re: #145 wrenchwench

I can see both points of view. I don’t think the “Paradox of Choice” author is arguing for no choice at all, just that there’s an optimum range (he gave an example in his book of a jam-tasting counter, and how the one that offered 6 choices was more likely to result in a purchase than one that offered 20, because the higher number was overwhelming and people just couldn’t make up their minds).

To use the same faucet example from your excerpt, what if the woman *hadn’t* found one exactly like what she wanted? Or, it was there but she didn’t have time to keep looking until she found it? That’s where the dissatisfaction/distress comes in, where you’re constantly wondering if the “one magic whatever” is out there and you’ve missed it.

Speaking for myself, I really appreciate any kind of aid that lets you narrow down a selection and get a manageable list of options…