{"id":544,"date":"2012-12-17T12:11:29","date_gmt":"2012-12-17T17:11:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ecooptimism.com\/?p=544"},"modified":"2013-07-07T15:49:53","modified_gmt":"2013-07-07T20:49:53","slug":"fit-to-be-untied","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecooptimism.com\/?p=544","title":{"rendered":"Fit to be Untied"},"content":{"rendered":"

Were it not for the fact that the original product involved here is totally unnecessary in the first place, this Worst Product Award nomination might have gotten a split decision from the\u00a0\u201cjudges,\u201d i.e. me.<\/p>\n

\"magnetie\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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On the one hand, the Magnetie<\/a> could be seen as a form of dematerialization because it means the wearer no longer needs a tie clasp. If you\u2019re a tie wearer though, you may respond that you never use a clasp anyway, what with those little fabric loop thingies on the back of the tie serving almost the same function. I think the last time I saw one was on Mad Men.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo lifted from GQ<\/p><\/div>\n

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On the other hand, the tie now gets to do double duty because it\u2019s reversible and can even have a different pattern on each side. So you could rationalize that it takes the place of two ties.<\/p>\n

But then there\u2019s the recycling issue. The tie is no longer made of a single material and now requires pieces to be separated later in life. (Does it get recycled with metals?)<\/p>\n

I say let\u2019s dematerialize the whole darn thing. I\u2019ll admit a bias here. I\u2019ve been fortunate to have not worked in situations where ties were de rigueur<\/i>. And my \u201cgo to\u201d tie for those times when I do need one is made from a recycled seat belt, so I guess it serves as a statement and not just an ornament.<\/p>\n

Ties must have had a purpose at some point in time, but no longer, at least as far as I can tell. They\u2019re no more than an affectation, used to display self-importance, if not of the wearer then of the business or profession that often requires ties. (OK, that\u2019s a bit heavy-handed, but really: what ARE they for?)<\/p>\n

Given my recent rant about holiday gifts<\/a>, it\u2019s unlikely there will be any ties, magnetic or otherwise, under my tree. And that\u2019s just fine.<\/p>\n

Previous Wrongest Product Award nominations<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

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Wrongest Product Award nominations are open! Send your nominees to ImNotBuyinIt (at) EcoOptimism.com.<\/em><\/p>\n

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