Modern life is filled with a myriad of products; many of them are useful, but many of them are junk. Unfortunately we so often buy into the idea that life is better with these junk products and billions of dollars are spent every year acquiring them. This is a list of the ten worst products in modern times.
It is becoming more and more common these days for people to use throw away cups, plates, and cutlery instead of glass, china, and metal. Not only is this a ridiculous waste of money (for the sake of saving a few minutes of dish-washing time) it places a burden on our natural environment. I am not an environmentalist but even I can’t see any benefit to using disposable eating equipment. There is no reason that children shouldn’t use glass like everyone else – they did in the old days and it didn’t kill them. Do yourself a favor, save some money and buy a real dinner set.
The razor companies have it made – they have a virtual monopoly on the shaving market and people have become so reliant on them that they no longer know how to shave without a throw-away razor. These razors use cheap blades which go blunt quickly and can’t be re-used. Prior to these razors becoming so popular, men would use a straight razor which could be sharpened as needed on a razor strop. The initial price of the razor and strop needed to be paid once in most men’s lifetimes. You can still buy straight razors (or as they are affectionately known: cutthroat razors) and it is well worth the investment.
There are two main types of diet products – the first are strong medications that can be very dangerous, and the others are powders, herbal pills, and drinks. At the worst end of the scale we have drinks that solidify in the stomach so you feel full without eating (anorexia anyone?) and at the safer end of the scale are protein drinks used as meal substitutes. The fact is, all of these products are bad because they perpetuate the myth that you need to “diet” to lose weight. The only diet that truly works is moderation – eat less. It saves you money and makes you feel better.
When you get a cold or a flu, there is virtually nothing you can do except keep warm and eat well. Cough medicines are marketed to people who are suffering and want respite – but it doesn’t come in a bottle. Instead of buying incredibly expensive mixtures (which do little or nothing to help), mix together a little beaten egg white, honey, and vinegar and take it by the spoonful – it is cheap and just as effective at clearing phlegm. If you have flu ache, take tylenol (or paracetamol) and lie down for the afternoon. The flu will run its course naturally and you won’t be out of pocket.
Self help books don’t help. They are merely a marketing gimmick to get people to part with their hard earned money. When was the last time you met a person who had become a property tycoon after reading “Rich Dad Poor Dad”? When was the last time you saw someone beat depression after reading a self help book? This huge market now has books for virtually everything you could need, and ultimately the only person being helped is the author who is slowly getting rich. If you really feel that you need advice on life, try searching the internet for examples from real people who really found a way out of their problems.
Takeda Pharmaceuticals is a company that produces sleeping tablets for pre-pubescent and pubescent children. They used loopholes in the US marketing laws to advertise their products without mentioning the fact that they had not been fully tested on children and without listing any of the potential side effects. While that is bad enough, it is even worse that there are people who would consider buying these for their children. In most cases, a child who is not sleeping well can have their insomnia cured by more vigorous activity during the day. You don’t get side effects from turning off the television and computer.
It is no secret that I despise microwaves. They have played a large part in the removal of decent cooking from so many of our homes and have helped the chemical laden “ready meal” market to blossom. In some supermarkets it is nearly impossible to find raw ingredients for cooking as the pre-cooked, pre-made meals now take up so much room. In most cases, there is nothing you can do in a microwave that can’t be done better on a regular stove and oven – and in many cases it can take as little time! Furthermore, oven cooking won’t give you food that is soggy, limp, and colorless – a microwave will. Every time, guaranteed.
Infomercials have been pumping out a variety of ab building machines for the last ten years. The fact is, these machines are used once or twice and then end up in the garage or a cupboard never to be used again. The machines do nothing that the human body can’t already do, and if you are earnest about building up good abs, you would be far better off doing regular sit ups and getting a gym membership. It will probably cost the same price and won’t clutter up your home!
It was a true genius that came up with the idea of taking something healthy and coating it with loads of sugar to appeal to children. Unfortunately this concept has now become so popular that many children will refuse to eat any cereal that is not sugary. All around the world governments are whining about fat children and trying to find a solution by banning all manner of things and trying to promote healthy living – but no one seems to be concerned about the fact that the majority of children start their day with a huge sugar rush followed by a crash and carbohydrate cravings.
Bottled water is an utter waste of money and resources. To illustrate just how ridiculous a concept it is, I will demonstrate with Dasani Bottled Water. This product was created by Coca Cola and was marketed as superior bottled water. First of all, bottled water is a ridiculous concept in the western world where we all have easy access to tap water which is drinkable in most areas. Coca Cola wanted to be part of the ridiculous fad so they entered the bottled water market, but they simply filled their bottles with tap water! When the product was released in the UK it was a disaster. They used the slogan “bottled spunk” which may seem innocuous to the Americans who came up with the idea, but unfortunately in the UK “spunk” is a slang word for sperm. Just when you think it couldn’t get any worse, scientific testing of the bottled water showed traces of bromate – a carcinogen. Coca Cola had to withdraw half a million bottles of the water and they pulled the product from the UK market.
Contributor: JFrater
Listverse is my number one favorite site but this one actually wasn't the best list. I TOTALLY DISAGREE with most of these. First of all, disposable plates are actually SOMETIMES better. These types of plates are used usually on parties and if you have about 90 guests or so, why would you want to use "real" plates? I mean you can, but it saves time, water, dishwashing soap and duhh money. Remember, time is gold. Second off, I think microwave ovens are very handy. You can always use this to reheat food. You wouldnt want to reheat food in the stove all the time. Sometimes it doesnt make any difference. Microwaves aren't just for so called "ready made microwavable food", they are also used to reheat last nights dinner or defrost meat or things like that. Oh and thats not all.. "cough mixture" are you kidding me? why use eggs if it is possible to catch salmonella from raw eggs. I am not risking a young child to drink that mixture you are talking about. I mean you can always use pasteurized eggs but i believe it cost a little more. I'm still NOT done. disposable razors are actually usefull. its alot safer than the non disposable one. yes it dulls fast but i prefer disposable one because its so much safer to use than the non disposable one (i believe). I think this list is not really good. A VERY BAD list. Worst list i've seen so far. Jfrater, I'm not hating… I just disagree with this.
I gotta agree that most of the items on this list are not really bad at all. Most of them are useful for some people. I use my microwave to heat up the half-cup of coffee I didn't finish when I poured it 20 minutes ago rather than pouring it out and getting a new cup of hot coffee. I figure my microwave coffee warmer paid for itself in the first few months. The years since then have been all profit.
Agreed. I can understand the cereal, the diet products, and the sleeping pills, but all others DO have their uses from time to time. I use a microwave all the time, NOT for ready made food but for defrosting frozen vaggies or meat or warming up leftovers. Also, there are times and places where anything other than a microwave would be really impractical. Also, as cookie said, I would NEVER give a child or anyone else raw eggs. That's just irresposible. Not to mention it would probably taste even worse than cough medicine (and who ever thought THAT would be possible?)
The risk of eating raw eggs is TINY. Its no worse than eating rare steak.
I agree that microwaves are handy, and that plastic or paper plates are ideal for huge gatherings, but I would never use them for anything else! “Saves time, water, dishwashing soap…” You are LAZY.
And the razor? Are you *****ing kidding me? Learn to use one and you’ll be fine, how do you think people got on before disposable ones?
Jesus *****ing christ.
You’re just *****ing for the sake of *****ing. YOU can wash an entire banquet’s worth of dinnerware, since you seem so resistant to the idea of convenience. YOU go right ahead and use a straight-edge razor and keep resharpening it after every other shave, I’ll use my Mach V for a week and replace the little plastic head. You seem to be one of those people under the idiotic impression that things were better before all the conveniences we have today. You have this romantic idea of the pioneers and settlers in your head, but you don’t even consider the hardships and diseases they put up with. People of your ilk really grind my gears.
Gears will be ground! Like the that straight razor referred to on this list! But seriously while bottled water is great in developing countries like Afghanistan, I see no need for it in any first world country. And I agree why Diet products, ab machines, and the Sleeping Pills for kids are on there, the order should be: (from #1 Worst to #10 less bad) Sleeping pills for Kids; Diet products; ab machines; Self Help books; Cough Mixtures; Sugared Cereals; Disposable Eating Implements; bottled water; Microwaves; and leastly Disposable Razors.
calm your *****
LOL at bottled water. I always laugh at my uni buds that buy it. The only reason for buying bottled water is if there is no taps near by and the only other substitutes are sugary drinks.
Bottled spunk?! They really said that? Lmao!
Americans use that word too, if I saw a drink called that I would fall over laughing, and feel kind of sick.
An interesting read, and I agree with almost all of the entries in this list.
Regarding bottled water- I have found that there are some bottled waters that have a distinctly different/better taste than our local tap water (which can taste a little over-chlorinated at times). Although I myself am happy to drink tap water, I can understand people that prefer the bottled variety. It’s also pretty handy in the third world!
Also, regarding microwaves…I think they have a place. For example in the lunch room at work. A full-sized stove or oven wouldn’t be possible to install so a microwave allows people to enjoy last night’s dinner reheated for lunch. I’m sure some workplaces DO have stoves or ovens but at my work a microwave is quite useful.
Cheers
As a re-heater, nothing beats a microwave. Saves time and energy. When you've got kids, cooking a large meal and then re-heating as needed after is the best use of time and energy, IMO.
Amen. When you’ve got a large family, it usually pays to cook in bulk. If we didn’t have a microwave, a lot of food or money would go to waste. Sure you can use an oven to heat stuff, but it takes a long time and (in my experience) dries it out.
On the other hand, most microwave food is bad, definitely.
bottled water can be a life saver when you’re a college student like me, you have no idea what the sinks in our dorm bathrooms go through…
Trust me, it isn't gonna kill you. It's still only water. Filtered, clean water. Just because it comes out of a sink that other people use, it does not mean the water that comes out of that tap is tainted all of a sudden.
Besides, most colleges are riddles with water fountains, I have one directly outside of my dorm room actually.
What about other countries where the tap or natural water source may very well kill you?
In those places, bottled water would be considered the best product ever.
I loved this list!!!! I could feel the tension and frustration while reading some of these. Lol. And, sleeping pills for kids???? Thats crazy
i have to agree with most stuff on this list but when it comes to beer pong, plastic disposable cups are by far the best. and i hate to say it but other than grilled cheese and eggs, i cant cook nothing. i should probably learn but for now, god bless the microwave
i like this list but disagree with the self help books. while most of them might be pointless and simply lists of points of common sense, some can actually be full of good advice and in some cases at least a step in the right direction. when i was in high school i was forced to read the seven habits of highly effective teens, and now in my 3rd year in university i still incorporate parts of that book in my life. they might not be a fix all or the answer to everyone’s problems, but sometimes people need basic advice to life spelled out in a book because they simply have nowhere else to get it.
Don’t forget plastic bags. They’ve been banned in many places, but they are still prevalent in lots of places!
I asked the woman in the bookstore where I could find the self-help books and she said that would defeat the purpose!
Seriously, Korea may ever count as “the Western world” but may by now count as “the developed world” but they live on bottled water here. Either that or filtered water machines, which are everywhere. They survived for thousands of years on river, creek or well water, and now can’t survive on tap water? I expect that when we move to Australia, my wife won’t be able to bring herself to drink tap water there.
Wow, I always enjoyed this site for its entertaining and educational lists but this has pretty much thrown any factual credit out the window … Perhaps you should have stuck this one on your blog under ‘Top 10 Generalisations About Things That Personally ***** Me Off’.
Great list! Dasani and Aquafina are indeed just bottled tap water, you can save a lot of money by buying a reusable canister and filling it with your own regular tap, or filtered, water.
I also agree strongly with the self-help books part, they’re ridiculous. Every week they’re on the top sellers list primarily thanks to pseudos like Oprah.
And yes on the honey suggestion for colds/soar throats. Honey has anti-bacteria and anti-inflammatory properties that will both help kill the virus and sooth the throat without harsh, gross tasting, chemicals. Extra virgin olive oil works too if you can stomach it
Some of these are useful at times. Bottled water in countries where tap water is unsafe. Some of those books have helped people.
Great list, JF. Totally agree on every point, and that hasn’t always been the case. We do occasionally use our microwave to heat up frozen peas or soup, but that’s about as close as we get to using any of these, thankfully.
Perhaps, looking at some of the drivel above, then ‘Comments Lists’ would merit their place in the list!
I can very much agree to these.
1. I do buy bottled water. Buuut, I always end up filling it up with tap water (the bottles are so darned convenient). and interestingly, my environmental science prof. said once that tap water is regulated, while bottled water is not, therefore you’re probably much safer drinking from the tap (at least in this country-u.s.).
2. I think the healthier cereals tend to taste much better. is that weird?
3. c’mon, do people seriously need to pay to work out?? i’ll never understand that.
4. i’m impartial to microwaves. there was that scare a while back about them zaping the nutrients out of food but i think that was proven false. some foods are just nasty when microwaved though.
5.sleeping pills for infants??? def falls under the lazy parenting category. I can see where that would appeal, sadly.
skipping 6,7,8
9. straight razors are f-n awesome, but good luck learning how to use one. being female i cant imagine using one myself, but at cosmetology school we were told to practice on a balloon.
10. kind of the same as the bottled water. not too terrible if you can reuse them (we tend to re-use plastic silverware for lunches, etc.) but clearly a waste of money. my ex and his dad didnt have real dishes, and i thought it was so tacky, but boys tend not to like doing dishes, so go figure.
Microwaves what are you talking about how are we supposed to reheat food, have microwave popcorn, melt chocolate and all the other wonderful things it does. I completely disagree with that and also on bottled water i make sure its mineral water (evain) and drink it everyday and i couldnt be happier with my purchase. And egg white, honey, and vinegar thats just nasty.
I only agree with number 5. I absolutely disagree with EVERYTHING else. This list seems like its coming from an bitter and unreasonably opinionated place. wtf..
cookie,
you can purchase plastic dishes and cutlery for cheap, and unlike the flimsy disposable sets, you can reuse these ones over and over again, in the long time saving you money.
I realize it’s much easier to throw things away rather than cleaning them, but we can no longer afford to be so careless, we’re loosing places to dump non-degradable trash
Totally agree with number 11′s last sentence.
a lot of these make sense…but: bottled water, microwaves, and cough medicine. You’re retarded…I suppose hand-sanitizer is number 11 because it’s for people too lazy to wash their hands?
Bottled water is one of the worst products?
Maybe you mean TAP BOTTLED WATER, yes that is nonsense and stupid because its water that you can get for free and you still pay for it just because it comes in a bottle.
But there is something called, MINERAL BOTTLED WATER, just like Perrier, Evian, San Sellegrino, Arkina etc.
This is not tap water, its water that comes from a mineral source and it tastes different, because it has different minerals in there, there are no mineral water that tastes the same.
In europe we have mineral bottled water everywhere and people buy it because its healthier than tap water ( We don’t have Bottled Tap Water).
In some cases, bottled water is a must because the local water isnt even drinkable. MOST small towns have crappy sewer and water systems, where the only people that actually get decent water are farmers.
But, you know, getting cancer from the water that comes through your pipes is just SOOO much better than buying it in a bottle.
hippie bs, all of it is exaggerated/blown way out of proportion, almost like a troll post
JFrater: The microwave oven is not completely useless. There are many types of food which it destroys, however, it works very well for rice and steamed vegetables and the like. I suggest you try making some poached fish in the microwave. You may not hate them so much.
I don’t agree that microwaves don’t have a use. Some of the best ways to cook food fast but without substituting taste use multiple methods of cooking. One thing an oven does that a microwave oven doesn’t is dehydrate food. This might be a good thing for baking, but I well prefer my chicken to be moist. Combination ovens use both methods of cooking to cook the food with radiation and convection. This combination increases speed without any compromises. You can’t say that the microwave doesn’t have a purpose. Microwave food on the other hand…
Good point. The writer seems to be confusing microwavable food with the machine itself.
nicks:
Cough “medicine” isn’t so much a medicine as it is a throat lubricator.
“In 2001, researchers at the University of Bristol (Schroeder & Fahey) published a study in the British Medical Journal indicating that some cough medicines are no more effective than placebos for acute coughs in adults, including coughs related to upper respiratory tract infections.[1] In 2006, the American College of Chest Physicians published a guideline that had the dual message that many over-the-counter cough medicines are not effective and that those that are effective in treating the symptom do not treat the underlying cause; the underlying disorder emphasized by the guideline was pertussis (whooping cough) in the elderly.[2]
Recent studies have found that theobromine, a compound found in cacao, is more effective as a cough suppressant than prescription codeine. This compound suppresses the “itch” signal from the nerve in the back of the throat that causes the cough reflex. It is possible to get an effective dose (1 g, though 0.5 g may be sufficient)[3] from 50g of dark chocolate, which contains 2 to 10 times more cacao than milk chocolate. Cocoa powder contains roughly 0.1 g per tablespoon (5g).[4] Theobromine was also free from side effects in the blind tests.[5″
Can’t be bothered linking to the sources, but wiki has got the citations.
@ rocko: I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest if this turned out to be a troll post. Can’t hardly blame microwave ovens for the plethora of pre-cooked foods on the supermarket shelves: most of them could also be cooked in the oven or pan-fried. So no direct fault of the microwave, which by the way is a real time-saver when it comes to heating stuff. However, by experience, popcorn and melted chocolate are best done on the stove, in case you’re reading, lily_89.
I also found out by experience that disposable razors are much more dangerous than normal ones, on account on them being less sharp, thus leading to incautious usage.
As for sleeping pills for children, they’re an abomination and don’t deserve further mentioning, while bottled tap water is laughable. The things americans won’t invent… But as an Italian I’ve seen much worse (diet water anyone?).
Other stuff mentioned here… Meh. They’re not the brightest inventions in history, but could be hardly considered the *worst* products. Sea monkeys are the worst product!
wow – so much hatred!
What did you expect this list is terrible.
Nameless ive already tried melting chocolate on the stove it is annoying and time consuming while the microwaves does it in two minutes max the stove takes up eight- ten minutes.
Nameless (28): I hope you aren’t suggesting that this article is a troll – I don’t write troll posts – I write what I want and hope that people enjoy a different take on life. I stand by every word herein.
@ lily_89: I know it takes time, but at least you won’t risk breaking down the chocolate (separating cocoa solids from the fat part). In all my years of pastry-cooking I still feel there’s nothing more nerve-breaking than pesky spoiled chocolate. I’d rather melt it in a bain-marie while I perform other tasks. No time wasted. However, to each their own.
Oh, and @ jfrater: of course you get so much hatred. You’re as entitled to your opinion as everyone else, but maybe next time try to argument some of them a little better. I’ve often been criticized for the very same reasons!
On the other hand, better to get loads of nasty comments than not being commented on at all.
love the listical, very interesting if thought provoking – the bottled water debate – now let me enter this quite late… in a different direction, I used to live off evian only drinking evian water – but now I use a home water filter and it’s quite frankly brilliant.
When Disani was introduced in the UK I don’t remember the spunk strap line, infact I have a feeling that is an urban myth.
Microwaves make really good srambled eggs, and great for defrosting…
Everything else though I agree one million percent – although I may take a course learning how to use a cut throat… or start using a barber every morning!
Sorry jfrater (31) it’s just that I saw a blooming of trolling on many sites lately, including the comment section in this very one, and upon seeing such an opinionated, almost “aggressive” list, in comparison to much tamer ones, I had a strange fleeting feeling. Glad to hear this site hasn’t been cracked, give how even Obama’s Twitter has been messed with.
#6 – Regarding the self help book “Rich Dad Poor Dad”, I was intrigued by the concept of the book and did a little research. There was no rich Dad; the author made him up based upon a guy he used to work for. The whole concept is that a person should invest his money into a business or property and make money at it while everybody else does all the work. The author seems to make his money from selling the book and doing seminars.
I agree with #1 except for areas where water is not safe, or for traveling, it’s better for you than soda!
2 self help books, “Feeling Good” by David Burns and the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People made a huge long lasting helpful impact on my life. It;s been over 20 years since I read these, and I still use the principles I learned daily.
There is prescription cough medicine that does help, I agree about over the counter stuff. Those menthol lozenges do really help that dry irritating little cough, though.
Why are you surprised that people are hating on you? This is a terrible list with no merit whatsoever.
When I was a kid I drank from the tap all the time, now not at all. Bottled water just tastes better. Now I wouldn’t drink water I could not see through.
I also enjoy the convenience of the microwave and I’m guilty of using disposable razors, but buying a straight razor sounds like a good idea.
I agree with the diet products, sleeping pills, ab machines, disposable dishes, sugar cereal, cough mixtures, and self help books being awful.
Another good list.
Well most your arguments are good on this list, the children sleeping pills for example, but I really think your list could have been a little better…..I mean microwave ovens?? They can be very handy and bottled water?! What if your drinking water gets shut off because of whatever? Or it gets contaminated by something? And when I go to Brazil on vacation once a year we always use bottled water since there might be diffrent kind of bacteria that our body isn’t familliar with.
@ 29. jfrater
Yes, lots of hatred … much of it contained in your list!
with regards to bottled water…well im in the british army and have done op tours om herrick(afghan) and telic(iraq) and bottled water is as vital as your personnal weapon,rations, body armour etc etc especially the amount of kit we have to carry…
generally a good site tho!!!
I disagree with most entries on this list. The products aren’t bad and were designed for a specific purpose.
10. Disposable dishes:
As already mentioned by cookie disposable dishes are intended to be used on parties. Paper plates and cups can be rinsed and recycled. I do agree that in most cases plastics cups and cutlery aren’t necessary.
9. Disposable Razors:
Here we have the same problem as with ink cartridges for printers. The product itself is quite cheap, but the replacement blades (or ink refills) a very expensive and don’t last long. Personally are wouldn’t trust my self to use a straight razor.
8. Diet Products:
In general a lot of food products are terrible.
7. Cough mixtures:
Some work, some don’t.
6. Self Help Books:
There are lots of awful books available. Most books or blogs with ’10 steps ….’ are useless and reading them a waste of time. Whereas the listverse usually isn’t
5. Sleeping Pills for Children:
Any medication for children should be strongly regulated.
4. Microwave Ovens:
OK this product definitely doesn’t belong in this list. They are practical for reheating food and combined with a grill they can nearly replace a traditional oven. They are also very energy efficient, i.e. environmental friendly. Ready meals are available for regular stoves and ovens too.
3. Ab Machines:
Let’s just say any product sold on an infomercial is usually unnecessary junk.
2. Sugared cereals:
Just look on any ready made food product. Most have far too much sugar and additives.
1. Bottled water:
There are lots of different types of bottled water, just as there is any other drink. They all taste different.
I agree with most of this list. I think a lot of the things on this list show how LAZY we have become.
10.Disposable Eating Implements. Bad for the planet. should only be used on rare occasions. I think you should have included plastic drinking straws and drink lids. They are just more plastic in our landfills. If you’re going to eat your fast food at home, tell them at the drive-thru, “No plastic knives and forks, please.” and just use your own knives and forkes.
9.Disposable Razors. More big hunks of plastic in or landfills. I get a nice close shave with my electric. You can also still buy a good ol’ safety razor. Then all you have to buy is the replacement blades.
8.Diet Products. Just a BIG RIP-OFF aimed at people that want a quick fix. Eat less. Be more active. You WILL lose weight. (And save money.)
7.Cough Mixtures. I don’t think I could choke down that mixture of yours, so I have to disagree on this one.
6.Self Help Books. Most are just a way for the author to HELP HIMSELF to your money. There are a few though that I found useful. “You just don’t understand!” Women And Men In Conversation, by Deborah Tannen is a good one.
5.Sleeping Pills for Children. JUST PLAIN WRONG!!!
4.Microwave Ovens. I have to disagree with you on this one. I Love my “Mini Nuke” as I call it. “A Man, a Can, a Microwave: 50 Tasty Meals You Can Nuke in No Time” By David Joachim, Check it out.
3.Ab Machines. I can’t agree with you enough on this one. (And if you absolutely must have one just wait a little while and you WILL find one at a garage sales for $5.00!)
2.Sugared Cereals. A friend of mine calls these, “Diabetes in a box”. I think this is another case of us just being lazy. So much easier to just shove a box at our kids in the morning than to cook for them.
1.Bottled Water. Every time I see some one buy bottled water I can’t help but think of the scene in “Reality Bites” when Janeane Garofalo points out that, “Evian is naive spelled backward.” and then she buys it anyways!
The water in my city tastes VILE, so I use a water filter. I am always telling my friend that buy water that they could save a small fortune if they whould just get a filter.
Sorry this comment got so long. Guess this list hit a nerve.
I think the DASANI “Spunk” story may be true.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/03/11/introducing_dasani_the_water/
Throw-away razors are used in hospitals. It would be a disaster for me if the surgeons use USED razors before my operation. I don’t want to know…. eewwW.
True, all the throw-away stuff is bad for the enviroment, but sometimes a good thing for hygiene.
I agree with all of these.They are all a reflection of the lazy,quick fix bs.Not surprising that people disagree so much though, but then again its not suprising the world is in the state it is now.People are just ignorant.I think that you mean worst invention in the way we use these things when not neccesary like bottled water,microwaves,disposable razors/plates and if you try to defend the others then your obviously a retard.
Some items on this list do prove to be useful at certain times (like bottled water and microwaves.) It’s all in moderation.
“and if you try to defend the others then your obviously a retard.”
And you, sir, are a blasted fool.
22. Lok – January 10th, 2009 at 3:24 am
are you mental? in most countries in europe, the water you get out of your tap, is the highest quality water you will ever see. You know the water called Bar-le-duc?
thats EXACTLY what the people in Utrecht (A city in Holland) get out of their taps. and still they go across the street and buy it in a shop. You don’t see anything WRONG with that?
This was commented by a friend of mines earlier and I totally agree that some of these things should not belong in the list. I can’t live without the microwave oven (I rarely buy ready meals, I’m a chef). Microwaves has come a long way; its almost as important as the fridge. Although the environment is always a concern, I still have to say that #10 is very convenient for big gatherings. Straws are also VERY helpful for the elderly. Its easier for them to drink with a straw. Ab machines are also very convenient especially when you want to work your abs while waiting for your show during a commercial. Going to the gym is quite expensive, especially with those contracts and membership fees, plus not everyone has the money for months worth of babysitting just so you can go to the gym. Bottled water are also a must when you are in an area where water is unsafe. I think that some of these things do not belong in here. Although I do agree that this is a “pesonal list”.
Ok – this list reads like nothing more than a personal grudge list.
Microwave ovens and disposable razors are the worse products ever? I don’t think so!
C’mon – of all the (must be) millions of things the human race has come up with and marketed there are MUCH worse. How about CFCs and leaded gasoline (look it up – absolutely unreal amount of permanent damage to the environment from a single product).
Other examples off the top of my head – limited to consumer products – Jarts (skull puncture anyone?), mercury thermometers, thalidomide, *cigarettes*, soft drinks (~40 grams of sugar per can?), hydrogenated oils, three wheeled ATVs, or clackers (remember those?).
I’m a bit weary of all the energy drinks on the market right now – but time will tell for sure.
-C
i heard from somewhere that if your water is over-chlorinated you can fill an empty milk bottle up with water, leave it on the windowsill in the sun then chill it, no idea if this works … lol bottled spunk
Worst list ever…
I disagree with so much on this list. Microwaves help when on the run, disposable blades are faster than a straight edge, I have saved a lot with tips I’ve read off of Rich Dad Poor Dad, yeah, I didn’t end up a billionaire but I am better off. Ab machines do help, maybe it is cheaper to simply do a sit up but if it helps someone get off the sofa then it can’t be bad. Sugar cereal is great! Yeah, bacon and eggs are better but I effin love frosted flakes. Oh, and some places you go the water tastes horrible! Like here in Phoenix, tap water is very bad. I am usually gonna buy something bottled anyway, might as well be water instead of soda.
Besides the sleeping pills to kids, i think this list is way too extreme.
I agree with Naopleon when he says this list should be called ‘Top 10 Generalisations About Things That Personally ***** Me Off’.
Not nearly enough research, and too personal for a website like this.
Agree that this list should be titled “jfrater’s Ten Biggest Pet Peeves”
Microwaves – My mom learned how to cook vegetables 1950′s Midwest style, that is, boil them on the stove till mush. Disgusting to eat, and all the nutrients are gone. We cook fresh veggies -al dente- in the microwave and they are great! And, having a microwave at work lets me bring my home cooked leftovers from work when the only other way to get a hot lunch is restaurant or fast food.
Nice list as always, but I disagree with no. 4 the microwave.
I put a whole stuffed chicken into my steam cuisine, and pop that into the microwave for 22 – 25 min. The bird comes out juicy, tender and a golden brown.
There is noway you can cook a chicken in 25 min. in a conventional oven and still save electricity as much as you do with the microwave.
Wow, this is one of the worst lists I’ve seen put on here in quite a while. Sure some of these things are obsolete and a couple that do fly in the face of logic, but how are these the worst products ever? Looks more like a blueprint for a bad stand-up comedy routine. This list is more of a “Top 10 Products That Annoy Me, Jamie Frater” than anything else. And really I do see a logical use for most of these products – they just come with some sort of drawback.
In short, this list is unadulterated drivel.
Frater, an OK list – but one of your ones that comes off as preachy. Havent you seen the shoes that squeak when kids walk? Aspartame? Pheromone sprays? Jet Skis? All these products are *****-magnets.
Self help books are good I think. They are like anything to do with self improvement. Diets, quitting smoking, saving money all work if the ideas are applied and persisted with. They suck a lot of people in, but hey, 75% of people are morons, so what are you gonna do?
Sugared cereals suck big time, they cause all kinds of problems I think, and contribute to the 75% theory above.
Microwaves – meh, get over it dude.
Come on guys, we never had a problem with jfraters opinion lists before. And honestly, half the lists on this site are a matter of opinion anyway!! You don’t have to agree with the things on this list, but if you want a new list everyday, I think its only fair for jfrater to post lists similar to this one.
While cough medicines might not directly help the problem we can never count out the placebo effect where just believing that this medicine will alleviate your pain will lead to you feeling better.
I totally agree with number one. A lot of people won’t drink tap water because they think it’s dirty. But why spend the extra money? Plus, studies have shown that kids who drink tap have less health problems.
Are some people masking the word “lazy” with the word “time-saving?”
I for one enjoyed the list, for no other reason than it got people all worked up over their water bottles.