[nickheer]

I (half-Swiss) like efficiency as much as the next HN reader, but at a certain point, efficiency must be weighed against enjoyability. I can't imagine not eating a delicious roasted vegetable strudel with a balsamic vinegar reduction, or potatoes with crème fraîche and chives in puff pastry. I delight in the delicacy required to prepare these items, and enjoy eating them even more.

Cooking is (obviously) an activity that is not enjoyed by everyone, but it's an enormous leap to call it "a waste of time". Imagine, if you will, that someone has invented a speedy way of deodorizing yourself without water and soap, as showering is as much a waste of time. Sounds great, until you realize that there is a reason for these rituals. It takes me away from code, writing, and working, and offers me a moment to clear my head. What does your morning shower take you away from? What does preparing your breakfast, a cup of coffee, or dinner take you away from?

Not everything needs to be optimized for efficiency. If you've ever been to France, you'll know that many people spend an hour or more at breakfast. It slows people down, and provides them a chance to think, contemplate, and relax. Sometimes, the very act of something being inefficient can be beneficial in its own right.

[shmageggy]

I'm surprised at how many people are pointing out objective, scientific issues with the product instead of the subjective component. Even if this stuff worked perfectly as advertised (highly doubtful) I wouldn't buy it because I don't share the same viewpoint as its creator. To me and you, eating isn't an annoyance that needs to be optimized away, it's a one of the fundamental joys of being alive.

You mentioned strudels and potatoes, and one could extend your list ad nauseum with all of the magnificent culinary fare, all of the diverse textures and smells, the sublime human sensory experiences that can only be shared over a fine meal. To trade all of this for some homogeneous slop would be like adopting artificial insemination in order to avoid having to waste time with all of that inefficient sexual intercourse.

[sxcurry]

Exactly - the human body is well designed to eat and enjoy a wide variety of foods. Many (most?) of us enjoy eating - when I travel that's one of my main goals - to eat as much different and interesting food as possible.

Why do you think we have all sorts of teeth - canines, incisors, cuspids, etc - not to slurp down some disgusting goo!

As far as sexual intercourse, it may be that a certain percentage of the HN readers don't have to worry about that problem. (That's a joke BTW)

[VLM]

You can have a lot of fun with your post doing a literal or subjective search and replace of your "eating" with alternatives such as "hunting game" and "butchering". Or "vegetable gardening".

Also the relative success of fast food restaurants vs gourmet grocery stores does tend to point out the majority has already decided in favor...

[klipt]

> Not everything needs to be optimized for efficiency. If you've ever been to France, you'll know that many people spend an hour or more at breakfast. It slows people down, and provides them a chance to think, contemplate, and relax. Sometimes, the very act of something being inefficient can be beneficial in its own right.

I think the Buddha would agree.

[Uncompetative]

More vegetarian recipe ideas, please... those sound great!