In a world facing real problems—climate change, food shortages, traffic congestion—human ingenuity seems to be fixated on...well, utterly pointless inventions. Every year, the market churns out another “genius” gadget that nobody really needs. A Bluetooth-enabled banana holder? A toaster with a built-in radio? A double-ended coffee mug that ensures you spill your drink from both sides? And yet, despite their sheer absurdity, we can’t help but be drawn to them.But why? Where does this strange fascination come from, and why do we keep wasting our creativity on things that serve no real purpose?
The Psychology of Pointless Purchases: Why Can’t We Resist?
One reason is sheer curiosity. Our brains are wired to be intrigued by novelty, and if something looks unusual or does something unexpected, we have to check it out. A color-changing mug doesn’t make coffee taste better, but it does capture our imagination.
Another factor is fun. Useless gadgets are essentially toys for adults. No one needs an automatic pancake flipper or a smart avocado storage system, but if one lands in our hands, we’re definitely going to try it out. And for that brief moment, it sparks joy—because, well, why not?
E-Commerce and the Great Online Gadget Revolution
Back in the day, buying pointless stuff required effort. You had to physically walk into a store, find the item, and carry it home. That gave your sense of self-control a fighting chance. Today, online shopping has eliminated all friction. One impulsive click, and a heated butter knife is on its way to your doorstep.
Algorithms don’t help either. If you so much as glance at a video of a pillow with built-in speakers (because, honestly, who wouldn’t be curious?), your feed will be flooded with ads for equally ridiculous contraptions. Before you know it, you’ve bought a self-stirring mug, a Wi-Fi-enabled plant pot, and a tiny selfie stick for your hamster.
Has Creativity Taken a Wrong Turn?
The real question is: why aren’t we using this creative energy for something actually useful? Well, because practical innovation requires time, research, and funding, whereas a pointless-yet-amusing gadget only requires a funny idea and a 3D printer. The internet has democratized invention—meaning anyone can create something completely unnecessary but still market it successfully.
Are We Doomed to Keep Buying This Stuff?
Most likely, yes. The age of useless gadgets isn’t going anywhere, because, at the end of the day, we love them. Just as the Victorians had a weird obsession with mechanical birdcages, we’re living in the golden era of LED toilet seats and USB-powered face massagers.
One day, some historian may analyze this phenomenon and conclude that civilization didn’t collapse due to war or climate change but because people were too distracted testing out their "smart" peanut butter spreaders. But until then—if you see a tiny selfie stick for your hamster, just buy it. Because, honestly, why not?