XPost: sci.space.policy, sci.physics, sci.electronics.design   
   From: jfindley@cinci.nospam.rr.com   
      
   In article ,   
   david.robot.mitchell@gmail.com says...   
   >   
   > jimp@specsol.spam.sux.com wrote:   
   > > In sci.physics David Mitchell  wrote:   
   > >> jimp@specsol.spam.sux.com wrote:   
   > >>>   
   > >>> Does anyone care about a shape optimized 4 slice toaster or filing   
   cabinet?   
   > >>   
   > >> Yes.  I do.   
   > >>   
   > >> If any significant number of items in your house are fabricated, it makes   
   sense   
   > >> to use as few raw materials as possible, so, for example, it would make   
   sense to   
   > >> honeycomb the inside of a knife handle, since it would still be strong   
   enough,   
   > >> and would allow you to keep a gram or two of material "in the pot" for   
   other   
   > >> projects.   
   > >>   
   > >> Ditto everything you make.   
   > >   
   > > Nonsense; the items in one's house are based on price not how elegantly   
   > > it was produced.   
   > >   
   > > It makes no sense to honeycomb the inside of a knife handle as it would   
   > > add no functionality and just increase the price.   
   > >   
   > >   
   > What price?   
   >   
   > It would reduce both the time to fabricate and feedstock used, albeit at the   
   > cost of slightly more complex software.   
   >   
   > They form the only metric which makes sense when talking about fabricating   
   objects.   
   >   
   > So, by that metric, they're cheaper.   
      
   Some people do like to buy exotic things.  Some people even buy   
   expensive things thinking that if they cost more they *must* be better,   
   right?  Hell, I know a few "foodies" who would likely buy "lightweight"   
   silverware just to have as a conversation piece at their next dinner   
   party.   
      
   My local Kroger carries a few knives with ceramic blades.  One could ask   
   why of that as well, but they're there on the shelf.  Someone must be   
   buying them since they've been around for several years.   
      
   Jeff   
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