Next up: luxury toilet paper

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June 1, 2026

I just saw a reference in a news article to “luxury fountain pens” so I felt the need to find out what a luxury fountain pen could possibly be. I mean, what is a fountain pen? A thing you write with. It holds some ink, and you write with it, and every now and then you get to refill it with ink. Where does “luxury” come into it? It’s not silk or mink or soft leather or any other bit of an endangered animal, it’s just a small tool for writing. Where does luxury find an entry?

I learned there’s a pen that sells for $1,270.

People are weird.

Comments

2 responses to “Next up: luxury toilet paper”

Peter N

Jun 1, 2026 9:12 AM

As a recording engineer, I’ve always been puzzled by Bose audio equipment. They have some nice products but they’re way more expensive than equivalent devices from other manufacturers. I conclude that their rationale is that a sufficient number of potential customers think that if it’s so expensive, it must be that much better. Likewise: luxury fountain pens. [Being self-employed, I exclusively use pens that I randomly find in the supermarket parking lot.]
Ophelia Benson

Jun 1, 2026 9:30 AM

Hahahaha very wise.

Next up: luxury toilet paper

Comments

2 responses to “Next up: luxury toilet paper”