Originally Posted by john m flores

Need to account for the production of the single-use disposable cartridge too.

Originally Posted by smd4

"Oh my goodness," grandma? Why does it sound "troll-y?" Believe it or not, I wonder about CO2 and its effect on the environment. I even wonder how much we put into the environment using CO2 cartridges to air up tires, or even carbonated beverages. I assume it adds up.

Originally Posted by smd4

Correction: It's carbon-steel (which I guess brings us full-circle). Not sure why it's so good, but he's beyond me. I'm happy using the cast iron skillet he gave me (and my grandmother's Griswold).

I do like the look of copper cookware.

Originally Posted by smd4

I'll definitely look into that brand for my son. Graduation is coming up.

Originally Posted by base2

Sorry, I should've included the "" emoji for intent. It was good natured, I swear.

+1 on the Griswold. I have 3, a small, medium, & a large. There is no substitute. Goin' on 35 years for the big one...Ever since I was 10 and while doing the dishes I scrubbed the seasoning off. My parents quit using it on that day & gave it to me as a wedding present. I have no idea how old it really is (80? 90?) but the seasoning is finally starting to get as good as it was 35 years ago. (Still not as good, tho.)

Originally Posted by rsbob

Do it!

Originally Posted by genejockey

Only if you also account for the production of the car.

Originally Posted by smd4

Even if you don't have the skills, quality tools still perform better.

Originally Posted by john m flores

That's the first thing I wrote.

Originally Posted by john m flores

For sure. All energy accounting should include cradle-to-grave costs.

I just want to shine a light on the costs of single-use products.

Originally Posted by smd4

Yep.

Then you went on for three paragraphs explaining why good gear doesn’t matter.

Originally Posted by genejockey

From what I can find online, CO2 for dry ice or for inflation is a byproduct of other industrial processes, rather than being made on purpose, so you might arguably even remove the 16g of CO2 in the cartridge from the calculation.

Originally Posted by Polaris OBark

The canisters are a much bigger problem than the content. I stopped using them for that reason. I bought a nice thrifty Silca frame pump instead.

Originally Posted by john m flores

BREAKING NEWS: Expensive bicycles/golf clubs/knives/guitars/coolers are better! News at 11!

The distinction that needs to be made here is that advertising has made these things seem critical to "success" in those pursuits, to the point where some people spend more time agonizing over the tools instead of the education and training required to achieve success with those tools.

I'm a published motorcycle photographer. My photos have been on covers and on two-page spreads. I have been down that path thinking that a more expensive camera is going to make me a better photographer and it has failed every time. So I have worked on my craft for decades, looking at my own photos critically and participating in serious and substantive critique groups. I challenge myself to grow creatively every year. Thanks to that study and the confidence that it has given me, I can use mostly consumer-level, mid-grade camera gear to get the job done.

That said, if I were tasked with photographing the Super Bowl from the sidelines, I'd need both a big upgrade and gear AND a ton of practice with that gear to stand any chance of success. I'd stand a better chance of success with my current gear plus a lot of practice vs. new professional gear with little practice.

Tools matter. But skills matter more.

Originally Posted by Koyote

As long as he sticks to wooden and plastic utensils, it should last a lifetime.

Originally Posted by squirtdad

I agree overall, but IME there is a minimum level of quality tool needed to allow you to apply your skills

example: BSO from a big box store are often so low in quality that it will limit ability to ride efficiently and safely and limit ability to use mechanic skills

PS: On photography
IME good glass is important for photography/video. sure you can get amazing pic with all equipment, but it is easier to with better gear
Of course sometimes you pick less than good glass for specific artistic reasons like getting a helios lens for bokeh effects

Originally Posted by smd4

Y'all are really making me think something like this will make an excellent graduation gift! Although I think he may also be hankering for a Kitchen-aid stand mixer.

Originally Posted by smd4

Yep.

Then you went on for three paragraphs explaining why good gear doesn’t matter.

Originally Posted by rsbob

The new Kitchen-aids have inferior motors to the originals and burn out quickly. If you decide to go that route, do what my wife did, find a pre-2010 (e-bay, wherever) and have it reconditioned and it should last decades.

Originally Posted by seypat

I thought it was funny, even if no else did.

Originally Posted by Maelochs

Anyway ... glad to see we are no longer stuck in that absurd article. .... I want the golf-gear story next.

Originally Posted by rsbob

The new Kitchen-aids have inferior motors to the originals and burn out quickly. If you decide to go that route, do what my wife did, find a pre-2010 (e-bay, wherever) and have it reconditioned and it should last decades.