The Theory of Diminished Aggravation
May
Every day we come across repetitive actions that cause small moments of angst and frustration. For some reason we submit to such moments of angst on a regular basis. This angst may not seem much in isolation but multiply it by 365 times a year and then find another five or six moments of angst and multiply those by 365 times a year and you end up like Michael Douglas in Falling Down.
Years ago I bought a new toaster that does four slices of standard sized bread or a couple of long low pieces from a cob. The problem is that some of the longer pieces tend to be low and getting them out of the toaster without electrocuting yourself can be frustrating. After about ten years and 3650 moments of angst it occurred to me that what would be really useful would be a pair of wooden tongs to get the toast out.
Every day I now have a moment of grace and joy instead of a moment of angst and life is sweet. Thus the “Theory of Diminished Aggravation” was born and a life on the rails borne of toast production frustration was returned to one of enlightened pleasure.
Which in essence is the entire point of good design!
