in Cheap Thoughts

Cheap Thoughts: Express buttons

Why do some microwave ovens have “express” buttons to automatically preset the oven’s cook time? Don’t they already cook fast enough?

Are there really people who say, “oh, if I could just cook this popcorn three seconds faster, all will be well?”

  1. It starts the mind wondering. What mental state do you have to be in for that 3 second assurance to make you feel better? Maybe the “Staples Easy Button” is a much more effective advertising champagne than I ever suspected! When you offer a product that is undifferentiated from all the others in its class, just add an easy/express button. You could make millions by just changing the help button in software GUIs to “EXPRESS”… Make them pay extra for a “Grande Express Easy” button!

    What a concept!

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