Back in school, I remember reading a short story. Well, I guess we read a lot of them. But this one sticks out in my head. I don't know why. The name was "The Rivet Removers", or something like that.
In short, the story was about an airplane company that realized that removing just a rivet or two from an airplane had no effect on the structural soundness of the plane. And they could save a few cents by removing that rivet. Those few cents added up. So they slowly started removing more and more rivets. It was harmless afterall, just a couple of rivets.
Naturally, over time, it was no longer just a harmless rivet or two. And the airplanes fell apart.
What reminded me of this story I read nearly 30 years ago? It's the damn toilet paper. The toilet paper companies are doing it to us. Slowly, one by one, removing rivets. Or bits of paper.
You see, the toilet paper roll is made to fit the toilet paper roll dispenser. It is an exact fit. The toilet paper dispensers at work are the kind without a dowel/rod to hold the toilet paper. It just fits within the dispenser. (like this)
Now, I'm guessing in an effort to save money, the toilet paper company has shortened the rolls. So they don't fit. I know that the process of making rolls of toilet paper creates a big long strip that is cut into rolls. I guess if you shorten each roll just a bit, you can end up with an extra roll. And I'm rather sure they charge just as much for the slightly shorter roll. Who would notice anyway, right?
I do, because every time I try to remove toilet paper for use, the stupid roll falls off of the damn dispenser. It's a rather bit of a pain. Just annoying. All to save a few cents. I feel like the airplane losing my rivets one by one.
At least it gives me something to gripe about. Obviously I needed it given that I haven't posted to this blog in months.
