
Additionally, most products contain water and glycerin which has evidence regarding skin hydration. So most product will produce a small effect. On top of that they smell good (rich), which is probably also an important part of the experience.
artichokes 5y ago
> consumption is a perfectly valid hobby No it is not.
- bigfudge 5y ago
  I agree with you but perhaps explain why. Taking pleasure in things we use seems healthy, but fast fashion etc and general consumer culture in the west seem psychologically suboptimal and are environmentally disastrous.
- yibg 5y ago
  Yes it is. Doesn't add much to the discussion does it?
mr-wendel 5y ago
This comment is a wonderful template to consider. In my personal context, this would be about leaving a certain very-American religion and being the more-or-less first to take plunge: you really wanna share your "greater truth" and help those close to you unburden themselves by letting go of something so obviously false. You really can't "red pill" people, and the closer they are to you the lower the chances of success. You can, however, ask (non leading) questions and listen. If you can't start by being curious, don't expect them to make that leap first... and thats really where you have to start before you can change your mind.
totetsu 5y ago
More than a hobby, it's like a gender roleplaying ritual for identity construction. ( And class I guess if it's expensive. Same reason me think golf is fun)
mynameishere 5y ago
More like, people want the illusion that they can make themselves more attractive. If you say the truth, "Well dear, your skin's current appearance is a combination of genetics and avoiding the sun," then you've basically said, "You can't undo the past, therefore all hope is lost. Also, you're stupid for thinking this cream can help you."
andreilys 5y ago
consumption is a perfectly valid hobby or interest for people to have. Not if there are negative externalities associated with this hobby (i.e. fast fashion) which leads to ecological collapse and depletion of resources.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]
joshxyz 5y ago
fully agree on this its a completely emotional topic too, logic flew out the window already theres a reason why marketers make huge bucks on cosmetics and diet pills.

nostromo 5y ago

I doubt the majority of people using expensive skin care creams are actually doing it just for fun and not for any actual benefit. It's more common to hear people say, "it probably isn't doing much, but you never know." This is similar to people buying lottery tickets, "I doubt I'll win, but you never know." "I just enjoy it, ok?" is probably what someone would say to get rid of a pestering husband. :)

Goronmon 5y ago

I'd wager very few people actually buy the miracle claims on the products. I think they instead just find it fun. I gave my SO a lot of crap before realizing that some people just find stewardship of an object enjoyable. There's a whole subculture related to it. The ownership, displaying, and usage _is_ the hobby. An alternative is that bringing up this type of topic ends up sounding like some form of: "Hey, you know all that stuff that stresses you out everyday? Well, regarding one of the less important ones, you are doing it totally wrong and I want you to correct yourself." Even you are technically right, there is very little upside to bringing it up, especially out of nowhere. Assuming, of course, they aren't doing anything wildly dangerous.

satellite2 5y ago

Additionally, most products contain water and glycerin which has evidence regarding skin hydration. So most product will produce a small effect. On top of that they smell good (rich), which is probably also an important part of the experience.

artichokes 5y ago

> consumption is a perfectly valid hobby No it is not.

bigfudge 5y ago
I agree with you but perhaps explain why. Taking pleasure in things we use seems healthy, but fast fashion etc and general consumer culture in the west seem psychologically suboptimal and are environmentally disastrous.
yibg 5y ago
Yes it is. Doesn't add much to the discussion does it?

mr-wendel 5y ago

This comment is a wonderful template to consider. In my personal context, this would be about leaving a certain very-American religion and being the more-or-less first to take plunge: you really wanna share your "greater truth" and help those close to you unburden themselves by letting go of something so obviously false. You really can't "red pill" people, and the closer they are to you the lower the chances of success. You can, however, ask (non leading) questions and listen. If you can't start by being curious, don't expect them to make that leap first... and thats really where you have to start before you can change your mind.

totetsu 5y ago

More than a hobby, it's like a gender roleplaying ritual for identity construction. ( And class I guess if it's expensive. Same reason me think golf is fun)

mynameishere 5y ago

More like, people want the illusion that they can make themselves more attractive. If you say the truth, "Well dear, your skin's current appearance is a combination of genetics and avoiding the sun," then you've basically said, "You can't undo the past, therefore all hope is lost. Also, you're stupid for thinking this cream can help you."

andreilys 5y ago

consumption is a perfectly valid hobby or interest for people to have. Not if there are negative externalities associated with this hobby (i.e. fast fashion) which leads to ecological collapse and depletion of resources.

deleted 5y ago
[deleted]

joshxyz 5y ago

fully agree on this its a completely emotional topic too, logic flew out the window already theres a reason why marketers make huge bucks on cosmetics and diet pills.